Cariflex Opens $462m Synthetic Latex Plant on Jurong Island

The world's largest such facility, it has created 80 new jobs, with 40 more to come

- Sheila Chiang

Cariflex, a major synthetic rubber latex producer, on May 14 opened a new plant on Jurong Island that is expected to double its global production capacity once fully ramped up.

The 6.1ha facility, launched after a US$355 million (S$462 million) investment by the company, will enable it to better serve its customers in South-east Asia.

The region accounts for over 75 per cent of its sales.

The new facility is Singapore's first polyisoprene latex plant and also the world's largest facility of its kind, Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Trade and Industry Tan See Leng said at the opening ceremony.

Cariflex's polyisoprene latex is a synthetic, water-based polymer latex primarily used in the production of surgical gloves and condoms.

"When fully ramped up, the plant will double Cariflex's manufacturing capacity for this product," Dr Tan said.

Cariflex said the facility has created about 80 new jobs, with the majority filled by Singaporeans.

These jobs are spread across engineering, production, quality, supply chain and other manufacturing support functions.