Published October 2024
Styrene-butadiene elastomers (SBR) are the largest-volume synthetic rubber in the world. SBR is produced through the copolymerization of butadiene with styrene at a ratio of approximately 3:1. There are two major types of SBR — emulsion and solution. Emulsion SBR (ESBR) continues to lose ground to solution SBR (SSBR), which is better suited to meet the increasingly stringent specifications of high-performance tires. Nevertheless, emulsion SBR grades still account for the dominant percentage of total world capacity as of 2023. However, as most new SBR capacity additions are based on the solution SBR process, the share of emulsion SBR will continue to decrease marginally through the forecast period to 2028.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of styrene-butadiene elastomers:
From 2018 to 2023, demand for emulsion SBR declined while solution SBR demand surged, highlighting a significant market shift toward solutions that meet the stringent specifications of high-performance tires. In 2023, mainland China remains the largest global consumer of emulsion SBR, although its consumption has seen a slight decline since 2018. Conversely, several regions experienced notable drops in consumption during this period. The economic fallout from the Russia-Ukraine war and the prolonged zero-COVID policy in mainland China, which lasted until late 2022, have contributed to sluggish SBR demand growth. Additionally, interest rate hikes by central banks worldwide have further stifled economic development and reduced consumer spending, negatively impacting tire demand from the automotive sector. While emulsion SBR still represents a substantial portion of total world demand in 2023, the emphasis on expanding solution SBR capacities indicates a continued decline for emulsion SBR, with global SBR consumption growth expected to remain flat through 2028. Overall, the major consuming regions in 2023 included mainland China, the United States, South-eastern Asia and Europe.
The tire industry is the dominant consumer of SBR, accounting for the majority of total demand in 2023. SBR is also used in nontire automotive applications, conveyor belts, industrial hoses, various molded and extruded rubber goods, footwear, and other consumer goods. Some grades of SBR, those that are waterproof and free from impurities, are also utilized in the cable industry. Growing use of low-rolling resistance tires to reduce fuel consumption and decrease CO2 emissions should increase solution SBR demand. These performance improvements cannot be achieved with emulsion SBR, so the trend is toward increasing use of solution SBR.
During 2023 to 2028, global consumption of SBR is expected to expand further, primarily driven by the rising needs of emerging markets. Mainland China is projected to account for a significant share of new SBR demand anticipated through 2028, fueled by a growing middle class, improving living standards and rapidly developing infrastructure. This surge in demand spans both the automotive and nonautomotive sectors. On a positive note, the increasing adoption of low-rolling resistance tires — designed to reduce fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions — will likely boost solution SBR demand. Because these performance enhancements cannot be achieved with emulsion SBR, there is a clear trend toward the greater use of solution SBR, which is reflected in a robust estimated average growth rate over the next five years.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
S&P Global’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Styrene-Butadiene Elastomers (SBR) is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including
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