Rubber Vulcanization Market Size, Share, Industry, Forecast and outlook (2024-2031)

Global Rubber Vulcanization Market is segmented By Type (Efficient Vulcanization (EV), Semi-Efficient Vulcanization (SEV), Conventional Vulcanization (CV)), By Product Type (Guanidines, Thiazoles, Dithiocarbamates, Xanthates, Thiurams, Sulfonamide, Others), By Application (Rubber Hoses, Shoe Soles, Toy, Erasers, Tires, Conveyor Belts, Shock Absorbers, Rubber-Lined Tanks, Insulation, Others), By End User (Automotive, Industrial, Consumer Goods, Healthcare, Textile, Others), and By Region (North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa) – Share, Size, Outlook, and Opportunity Analysis, 2024-2031

Rubber Vulcanization Market Overview

The Global Rubber Vulcanization Market is expected to grow at a high CAGR during the forecast period (2024-2031).

Vulcanization is the chemical process of curing elastomers, which involves the treatment of natural rubber with sulfur or other curatives to form cross-links between sections of a polymer chain to produce a rubberized material boasting excellent rigidity and durability. Moreover, this process improves the physical properties of natural or synthetic rubber. In addition, finished rubber has higher tensile strength and resistance to swelling & abrasion and is elastic over a more excellent temperature range.

Furthermore, in modern practice, temperatures of about 140°–180° C are employed, and in addition to sulfur and accelerators, carbon black or zinc oxide is usually added, not merely as an extender, but to improve further the qualities of the rubber. Moreover, anti-oxidants are also commonly included to retard deterioration caused by oxygen and ozone. Certain synthetic rubbers are not vulcanized by sulfur but give satisfactory products upon similar treatment with metal oxides or organic peroxides.

Rubber Vulcanization Market Summary

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Rubber Vulcanization Market Growth Trends

The increasing demand for vulcanized rubber is expected to increase market growth during the forecast period due to its tensile strength, elasticity, hardness, tear strength, abrasion resistance, and solvents' resistance. Moreover, vulcanized rubber is more robust than non-vulcanized rubber due to its bonds made of cross-links at an atomic level. This enables vulcanized rubber to stand up to more stress and damage. In addition, vulcanized rubber is also more rigid than non-vulcanized rubber, which is expected to drive market growth.

Furthermore, the rise in the demand for vulcanized rubber in automotive tires is expected to boost the market growth due to its high tensile strength and weather ability. Moreover, it is not affected by changes in road conditions from rain to ice and long-wearing that can withstand the road's friction. In addition, it retains its shape well and is resistant to puncture. According to industry analysis, the global automotive market is expected to reach USD 3,793 billion by 2030, from the recorded value of USD 2,683 billion with a CAGR of 2.86%.

However, vulcanized rubber has some limitation which is expected to hinder the market growth during the forecast period. Rubber is moderately toxic when burned and cools quickly after being melted, making it somewhat hazardous to those handling it. Moreover, the environmental impact of vulcanized rubber reflects that of other untreated rubber materials. This impact is generally negative, which is a problem since the demand for vulcanized rubber is astounding.

Rubber Vulcanization Market Segmentation Analysis

By type, the market is segmented into efficient vulcanization (EV), semi-efficient vulcanization (SEV) and conventional vulcanization (CV). By product type, the market is segmented into guanidines, thiazoles, dithiocarbamates, xanthates, thiurams, sulfonamide and others. By application, the market is segmented into rubber hoses, shoe soles, toy erasers, tires, conveyor belts, shock absorbers, rubber-lined tanks, insulation and others. By end-user, the market is segmented into automotive, industrial, consumer goods, healthcare, textile and others.

Vulcanization causes the rubber to shrink while still retaining its original shape. The vulcanization process also hardens the rubber, making it less susceptible to deformation than non-vulcanized rubber, which will deform far more quickly under stress. This hardening of the rubber also increases its tensile strength. Moreover, vulcanized rubber is used to manufacture all sorts of products today. Perhaps the best-known and most prevalent use of vulcanized rubber is vehicle tires, commonly combined with the reinforcing agent carbon black for even greater strength. More than a billion tires are manufactured globally every year, making the tire industry one of the leading vulcanized rubber consumers.

Further benefits of vulcanized rubber include:

• Excellent resilience
• Returns to its original shape
• Low water absorption
• High resistance to oxidation and abrasion
• Good electrical insulator
• Resistant to organic solvents

Global Rubber Vulcanization Market Geographical Share

APAC dominates the rubber vulcanization market, followed by North America and Europe, during the forecast period. The growing demand for automotive vehicles and high production in China and Japan is expected to boost rubber vulcanization during the forecast period. Moreover, India, Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia are the top five rubber-producing countries in the world. An increase in strict regulations on carbon emission and fuel efficiency across the region is expected to drive rubber vulcanization market growth during the forecast period. According to analysis, Japan produced an impressive 6.95 million passenger cars in 2020, China swarmed the passenger car production sector across the APAC region, producing a staggering 19.97 million passenger cars.

The rubber vulcanizing market in North America and Europe is projected to expand at an average pace due to well-established players in the automotive industry and OEM companies operating in these regions, including General Motors, Ford Motor Company, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, and many more.

Furthermore, Latin America and Middle East & Africa are highly dependent on rubber imports due to the limited production of natural raw rubber in these regions. Moreover, the increasing industrialization in both regions is expected to boost the demand for rubber vulcanizing during the forecast period.

Rubber Vulcanization Market Companies and Competitive Landscape

The rubber vulcanization market is fragmented with the presence of regional and global players. The competitive contour lies with the increase in the regional company and growing investment in upstream application. Arkema SA, LANXESS AG, Eastman Chemical Company, BASF SE, Emerald Performance Materials, King Industries Inc., Sumitomo Chemical Co., Ltd., Duslo, a.s., Kumho Petrochemical, Stair Chemical & Technology Co., Ltd. are the major player in the vulcanization market. The major players adopt several growth strategies such as product launches, acquisitions, and collaborations, contributing to growing the rubber vulcanization market globally.

Arkema SA

Arkema SA manufacture multi-functional products, Vultac® (Alkylphenol polysulfide) products are sulfur donors and vulcanization agents with tackifying and antioxidant properties due to their chemical structure. This range is also connected to the Rosinox® product, which is a bleaching catalyst and agent. Moreover, it is supplied by MLPC International, Vultac®, and Rosinox® that are low molecular weight alkylphenol disulfide oligomers that contain between 19-31% of sulfur.

Furthermore, Vultac® cure combines the advantages of thermal stability, thus better reversion & heat ageing resistance, and a relatively long hybrid cross-link that provide better molecular flexibility and improved mechanical and dynamic properties. It also offers significant properties, including:

• The phenolic structure act as an antioxidant
• Nitrosamine-free
• High elastomer solubility
• Tackifier enhancing adhesion
• Non-staining and non-blooming

In addition, catalyst and bleaching agents for Rosinox® are FDA approved (FDA 21 CFR 175.105.) as a stabilizer/antioxidant in the treatment of rosins and esters