A well-known enterprise invested 270 million yuan in Thailand with a production capacity of 30,000 tons
In 2012, Sailun Tire took the lead in starting construction of a factory in Vietnam, and China's tire export officially entered the 2.0 era; in 2025, China's well-known tire equipment company Soft Control started the construction of its Vietnam base, opening the way for China's tire equipment to go overseas. Soon, raw material suppliers also took action. On February 22, 2025, the Thailand factory of Shandong Yanggu Huatai Chemical Co., Ltd. held a groundbreaking ceremony.
01 3 million tons of high-performance rubber additives landed in Thailand
In November 2024, Yanggu Huatai's overseas investment plan was announced - building a production base in Thailand. The announcement of the progress of foreign investment was disclosed, and it will invest US$37.6 million (about RMB 273 million) for the construction of the first phase of the Thailand project.
Huatai Thailand plans to produce 30,000 tons of high-performance rubber additives annually. The main products include 10,000 tons of rubber protective wax, 10,000 tons of rubber processing aids and 10,000 tons of high-performance silane coupling agents. The project is expected to be put into production in the first quarter of 2026.
Thailand has always been an important investment destination for the global tire industry. According to rough statistics, 22 tire companies around the world have set up 29 factories here, with an annual production capacity of at least 142 million tires. In 2024, Thailand's passenger car tires, light truck tires and truck and bus tires will be exported to the United States in 42.36 million, 8.5 million and 7.13 million respectively, with year-on-year growth rates of 16.3%, 35.8% and 0.4% respectively. It has been the main source of tire imports for the United States for many years. And the production capacity here is still increasing.
In addition to the 3 million sets of high-end passenger car tire production capacity invested by Continental in Thailand in 2024, Sumitomo Rubber is also preparing to let its Thai factory undertake the production capacity of about 2.8 million tires in North America. In addition, Chinese tire giants have also disclosed that they will expand the tire production capacity here. It is estimated that in 2026, Thailand will have more than 12 million tires available for new tire projects.
What does this mean? Thailand needs more raw materials, which also brings more opportunities for upstream suppliers. In fact, the whole of Southeast Asia needs more raw materials. Vietnam and Cambodia are also increasing their exports to the United States, which gives upstream suppliers more opportunities. Therefore, rubber additives come here to build production capacity, and equipment manufacturers also come here to build production capacity.
02 Soft Control builds a factory in Vietnam
On January 9, 2025, Soft Control United Technology (Vietnam) Co., Ltd. held a groundbreaking ceremony-Soft Control Vietnam Production Base officially started construction. It is reported that Soft Control Vietnam Factory will invest in the most advanced automation and intelligent equipment, customize a dedicated information management platform, and apply advanced mold manufacturing technology to improve production efficiency and product quality.
At the beginning of the construction of the Vietnam base, detailed planning was carried out in terms of green energy, recycling, and legal employment. Soft Control strives to build the base into the most modern, green and environmentally friendly mold manufacturing plant in the industry, actively fulfill social responsibilities, and achieve sustainable development.
03 Southeast Asia, "fat meat" in the eyes of suppliers
Chinese equipment manufacturers build factories in Vietnam, and raw material suppliers settle in Thailand. The construction of these overseas bases is not just to "facilitate" Chinese tire companies, but also to provide higher quality products for global tire companies.
Indonesia, which currently has 12 tire factories under construction or already in operation with an annual production capacity of about 80 million tires, is a traditional tire manufacturing center in Southeast Asia; Cambodia, with 5 factories producing nearly 50 million tires per year; Vietnam, with 14 factories with a production capacity of nearly 80 million tires; Thailand, with 29 factories currently manufacturing 142 million tires for the world; Malaysia, with a total of 6 factories providing nearly 23 million tires for the world. Southeast Asia's supply of more than 380 million tires must be a must-fight place for any upstream company...
