(ICIS) -- Tyre producers in Asia may choose to adjust their formulations to use more natural rubber if prices fall below USD 4.000/tonne (EUR 2.800/tonne), as the product offers a much cheaper alternative to butadiene rubber (BR) as raw material, industry sources said on Thursday. The two products are substitutes for each other in the manufacture of tyres for the automotive industry, with prices moving in different directions.
TSR 20 NR prices at the Singapore Exchange (SGX) have tumbled by more than USD 300/tonne since late May to around USD 4.360/tonne on 23 June. The contract was for delivery in September.
Spot BR prices, on the other hand, increased by USD 175/tonne, or 4.1%, roughly over the same period and was assessed at USD 4.300-4.550/tonne CFR (cost and freight) SE (southeast) Asia on 16 June, according to ICIS.