Kraton Corp., a leading global manufacturer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs), specialty polymers and high-value performance products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, recently announced the opening of the 30 kiloton hydrogenated styrenic block copolymer (HSBC) plant in Mailiao, Taiwan. The Mailiao plant is owned and operated by Kraton Formosa Polymers Company, a joint venture between Kraton and Formosa Petrochemical Corp. The plant will support Kraton's innovation-grade business, particularly low molecular weight HSBC products. Key features of the Mailiao plant include a process and product laboratory with capabilities for producing low viscosity products. About 100 people are employed at the plant, which has already achieved more than 1.8 million work hours without a recordable incident since construction began in early 2014. The plant is currently in commercial production after a successful trial productions period. "The Mailiao plant will enable Kraton to serve the growing Asian and export markets more effectively than ever before through higher production capacity of our differentiated grades of HSBC. The plant is a demonstration of our continued commitment to innovation through investments in state-of-the-art infrastructure and organic growth in key markets," said Kevin M. Fogarty, Kraton's President and Chief Executive Officer.