The Auto Channel
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
The Largest Independent Automotive Research Resource
Official Website of the New Car Buyer

Butyl Synthetic Rubber Expansion Is Largest Part of Strategy

10 September 1998

Butyl Synthetic Rubber Expansion Is Largest Part of Bayer's $300 Million Investment Strategy

    SARNIA, Ontario--(AutomotiveWire)--Sept. 10, 1998--As the largest portion of its strategic $300 million (Canadian) three-year investment commitment, Bayer Inc. will increase the production capacity of its Butyl II plant in Sarnia, Ontario, Canada, to 90 kt per year.
    The expansion of the Butyl II unit will take place in two phases and will include the construction of halogenation facilities, enabling the plant to produce both regular and halogenated butyls interchangeably. The project is scheduled to be on line by June 1, 2000.
    "Our major expansion of the Sarnia site is an investment that will help Bayer increase its competitive position in this global market," Dr. Gunter Hilken, senior vice president and site manager, said. "This important project is the most recent example of Bayer's ongoing commitment to supplying our customers with reliable, competitively priced, state-of-the-art rubbers now and well into the next century. Specifically, customers can expect increased availability of products through a North American source."
    The plant expansion is Bayer's response to increasing demand from the butyl markets, the largest of which is the tire industry. Approximately 85 percent of butyl rubber produced is used in tire applications. Halogenated butyl rubber, or halobutyl, demonstrates improved compatibility with general-purpose rubbers and is used primarily in tire innerliners. Butyl rubbers are also found in automotive and bicycle tubes as well as hoses, seals, protective clothing, pharmaceutical stoppers and chewing gum.
    Bayer Inc. is a Responsible Care company that adheres to a set of guiding principles subscribed to by member companies of the Canadian Chemical Producers' Association. These guiding principles express to employees, the public, and governments that the industry is a responsible one, sharing information regarding environmental issues that may affect the plant personnel or general public.
    Bayer Inc., the Canadian subsidiary of the international chemical and health care company Bayer AG (Germany), is research-based with major businesses in health care, chemicals, and imaging technologies. Headquartered in Toronto, with a major synthetic rubber manufacturing site in Sarnia, Bayer Inc. employs more than 2,300 people. Sales in 1997 exceeded $1.3 billion.