STYRENE-BUTADIENE-STYRENE (SBS) COPOLYMER BLOCK MARKET ANALYSIS

Market News

Key Developments

• In November 2018, Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) recognized Kumho Chemical’s SBS product for World-class product award. Kumho Chemical’s SBS product is mainly used in manufacturing waterproof sheets and asphalt modifiers. The company also planned to add 10 kilo tons of additional capacity to its current 80 kilo tons of SBS production capacity.
• In September 2018, Sibur announced its plans to expand its styrene-based elastomers plant in Voronezh, Russia. The new line of elastomers will add another 50 kilo tons of styrene elastomers manufacturing capacity to the existing 85 kilo tons thermoplastic elastomers plant in Russia. The expansion will mainly cater the domestic demand for styrene based elastomers.
• In March 2018, Sibur – a Russian petrochemical manufacturer started talks with Saudi Aramco to form a joint-venture to initiate synthetic rubber manufacturing plant in the Middle East. Easy availability of raw materials and growing demand from Asia pacific market is the main agenda to set-up a synthetic rubber plant in the Middle East.