Rubber Vulcanization Market Share Analysis
Rubber finds extensive use in various industrial applications such as fuel hoses, conveyor belts, and printing rollers, as well as in consumer goods. Fuel hoses, including diesel hoses and gasoline hoses, are essential for handling petroleum-based fluids, saltwater, and other substances in applications like material handling, drilling operations, and transferring fluids. Rubber conveyor belts serve as cost-effective alternatives to PVC conveyor belts, offering excellent corrosion resistance and flexible material support, especially in mining applications. In consumer goods, rubber is utilized in various sports equipment like whistles, mouth guards, soccer gloves, and inflatable balls, contributing to the rising interest in sports for a healthier lifestyle. Additionally, the oil and gas industry extensively employs rubber products such as seals, O-rings, tubing, and fittings due to their resilience in harsh environments. The industry's continuous growth, particularly in regions like the Middle East and Africa, is driving the demand for rubber products in oil and gas applications. The presence of significant energy projects in countries like Iraq, Kuwait, UAE, and Oman further contributes to the increasing demand for rubber in the global market.
Rubber is a crucial material in the aerospace industry, particularly for aircraft tires, where natural rubber's heat resistance is essential. Blending natural rubber with sulfur, carbon black, and other chemicals enhances its strength and resiliency, providing an ideal material for aircraft tire tread. The growth of the aerospace sector, driven by the demand for lightweight and fuel-efficient military aircraft, is expected to boost the global rubber vulcanization market. With the global aircraft fleet projected to double over the next two decades, the aerospace industry's reliance on natural rubber-based tires is likely to increase, contributing to the demand for rubber vulcanization. The expansion of commercial aviation networks, the tourism industry, and the rise in air passengers further propel the demand for aircraft production.
In the healthcare sector, rubber plays a crucial role in various applications such as injection parts, gloves, tubing, rollers, and catheters. Silicone, natural, and polyurethane rubbers are widely used due to their biocompatibility, sterilizability, and mechanical properties. These rubbers are essential for manufacturing medical devices like cardiac pacemaker leads and mammary prostheses. The increasing prevalence of heart disease, driven by sedentary lifestyles and poor eating habits, is expected to boost the demand for medical applications of rubber. With nearly 28.2 million adults diagnosed with heart disease in 2017, the demand for pacemakers and other medical devices is likely to contribute to the growth of the global rubber vulcanization market.