Factors influencing NR and SR usage

摘要

Not all countries consume the same ratio of synthetic rubber (SR) or natural rubber (NR). This depends on the types of rubber being utilized, end uses, proximity to production (NR or SR), and political factors which might encourage greater use of one material type. The Russian Federation and other former Eastern European countries have the highest SR share, Asia/Pacific and Africa the lowest and North America, Latin America and the European Union (EU) are between the two. Political reasons, as well as being SR producers themselves, influence higher SR share in Russia and Eastern Europe. Asia and Africa are NR producing countries and hence consume greater quantities of NR.