INEOS Styrolution
A global supplier of styrene monomers, commodity plastics and specialty styrenic materials.
Last updated August 31, 2026
AI crawler reads
No AI crawler has read this profile since Oct 28, 2026.
Overview
INEOS Styrolution is a Germany-based producer and supplier of styrenics, the family of chemical intermediates, thermoplastics and specialty resins based on styrene. The company serves industrial customers whose products require combinations of rigidity, impact resistance, transparency, processability, surface quality, chemical resistance or light weight. Its materials are used in automotive components, electrical and electronic equipment, household appliances, construction products, healthcare applications, packaging, toys, sporting goods and leisure products. The business was created in October 2011 as a 50–50 joint venture between BASF and INEOS. It became an independent operating company after the necessary antitrust approvals, combining BASF’s and INEOS’s styrenics activities. In 2014, INEOS and BASF announced that INEOS would acquire BASF’s remaining half of the venture for €1.1 billion, making Styrolution an INEOS-controlled business. The company subsequently operated as part of the wider INEOS group while retaining a dedicated styrenics identity and product portfolio. INEOS Styrolution’s portfolio spans styrene monomer, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene-butadiene block copolymers and a range of styrene-based copolymers and blends. Its specialty and engineering-oriented materials include SAN, AMSAN, ASA, MABS and blends such as ABS/polyamide, ASA/polyamide and ASA/polycarbonate. Branded products include Novodur, Terluran and Lustran ABS grades, Terlux MABS and Luran ASA. These materials can be formulated for technical parts, high-gloss surfaces, transparent packaging, weatherability, impact performance and demanding processing conditions. The company has a global manufacturing and commercial footprint, with global and European headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and regional headquarters in Aurora, Illinois, and Singapore. Its reported manufacturing network includes sites in Germany, Belgium, China, France, South Korea, Thailand, the United States, Canada and Mexico. The business has operated more than 16 manufacturing sites and employed approximately 3,100 people according to the cited reference material. Its geographic reach allows it to supply both globally coordinated customers and regional converters and manufacturers. Strategically, INEOS Styrolution has combined large-volume styrene and polystyrene operations with higher-value specialty plastics. It has also adjusted its portfolio through transactions, including the 2022 agreement for Ensinger to acquire the StyLight thermoplastic composite materials business. In the same year, INEOS and SINOPEC announced an ABS joint venture connected with a broader cooperation framework, including a planned 600,000-tonne ABS plant in Ningbo, China that opened in 2023. These developments illustrate the company’s emphasis on scale, Asian growth and applications-oriented materials. Styrolution’s current market position is that of a specialist global styrenics supplier within the INEOS group rather than a consumer-facing brand.
History
INEOS Styrolution was established in October 2011 as a 50–50 joint venture between BASF and INEOS. The venture brought together the partners’ styrenics activities, covering styrene monomer, polystyrene and a broad group of styrene-based plastics. It was designed to operate as a dedicated global supplier rather than as a small specialist brand, with manufacturing, technical and commercial capabilities inherited from both parent companies. Independent operations followed approval by the relevant antitrust authorities. The company’s business model combined high-volume commodity materials with specialty and engineered styrenics. Styrene monomer is an important feedstock for downstream plastics, while polystyrene, ABS, SBC, SAN, ASA, MABS and related blends serve different requirements in packaging, consumer products and technical components. The portfolio included established commercial brands such as Novodur, Terluran, Lustran, Terlux and Luran. This combination gave Styrolution exposure to both cyclical basic-chemical markets and more differentiated applications where resin performance, appearance and processing characteristics influence customer choice. In 2014, BASF and INEOS announced that INEOS would acquire BASF’s 50 percent stake for €1.1 billion. The transaction changed Styrolution from a jointly owned venture into an INEOS-controlled company and integrated it more closely with the INEOS group. Styrolution continued to operate under its own corporate and product identity as a global styrenics business. Its production and supply network expanded across Europe, North America and Asia. The cited reference material identifies manufacturing locations in Germany, Belgium, France, China, South Korea, Thailand, the United States, Canada and Mexico, with more than 16 manufacturing sites overall. Frankfurt am Main serves as the global and European headquarters, while Aurora, Illinois, and Singapore serve as regional headquarters. The network supports customers in automotive, electronics, appliances, construction, healthcare, packaging, toys, sports and leisure. The company has also reshaped its portfolio through selective transactions. In February 2022, it was announced that Ensinger would acquire Styrolution’s StyLight thermoplastic composite materials business. Later in 2022, INEOS and SINOPEC announced an ABS joint venture within a broader cooperation arrangement. The planned Ningbo facility was described as a world-scale plant with annual capacity of 600,000 tonnes and opened in 2023. The partnership strengthened Styrolution’s position in China and added production scale in a major market for ABS. Today, INEOS Styrolution is an INEOS subsidiary focused on styrenics rather than a broad consumer brand. Its activities extend from basic styrene chemistry to specialty resins and polymer blends. The company’s strategic proposition is based on global supply, application development and a wide technical portfolio, while its end markets remain closely tied to manufacturing sectors such as transport, electrical and electronic goods, appliances, packaging and construction.
