ARLANXEO inaugurates a state-of-the-art HNBR plant in Changzhou, strengthening regional supply, sustainability, and global elastomer production capabilities.
ARLANXEO, a global leader in the development and production of high-performance elastomers, has officially inaugurated its new Therban® hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) manufacturing plant in Changzhou, China. The launch of this advanced facility marks a significant step in expanding ARLANXEO’s global HNBR production footprint and reinforces the company’s ability to deliver consistent, high-quality elastomer solutions to customers across China and the wider Asia-Pacific region. The new plant is strategically positioned to support rapidly growing demand for advanced rubber materials in key industries, including new energy, next-generation mobility, and a wide range of industrial applications.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by senior leadership and distinguished guests, highlighting the importance of the project for both ARLANXEO and its shareholders. Among those present were Dr. Faisal Mohammed Al Faqeer, Chairman of the ARLANXEO Shareholders’ Committee and Senior Vice President of In-Kingdom Liquids to Chemicals Development at Aramco, as well as Stephan van Santbrink, Chief Executive Officer of ARLANXEO. The event also welcomed members of the shareholders’ committee, global and China leadership teams, customers, government officials, business partners, and representatives from the local community.
Commenting on the occasion, Dr. Faisal Al Faqeer emphasized China’s strategic role in Aramco’s downstream growth ambitions. He noted that the new Therban® HNBR plant is a clear example of Aramco’s downstream expansion strategy, focused on portfolio diversification and deeper integration. The investment underscores strong confidence in China’s innovation ecosystem and manufacturing capabilities, while also reflecting a commitment to long-term cooperation and contributing to China’s high-quality, sustainable economic development.
ARLANXEO CEO Stephan van Santbrink described the inauguration as a major milestone for the company and a strong affirmation of its long-term commitment to the Chinese market. He expressed appreciation to the Changzhou municipal government, Aramco, and all project partners for their continued trust and support. With the facility now fully operational, ARLANXEO is further strengthening the integration of its local manufacturing and research and development capabilities, enhancing the resilience and flexibility of its global supply chain. By producing high-quality HNBR locally, the company aims to work even more closely with customers, accelerate application-driven innovation, and create added economic and social value throughout the value chain.
The Changzhou plant is a state-of-the-art facility with a total design capacity of 5,000 tons per year, dedicated to producing Therban® HNBR for highly demanding applications. These include automotive components, oil and gas systems, industrial machinery, aerospace applications, and emerging battery technologies, where materials must perform reliably under extreme temperatures, pressures, and chemical exposure. The first phase of the project, with an initial capacity of 2,500 tons, was successfully commissioned in October 2025.
Located within ARLANXEO’s existing Changzhou site, alongside its EPDM production unit and Regional Technology Center, the new plant strengthens the company’s innovation-to-production ecosystem. The facility incorporates advanced finishing technology that improves production efficiency and product consistency, as well as a modern thermal oxidation system that optimizes energy use and reduces carbon emissions by approximately 80% compared with conventional finishing processes. Designed with a closed-loop energy recovery and emission-reduction system, the plant operates without routine process wastewater discharge, supporting ARLANXEO’s broader sustainability goals.
From construction through commissioning, the project achieved an exemplary safety performance, completing start-up within 13 months and recording more than 1.1 million safe man-hours without any lost-time or recordable incidents.
With the Changzhou HNBR plant now acting as a central hub for China and Asia, ARLANXEO operates a fully integrated global HNBR production network spanning the Americas (Orange, USA), Europe (Leverkusen, Germany), and Asia (Changzhou, China).
