Market demand continues to grow, driving the rapid development of the polybutadiene rubber (PBR) industry

Polybutadiene rubber (PBR) refers to a general-purpose synthetic rubber obtained by polymerizing 1,3-butadiene as a monomer. According to different molecular structures, polybutadiene rubber can be divided into two categories: trans polybutadiene rubber and cis polybutadiene rubber. Solution-polymerized high cis-butadiene rubber is the mainstream product in the polybutadiene rubber market. Polybutadiene rubber is widely used in tires, hoses, rubber shoes and chemical products.

According to the “2022-2027 China Polybutadiene Rubber Project Investment Feasibility Research Report released by the Industrial Research Center, polybutadiene rubber project investment feasibility study report 2022-2027 The raw material of butadiene rubber is butadiene. Driven by the rapid development of the ethylene industry, as a basic chemical raw material, my country’s butadiene production capacity continues to increase. In 2021, my country’s butadiene production capacity will reach 5.516 million tons/year, a year-on-year increase of 13.5%. In terms of market prices, as the severe epidemic situation is gradually brought under control, butadiene production companies have begun to resume work and production, which has led to the recovery of butadiene prices. In July 2021, the price of butadiene in my country reached 11,281.0 yuan/ton. Benefiting from the sufficient supply of raw materials, my country’s polybutadiene rubber production continues to increase.

Tire manufacturing is the largest demand side for polybutadiene rubber, with demand accounting for as high as 70.0%. Polybutadiene rubber has the advantages of oil resistance, wear resistance, and aging resistance, making it an ideal rubber type for the sidewalls of radial tires. Low-profile tires are mostly made of polybutadiene rubber, which can withstand maximum stress on extremely narrow sidewalls and has the best resistance to cut growth. In the tire manufacturing process, polybutadiene rubber is often used together with styrene-butadiene rubber, which can effectively improve the overall performance of the tire. According to statistics from the Tire Branch of the China Rubber Industry Association, my country’s radial tire production will reach 660 million units in 2021. The strong application demand will bring impetus to the development of polybutadiene rubber industry.

In terms of market competition, currently, ARLANXEO, a joint venture between Germany’s Lanxess and Saudi Aramco, has become the polybutadiene rubber manufacturer with the highest production capacity in the world. The development, production and sales of high-performance rubber products are ARLANXEO’s core business, and Asia is one of the important strategic markets for its business development. my country is the world’s largest producer of polybutadiene rubber, accounting for nearly 30% of the world’s total production capacity. my country’s polybutadiene rubber industry has formed a production pattern in which PetroChina, Sinopec and major private enterprises coexist. China Petrochemical Corporation is my country’s leading polybutadiene rubber company. According to the company’s annual report, the company achieved revenue of 2.7 trillion yuan in 2021, a year-on-year increase of 30.2%.

Industry analysts said that with the rapid economic development and the continuous increase of national disposable income, the number of automobiles will increase significantly, driving the tire Demand is growing. As market demand continues to be released, polybutadiene rubber, as an important raw material for tire manufacturing, will have broad market prospects. my country is the world’s largest producer of polybutadiene rubber. Driven by leading enterprises, the industry’s development space will be further expanded in the future.