Synthetic Rubber Market Size, Trends, and Forecast 2030

Name: Synthetic Rubber Market Size, Trends, and Forecast 2030
Creator: Mordor Intelligence
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Synthetic Rubber Market Size and Share

Market Overview

Study Period	2019 - 2030
Market Size (2025)	USD 34.83 Billion
Market Size (2030)	USD 42.88 Billion
Growth Rate (2025 - 2030)	4.21% CAGR
Fastest Growing Market	Asia-Pacific
Largest Market	Asia-Pacific
Market Concentration	Medium
Major Players *Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Synthetic Rubber Market Summary — Image © Mordor Intelligence. Reuse requires attribution under CC BY 4.0.

Synthetic Rubber Market Analysis by Mordor Intelligence

The Synthetic Rubber Market size is estimated at USD 34.83 billion in 2025, and is expected to reach USD 42.88 billion by 2030, at a CAGR of 4.21% during the forecast period (2025-2030). Resilient demand from tire producers, industrial manufacturers, and healthcare suppliers underpins this growth even as feedstock prices fluctuate and environmental standards tighten. Rising electric-vehicle (EV) adoption is reshaping product specifications, pushing suppliers toward solution-polymerized grades that deliver lower rolling resistance and extended wear life. Renewable-energy installations are creating new high-value channels for EPDM, while medical and consumer goods segments are broadening the customer base. At the same time, bio-based monomers are scaling rapidly as OEMs chase net-zero commitments, and this transition is compressing the margin window for legacy petroleum-based output.

Key Report Takeaways

By type, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber held 40% of the synthetic rubber market share in 2024, while EPDM is projected to expand at 5.77% CAGR through 2030.
By manufacturing process, emulsion polymerization accounted for 60% revenue share in 2024; solution polymerization is advancing at a 5.51% CAGR to 2030.
By raw material, butadiene captured 50% synthetic rubber market share in 2024; bio-based isoprene is forecast to grow at 8.43% CAGR over 2025-2030.
By application, tires dominated with a 45% share of the synthetic rubber market size in 2024, whereas industrial goods are rising fastest at a 4.49% CAGR.
By geography, Asia-Pacific led with 57% revenue share in 2024 and is growing at 4.38% CAGR through 2030.

Global Synthetic Rubber Market Trends and Insights

Drivers Impact Analysis

Driver	(~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast	Geographic Relevance	Impact Timeline
Surging Demand for High-Performance Tires from EV OEMs	+1.2%	China, Europe, North America	Medium term (2-4 years)
Growth of Industrial Rubber Goods in Renewable-Energy Installations	+0.8%	Europe, North America, China	Long term (≥4 years)
Advancements in Medical and Healthcare Applications	+0.6%	North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific	Medium term (2-4 years)
Shift Toward Bio-Based Monomers in North America Driven by Net-Zero Commitments	+0.5%	North America, Europe	Long term (≥4 years)
Growth in Consumer Goods Sector	+0.3%	Global, Asia-Pacific focus	Short term (≤2 years)

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Surging Demand for High-Performance Tires from EV OEMs

EVs accelerate tire wear by 20-30% because of heavier battery packs and instant torque, prompting tire makers to specify solution-polymerized SBR that lowers rolling resistance and extends lifespan. Bridgestone’s PeakLife polymer, introduced in late 2024, enhances silica interaction and meets EV durability targets. Continuous procurement from Chinese and European EV assemblers converts this technical requirement into a structural pull on the synthetic rubber market.

Growth of Industrial Rubber Goods in Renewable-Energy Installations

Wind-turbine cables, solar-panel gaskets, and hydroelectric seals rely on EPDM for weatherability and electrical insulation. Studies show UV exposure in marine wind farms can reduce EPDM mechanical properties by 27.67% after 480 hours, spurring compound innovation to preserve field durability^{[1]Jian-jin Deng, “Multi-parameter Weight Analysis and Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of EPDM Rubber under Ultraviolet Environment,” Journal of Polymer Science, researchgate.net}. Capacity additions in offshore wind clusters around the North Sea and China’s eastern seaboard drive incremental demand.

Advancements in Medical and Healthcare Applications

Nitrile gloves, tubing and implantables increasingly specify hypoallergenic synthetic rubber. Beyond gloves, synthetic rubber is increasingly utilized in medical tubing, seals, and implantable devices, where its biocompatibility and customizable properties offer significant advantages. Polyisoprene’s similarity to natural rubber without latex allergens unlocks premium device niches, keeping healthcare margins above commodity tire grades.

