World Analysis – Rubber

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

Synthetic elastomers are generally categorized as commodity or specialty. The commodity synthetic elastomers include styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), polybutadiene rubber (PBR), nitrile rubber (NBR), ethylene-propylene rubber (EPDM), butyl rubber (IIR or HIIR), polyisoprene, and polychloroprene (Neoprene). Specialty synthetic elastomers include acrylics, silicones, polyethers (propylene oxide, epichlorohydrin), fluorinated, chlorosulfonated, polyethylene, polyurethanes, polysulfide elastomers, and chlorinated polyethylene elastomers. The family of thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) is another crucial type of synthetic elastomer. This group includes styrene-block copolymers, thermoplastic polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyolefins, polyamide TPEs, and copolyester-ethers (COPE). This World Analysis focuses on the largest commodity elastomers, including SBR (solution SBR [S-SBR] and emulsion SBR [E-SBR]), PBR, NBR, and butyl rubber (IIR or HIIR). It also contains our view of the natural rubber market.

Styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) is the most widely used synthetic elastomer. SBR demand is concentrated in durable goods, primarily automotive applications, such as tires and tire products, which account for about 70% of global consumption. Nontire markets represent about 25–30% of SBR demand, with applications in automotive components, mechanical parts, and a wide variety of other end uses. SBR’s main advantage in tire applications is that it provides longer life to tire treads. SBR is produced in both emulsion processes (E-SBR) and solution processes (S-SBR). Of all the synthetic rubbers, E-SBR is the most commoditized. Meanwhile, S-SBR is a key component in the emerging “green” tires. Compounding S-SBR into the tread rubber allows silica to be used instead of carbon black, lowering the tire’s rolling resistance and increasing fuel efficiency without compromising other performance variables.
Polybutadiene rubber (PBR) is the second most widely used synthetic elastomer. Most of the PBR consumed is in tires and tire products, with non-tire markets comprising applications in plastics modification and a wide variety of mechanical parts and other miscellaneous uses. Because PBR has good abrasion resistance, it is used primarily in tire treads. Lesser amounts are used in carcass and sidewall components, where its flexibility and resilience tend to moderate heat buildup.

Nitrile rubber (NBR) is a synthetic rubber made from 1,3-butadiene and acrylonitrile using emulsion polymerization techniques. It exhibits excellent resistance to various oils, fuels, and chemicals. NBR is used in seals, gaskets, hoses, belts, and miscellaneous molded rubber goods. It is consumed in adhesives, which require high strength and oil resistance. NBR is also blended with thermoplastics such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (ABS), polypropylene (PP), and nylon to improve flexibility, toughness, or appearance. Hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR) is used in several oil fields, automotive, and industrial applications. Oil field and automotive uses include seals, tubes, cable jackets, O-rings, and belts. Industrial uses include various rolls and hoses.

Butyl rubber (IIR) has very low permeability to air and is used in applications where this property is beneficial. These include inner tubes, air cushions, pneumatic springs, and pharmaceutical closures. Halogenated butyl rubber (HIIR) is used for inner liners on tubeless tires. Other HIIR uses in tires are in the sidewalls and treads. In sidewalls, it is compounded with natural rubber and EPDM owing to its resistance to ozone and cracks. HIIR’s high damping characteristics have increased its use in tire treads and in other shock-absorption applications such as auto suspension bumpers, auto exhaust hangers, and body mounts. Butyl rubber is also consumed in the construction industry as a roofing membrane, among other applications.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050

The World Analysis – Rubber provides a comprehensive analysis and key insights of critical market developments as they shape the future outlook for the global synthetic and natural rubber markets.

The following reports, data files, analytical tools and visualization modules are available online and can be downloaded from our website:

• Direct Access to the Subject Matter Experts
• In-depth exploration of present market strategic insights, recognition of critical challenges, and presentation of our experts’ forecasts and analysis
• Explanatory Notes detailing data sources, methodologies, unit and conversion factors, and World Analysis deliverables.
• Energy and Economy assumptions
• Price, cost, and margin base assumptions forecast and sensitivities analysis, including price assessment methodology and price definitions across all regions.
• Excel data files with standard supply/demand graphics and price forecasts extended to 2050, trade grids with country and regional trade flows Data appendix (Excel) with supply/demand, capacity and trade tables.
• An online dashboard visualization of capacity, supply/demand, trade grids, and price, cost and margin forecasts
• Supply/demand and capacity database access via data browser
• Data Appendix (Excel) with supply/demand and capacity tables
• Capacity by company/shareholder, capacity integration, top producer/consumer and surplus/deficit capacity ranking, and ownership/subsidiary information

Information and insight is provided for the following products: Butyl Rubber, Natural Rubber, Nitrile Rubber, Polybutadiene Rubber, Emulsion SB Rubber, Solution SB Rubber.

This World Analysis contains detailed information on capacities, production, demand, and trade for all significant producing and consuming countries and regions. Although data gathering is essential for understanding history and potential future trends, we believe that the interpretation and analysis of the data is the most valuable information to our clients.

Duration: Long-term outlook to 2050