Styrene-Butadiene Latex—What You Need to Know...

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2019-06-01

Styrene–butadiene latex (SBL) is an aqueous solution with a solid content of 30%–50%, obtained through emulsion polymerization of butadiene (B) and styrene (S). It is synthesized via emulsion polymerization using varying ratios of styrene and butadiene. Depending on the styrene content, the type of emulsifier, and the polymerization temperature, numerous grades are available, each exhibiting distinct properties and applications. SBL is used as a coating binder to impart maximum pigment‑binding strength and resistance to wet abrasion in coated papers. Increasing the styrene content enhances gloss but also increases the stiffness of the coated paper. The production of styrene–butadiene latex involves an emulsion polymerization process, resulting in a highly complex polymeric system.

Styrene–butadiene latex (SBL) is an aqueous solution with a solids content of 30%–50%, produced via emulsion polymerization of butadiene (B) and styrene (S). It is synthesized by emulsion polymerization using varying ratios of styrene to butadiene. Depending on the styrene content, the type of emulsifier, and the polymerization temperature, numerous grades are available, each exhibiting distinct properties and applications. SBL is used as a coating binder to impart maximum pigment‑binding strength and resistance to wet rub in coated papers. Increasing the styrene content enhances glossiness but also increases the stiffness of the coated paper.

The production of styrene–butadiene latex is an emulsion polymerization process. The resulting latex comprises a highly complex system, containing more than ten different components, including various monomers, modifiers, surfactants, and initiators. In addition to being influenced by the polymerization conditions, the performance of styrene–butadiene latex is also strongly affected by the ratio of styrene to butadiene. As the styrene content increases, the latex exhibits enhanced plasticity and greater hardness, requiring higher pressure and temperature during calendering to produce paper with superior gloss, smoothness, and excellent film‑forming properties; however, this also leads to a reduction in the coating’s adhesion and stability.

In 2018, global styrene-butadiene latex production capacity totaled 2.37 million tonnes per year (on a dry basis), with an operating rate of approximately 77%. The largest producers were Trinseo, with 576,000 tonnes per year, and BASF, with 515,000 tonnes per year.

In the future, new butadiene–styrene latex capacity overseas will be limited, with most of it coming from Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, in Western Europe and North America, declining demand will lead to a slight reduction in capacity. By 2023, total global butadiene–styrene latex capacity is expected to reach approximately 2.4 million tonnes per year, with operating rates rising to around 80%.

Currently, global styrene-butadiene latex is primarily used in paper coating (72%) and the carpet industry (15%), with the remaining 13% allocated to other applications. Over the next few years, global demand for styrene-butadiene latex is expected to grow at a rate of 1% to 1.5%.

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