On February 4, 2026, ARLANXEO inaugurated its new Therban hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) plant in Changzhou, China.

ARLANXEO’s new Therban HNBR plant in Changzhou, China.

This new plant supports expanding ARLANXEO’s HNBR production footprint and its ability to deliver reliable, high-quality elastomer solutions to China and the Asia-Pacific region, while meeting the growing demand for advanced rubber materials in strategic sectors, such as new energy and new mobility.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by Dr. Faisal Mohammed Al Faqeer, ARLANXEO Shareholders’ Committee Chairman and Aramco Senior Vice President of In-Kingdom Liquids to Chemicals Development; Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO CEO.

The inauguration ceremony on February 4, 2026.

“With the new HNBR plant now fully operational, we are further integrating our local production and R&D capabilities to strengthen the resilience of our global supply network. By delivering locally produced, high-quality rubber products, we will continue to collaborate with our customers and accelerate application innovation, creating greater economic and social value across our value chain,” said Stephan van Santbrink, ARLANXEO CEO.

With the Changzhou HNBR plant now serving as the hub for China and Asia, ARLANXEO operates an integrated global HNBR production network spanning the Americas (Orange, USA), Europe (Leverkusen, Germany), and Asia (Changzhou, China).

All in one: From innovation to production

The first phase of the plant, with a production of 2,500 tons, was successfully commissioned in October 2025.

The new plant is a state-of-the-art facility with a design capacity of 5,000 tons per year, producing high-performance Therban HNBR for demanding applications in automotive components, oil and gas systems, industrial equipment, aerospace, and next-generation battery technologies, where durability and reliability under extreme conditions are critical.

The new plant also features improving finishing technology that enhances production efficiency and product consistency.

Located within ARLANXEO’s Changzhou site, alongside its EPDM plant and Regional Technology Center (RTC), the new facility enhances the company’s innovation-to-production capabilities, unlocking greater downstream application potential across diversified industries.

Sustainability in mind

With ARLANXEO’s global standards for sustainability, the new plant includes an advanced thermal oxidation system that helps optimize energy use and reduce carbon emissions in key process steps by around 80% compared to conventional finishing processes.

Under this closed-loop design for energy recovery and emission reduction, the facility operates without routine process wastewater discharge, aiming to lower the plant’s GHG emissions.