Shift Toward Bio-Based Monomers in North America Driven by Net-Zero Commitments

Goodyear and Visolis are commercializing isoprene sourced from non-edible biomass for use in a 70% sustainable-material tire slated for 2025. Parallel development programs at Synthomer and the University of York target broader bio-based elastomers^{[2]Synthomer plc, “Synthomer Partners with the University of York to Develop Next-Generation More Sustainable Bio-Based Polymers,” synthomer.com}. Legislative incentives under the US Inflation Reduction Act and EU Green Deal reinforce capex allocation toward these low-carbon routes.

Restraints Impact Analysis

Restraint	(~) % Impact on CAGR Forecast	Geographic Relevance	Impact Timeline
Volatility in Butadiene Feedstock Prices from Steam-Cracker Turnarounds	-0.7%	Europe, North America, Asia-Pacific	Short term (≤2 years)
Substitution by High-Performance Polyurethanes in Seals and Gaskets	-0.5%	Global industrial users	Medium term (2-4 years)
Environmental and Regulatory Concerns	-0.4%	Europe, North America	Long term (≥4 years)

Source: Mordor Intelligence

Volatility in Butadiene Feedstock Prices from Steam-Cracker Turnarounds

Steam-cracker shutdowns scheduled in France, the Netherlands, and Italy trim European crude C4 availability and lift butadiene prices, which represent roughly 50% of SBR raw-material cost. Margin squeeze prompts Asian producers to divert cargoes westward, yet logistics constraints and natural-gas price spikes keep volatility high.

Substitution by High-Performance Polyurethanes in Seals & Gaskets

Polyurethane gaskets outperform synthetic rubber on abrasion and load-bearing capacity, capturing a share in mining, construction, and agricultural machinery. The American Chemistry Council quantifies consumer benefit at USD 4.6 billion annually for polyurethane applications in North America, underlining the economic incentive for substitution.

Segment Analysis

By Type: EPDM Surges While SBR Holds Scale

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) maintains its dominant position with 40% market share in 2024, primarily due to its extensive use in tire manufacturing, where it enhances traction and wear resistance. SBR remains indispensable for passenger-car treads because it balances grip and abrasion. EPDM, however, advances at 5.77% CAGR through 2030, the fastest among all types, as renewable-energy operators specify it for cable sheathing and sealing. EPDM’s 30–50-year service life in roofing also appeals to construction contractors navigating harsher climate patterns.

Demand diversification intensifies. Polybutadiene Rubber blends with SBR to improve low-temperature flexibility in winter tires, while Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber supports pharmaceutical stoppers where gas permeability must stay minimal. Polyisoprene attracts catheter and glove makers aiming to eliminate natural-latex allergens. Specialty grades such as NBR and CR find traction in oil-service hoses and flame-retardant cables. This expanding palette lets compounders tailor performance to discrete end-use conditions and retain pricing power.

By Manufacturing Process: Solution Polymerization Accelerates

Emulsion polymerization output accounted for 60% of synthetic rubber market share in 2024 as its reactors are established, cost efficient and highly automated. Yet the synthetic rubber market size attached to solution-polymerized grades will rise at 5.51% CAGR. Linear macro-molecules and narrow molecular-weight distributions produced in solution reactors improve elastic modulus to 18.7 MPa, a critical attribute for high-speed EV tires.

Advanced continuous polymerization uses real-time analytics to adjust monomer feeds, cutting VOC emissions, and enabling precise architecture control. Although its footprint is the smallest, it already underpins niche medical and aerospace demand where reproducibility trumps cost. Producers weigh capex trade-offs between process flexibility, energy intensity and carbon footprint before selecting site expansions.

By Raw Material: Bio-Based Alternatives Gain Momentum

Butadiene held 50% synthetic rubber market share in 2024 because it feeds both SBR and polybutadiene lines. The synthetic rubber market size linked to bio-based isoprene, however, is projected to leap at an 8.43% CAGR, double the overall pace, through 2030. Goodyear’s pilot program with Visolis converts lignocellulosic waste into isoprene for commercial trial blends scheduled in 2025. Concurrently, researchers at the National University of Singapore achieved a 93% Faradaic efficiency when electrosynthesizing butadiene from acetylene, potentially lowering the carbon intensity of C4 supply.

Traditional styrene, ethylene, and propylene streams remain essential. Styrene integrates into SBR for controlled glass-transition temperatures, while ethylene and propylene anchor EPDM chains. Raw-material portfolios now reflect dual priorities: securing volume against cracker outages and climbing the sustainability curve demanded by downstream OEMs.

