Global demand for thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) is slated to grow by 6.2% in 2009 as per the forecast of The Freedonia Group. China and India will dominate the markets, with demand in these two countries overshadowing demand in markets of USA, Europe and Japan. Demand will be driven by direct displacement of competitive materials and overmolding onto rigid plastic and metal. To cash in on the demand growth in Asia, SCG-Dow has proposed formation of a 50:50 JV between Thailand's Siam Cement Group and America's Dow Chemical Company to set up a specialty elastomers train in Rayong Province, Thailand. The specialty elastomers train will make products including Affinity polyolefin plastomers and Engage polyolefin elastomers, that utilize the Insite metallocene catalyst technology of Dow. Slated to kick off by 2011, the Rayong-based elastomers train will produce resins applicable in food packaging, medical, hot-melt adhesives, and durable goods.
04-Aug-08 
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