IRPC Plc to increase acrylonitrile butadiene styrene production by 50% to 180,000 tpa

03-Aug-11

IRPC Plc, a subsidiary of PTT Plc, plans to increase its acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) production by 50% to 180,000 tpa in a bid to capitalise on growing demand from electrical and electronic goods sector, as per Bangkokpost. This will be part of the US$1.2 bln Phoenix investment program targeted to make IRPC one of Southeast Asia's most fully integrated petrochemical companies in three years. IRPC targets to increase sales from specialty plastic high-value polymer and oil products to 40% of its total sales by 2014 from 30% in 2011, in a bid to steer clear from head-on competition with lower value polyolefins, where competition is intense among producers from the Middle East and East Asia. IRPC plans value addition to ABS by mixing it with 2-10% rubber. This green ABS brand Polimaxx is more durable and flexible than fossil-based ABS. With 3,500, green ABS production started modestly this year, and is planned to be increased to 10,000 tons by 2014.