Top 10 Companies in the Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Industry (2026): Market Leaders Powering High-Performance Tires

In Business Insights
March 27, 2026

The Global Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Market was valued at USD 1.3 Billion in 2025 and is projected to reach USD 1.8 Billion by 2034, growing at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.8% during the forecast period (2024–2034). This growth is being driven by the global demand for fuel-efficient, high-performance, and durable tires, stringent regulations on vehicle emissions, and the accelerating electrification of the automotive sector which requires tires with very low rolling resistance.

NdBR, polymerized using a rare earth neodymium catalyst system, offers a superior balance of properties compared to conventional synthetic rubbers like nickel-based BR (NiBR). These properties include higher tensile strength, exceptional abrasion resistance, lower heat buildup, and significantly reduced rolling resistance, making it the material of choice for premium radial tires, including those for electric vehicles. As the tire industry pivots towards sustainability and performance, the spotlight is on the key chemical and rubber manufacturers who are scaling production, driving innovation, and securing supply chains. In this blog, we profile the Top 10 Companies in the Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Industry—a mix of global petrochemical giants, specialized synthetic rubber producers, and regional leaders shaping the future of elastomers.


🔟 1. Arlanxeo

Headquarters: Maastricht, Netherlands
Key Offering: Krynac® NdBR, Buna® NdBR grades

A joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Lanxess, Arlanxeo is a global powerhouse in synthetic rubber. Their NdBR portfolio is renowned for its high cis-content, which provides the regular polymer structure essential for superior tire performance. Arlanxeo supplies leading tire manufacturers worldwide with NdBR that enhances tire durability and fuel efficiency.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Development of functionalized NdBR grades for improved silica filler bonding in “green tires.”
  • Commitment to carbon-neutral production processes by 2050 under the “Circular Economy” framework.
  • Strategic R&D focus on tailoring NdBR for EV-specific tire requirements.

Download FREE Sample Report:
Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


9️⃣ 2. Zhejiang Transfar Synthetic Material Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Hangzhou, Zhejiang, China
Key Offering: Transfar NdBR series (e.g., TSNd-25, TSNd-45)

As one of the dominant players in the Chinese market, Zhejiang Transfar Synthetic Material is a major force in NdBR production. The company leverages China’s significant rare-earth resources and has rapidly scaled its capacity to meet domestic and international demand. Their products are critical for China’s vast tire manufacturing industry.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Significant investment in expanding NdBR production capacity to secure market leadership in Asia.
  • Focus on backward integration for stable neodymium catalyst supply.
  • Collaborations with domestic automotive and tire giants for product development.

8️⃣ 3. TSRC-UBE Corporation

Headquarters: Taipei, Taiwan (with production in Zhangjiagang, China)
Key Offering: TSRC NdBR (e.g., BR-50, BR-51 high-cis grades)

Formed from the synthetic rubber businesses of TSRC Corporation and UBE Corporation, this entity is a top-tier specialist. TSRC-UBE combines deep expertise in polymerization technology with strong market access across Asia-Pacific. They are known for high-quality, consistent NdBR tailored for demanding tire applications.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Proprietary catalyst and process technology for ultra-high cis-1,4 content (>98%).
  • Active in developing solutions for the growing Southeast Asian tire manufacturing hub.
  • Implementation of energy-efficient production methodologies.

7️⃣ 4. Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Seoul, South Korea
Key Offering: KOSYN® NdBR series

A leading South Korean petrochemical company, Kumho Petrochemical has a strong synthetic rubber division. Its KOSYN® NdBR is widely used by global tire makers for high-performance passenger car and truck/bus radial tires. The company is strategically focused on the premium segment of the tire market.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Continuous R&D to improve polymer consistency and processability for tire manufacturers.
  • Expansion of NdBR capacity to solidify its position as a key supplier to the global tire industry.
  • Investment in eco-friendly production technologies.

6️⃣ 5. JSR Corporation

Headquarters: Tokyo, Japan
Key Offering: JSR BR01 (NdBR) series

JSR is a global leader in elastomers with a long history of innovation. While offering a broad synthetic rubber portfolio, its NdBR products are engineered for excellence in tire performance, particularly in low rolling resistance applications. JSR works closely with Japanese automotive OEMs, setting high material standards.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Pioneering research in next-generation elastomers and polymer modification.
  • Strong focus on developing materials that contribute to the full lifecycle sustainability of tires.
  • Collaborative development projects with top-tier tire companies for next-gen EV tires.

Download FREE Sample Report:
Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


5️⃣ 6. Synthos S.A.

