SUTTON, England—The 2013 outlook for the European styrene-butadiene rubber market is very uncertain, according to industry analyst company ICIS.
The forecast for declining tire sales in Europe is behind the prediction for poor SBR demand, ICIS said. About two-thirds of SBR output is used by the tire industry.
SBR prices are low, and feedstock costs high, meaning SBR producers will have to face tough choices during the year, ICIS said.