Keyuan Petrochemicals, an independent manufacturer and supplier of petrochemical products, has signed an agreement with Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company, a producer of truck, car and radial tires, to create new commercial applications for Solution Polymerization Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR).
Hangzhou Zhongce is a major consumer of SSBR, which is particularly used for high gear radials. Keyuan Petrochemicals plans to leverage this major growth opportunity and expects to benefit by developing commercial uses for SSBR.
SSBR offers several advantages over tires, including lower environmental impact, high fuel efficiency and improved safety. China is in the initial stage of using SSBR in tire production. The European Union is encouraging the use of eco-friendly tires through implementation of stringent labeling requirements.
Researchers from Keyuan Petrochemicals and Hangzhou Zhongce Rubber Company are jointly working to develop SSBR in the upcoming years. The rights to new products and technologies resulting from this collaboration will be shared by both the companies.