Headquarters: Oświęcim, Poland
Key Offering: Synthos NdBR grades

As a major Central European producer of synthetic rubber, Synthos plays a crucial role in supplying the European tire industry. The company’s NdBR production supports the region’s stringent requirements for fuel-efficient tires and complements its extensive styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) offerings.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Strategic investments to increase NdBR output and reduce dependency on imports.
  • Development of tailored rubber solutions for the European automotive market’s green transition.
  • Commitment to sustainable sourcing and production circularity.

4️⃣ 7. Sibur

Headquarters: Moscow, Russia
Key Offering: Sibur NdBR (sold under various trade names)

Sibur is the largest petrochemical company in Russia and a significant global player in rubbers and plastics. It possesses integrated production from feedstock to finished synthetic rubber, including NdBR. The company primarily serves the CIS and Eastern European markets, with a strong position in tire raw materials.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Investment in modernizing and expanding synthetic rubber capacities, including NdBR.
  • Focus on developing grades suitable for harsh climatic conditions prevalent in its key markets.
  • R&D aimed at improving product portfolio for export markets.

3️⃣ 8. Lion Elastomers

Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
Key Offering: Neodymium polybutadiene rubber grades

A key North American manufacturer, Lion Elastomers (formerly Lion Copolymer) produces a range of solution-polymerized elastomers, including NdBR. The company caters to the Western Hemisphere’s tire industry, providing a regional supply alternative with technical support and logistics advantages.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Focus on producing NdBR with excellent consistency and purity for critical tire components.
  • Investments in operational excellence and supply chain reliability for North American customers.
  • Development of custom grades in collaboration with tire engineers.

2️⃣ 9. Nizhnekamskneftekhim (NKNH)

Headquarters: Nizhnekamsk, Tatarstan, Russia
Key Offering: NdBR as part of its broad synthetic rubber portfolio

As a subsidiary of Sibur and one of the world’s largest producers of synthetic rubber, NKNH has massive production capacities. Its NdBR output is a vital component of its extensive product slate, supplying both the domestic Russian tire industry and international markets.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Continual modernization of its vast production complex to improve efficiency and product quality.
  • Scaling production to maintain its position as a volume leader in the global synthetic rubber space.
  • Focus on integrated production from monomers to polymers.

1️⃣ 10. Qixiang Tengda Chemical Co., Ltd.

Headquarters: Zibo, Shandong, China
Key Offering: NdBR for tire and industrial applications

Qixiang Tengda is a significant Chinese chemical company with growing capabilities in fine chemicals and synthetic rubber. It has emerged as an important domestic supplier of NdBR, contributing to China’s self-sufficiency in high-performance elastomer raw materials and supporting its export-oriented tire manufacturing sector.

Innovation & Sustainability Initiatives:

  • Rapid capacity expansion in synthetic rubbers to capture growing market share.
  • Strategic focus on the high-growth domestic EV tire market.
  • Investment in R&D to enhance product grade specifications.

Get Full Report Here:
Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Market – View in Detailed Research Report


🌍 Outlook: The Future of NdBR Is Tied to Smarter, Greener Mobility

The NdBR market is undergoing a strategic evolution. While traditional demand from the automotive sector remains robust, the industry’s trajectory is now firmly linked to the megatrends of electrification, sustainability, and digitalization. The shift towards electric vehicles (EVs) is particularly transformative, as EV tires require exceptionally low rolling resistance to maximize battery range, alongside high wear resistance to handle instant torque—a perfect fit for NdBR’s properties.

📈 Key Trends Shaping the Market:

  • EV-Driven Demand Surge: Accelerating adoption of EVs is creating a premium, performance-driven market for NdBR, as tire makers formulate specialized compounds.
  • Regulatory Push for Fuel Efficiency: Global CO2 emission standards and tire labeling regulations (e.g., EU Tyre Label) continue to mandate lower rolling resistance, cementing NdBR’s role.
  • Supply Chain Diversification & Regionalization: Geopolitical and trade dynamics are prompting tire manufacturers to seek diversified NdBR supply sources, benefiting producers in multiple regions.
  • Advanced Material Integration: Development of functionalized NdBR for better compatibility with silica and other sustainable fillers is key to the next generation of “green tires.”

Get Full Report Here:
Neodymium-based Butadiene Rubber (NdBR) Market – View in Detailed Research Report

The companies listed above are not only supplying a critical raw material—they are enabling the technological advancement of global mobility. Their investments in capacity, innovation, and sustainability are directly fueling the development of tires that are safer, longer-lasting, and more efficient, ultimately driving the transition to a cleaner transportation future.