CILEGON, Indonesia — A Group Michelin joint venture in Indonesia has inaugurated production of synthetic rubber at a plant in Cilegon, an enterprise that Michelin characterized as a "strategic step in supporting the realization of a sustainable business."
The $435 million plant, P.T. Synthetic Rubber Indonesia (PTSRI), is rated at 120,000 metric tons of butadiene rubber (BR) and solution-styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), according to Michelin and Chandra Asri Petrochemical Tbk., the joint venture partner.
"Michelin needs more regular supply of synthetic rubber to ensure growth of its 'green' tires globally," Michelin General Managing Partner Florent Menegaux said, noting that this is his company's third synthetic rubber plant worldwide.
Established in June 2013, PTSRI is a 55/45 joint venture between Michelin and PT Chandra Asri Petrochemical.
Mr. Menegaux said Michelin has been training key personnel from the Indonesian venture for the past two years at its other SR plants in France and the U.S. to prepare them for their work at the new factory.
According to Erwin, Ciputra, president director of Chandra Asri, the partnership with Michelin is in line with his company's plan to add value to its products. The new ventures uses Michelin technology to convert butadiene supplied by Chkandra Asri, into synthetic rubber.
"We are proud and happy to build a partnership with Michelin, a collaboration that is instrumental to strengthening the manufacturing industry in Indonesia," Mr. Erwin said.