Solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR) has a wide range of applications and the market size continues to grow

Solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SSBR), the full name of solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber, also known as solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber, refers to an elastomer synthesized by anionic solution polymerization of styrene and butadiene under the trigger of organic lithium. Solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber has the advantages of low shrinkage, high purity, good wear resistance, fast vulcanization speed, and low temperature resistance. It is widely used in high-performance tires, shoe materials, industrial parts, clothing and other fields.

Polymerization is a key link in the production of solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber, which can be subdivided into two types: continuous polymerization and batch polymerization. The continuous polymerization method refers to a method that uses styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) monomer as raw material, adds various additives, and realizes continuous polymerization through parameter control. This method has the advantages of high production efficiency, low energy consumption, and good finished product quality; intermittent polymerization The method has the advantages of good operational flexibility and easy parameter control. Phillips Company in the United States was the first company to use this method to produce solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber.

The main raw materials of solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber are styrene and butadiene. In recent years, with the accelerated development of my country’s rubber industry, the application demand for styrene and butadiene has become increasingly strong, and their production capacity and output have maintained a growth trend. Taking styrene as an example, from January to May 2023, my country’s styrene production reached 6.237 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 9.1%. In terms of price, thanks to sufficient supply, my country’s styrene and butadiene market prices have fallen. The sufficient supply of raw materials and reduced production costs have laid a good foundation for the development of my country’s solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber industry.

Solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber has a wide range of applications, including high-performance tires, shoe materials, industrial parts, clothing, etc. In the field of high-performance tires, solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber is an ideal raw material for green tires; in the field of shoe materials, solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber can be used as sole material, and the product has the advantages of being resistant to deformation and having good touch; in the field of industrial parts, Solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber can be used to make radiator hoses, wipers, industrial seals, etc.; in the field of clothing, solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber can be used to make raincoats, windbreakers, etc.

According to the “2023-2028 China Solution Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SSBR) Industry Market In-depth Research and Development Prospects Forecast Report released by the Industrial Research Center ” shows that benefiting from the growth in market demand, the development space of my country’s solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber industry continues to expand. In 2022, my country’s solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber market will reach 13.97 billion yuan, accounting for nearly 50% of the global market. In the future, with in-depth research and technological advancement, the application scope of my country’s solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber will be further expanded.

The main manufacturers of solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber in my country include Rongsheng Petrochemical, Yulong Petrochemical, PetroChina, Sinopec, etc. Industry analysts people said that benefiting from the sufficient supply of raw materials and the continuous improvement of technology level, my country’s solution polymerization butadiene styrene The development of the rubber industry is accelerating. However, at present, there is still a gap in the quality of my country’s solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber compared with overseas developed countries. Local companies urgently need to increase investment in research and development to further increase the market share of high-quality solution-polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber.