Synthetic rubber makers hold firm in 2025 capacity rankings

Houston, Texas – Sinopec has again emerged as the world’s largest producer of synthetic rubber (SR) materials, new figures from the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers (IISRP) show.

According to IISRP’s data for 2025, the Chinese petrochemicals major reached an ‘active’ capacity of 1,920 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa) – edging up from 1,915ktpa last year, and 1,878ktpa in 2023.

Though slight, the increase was sufficient to keep Sinopec ahead of the long-time holder of the top position Arlanxeo, with an active SR capacity of 1,894ktpa, 5kt less than its level of last year.

Closing in on the top two, PetroChina significantly bolstered its no 3 position with a 20% year-on-year increase in ‘active’ SR capacity to 1,660ktpa – versus of 1,380ktpa and 1,355ktpa in 2023 and 2022 respectively

Despite EU sanctions, Sibur/NKNH managed a slight increase in capacity to 1,297ktpa, up from a prior-year level of 1,278ktpa, to stay in fourth position, the Houston-based Institute’s data indicates.

Read the full report in the Sept/Oct issue of European Rubber Journal magazine.