Apr 10, 2017
The popularity of large-diameter tires requiring better rolling resistance and energy efficiency is likely to increase the demand for halobutyl rubber with a high degree of airtightness. This was discussed at the China Rubber-2017 conference in Guangzhou.
"Over the past decade, the diameter of a passenger car has grown on average by an inch," said Jeffrey Valentage, ExxonMobil Chemical's manager at the conference.
In 2016, the popularity of tires over 16.5-inches in diameter has increased significantly in the US, and China is rapidly catching up with the world average of 15 inches due to the growing popularity of SUV cars. Experts expect that the tendency to increase tire sizes will cover until 2025 all markets.
For new cars with higher and narrower tires, energy efficiency is a particularly important indicator, Valentej said. Thanks to the population growth and increase of its welfare, the world production of cars will grow in the coming years from 95 to 120 million pieces, and this, in turn, will increase the demand for halobutyl rubber - about 500 thousand tons by 2025. About 55% of the consumption of halobutyl is accounted for by the automotive industry.