Arlanxeo retains spot as world's largest SR producer

LONDON—Saudi Aramco-owned Arlanxeo has maintained its long-held position as the world's largest producer of synthetic rubber, according to the International Institute of Synthetic Rubber Producers data.

For 2022, Arlanxeo was listed as the top global SR producer with a production capacity of around 2.16 million metric tons per year (2,169 ktpa), followed closely by Chinese majors Sinopec with 1,680 ktpa and PetroChina with 1,290 ktpa.

Next came recently merged Sibur/NKNH with 1,280 ktpa, KKPC 1,030 with ktpa, ExxonMobil with 970 ktpa, and Synthos with 820 ktpa. Also in the top 10 were Goodyear, Versalis and Eneos with capacities of 730 ktpa, 680 ktpa and 630 ktpa, respectively.

The table standings could be ripe for change over the coming years, particularly as IISRP expects capacity expansions in China to continue a steep upward track.

For 2022, the industry group estimates global SR capacity at around 21,000 ktpa, over half of which is in Asia: China at 29 percent and the rest of Asia at 27 percent.

EMEA is the next largest production region with 16 percent of global capacity, followed by: North America, 15 percent; Russia, 9 percent; and Latin America, 4 percent.

And, building on a step-up started in 2018, Chinese SR capacity is forecast to near the 6,000 ktpa mark this year, and to continue growing at least to 2025, when it will near 7,500 ktpa.

The coming three years will also see capacity growth in EMEA and the rest of Asia, though at a much lower rate than China, according to the IISRP figures.

By materials type, global SR production in 2022 mainly comprises butadiene rubber, 22 percent; emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (SBR), 20 percent; styrenic block copolymers, 17 percent; solution SBR, 12 percent; EPDM and butyl rubbers, both 10 percent; and nitrile rubber, 8 percent.

Numbers have been rounded up to approximate figures.