Arlanxeo still world’s largest synthetic rubber producer

London – Saudi Aramco-owned Arlanxeo has maintained is long-held postion as the world’s largest producer of synthetic rubber, according to the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) data*.

For 2022, Arlanxeo was listed as the top global SR producer with a production capacity of around 2,160 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), followed closely by Chinese majors Sinopec with 1,680ktpa and PetroChina, 1,290ktpa.

Next came recently merged SIBUR/NKNH with 1,280ktpa; KKPC 1,030ktpa; ExxonMobil, 970ktpa; and Synthos 820ktpa. Also in the top 10 were Goodyear, Versalis and ENEOS with capacities of 730ktpa, 680ktpa and 630ktpa respectively.

The table standings could be ripe for change over the coming years, particularly as IISRP expects capacity expansions in China to continue on a steep upward track.

For 2022, the industry group estimates global SR capacity at around 21,000ktpa, over half of which is located in Asia: China 29% and rest of Asia 27%.

EMEA is the next largest production region with 16% of global capacity, followed by: North America, 15%; Russia, 9%; and Latin America, 4%.

And, building on a step-up started in 2018, Chinese SR capacity is forecast to near the 6,000ktpa mark this year, and to continue growing at least to 2025, when it will near 7,500ktpa.

The coming three years will also see capacity growth in EMEA and the rest of Asia, though at a much lower rate than China, according to the IISRP figures.

By materials type, global SR production in 2022 mainly comprises butadiene rubber, 22%; emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), 20%; styrenic block copolymers, 17%; solution SBR, 12%; EPDM and butyl rubbers, both 10%; and nitrile rubber, 8%.

*Rounded up to approximate figures

We will report further on this topic in the Nov/Dec issue of European Rubber Journal magazine.