Rubber: Trends support sustainability goal

By 2020, global rubber consumption is seen to hit 35.9 million tonnes with synthetic rubber accounting for more than half at 19.3 million tonnes, while the rest at 16.5 million tonnes would be for natural rubber (NR). Of this, consumption by tyres will account for 23.2 million tonnes and general rubber goods 12.6 million tonnes, according to estimates by the International Rubber Study Group.

Given this scenario, the rubber industry
has focused increasingly in serving the rising demand while meeting the sustainability challenge. The concept of "Green Mobility" has brought forth a number of major projects – all geared towards the production of environment-friendly rubber products.

The past few years saw LANXESS AG embarking on a series of major project aimed at ensuring stable supply of rubber products and high-tech plastics. The company has infused huge capital into its various facilities, one of which is touted as the world's biggest neodymium-based performance butadiene rubber (Nd-PBR) plant being constructed in Singapore at a cost of € 200 million. The facility will add 140,000 metric tonnes annually to LANXESS' capacity once completed in 2015.

The momentum to invest on this new facility stems from the anticipated rise in demand for specialty rubbers as a result of the fast-growing market for "green tyres." Nd-PBR is used in the treads and sidewalls of such special tyres. It helps reduce the rolling resistance and increase the fuel efficiency of a tyre. Nd-PBR is highly resistant to abrasion and plays a significant role in making tyres safer and, above all, more durable. "Green tyres" production is currently the fastest growing segment in the tyre industry - growing by as much as 10% annually.

Four key global megatrends - mobility, urbanisation, water and agriculture – are expected to drive LANXESS strategy in 2013, which will apply to all its markets in various regions of the world, such as in the Middle East/Africa and Asia. "The strong focus is on mobility. With industry-leading high-performance rubber and high-tech plastics products, LANXESS is poised to further its position as a leading "Green Mobility" solutions provider," according to Dr. Ron Commander, Head of Butyl Rubber business unit, LANXESS AG.

The mobility megatrend is of a global scale, and so will the automotive demand in these markets. "The future will see more cars on the world's roads than before, and this calls for solutions that ensure mobility remains affordable, safe and environmentally responsible. Introducing a label that identifies the performance potential of tyres with regard to efficiency and safety is therefore a step in the right direction," according to Dr. Joachim Grub, Head of Performance Butadiene Rubbers business unit.

Substantial demand for "green tyres"
Based on LANXESS forecast, demand for fuel-efficient "green tyres" will rise around the world – by 77% from 2010 to 2015. "For an idea on the impact of such tyres, a recent study done by LANXESS shows that the conversion to 'green tyres' on all vehicles in Singapore would result in savings of about 358,000 tonnes of CO2 and about 150 million litres of fuel annually," Mr. Grub adds.

The tyre market is a very important one for LANXESS, especially with the new tyre labelling scheme set to be implemented in Europe starting November. "This new EU scheme will make key tyre quality features transparent to tyre purchasers for the first time - which is a major benefit for consumers," according to Mr. Grub. Using a simple evaluation system based on similar labelling schemes used to evaluate washing machines and refrigerators, itAir Jordan XIII CP3