CEH Report

Table of Contents

Abstract

Russia dominates the world market in terms of high-purity isoprene capacity, production and consumption. The three major producers of isoprene in Russia include Nizhnekamskneftekhim, Synthez-Kauchuk and Togliattikauchuk. Nizhnekamskneftekhim is the largest isoprene producer in the world. Goodyear (United States) is the next-largest world producer of isoprene.

The following pie chart shows world consumption of isoprene:

High-purity isoprene is used almost entirely (90–95%) as a monomer in the production of polyisoprene rubber (IR), styrenic thermoplastic elastomer block copolymers (styrene-isoprene-styrene [SIS]) and butyl rubber. Considerably smaller amounts of isoprene are converted as an intermediate into specialty chemicals, including vitamins, pharmaceuticals, flavorings and perfumes, and epoxy hardeners.

Close to 70% of world consumption of isoprene was for IR production in 2010. Polyisoprene's main end use is in tires. Isoprene's next-largest area of consumption is for SIS block copolymers, which are used mainly in adhesives. This end use consumed about 20% of world isoprene demand in 2010. Butyl rubber, mainly for tires and tubes, represented the third-largest end-use for isoprene, accounting for 4% of world demand for isoprene in 2010.

Some of the major challenges facing the isoprene market include sufficient supply, increasing price, health of the automotive sector, and future shutdowns.