India's Production, Consumption, Imports of Synthetic Rubber in Apr-Oct

Production of synthetic rubber rose 4.2% in the April-October period due to higher output of styrene butadiene rubber.

The increase reflects rising domestic production of cars and car tires in India, with imports of synthetic rubber--70% of which is used to make tires--also up in the first seven months of the fiscal year that ends March 31.

Synthetic rubber output totaled 61,393 metric tons compared with 58,946 tons during the same period in 2008-09, the state-run Rubber Board said Wednesday.

Production of styrene butadiene rubber totaled 9,713 tons compared with 7,582 tons last year, while output of poly butadiene, fell to 41,089 tons from 43,298 tons.

Reliance Industries Ltd., which mainly produces poly butadiene rubber, is the dominant synthetic rubber producer in India.

Consumption of synthetic rubber during the period rose 7.8% to 186,365 tons due to rising demand from tire manufacturers, the Rubber Board, said on its Web site.

Styrene butadiene consumption rose to 73,920 tons from 66,990 tons, while poly butadiene consumption during the period was 56,600 tons compared with 51,110 tons a year earlier.

Demand from tire manufacturers during April-October rose 10.7% to 126,718 tons, the board said.

Imports rose by 11% to 134,125 tons during the period. The country imports most of its butyl and styrene butadiene rubber requirements.

India's synthetic rubber stocks at the end of October totaled 34,820 tons, the board said.

(Source: irco.biz)