Will the world run out of rubber?

These factors combined means that the world is now at a point where the supply of natural rubber is not keeping up with demand. In late 2019, the International Tripartite Rubber Council warned the global supply would fall short by one million tonnes (900,000 tons) in 2020, around 7\% of production.

Why are we running out of rubber?

The world now faces a rubber shortage because of multiple supply chain disruptions. “We could be on the cusp of a rubber apocalypse,” Ohio State University professor Katrina Cornish told CNBC. Rubber producers are working against all odds: climate change, disease and the fight for shipping containers.

Is the rubber tree endangered?

Not extinct
Pará rubber tree/Extinction status

Does the US produce rubber?

About 32-million metric tons of rubbers are produced annually in the United States, and of that amount two thirds are synthetic. Global revenues generated with synthetic rubbers are likely to rise to approximately US$56 billion in 2020.

Will tires become scarce?

Yes. Rubber is only grown in one region (Southeast Asia), but is used worldwide. Every country that purchases natural rubber will be affected by rubber scarcity. The world’s largest consumer of rubber, China, may have the most to lose from a potential shortage.

What is the future of rubber?

The global demand for natural rubber is predicted to grow at a CAGR of 4.8 \% (2019–2023) and the production is set to touch ~17 MMT (Million Metric Tons) by 2022, from the current level of 12.43 million MT.

Why are rubber trees bad?

Biodiversity concern Concern has been growing among conservationists that switching land use to rubber cultivation can harm soil, water and biodiversity. The first review of the effects on biodiversity and endangered species found the problem was comparable to oil palm and was linked to the growing tyre market.

What happens old rubber?

Oxidative and thermal ageing of rubber are accelerated by stress and reactive gases, like ozone, resulting in cracking, charring and colour fading.

Is there a rubber tree?

rubber tree, (Hevea brasiliensis), South American tropical tree of the spurge family (Euphorbiaceae). The milky liquid (latex) that oozes from any wound to the tree bark contains about 30 percent rubber, which can be coagulated and processed into solid products, such as tires. …