Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market Insights Forecasts to 2033

• The Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market Size was estimated at USD 563 Million in 2023
• The Market Size is Expected to Grow at a CAGR of around 5.59% from 2023 to 2033
• The Worldwide Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market Size is expected to Reach USD 970.28 Million by 2033
• North America is expected to Grow the fastest during the forecast period.

The Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market Size is expected to grow from USD 563 million in 2023 to USD 970.28 million by 2033, at a CAGR of 5.59% from 2023-2033. The demand from automotive, healthcare, and industrial applications drives the NBR powder market. Development in electric vehicles, medical appliances, and the increasing industrial sectors fuels the growth in the sector. Sustainability trends and emerging markets have further headed to its healthy growth.

Market Overview

Nitrile butadiene rubber, or NBR, is a synthetic rubber formed by polymerizing butadiene and acrylonitrile. It is characterized by oil, fuel, and chemical resistance, making it strong, flexible, and resistant to wear. Powdered NBR is used in automotive, healthcare, manufacturing, and consumer goods applications to improve the performance of products. Moreover, increased demand in the automotive sector for oil-resistant components, medical gloves in the healthcare sector, and a need in industrial applications for chemical and wear resistance from technological advancements in the production process and the current pace of sustainability through globalization are also propelling growth in the market. New markets in Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East, where industrial expansion is being witnessed, are also contributing to increased demand for NBR powders in automotive, healthcare, and industrial industries. For instance, in February 2022, Synthos reported that the firm has entered into the next development phase of new innovative bio-butadiene technology used for the manufacture of sustainable rubber. The firm claimed that it was ready with the bio-butadiene technology and that it was set to move towards the engineering and design stage of the project.

Furthermore, the NBR powder market offers scope in the area of eco-friendly product development, increased automation in manufacturing, and the growth of renewable energy sectors. Trends here include customization for specialized applications, growth in 3D printing materials, and advancements in recycling techniques for sustainability. For instance, Germany's LANXESS starts up a new nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR) plant at its 50:50 joint venture with TSRC Corporation in Taiwan in the Nantong chemical park. LANXESS and TSRC Corporation have both invested USD 50 million (approximately equal to EUR 39 million) in the newly started plant which will have a net capacity of 30,000 metric tons for the year.

Report Coverage

This research report categorizes the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market based on various segments and regions forecasts revenue growth and analyzes trends in each submarket. The report analyses the key growth drivers, opportunities, and challenges influencing the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market. Recent market developments and competitive strategies such as expansion, type launch, development, partnership, merger, and acquisition have been included to draw the competitive landscape in the market. The report strategically identifies and profiles the key market players and analyses their core competencies in each sub-segment of the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market.

Driving Factors

The key drivers of the NBR powder market are the increasing demand for durable, high-performance materials in various industries such as automotive, healthcare, and manufacturing. The growing consumer demand for oil-resistant products, technological advancements in material formulations, and the rising emphasis on sustainability are also contributing to the growth of the market. Additionally, the expansion of infrastructure and industrialization in developing economies along with stricter regulations for safety and environmental impact is also contributing to the growth of the market. For instance, in August 2022, Kumho Petrochemical invested KRW 6,000 billion (USD 5.10 billion) in existing and new businesses over the next five years. Under the plan, Kumho will invest KRW 3,300 billion (USD 2.81 billion) in its core business areas: nitrile butadiene latex (NB latex) production and styrene solution butadiene rubber (SSBR) manufacturing.

Restraining Factors

The NBR powder market is further restrained by the high production costs associated with specialized formulations and raw materials. Low awareness in some regions, coupled with competition from alternative materials such as silicone and thermoplastics, can also act as a growth restraint. Environmental concerns related to waste management and disposal further challenge market expansion.

Market Segmentation

The nitrile butadiene rubber powder market share is classified into type and application.

• The automotive grade segment dominated the market in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the type, the nitrile butadiene rubber powder market is divided into medical grade, automotive grade, and industrial grade. Among these, the automotive grade segment dominated the market in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR during the forecast period. Rising automobile demand for oil-resistant seals, gaskets, and hoses also fuels the demand for NBR powder. Adaptation to electric vehicles, evolution of engine technology, and global regulatory requirements for materials with high performance are further promoting demand for durable and quality automotive-grade NBR powder, thus driving market growth.

