General Profile

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General Profile

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There are two basic types of rubber used in the rubber industry: natural and synthetic. A number of different synthetic rubber polymers are used to make a wide variety of rubber products (see table 1). Natural rubber is mostly produced in Southeast Asia, whereas synthetic rubber is mostly produced in the industrialized countries—the United States, Japan, Western Europe and Eastern Europe. Brazil is the only developing country with a significant synthetic rubber industry.

Table 1. Some important rubber polymers

Type of rubber/ Elastomer	Production (1000s of tonnes in 1993)		Properties	Common uses
Natural rubber	Thailand Indonesia Malaysia India	1,501 1,353 923 426	General purpose; not oil-resistant, swollen by solvents; subject to weathering by oxygen, ozone, UV light	Tyres, shock mounts, seals, couplings, bridge and building bearings, footwear, hoses, conveyor belts, moulded products, linings, rolls, gloves, condoms, medical devices, adhesives, carpet backing, thread, foam
Polyisoprene (IR)	US Western Europe Japan	47 15 52	General purpose; synthetic natural rubber, similar properties	See natural rubber above.
Styrene-butadiene (SBR)	US Western Europe Japan	920 1,117 620	General purpose; Second World War natural rubber substitute; poor oil/solvent resistance	Tyres (75%), conveyor belts, sponge, moulded goods, footwear, hoses, roll coverings, adhesives, waterproofing, latex carpet backing, foam products
Polybutadiene (BR)	US Western Europe Japan Eastern Europe	465 297 215 62 (1996)	Poor oil/solvent resistance; subject to weathering; high resilience, abrasion resistance and low temperature flexibility	Tyres, shoes, conveyor belts, transmission belts, toy superballs
Butyl (IIR)	US Western Europe Eastern Europe Japan	130 168 90 83	Low gas permeability; resistant to heat, acid, polar liquids; not resistant to oil, solvents; moderate weathering	Inner tubes, tire curing bladders, caulking and sealants, cable insulation, vibration isolators, pond liners and roofing membranes, high-temperature conveyor belts and hoses
Ethylene-propylene/ Ethylene- Propylene- Diene	US Western Europe Japan	261 201 124	Low-temperature flexibility; resistant to weathering and heat but not oil, solvents; excellent electrical properties	Wire and cable jackets; extruded weather stripping and seals; moulded products; isolation mounts; liner sheeting for grain storage, roofing, ponds, ditches, landfill
Polychloroprene (CR) (neoprene)	US Western Europe Japan	105 102 74	Resistant to oil, flame, heat and weather	Wire and cable jackets, hoses, belts, conveyor belts, footwear, wet suits, coated fabrics and inflatable products, extrusions, adhesives, bridge and rail mounts, sheeting, sponge gaskets, latex foam products
Nitrile (NBR)	US Western Europe Japan Eastern Europe	64 108 70 30	Resistant to oil, solvents, vegetable oil; swollen by polar solvents such as ketones	Sealants, fuel-resistant hose linings and gaskets, roll coverings, conveyor belts, shoe soles, gloves, adhesives, oil-drilling equipment
Silicone (MQ)	US Western Europe Japan	95 107 59 (1990)	Stable at high/low temperatures; resistant to oil, solvents, weathering; physiologically and chemically inert	Wire and cable insulation, seals, adhesives, gaskets, specialty moulded and extruded goods, gas masks and respirators, food and medical tubing, surgical implants
Polysulphide (OT)	US Western Europe Japan	20 0 3	Resistant to oil, solvents, low temperature, weathering; low gas permeability	Roller covering, hose liner, gaskets, moulded goods, sealants, gas meter diaphragms, glass sealants, solid rocket propellant binder
Reclaimed rubber	–	–	Shorter polymer chains; easier processing; less mixing time and power consumption; lower tensile strength and lower cost	Tyres, inner tubes, floor mats, mechanical goods, adhesives, rubberized asphalt

Source: Production figures abstracted from Stanford Research Institute data.

Tyres and tyre products account for approximately 60% of synthetic rubber use and 75% of natural rubber consumption (Greek 1991), employing about half a million workers worldwide. Important non-tyre uses of rubber include automotive belts and hoses, gloves, condoms and rubber footwear.

In recent years, there has been a globalization of the rubber industry. This labour-intensive industry has grown in developing countries. Table 2 shows worldwide natural and synthetic rubber consumption for 1993.

Table 2. Worldwide rubber consumption for 1993

Region	Synthetic rubber (1000 tonnes)	Natural rubber (1000 tonnes)
North America	2,749	999
Western Europe	2,137	930
Asia and Oceania	1,849	2,043
Latin America	575	260
Central Europe	215	65
Commonwealth of Independent States	1,665	100
Middle East and Africa	124	162
China and Asia*	453	750
Total	9,767	5,309

*Includes China, North Korea and Viet Nam.

Source: International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers 1994.

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Rubber Industry References

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General Profile

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Rubber Industry References