By Application: Industrial Goods Outpace Tires

Tire and Tire Components absorbed 45% of the synthetic rubber market share in 2024 because global light-vehicle production topped 90 million units. Still, industrial goods will expand at a 4.49% CAGR through 2030, outstripping tire growth. EPDM gaskets in solar farms, nitrile hoses in hydraulic systems, and neoprene expansion joints in bridge retrofits comprise much of this incremental volume. Renewable-energy scale-up adds hundreds of thousands of tons of elastomer demand annually.

Non-tire automotive parts—belts, mounts, and vibration dampers—maintain steady pull, while athletic footwear designers integrate lightweight rubber foams for energy return. Medical devices and premium consumer electronics adopt silicone-modified grades for tactile interfaces. This broadening demand matrix reduces revenue cyclicality historically tied to tire replacement cycles and enables compounders to capture higher value per kilogram.

Geography Analysis

Asia-Pacific commanded 57% of the synthetic rubber market in 2024 and is increasing volume at a 4.38% CAGR to 2030. China anchors this leadership with expansive tire and auto-parts exports, augmented by quickening EV penetration. India, Vietnam and Thailand add regional momentum through greenfield compounding plants. Hyosung’s Vietnam project to derive BIO BDO from sugarcane will create the first integrated bio-based elastane center by 2026, initially rated at 50,000 tons per year.

North America combines advanced R&D with surging bio-content mandates. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory is prototyping reversible crosslinks for recyclable tires, and NC State University co-leads a National Science Foundation center to bolster domestic rubber supply resilience^{[3]NC State University, “NSF Center Dedicated to Domestic Rubber Production,” ncsu.edu}. Large fleet clients such as UPS and Amazon are piloting sustainable tires, creating a pull-through effect for bio-based feedstock producers.

Europe remains a premium hub despite steam-cracker closures tightening butadiene supply. Germany, France and Italy focus on high-performance specialty grades that meet stringent REACH and microplastic regulations. The European Commission’s bio-manufacturing program finances alternative routes for both natural and synthetic rubber to cut import reliance and carbon intensity.

Competitive Landscape

The synthetic rubber market is moderately fragmented, with the top five producers accounting for approximately 36% of installed capacity. Sinopec capitalizes on refinery integration to maintain cost leadership in Asia, while Western manufacturers focus on high-margin specialty segments. Bridgestone’s 2024 financial results highlight its premium-tire strategy, which boosted operating margins to nearly 14% despite rising raw material costs.

Technological collaborations are gaining momentum. Goodyear is developing self-healing synthetic rubber composites to extend tire lifespan, leveraging advancements in reversible sulfur crosslinks. Synthomer’s partnership with the University of York aims to accelerate bio-polymer innovations with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. M&A activity surged in H2 2024, with 148 disclosed deals valued at USD 13.9 billion, including the USD 47 million sale of a Japanese waterproof-materials specialist, reflecting interest in niche elastomer assets.

Asian producers are ramping up capacity, particularly in China’s Guangdong and Liaoning provinces, to meet growing domestic demand from the EV and infrastructure sectors. Western competitors are optimizing portfolios through divestitures and targeted acquisitions in healthcare and aerospace. Start-ups focusing on fermented isoprene and biologically synthesized butadiene are attracting venture capital, intensifying competition for established petrochemical players.

Synthetic Rubber Industry Leaders

China Petrochemical Corporation
Kumho Petrochemical
Exxon Mobil Corporation
LANXESS
SIBUR Holding PJSC
*Disclaimer: Major Players sorted in no particular order

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Recent Industry Developments

December 2025: SIBUR initiated trials to replace natural rubber in tires with synthetic isoprene rubber after evaluating 300 prototype tires showing comparable performance to standard models.
May 2025: ARLANXEO and TSRC opened an expanded NBR plant in Nantong, China, raising annual capacity to 40,000 tons.
February 2024: Arlanxeo has announced plans to strengthen its production capabilities by building a new hydrogenated nitrile butadiene rubber (HNBR) plant in Changzhou, eastern China.

