Kraton Performance Polymers Inc. of Houston has exited its joint venture deal with Taipei, Taiwan-based Formosa Petrochemical Corp. (FPCC), seeking instead to expand hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) manufacturing capability in Asia on a stand-alone basis, as per PlasticsNews. The company is focusing on locations in the region that were identified during the site-selection process conducted in 2010 and early 2011, Kraton said in a news release.
Kraton opted not to extend the previously announced Framework Agreement with FPCC, which expired Sept. 30. The agreement had governed the formation of a proposed 50/50 joint venture to build, own and operate a 66 mln lb HSBC plant at FPCC’s petrochemical site in Mailiao, Taiwan. The project was delayed, first by the wait for environmental permit approval, Kraton said. After the permit was finally approved in July, FPCC considered the conditions to be too restrictive and limiting on its overall operation in Mailiao. However, an Oct. 11 report from Taiwan’s Economic Daily said FPCC was going to file an appeal by Oct. 12, after the environmental protection authorities once again rejected FPCC’s proposal and indicated additional restrictions.
18-Oct-12 
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