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SIBUR, a leading Russian petrochemical company, is advancing its efforts to substitute natural rubber in tires with synthetic alternatives. The company is collaborating with tire manufacturers to finalize tests of experimental tires made using synthetic isoprene rubber, with results expected in 2025.

The European Rubber Journal (ERJ) reports that the EU has included sanctions on imports of both synthetic rubber and carbon blacks from Russia in its 10th package of sanctions in response to the Putin regime’s war in Ukraine. The decision, announced on February 25, introduces import quotas of 562,973 tons for synthetic rubber and 752,475 tons for carbon black, apparently with immediate effect. According to the European Tyre & Rubber Manufacturers' Association (ETRMA), the import quotas are valid until 30 June 2024, after which an import-prohibition will apply.

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The Association of Natural Rubber Producing Countries (ANRPC) claims that the growth was driven by the recovery in crude oil prices, mid-term supply concerns, new expectations of a faster-paced global economic recovery led by the U.S. All these factors improve outlook for natural rubber demand. According to a statement from ANRPC the crude oil price recovery impact was caused by OPEC’s deal on the 30th of November 2016, which stipulates cut in output by 1.2 million barrels per day during the 1st half of 2017.

By mid-May all price-gains made earlier in the second quarter in the Natural Rubber markets, have been completely diminished. Since then some significant hikes have been recorded in Thailand, Japan, China and Malaysia. However, in overall markets are still far behind the peaks reached in April, which suggests that the attempt by the producer-country to rebalance the market is losing strength.

A global producer of synthetic rubber Trinseo believes that styrene which can be processed out of plastic waste can be reused in tire manufacturing; however, it is still unclear how the industry could switch from a linear production reaching a more sustainable approach like circular economy. This concern was voiced by Trinseo’s tech and innovation director Sandra Hofmann during Future Tire Conference 2019 in Germany’s Cologne earlier this month. She explained that currently there is an access to a stream of recycled styrene that could be used in packaging, or, alternatively, be upcycled in tires and SSBR (solution-styrene butadiene rubber).

The war in Ukraine and upcoming Ecodesign Regulation as part of reforms under the EU Green Deal resulted in sharp rise in interest in recovered materials. Synthos announces that its collaboration with Swiss company Tyre Recycling Solutions (TRS) is progressing according to plan as it obtained a minority stake in the successful scale-up company following the acquisition of Trinseo's synthetic rubber business at the end of 2021. In addition to the progress Synthos and TRS have made together in the marketplace, resulting in approvals with global tyre manufacturers and initial commercial sales for tyre applications, Synthos and TRS have seen a sharp increase in interest in TyreXol™ recycled rubber. The reasons for this increase are twofold and can be linked to reduced availability of synthetic rubber and carbon black since the Russian invasion of Ukraine on February 24, as well as upcoming regulatory changes that are likely to mandate the use of recycled content in tyre production.

Synthos, a global producer of synthetic rubber, has announced the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI), a Japanese tire manufacturer, to promote the development and use of high-performance rubber powders for the production of sustainable tires.

Biesterfeld Performance Rubber, a division of the Biesterfeld Group, has been selected as distributor by global recycling company Genan for their micronized rubber powders as well as for the easy-to-use rubber modifier GENAN RUBBER+ PREMIXED. The distribution agreement covers the Mechanical Rubber Goods segment in the European rubber market with immediate effect. With this new, international partnership, Biesterfeld Performance Rubber is further expanding its rubber portfolio of innovative and sustainable products, while Genan is strengthening focus on developing new applications for their recycled rubber products.