Table of Contents for Synthetic Rubber Industry Report

1. Introduction

1.1 Study Assumptions and Market Definition
1.2 Scope of the Study

2. Research Methodology

3. Executive Summary

4. Market Landscape

4.1 Market Overview
4.2 Market Drivers
- 4.2.1 Surging Demand for High-Performance Tires from EV OEMs
- 4.2.2 Growth of Industrial Rubber Goods in Renewable-Energy Installations
- 4.2.3 Advancements in Medical and Healthcare Applications
- 4.2.4 Shift Toward Bio-Based Monomers in North America Driven by Net-Zero Commitments
- 4.2.5 Growth in Consumer Goods Sector
4.3 Market Restraints
- 4.3.1 Volatility in Butadiene Feedstock Prices from Steam-Cracker Turnarounds
- 4.3.2 Substitution by High-Performance Polyurethanes in Seals and Gaskets
- 4.3.3 Environmental and Regulatory Concerns
4.4 Value Chain Analysis
4.5 Porter’s Five Forces Analysis
- 4.5.1 Bargaining Power of Suppliers
- 4.5.2 Bargaining Power of Buyers
- 4.5.3 Threat of New Entrants
- 4.5.4 Threat of Substitutes
- 4.5.5 Degree of Competition

5. Market Size and Growth Forecasts (Value)

5.1 By Type
- 5.1.1 Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
- 5.1.2 Polybutadiene Rubber (BR)
- 5.1.3 Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (EPDM)
- 5.1.4 Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber (IIR)
- 5.1.5 Polyisoprene Rubber (IR)
- 5.1.6 Others (NBR, CR, ACM, HNBR, etc.)
5.2 By Manufacturing Process
- 5.2.1 Emulsion Polymerization (E-SBR)
- 5.2.2 Solution Polymerization (S-SBR)
- 5.2.3 Advanced Continuous Polymerization
5.3 By Raw Material
- 5.3.1 Butadiene
- 5.3.2 Isoprene
- 5.3.3 Styrene
- 5.3.4 Ethylene and Propylene
- 5.3.5 Other Specialty Monomers (ACN, Chloroprene)
5.4 By Application
- 5.4.1 Tire and Tire Components
- 5.4.2 Non-Tire Automobile Applications
- 5.4.3 Industrial Goods
- 5.4.4 Footwear
- 5.4.5 Other Applications
5.5 By Geography
- 5.5.1 Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.1.1 China
- 5.5.1.2 India
- 5.5.1.3 Japan
- 5.5.1.4 South Korea
- 5.5.1.5 Malaysia
- 5.5.1.6 Thailand
- 5.5.1.7 Vietnam
- 5.5.1.8 Indonesia
- 5.5.1.9 Rest of Asia-Pacific
- 5.5.2 North America
- 5.5.2.1 United States
- 5.5.2.2 Canada
- 5.5.2.3 Mexico
- 5.5.3 Europe
- 5.5.3.1 Germany
- 5.5.3.2 United Kingdom
- 5.5.3.3 France
- 5.5.3.4 Italy
- 5.5.3.5 Spain
- 5.5.3.6 Russia
- 5.5.3.7 Nordics
- 5.5.3.8 Turkey
- 5.5.3.9 Rest of Europe
- 5.5.4 South America
- 5.5.4.1 Brazil
- 5.5.4.2 Argentina
- 5.5.4.3 Colombia
- 5.5.4.4 Rest of South America
- 5.5.5 Middle East and Africa
- 5.5.5.1 Saudi Arabia
- 5.5.5.2 United Arab Emirates
- 5.5.5.3 Qatar
- 5.5.5.4 South Africa
- 5.5.5.5 Egypt
- 5.5.5.6 Nigeria
- 5.5.5.7 Rest of Middle East and Africa

6. Competitive Landscape

6.1 Market Concentration
6.2 Strategic Moves
6.3 Market Share Analysis
6.4 Company Profiles (includes Global level Overview, Market level Overview, Core Segments, Financials as available, Strategic Information, Market Rank/Share for key companies, Products and Services, and Recent Developments)
- 6.4.1 Apcotex Industries
- 6.4.2 Arlanxeo
- 6.4.3 Asahi Kasei Corporation
- 6.4.4 China Petrochemical Corporation
- 6.4.5 Dow
- 6.4.6 ENEOS Corporation
- 6.4.7 Exxon Mobil Corporation
- 6.4.8 Jiangsu Sailboat Petrochemical Co. Ltd.
- 6.4.9 Kumho Petrochemical
- 6.4.10 LANXESS
- 6.4.11 LG Chem
- 6.4.12 Mitsubishi Chemical Group Corporation
- 6.4.13 Reliance Industries Limited
- 6.4.14 SABIC
- 6.4.15 Saudi Arabian Oil Co.
- 6.4.16 SIBUR Holding PJSC
- 6.4.17 Synthos
- 6.4.18 The Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company
- 6.4.19 Trinseo
- 6.4.20 TSRC
- 6.4.21 Versalis S.p.A.
- 6.4.22 Zeon Corporation

7. Market Opportunities and Future Outlook

7.1 White-Space and Unmet-Need Assessment
7.2 Development of Bio-Based Synthetic Rubbers

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Global Synthetic Rubber Market Report Scope

Synthetic rubber is a man-made rubber produced by combining minerals and oil in plants. The most commonly used type of synthetic rubber is styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR), which is created by copolymerizing styrene and 1,3-butadiene.

