PODCAST: US BD, SBR supplies tight until June after February freeze

HOUSTON (ICIS)— US  butadiene (BD) and styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) supply is expected to be tight well into the second quarter due to the ongoing impacts from the freeze in Texas last month.

Goodyear’s Houston plant is the only US SBR production site still offline following February’s deep freeze, but the site accounts for 21% of US production capacity, according to the ICIS Supply and Demand Database.

While BD availability remains very limited with TPC Houston and Shell Deer Park not yet restarted, representing 32% of US capacity.

TPC Houston restart activities are under way, with production units expected back online by the end of the month, according to a company spokesperson.

BD and SBR expert Amanda Hay discusses this and more in the following podcast interview by Anna Matherne and Alex Snodgrass.