Styrene Ethylene Butylene Styrene (SEBS) Market to Undertake Strapping Growth During 2026
Thermoplastic
elastomers (TPEs) are a class of copolymers (typically a mixture of
rubber and plastic) that contain materials with both elastomeric and
thermoplastic properties. There are six generic classes of commercial
TPEs, out of which one is styrenic block copolymers (SBC), in which
styrene ethylene butylene styrene (SEBS) is categorized. It accounts
for a majority share of over 65% of the total SBCs. SEBS polymer is a
type of TPE that includes styrene monomer.
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Some
examples of TPE materials formed by block copolymers groups are
Kraton, Mediprene, THERMOLAST M, THERMOLAST K, Sofprene, Dryflex,
Laprene, Pibiflex, and Hytrel. Of these examples, those produced from
stryrenic block copolymers (SBCs) include Laprene, THERMOLAST M,
THERMOLAST K, Dryflex, and Sofprene.
SEBS
offers various exceptional properties such as heat- and
cold-resistance, UV-resistance, processing stability, etc., which
enable its increasing usage. The chemical resistance of SEBS is
similar to that of natural rubber, which provides it with resistance
to acids and bases. SEBS is primarily produced from polyolefin
building blocks such as polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE). Due
to this, SEBS does not require stabilizers and plasticizers for
flexibility.
Utilization
of SEBS in applications such as children’s toys, hygiene products,
athletic equipment, and food storage is allowed only after approval
from regulatory bodies such as the FDA.
Over
the past couple of years, SEBS has been instrumental in replacing
certain PVC applications in the medical and health care industry,
which has resulted in increase in demand for the polymer. SEBS is
consumed in a large number of applications such as home furnishings,
car interiors, diving equipments, electrical appliances, footwear,
toys, food- and medical-grade containers, and hand tools. Based on
end-user industry, the SEBS market can be segmented into automotive,
building & construction, electricals & electronics, footwear,
medical & healthcare, packaging, sports & leisure, and
others.
Asia
Pacific is a major region of the market for SEBS on a global level.
The region leads in terms of global production as well as
consumption. Countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and South Korea are
major producers of SEBS. They export a major part of the SEBS they
produce to countries in the Rest of Asia Pacific (with China being a
prominent consumer of SEBS, along with overall SBCs) and to other
regions. Domestic consumption in Japan and South Korea has been
steady over the past couple of years, with increase in exports.
Western Europe held a significant share in terms of overall
consumption of SEBS in Europe. Other than Western Europe, major
developments in the SEBS market have been observed in Russia and
Turkey. The U.S. held a significant share of the SEBS market in North
America. It ranked second in terms of demand for styrenic polymers in
the world, only following China. Demand for SEBS in the region is
fulfilled through imports from countries such as South Korea, Japan,
and Taiwan. In Latin America, Mexico is the leading country of the
SEBS market, due to the presence of manufacturing facilities for
production of SBCs.
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Key
players operating in SEBS market include Kraton Corporation, LCY
GROUP, LG Chem Ltd., INEOS STYROLUTION Group GmbH, and TSRC
Corporation. Manufacturers in the SEBS market are focusing on product
development activities to provide better flow, lower warpage, and
greater adhesion of SEBS to other thermoplastics. Companies provide
SEBS of different grades for various applications in a number of
end-user industries. LG Chem. offers SEBS block copolymer under the
trademarket Medalist. Kraton Polymers entered into a partnership with
Taiwan based LCY Chemical Corp, in January 2014. This partnership is
aimed at taking advantage of the strong demand for styrenic polymers
in Asia. In October 2012, in TSRC (Nantong) Industrial Ltd. expanded
its SEBS capacity from 20,000 tons to 35,000 tons per year.
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