The US styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) market remained under pressure during late June 2026 as weak downstream demand, ample domestic supply, and declining feedstock costs continued weighing on pricing. Buyers maintained cautious procurement strategies, purchasing only according to immediate production requirements, while producers became increasingly competitive to secure sales. Demand from replacement tyres, OEM tyres, and industrial rubber products remained subdued, limiting opportunities for market recovery. Falling butadiene and styrene prices reduced production costs and further weakened pricing support, while stable operating rates and the absence of major plant outages ensured comfortable availability across the U.S. market. Looking ahead, SBR prices are expected to remain under pressure unless automotive production improves or unexpected supply disruptions tighten market fundamentals.
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.
