Chinese producers top synthetic rubber rankings

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

The Chinese petrochemicals major maintained its prior-year ‘active’ capacity level of 1,920 kilotonnes per annum (ktpa), according to the latest data from Houston-based IISRP. (Related report).

PetroChina registered a 3% year-on-year increase in ‘active’ SR capacity to 1,710ktpa, to move up one slot into second in the annual ranking of rubber/elastomer producers.

Arlanxeo – formerly the dominant global player – fell back one place into third: the Saudi Aramco-owned company registering a 20% year-on-year drop in 'active' SR capacity to 1,518ktpa.

Despite continuing EU sanctions on Russian imports, Sibur/NKNH stayed in fourth position: maintaining its 'active' SR capacity at a prior-year level of 1,297ktpa…

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