Published November 2019
Polychloroprene is known primarily for its resistance to weathering, good mechanical strength, excellent combustion behavior, aging and heat resistance, moderate oil and fuel resistance, tear and wear resistance, resistance to water and a large number of chemicals over a long period of time, good adhesion to many substrates, low gas permeability, resistance to soil bacteria and fungi, and good electrical properties for a large number of applications. However, it tends to be higher priced than other elastomers, has only fair dielectric properties, a mediocre resistance to low temperatures, and loses resilience above 120°C. Because average under-the-hood temperatures in automobiles continue to increase, automakers have been substituting with competing elastomers; for example, thermoplastic elastomers compete heavily in these markets, offering the additional advantage of recyclability.
The following pie chart shows world consumption of polychloroprene elastomers:

The largest consuming countries/regions of polychloroprene elastomers are China, Other Asia, Western Europe, and the United States. These four countries/regions accounted for nearly two-thirds of total global CR consumption in 2018.
Overall, worldwide consumption of polychloroprene elastomers is expected to increase in the next five years, led by consumption growth in China (albeit at a slower pace than in the past), India, and Other Asian countries (excluding Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan). Consumption growth in the more developed and mature regions of the world is expected to be flat to slightly positive (in the United States and Western Europe), and slightly negative in Japan and South Korea.
For more detailed information, see the table of contents, shown below.
IHS Markit’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Polychloroprene (Neoprene) Elastomers is the comprehensive and trusted guide for anyone seeking information on this industry. This latest report details global and regional information, including

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IHS Markit’s Chemical Economics Handbook – Polychloroprene (Neoprene) Elastomers has been compiled using primary interviews with key suppliers and organizations, and leading representatives from the industry in combination with IHS Markit’s unparalleled access to upstream and downstream market intelligence and expert insights into industry dynamics, trade, and economics.
This report can help you
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