The Styrenics business placed a number of its assets into a joint venture with NOVA in 2005 (Nova Innovene). The scope of this joint venture was extended in 2007 to include all of the INEOS Styrenics US operations and the European polystyrene and expanded polystyrene assets. The venture was then renamed INEOS NOVA.
INEOS Styrenics remains producer of ethylbenzene and styrene monomer with production facilities in Germany.
Styrene monomer is used extensively in the manufacture of plastics, resins, rubbers and latexes such as polystyrene (PS), expandable polystyrene (EPS), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), Styrene Acrylonitrile (SAN), butadiene rubber (SBR), and styrene butadiene latex (SBL). Products produced from styrene include packaging, electrical and thermal insulation, fibreglass, pipes, automobile parts, carpet backing, drinking cups and other food-use items.