According to a new research report published by Reportlinker.com, the worldwide demand for rubber processing chemicals is projected to rise 4.7% per year through 2015 and reach 1.35 million metric tons.
The increase will be driven by ongoing robust growth in the Asia/Pacific region, particularly in China and demand recovery in Japan, Western Europe and the U.S. As the living standards improve across the developing world, the rate of motor vehicle ownership will continue to increase and result in high demand for tire rubber, which is the major market for rubber chemicals.
The Chinese demand for rubber chemicals is forecast to reach approximately 580,000 metric tons at an annual growth rate of 8.1% through 2015. The growth will be due to increase in demand for both tire and non-tire rubber.
The report reveals that the demand for antidegradants, which enhance rubber's resistance to mechanical stress, sunlight, heat, ozone and oxidation, oxidation, ozone, heat, sunlight and mechanical stress, is expected to rise 4.7% per year through 2015 and reach 810,000 metric tons. One of the factors that will offset the high rate of antidegradant consumption is the rapid growth in natural rubber demand against synthetic rubber.
In addition, demand for accelerators, which are chemicals used in all vulcanized rubber products, will go beyond 415,000 metric tons in 2015. Demand for other rubber processing chemicals, including blowing agents, adhesion promoters and processing aids, is projected to achieve 130,000 metric tons in the same year.