Apar Industries (AIL) formerly known as Gujarat Apar Polymers was Promoted by Apar, the flagship company of the Apar group, along with the Gujarat Industrial Investment Corporation (GIIC), AIL manufactures NBR (nitrile rubber) and latex. It has a 6250-tpa facility for NBR, a special oil-resistant synthetic rubber with good abrasion- and water-resistance. NBR is used in the manufacture of oil well parts, fuel tank liners, fuel hoses, gaskets, packing oil seals and other oil-resistant applications. The footwear industry uses NBR for industrial and army boots. NBR latex is used in making paper, non-woven fabrics, artificial leather and in finishing / water proofing of real leather. The company has signed a technical-collaboration agreement with Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company, US, which will be valid for five years from the commencement of production. Goodyear is one of the largest producers of rubber and tyres besides being in the line of speciality rubber, chemicals and plastic products. There are about 12 NBR plants worldwide, of which five operate on Goodyear technology. Goodyear is being paid a technical know-how fee of US $ 750,000 in three equal instalments, two being paid in advance to get the technology, and a royalty of 2% on all sales of licensed products. In Nov 2000 the captive plant for co-generation of power and steam has became operational. The Ankleshwar plant which was modernised with latest know-how of M/s Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co., USA for continuous processing of NBR in place of batch processing was completed and test running is in progress in 2000-01.