Zeon expands hydrogenated nitrile rubber production at Texas facility

Louisville, KY – Zeon Corporation via its subsidiary Zeon Chemicals L.P. has decided to expand its capacity for its Zetpol® Hydrogenated Nitrile Rubber (“HNBR”) at its Texas Plant (Pasadena, TX USA).
Zetpol® is a specialty rubber with enhanced heat resistance made by hydrogenating oil-resistant nitrile rubber. Zeon produces Zetpol® at its Texas Plant as well as its Takaoka Plant (Takaoka City, Toyama Prefecture, Japan).
The expansion will increase Zeon’s global HNBR Rubber capacity by approximately 25% and is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2025.
Zeon last expanded Zetpol® capacity at its Texas Plant in year 2020 and at its Takaoka Plant in 2022. Zetpol® is utilized in a wide variety of demanding application in Oil&Gas, Automotive, and Industrial applications. Zetpol® is a performance upgrade versus traditional NBR Rubber, providing improved heat and oil resistance and toughness. Zetpol® is a cost-effective option for applications utilizing fluorinated rubber, such as FKM. Since 2011, Zetpol® has been utilized for Cathode Binders in Lithium-ion (Li-Ion; LIB) batteries. Market demand for HNBR-based Cathode Binders is projected to continue to increase due to growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs). Zeon holds a broad intellectual property portfolio related to Li-ion batteries.