• The medical devices segment accounted for the highest share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period.

Based on the application, the nitrile butadiene rubber powder market is divided into medical devices, automotive components, industrial products, and consumer products. Among these, the medical devices segment accounted for the highest share in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a remarkable CAGR during the forecast period. This is mainly because the demand for medical gloves and PPE is increasing. Health awareness, pandemics, and improved healthcare standards worldwide are responsible for this. In addition, expansion in the healthcare infrastructure, especially in developing markets, and a growing requirement for safe, durable materials in medical applications drive the rapid growth of medical-grade NBR powder.

Regional Segment Analysis of the Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market

• North America (U.S., Canada, Mexico) 
• Europe (Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Spain, Rest of Europe)
• Asia-Pacific (China, Japan, India, Rest of APAC)
• South America (Brazil and the Rest of South America) 
• The Middle East and Africa (UAE, South Africa, Rest of MEA)

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the majority share of the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market over the predicted timeframe.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to hold the majority share of the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market over the predicted timeframe. This is due to rapid industrialization, a robust automotive and healthcare industry, and increasing demand for NBR powder in medical devices, automotive parts, and other industrial products. The main contributors in this regard are countries like China, India, and Japan, especially due to the growth of manufacturing capacity, the development of healthcare infrastructure, and the increase in the automotive industry, including electric vehicles. For instance, Sinopec-SK Petrochemical Co. Ltd, a joint venture between SK Global Chemical (a subsidiary of SK Innovation) and Sinopec, finished the expansion of its new petrochemical facilities and started full operation in the second half of 2021 with a 40% increase in capacity from 2.2 million metric tons of petrochemical products. The expansion in annual production capacity included 0.19 million metric tons of butadiene along with other chemicals. The region's sizeable consumer base and low-cost production add to the dominance enjoyed by this region in the overall market.  

North America is expected to grow at the fastest CAGR in the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market during the forecast period. The growth of NBR powder is expected to be supported by increased demand from the likes of automotive, healthcare, and industrial usage. The trend continues with increased emphasis on electric vehicles, safety and environmental regulations, and advancement in medical devices. Moreover, the region has key manufacturers and an established healthcare infrastructure that further supports North America's market growth.

Competitive Analysis:

The report offers the appropriate analysis of the key organizations/companies involved within the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market along with a comparative evaluation primarily based on their type of offering, business overviews, geographic presence, enterprise strategies, segment market share, and SWOT analysis. The report also provides an elaborative analysis focusing on the current news and developments of the companies, which includes type development, innovations, joint ventures, partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, strategic alliances, and others. This allows for the evaluation of the overall competition within the market.

List of Key Companies

• Emerald Performance Materials LLC
• JSR Corporation
• Kumho Petrochemical
• LANXESS AG
• LG Chem Ltd.
• Nantex Industry Co. Ltd.
• Nitriflex SA
• OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
• SIBUR Holding
• Synthos SA
• TSRC Corporation
• Versalis S.p.A
• ZEON Corporation
• Others

Key Target Audience

• Market Players
• Investors
• End-users
• Government Authorities 
• Consulting And Research Firm
• Venture capitalists
• Value-Added Resellers (VARs)

Recent Development

• In November 2023, SKFC announced the development of its first food & beverage-specific spherical roller bearing. The new bearing features high-performance nitrile butadiene rubber that is approved by EC as well as the FDA and resists water, contaminants, and detergents.

• In April 2022, Dynasol Group announced the expansion of its production capacity in Santander, Spain, by the installation of a brand-new line for producing styrene-butadiene rubber. The company's expansion plan includes an increase in the capacity of its current styrene-butadiene-copolymer range, located at Altamira, Mexico by 10 KTA.

Market Segment

This study forecasts revenue at global, regional, and country levels from 2023 to 2033. Spherical Insights has segmented the global nitrile butadiene rubber powder market based on the below-mentioned segments: 

Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market, By Type

• Medical Grade
• Automotive Grade
• Industrial Grade

Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market, By Application

• Medical Devices
• Automotive Components
• Industrial Products
• Consumer Products

Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Powder Market, By Regional Analysis

• North America
  • US
  • Canada
  • Mexico
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • Australia
  • Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
  • Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Qatar
  • South Africa
  • Rest of the Middle East & Africa