DSM has decided to rationalise its EPDM activities

The DSM-Idemitsu joint venture is planning to close its EPDM plant in Chiba, Japan by 30 September. The closure follows an earlier decision by DSM Elastomers to rationalise its EPDM activities.

A new EPDM unit with annual production capacity of 80,000 tonnes was opened by DSM Elastomers in Geleen, the Netherlands, in 2003. The company said this plant is now fully operational.

Asian customers of the Keltan EPDM product will now be served from the Geleen plant and DSM’s other plant in Triunfo, Brazil. Almost all customers have re-approved products from these plants and phase-out plans for the Japanese plant are in place, said DSM.