25 January 2007 – The Chinese market for synthetic latex polymers is expected to grow at a higher rate than in North America and Europe, according to US research group Kline & Co.
Manufacturers can expect Chinese demand to rise by around 9% per year, even in the worst case scenario presented in Kline’s latest report on synthetic latex polymers for the 2006-2017 period. This is a slower annual rate than the 15% recorded by China in the past decade, but it still outpaces the mature markets in Europe and North America.
Styrene butadiene (SBR) should see double-digit growth in China, with the possibility to exceed 25% per year, according to Kline’s best-case scenario forecast. The projections for SBR in China are linked to the manufacture of paper and paperboard products, the leading consuming markets for SBR latex polymers.
Styrene acrylics are also expected to grow at double-digit rates during the next decade, exceeding 13% annually in the probable and best-case scenario forecasts.
Even in the more consolidated segments, China’s market remains more attractive than western Europe, where four companies account for 85% of SBR sales and five companies account for 67% of styrene acrylic sales.
