Asahi Kasei Corp. and Zeon Corp. each plan to set up plants in Singapore to produce synthetic rubber used in fuel-saving tires, the Nikkei reported in its Saturday morning edition.
They are responding to plans by Bridgestone Corp., the Michelin Group of France, and other tire producers to expand their offerings of environmentally friendly products.
Asahi Kasei will construct a high-function-rubber plant in Singapore in early 2013. Japan's third-largest synthetic rubber manufacturer will first set up production lines with an annual output capacity of 50,000 tons - the equivalent of 30-40 million tires - then add equipment with the same capacity in 2016. The investment is expected to total about Y20 billion.
This will be the company's first overseas site for synthetic rubber production.
The second-ranked Zeon intends to build a Y15 billion plant in Singapore capable of making 50,000 tons of rubber for fuel-saving tires. The facility is expected to come onstream in 2013.
Sumitomo Chemical Co. will spend about Y15 billion to install new equipment at a Chiba Prefecture plant with an eye toward raising output capacity there to 50,000 tons in as early as 2013, roughly 10 times the current level.
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