The US styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) market strengthened in early April as supply constraints, firm tyre demand, and ongoing logistics disruption combined to lift delivered and spot sentiment. Market participants reported that feedstock tightness and operational challenges at domestic plants reduced effective availability, while shipping delays linked to geopolitical tensions added further pressure. The shift from a restocking phase into a clear sellers’ market reflected the limited ability of imports to offset shortfalls, keeping buyers focused on securing prompt volumes. Tyre demand remained resilient, supported by steady automotive production and seasonal paving activity, both of which reinforced consumption patterns for SBR. Higher freight and insurance costs also contributed to firmer delivered values, with distributors noting that replacement costs continued to rise. Although the outlook remains upward leaning, improvements in plant operations or easing freight conditions could moderate the pace of gains, but current fundamentals still favour a firm near term trajectory.
Selenis has effectively manufactured recycled PET chips using terephthalic acid sourced from Circ®, a textile-to-textile recycler based in Virginia. The chip production took place through a series of batches at Selenis' pilot plant in San-Giorgio, Italy. By utilizing inputs recovered from polycotton textile waste, Selenis has created high-quality PET chip, which has been further processed into DTY yarn. This yarn will play a crucial role in product development as Circ prepares for additional capsule launches. Selenis is leveraging the success of this initial collaboration phase and is committed to advancing towards an offtake partnership to support Circ's inaugural industrial facility.
Eduardo Santos, Head of Corporate Strategy at Selenis, remarked that the monomer synthesis showed a performance comparable to virgin terephthalic acid. He expressed optimism about the consistent quality of Circ's monomer output and anticipated future commercial success. Santos pointed out that the Circ partnership complements Selenis's existing mission and goals for a more sustainable textile industry. He further stated their anticipation of expanding upon this collaboration and providing support for Circ's forthcoming commercial production trials.
