China expands production of high-performance rare-earth rubber for electric vehicle tires
“China eyes new grip on EV sector with high-performance rare-earth rubber”
Forensic Headline Assessment: The geopolitical dominance connotation ('new grip') is removed to focus strictly on the reported industrial and commercial development.
China's rare-earth rubber industry is facing commercial and production expansion tests for its application in electric vehicle and heavy-duty vehicle tires. Recent data from the China Rubber Industry Association show that this advanced material trades above conventional synthetic rubber due to its superior resistance properties.
The ND9106 rare-earth cis-polybutadiene rubber grade was quoted at 22,500 yuan per ton in late October and early November, compared to 16,600 yuan per ton for conventional BR9000 rubber in Shandong province. This material offers greater wear resistance, higher strength, and lower rolling resistance, which are key characteristics to support the weight and high torque of electric vehicles.
Industrial development is being consolidated following a successful production test at a 100,000-ton annual plant operated by Dushanzi Petrochemical Company in Xinjiang. The project, backed by the Changchun Institute of Applied Chemistry, translates decades of scientific research into an automated industrial process.
The technology enables the domestic production of high-viscosity and high-performance rubber standards, responding to the demand for new materials for the petrochemical industry and strengthening the supply chain for transportation components.
- ND9106 rare-earth rubber was quoted at 22,500 yuan per ton.
- Conventional BR9000 synthetic rubber was quoted at 16,600 yuan per ton.
- A plant in Xinjiang completed a 100,000-ton annual production test.
- The technology is based on scientific research initiated in China in 1964.
Corroborates: China eyes new grip on EV sector with high-performance rare-earth rubber