Styrolution, a joint venture of BASF and INEOS and the leading global styrenics supplier, announced measures at major sites in Germany, South Korea and India to fast-track implementation of key strategic priorities.

By extending and modernizing production facilities for styrene copolymers in Ludwigshafen, Germany, establishing a new Luran S (acrylonitrile styrene acrylate copolymers or ASA) production line in Ulsan, South Korea, and expanding ABS specialties in Vadodara, India, the company wants to drive selective, value-oriented growth in emerging markets and specialties.

The company will support its cost leadership and improve the competitive position of its commodity business by optimizing capacity through its polystyrene and styrene monomer plants in Europe.

To further improve capacity utilization of its European sites, Styrolution intends to cancel all offtake from the polystyrene and styrene monomer plants in Marl, Germany, which are operated by INEOS Industries.

Martin Pugh, president EMEA, Styrolution, said, "Polystyrene customers served by the Marl plants will not be affected, as we can provide equivalent products from our production sites in Belgium, France and Sweden."