- 2023
Ningbo ABS plant opens
[1]The Ningbo, China ABS facility associated with the INEOS–SINOPEC cooperation is reported as opening.
- 2022
StyLight business transaction announced
[1]Ensinger agrees to acquire INEOS Styrolution’s StyLight thermoplastic composite materials business.
- 2022
ABS partnership with SINOPEC announced
[1]INEOS and SINOPEC announce an ABS joint venture and a planned 600,000-tonne-per-year plant in Ningbo.
- 2014
INEOS agrees to take full control
[1]INEOS announces the purchase of BASF’s remaining 50 percent interest for €1.1 billion.
- 2011
Styrolution is founded
[1]BASF and INEOS establish Styrolution as a 50–50 styrenics joint venture, which begins independent operations after regulatory approval.
Products and positioning
A global, application-focused supplier of commodity and specialty styrenics, combining large-scale production with engineered resin solutions for demanding industrial markets.
Chemical intermediate
Styrene monomer
Styrene monomer is a core chemical feedstock used to make polystyrene, ABS, SAN, SBC and other styrene-based materials. It connects Styrolution’s upstream chemical operations with downstream polymer production and customer applications.
Commodity thermoplastic
Polystyrene
Styrolution’s polystyrene materials are used in applications requiring lightweight processing and dependable thermal and mechanical properties. Typical end uses include packaging, household products, appliances and construction-related products.
Engineering thermoplastic
ABS
Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene combines a styrenic surface and processability with impact performance supplied by its rubber component. Styrolution markets ABS under brands including Novodur, Terluran and Lustran for automotive parts, appliances, electronics, tools and consumer products.
Specialty thermoplastic
Styrene-butadiene block copolymers
SBC resins are transparent, impact-resistant thermoplastics used where clarity, toughness and attractive appearance are important. Their applications include food packaging, display packaging and other molded or formed products.
Specialty and engineering plastics
Styrene-based copolymers and blends
The portfolio includes SAN, AMSAN, ASA, MABS and blends such as ABS/polyamide, ASA/polyamide and ASA/polycarbonate. These materials are designed for technical applications including vehicle components, garden equipment, tools, appliances, communications devices, computers and consumer electronics.
Brand decisions
2022
Transfer the StyLight composites businessM&ABackground
INEOS Styrolution reviewed the scope of its thermoplastic composite materials activities.
Action taken
The company concluded an agreement for Ensinger to acquire the StyLight business.
Aftermath
The transaction narrowed Styrolution’s portfolio while transferring the composite business to a specialist materials company.
2022
Develop an ABS joint venture with SINOPECM&ABackground
INEOS and SINOPEC pursued expanded cooperation in China, including additional ABS production capacity.
Action taken
The partners announced an ABS joint venture and a planned world-scale Ningbo plant with stated capacity of 600,000 tonnes.
Aftermath
The Ningbo facility opened in 2023, strengthening Styrolution’s production presence in China.
2014
Acquire BASF’s stakeM&ABackground
INEOS sought to consolidate ownership of the Styrolution joint venture.
Action taken
INEOS agreed to purchase BASF’s 50 percent interest.
Aftermath
Styrolution became an INEOS-controlled styrenics business.
Purchase price. €1.1 billion (2014 announcement)
2011
Create a BASF–INEOS styrenics joint ventureM&ABackground
The two chemical companies sought to combine their styrenics operations into a dedicated global supplier.
Action taken
They formed Styrolution as an equally owned joint venture after receiving the required competition approvals.
Aftermath
The new company operated independently and developed a broad portfolio spanning commodity and specialty styrenics.
Recent events
- 2022
Ensinger to acquire StyLight thermoplastic composites business[1]
M&A
INEOS Styrolution concluded an agreement for Ensinger to acquire its StyLight thermoplastic composite materials business.
- 2022
INEOS and SINOPEC announce ABS joint venture[1]
M&A · Product generation
INEOS Styrolution and SINOPEC announced an ABS partnership associated with a broader INEOS–SINOPEC cooperation framework and a planned large-scale plant in Ningbo, China.
- 2014
INEOS agrees to acquire BASF’s stake in Styrolution[1]
M&A
INEOS announced an agreement to purchase BASF’s 50 percent interest, moving the joint venture toward full ownership by INEOS.
- 2011
Styrolution begins operations as a BASF–INEOS joint venture[1]
M&A · Other
The new company began independent operations after regulatory approvals, combining the styrenics activities of BASF and INEOS.
Sources4 sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/styrolution · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled