EXXONMOBIL has completed a major expansion of its speciality elastomers manufacturing plant in Newport creating 35 full-time jobs, following a £75m investment.
The expansion has seen the plant’s manufacturing capacity doubled with two new production lines and also increases global manufacturing capacity of Santoprene thermoplastic elastomers by 25 per cent.

South Wales Argus:

Tom Van Nuland, advanced elastomer systems plant manager, said: “ExxonMobil has invested substantially to develop our production capacity in Newport.

“We are delighted to have both lines on-stream and performing as planned. The decision to invest in the Newport plant, and the quality of the output from the new production lines reflect well on the excellence of our workforce from this part of Wales.”

Santoprene thermoplastic elastomers are engineered to perform like vulcanized rubber. However, they can be re-used and re-engineered, reducing shipping weights, improved recycling capabilities and more-sustainable manufacturing.

Welsh Government Economy and Transport Minister Ken Skates said: “It is pleasing to see ExxonMobil’s investment at its Newport plant creating 35 new jobs and providing a welcome boost to the Welsh economy.

South Wales Argus:

"Investment like this not only supports the industry, but also provides a vote of confidence to manufacturing in South Wales.

"As we prepare to leave the European Union it is more important than ever that industry looks to innovate, invest and increase productivity wherever possible.”

The investment was carefully planned to enable production on site to continue safely as normal throughout the construction phase.

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An ExxonMobil spokesperson said: "Safety is our top priority and the project was completed with a total of more than one million hours worked without a single ‘worse than first aid’ incident."

In recognition of the expansion project’s exemplary safety record, the Newport site has raised around £17,000 for four charities - Sparkle, the Lily Foundation, Oliver’s Journey and the Greenfields School.

ExxonMobil also manufactures Santoprene™ in Pensacola, Florida.