The synthetic rubber market is segmented by type, application, and geography. By type, the market is segmented into styrene-butadiene rubber, ethylene propylene diene rubber, polyisoprene rubber, polybutadiene rubber, isobutylene isoprene rubber, and other types. By application, the market is segmented into tire and tire components, non-tire automobile applications, footwear, industrial goods, and other applications (consumer goods, etc.). The report also covers the market size and forecasts in 27 countries across major regions. For each segment, market sizing and forecasts were made based on revenue (USD).

By Type	Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)
	Polybutadiene Rubber (BR)
	Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (EPDM)
	Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber (IIR)
	Polyisoprene Rubber (IR)
	Others (NBR, CR, ACM, HNBR, etc.)
By Manufacturing Process	Emulsion Polymerization (E-SBR)
	Solution Polymerization (S-SBR)
	Advanced Continuous Polymerization
By Raw Material	Butadiene
	Isoprene
	Styrene
	Ethylene and Propylene
	Other Specialty Monomers (ACN, Chloroprene)
By Application	Tire and Tire Components
	Non-Tire Automobile Applications
	Industrial Goods
	Footwear
	Other Applications

By Geography	Asia-Pacific	China
		India
		Japan
		South Korea
		Malaysia
		Thailand
		Vietnam
		Indonesia
		Rest of Asia-Pacific

	North America	United States
		Canada
		Mexico

	Europe	Germany
		United Kingdom
		France
		Italy
		Spain
		Russia
		Nordics
		Turkey
		Rest of Europe

	South America	Brazil
		Argentina
		Colombia
		Rest of South America

	Middle East and Africa	Saudi Arabia
		United Arab Emirates
		Qatar
		South Africa
		Egypt
		Nigeria
		Rest of Middle East and Africa

By Type

Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR)

Polybutadiene Rubber (BR)

Ethylene-Propylene-Diene Monomer (EPDM)

Isobutylene-Isoprene Rubber (IIR)

Polyisoprene Rubber (IR)

Others (NBR, CR, ACM, HNBR, etc.)

By Manufacturing Process

Emulsion Polymerization (E-SBR)

Solution Polymerization (S-SBR)

Advanced Continuous Polymerization

By Raw Material

Butadiene

Isoprene

Styrene

Ethylene and Propylene

Other Specialty Monomers (ACN, Chloroprene)

By Application

Tire and Tire Components

Non-Tire Automobile Applications

Industrial Goods

Footwear

Other Applications

By Geography

Asia-Pacific	China
	India
	Japan
	South Korea
	Malaysia
	Thailand
	Vietnam
	Indonesia
	Rest of Asia-Pacific
North America	United States
	Canada
	Mexico
Europe	Germany
	United Kingdom
	France
	Italy
	Spain
	Russia
	Nordics
	Turkey
	Rest of Europe
South America	Brazil
	Argentina
	Colombia
	Rest of South America
Middle East and Africa	Saudi Arabia
	United Arab Emirates
	Qatar
	South Africa
	Egypt
	Nigeria
	Rest of Middle East and Africa

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Key Questions Answered in the Report

What is the current size of the synthetic rubber market?

The synthetic rubber market generates USD 34.83 billion in 2025.

How fast will the synthetic rubber market grow?

Revenue is projected to climb at a 4.21% CAGR, reaching USD 42.88 billion by 2030.

Which region leads synthetic rubber demand?

Asia-Pacific accounts for 57% of global demand and is expanding at 4.38% CAGR.

Why is EPDM gaining share in the synthetic rubber market?

EPDM’s weather resistance and long service life make it the preferred elastomer for renewable-energy cables, seals and gaskets, driving a 5.77% CAGR.

How are bio-based monomers influencing the synthetic rubber industry?

Partnerships such as Goodyear-Visolis are commercializing bio-isoprene that lowers carbon intensity and captures fast-growing demand from sustainability-focused OEMs.

What is the main restraint on synthetic rubber growth?

Butadiene price volatility from steam-cracker outages exerts the largest negative impact, trimming projected CAGR by 0.7%.