In 2023, the Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Market was valued at USD 1.9 billion and is forecasted to grow to around USD 3.8 billion by 2032. The global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) market is projected to show strong growth from 2023 to 2032, with a CAGR of 5.2% during this period. This growth can be attributed to increasing demand from the Automotive, Medical, and Construction industries.
Nitrile rubber, also known as Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) (Nitrile Butadiene Rubber) or Buna-N, is a synthetic rubber copolymer derived from acrylonitrile and butadiene, which gives it its unique properties. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) is widely used in various industries, including automotive, aerospace, oil and gas, and healthcare, due to its versatility and durability. In the production of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), acrylonitrile and butadiene are emulsified in water and then polymerized through the action of free-radical initiators.
It is known for its excellent resistance to oil, fuel, and other chemicals, making it widely used in various industrial applications, including automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, and more. The higher the ACN content, the better the resistance to oil and fuel. At the same time, elasticity and compression set resistance to low temperature is adversely affected. The lower the ACN content obtains, the better the low-temperature resistance.
In terms of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) demand by Type, the market is segmented into Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (Copolymer Solid and Powder), Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)), Carboxylated Nitrile Rubber (XNitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)) and Other Blends. Nitrile Butadiene rubber accounted for the largest share of 80%, followed by HNitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) and XNitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) with 10% and 8% respectively.
HNBR is commonly known for its physical strength and retention of its properties after long-term exposure to heat, oil, and chemicals. A common use is O-rings for automotive air-conditioning systems.
In terms of applications, the Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) market is segmented into Or-rings & Seals, Hoses, Belts & Seals, Adhesives & Sealants, Gloves, and Molded & Extruded Products. O-rings & Seals dominates the Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) market as they are commonly used in hydraulics, pneumatics, and fuel applications that are used in industries such as automotive, oil & gas, marine, aerospace where oil, fuel, and chemical resistance is required. Nitrile O-rings can withstand a temperature range of -35°C to 120°C.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) belts are widely used in industrial applications as heavy-duty high oil and abrasion resistance belts. These heavy-duty belts are used in conveyor systems in the mining industry and are also used in transmission belts in the automotive industry.
Nitrile rubber is very popular material within the gloves industry owing to its superior puncture resistance, comfort, chemical resistance, and lower cost compared to others. Nitrile rubber gloves are preferred over natural rubber or latex gloves as they do not contain any allergic proteins in them. Nitrile gloves have a high demand in disposable gloves used for medical and laboratory purposes. Billions of nitrile rubber gloves are manufactured yearly creating a huge demand for nitrile rubber in industry. An average disposable gloves consume around 4 to 5 gm of nitrile rubber. Apart from disposal gloves, nitrile rubber is also used to manufacture highly durable rubber gloves used in construction and industrial activities.
Countries like France, Russia, Japan, South Korea and Brazil are the major exporters in the Nitrile Butadiene Market. Whereas USA, Germany, Italy, Poland, China and India are the major Nitrile Butadiene Rubber importers.
The total trade of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber in 2022 was about 368 kilotons with Asia being the largest net importer of the product with 177 kilotons imports in 2022. The global exports experienced a decline in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. South Korea is the largest exporter of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber with 120 kilotons exports in 2022, at an average price of 2.6$/kg.
Western Europe is the second largest importer with 83 kilotons imports in 2022, out of which Germany emerges as the largest importer in the country with 26 kilotons imports recorded in 2022, imported at an average price of 5.2$/kg.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) Capacity Analysis
Nitrile rubber was developed in 1931 at BASF and Bayer, then part of chemical conglomerate IG Farben. The first commercial production began in Germany in 1935. Asia Pacific is the largest market for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) accounting for more than 60% of the total capacity which translates to 596 kilotons in 2022.
Post discovery in the early 1940’s Nitrile Butadiene Rubber has experienced various capacity additions and the emergence of newer Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) market players. ARLANXEO is the largest producer of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber with a market share of nearly 20% with manufacturing facilities in the USA, Germany, France, and China.
The global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber capacity stood at 880 kilotons in 2022. As far as regional Nitrile Butadiene Rubber capacity additions are concerned, an average growth of 2.1% was observed with most of the capacities added in the Asia-Pacific region. With a growing demand for Transportation, Medical, and Construction end-uses, the operating rates are likely to increase substantially in the forecast period.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) is commonly used in the transportation industry in seals, gaskets, and hoses due to its oil and fuel resistance. As the transportation industry evolves, the demand for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) in various vehicles will see positive growth in the upcoming years.
Nitrile rubber is widely used in gaskets, seals, O-rings, and oil-resistant hoses in automotive engines, transmissions, and fuel systems due to its exceptional oil and fuel resistance which ensures leak-free connections and durability, reducing maintenance and enhancing overall vehicle reliability. NBR-based hoses and tubing are employed for conveying oil, fuel, and chemical substances in the oil and gas sector, providing durability and reliability in fluid transfer applications.
It is also used in the interior of vehicles such as mounts and bushings as they help to dampen vibrations and provide noise reduction in vehicle suspensions and engine systems, improving ride comfort and reducing noise pollution.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)'s resistance to oils, fuels, and a wide range of chemicals make it a suitable material for wear and tear applications. It remains stable and maintains its integrity when exposed to these substances over a long period of time. This resistance minimizes material degradation and ensures long-term performance in industries like automotive, oil and gas, and chemical processing.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) exhibits strong mechanical properties, including high tensile strength and tear resistance and its ability to withstand mechanical stress and deformation can withstand tough conditions, such as those encountered in seals, gaskets, and hoses. This durability prevents leaks and reduces maintenance requirements. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)'s wide operating temperature range, typically from -40°C to 120°C (-40°F to 248°F), enables it to perform in diverse environments and remains flexible and functional in both extreme cold and high-temperature settings.
When compared to natural rubber, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) is not a strong or flexible material and may not be suitable for applications involving certain aggressive solvents and chemicals. It can handle a range of temperatures, but it has limitations in high-temperature applications, as it may degrade at elevated temperatures.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) has poor weathering resistance and is not very resistant to sunlight, ozone or aromatic hydrocarbons. This means that it would not be an ideal choice for any outdoor applications.
Increasing awareness of environmental issues and regulations could impact the use of Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR), leading to a rising demand for more eco-friendly alternatives. The production of nitrile rubber involves the use of petroleum-derived raw materials, and the extraction and processing of these resources can have negative environmental impacts, including habitat disruption and greenhouse gas emissions.
One of the major constraints in the European and North American markets is environmental regulation and concern for the environmental impact associated with these products and their manufacture. Butadiene has been listed as a toxic substance under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
The National Emission Standards for Hazardous Air Pollutants in the United States are put in place to regulate the production of rubber to lower the emission of hazardous air pollutants.
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