CEH Report

Table of Contents

Abstract

This report covers the two main types of styrene-butadiene latexes: SB latex and SBR latex (high-solids latex). The classification of these two products is based on the styrene content. SB latexes contain at least 45–80% styrene, and SBR latexes contain less than 45% styrene. In industry, SB latexes are most widely used for pigmented paper and paperboard coatings and carpet backcoatings and account for 86% of worldwide styrene-butadiene latex consumption. The remaining consumption is for SBR latexes, which are used primarily for molded foams and adhesives. Styrene-butadiene-vinylpyridine terpolymers, which are used almost exclusively for tire cord treatments, represent only a minimal portion.

The following pie charts show world consumption of styrene-butadiene latexes.

Global consumption of SB latex decreased at an average annual rate of almost 4.5% from 2007 to 2010. The major world consumers of SB latex are Western Europe, North America, Other Asia and China, representing roughly 83% of world consumption in 2010. Consumption for SB latexes is forecast to grow at a rate of almost 2.5% per year during 2010–2016.

World demand for SBR latex grew at an average annual rate of 2% from 2007 to 2010. The major world consumers of SBR latex include Western Europe, Other Asia, North America and China, representing 79% of the world total consumed in 2010. Demand for SBR latex is forecast to grow by almost 3.0% per year during 2010–2016.

The largest single application for SB latex is in paper coatings. Use of SB latex in paper coatings has grown steadily in the last decade, especially in Asia. The North American and Western European markets for SB latex are quite mature and flat in comparison to Asian markets. SB latex–based coating systems offer high coating speed and enhanced pigment binding power that results in smoothness, higher gloss level, brightness, opacity and water resistance at a lower cost than alternatives. About 75–80% of SB latex binders are used on coated printing papers such as magazines, annual reports, label stock, advertising flyers and catalogues. The remaining 20–25% is used for coating paperboard products such as folding cartons for food packaging uses. The second major outlet for SB latex is for applications in backcoatings for tufted carpets. Latex backcoatings hold the tufts in place, basically anchoring the pile fibers in place, giving improved stability and resistance to fraying or tuft loss at the cut edges of the carpets.

SBR latexes are used primarily in making foams for mattresses, pillows and carpet foam backings, as well as for flooring adhesives, asphalt modification and tire cord treatments. Latex foam mattresses and pillows are intensely popular in Europe and have become a renewed interest in North America. Consumers have bought into the idea that latex is the supreme sleep surface, as it is quieter than spring mattresses and healthier than the polyurethane equivalents. While polyurethane still dominates low-end products, latex mattresses have been gaining an increasing share of the high-end market. The largest growth market for SBR latex will continue to be in asphalt modification. The use of SBR latex improves the overall performance of asphalts. Latex improves ductility, which leads to low-temperature flexibility and crack resistance. It also increases elasticity, which decreases rutting problems, and may also decrease bleeding. Finally, latex improves the adhesion and cohesion of the asphalt and decreases thermal and oxidative aging effects.