Abstract
Global production and consumption of polybutadiene rubber in 2007 was approximately 2.8 million metric tons. Global capacity utilization was 81.5% in 2007; this was a slight increase from 2006 due to an increase in global consumption with no capacity increase. Global polybutadiene rubber consumption is estimated to have increased by 2.5% in 2007, and is expected to increase on average by 3.2% per year from 2007 to 2012, declining to 1.7% per year from 2012 to 2017. Average global utilization rates are expected to increase to the mid to high-80s range throughout the forecast period.
Tire and tire products accounted for 69% of global polybutadiene rubber consumption in 2007, followed by polystyrene (GP and HIPS) resins modification use with 13% of total consumption and ABS resins modification use with 4%. Specialty applications for polybutadiene rubber include carboxyl- and hydroxyl-terminated BR grades, golf ball centers, non-tire rubber products, and other specialty adhesives and binders.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of polybutadiene rubber by end use:
