Kraton Selects Engineering Firm for Styrene Block Copolymers Expansion in Ohio

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Researched by Industrialinfo.com (Industrial Information Resources, Incorporated; Houston, Texas). Kraton Polymers LLC (Houston, Texas) has selected Aker Kvaerner (Charleston, West Virginia) to perform the detailed engineering phase for their $20 million hydrogenated styrene block copolymers (HSBC) plant expansion (PEC 10002485) in Belpre, Ohio (Plant 1010051).

Washington Group International (Belpre, Ohio), Kraton's onsite alliance engineering and construction contractor, will oversee the construction management.

Industrialinfo.com first reported this project in May of 2001 as part of its North American Industrial Database and as an Industry Alert in November 2002. See related archived IIR Industry Alert*: Expansion Planned For Kraton Polymers in Ohio

This expansion project will double the current output of Kraton G-1 to 100,000 metric tons a year. The project will include the installation of new equipment, as well as upgrading and modifying existing process equipment. Detailed engineering will be performed through the first quarter of 2004 and construction is expected to commence in early spring, April or May. The completion date for the expansion is set for August of 2004.

The styrene block copolymer technology was invented by Kraton Polymers in the 1960's. Kraton G-1 has a hydrogenated rubber mid-block that improves the thermo-oxidative and UV stability of the polymer making it popular among label and tape manufacturers. Kraton continues to develop and improve upon their process and technology concerning SBC making them one of the leading innovators and producers of SBC's in the world.

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