SR fuels rubber consumption increase.

Recent figures released by the International Rubber Study Group (IRSG) show that even though consumption of rubber increased from the first quarter of 2006 to the second, the six month figures show a decrease in natural rubber consumption. The increasing costs of NR are probably a factor, since the percentage of NR consumed compared to SR dropped during the same period from 43.2% to 41.6%. The figures show that the Asia/Oceania region continues its impressive growth in every aspect of rubber production and consumption, while most other regions posted losses.

Natural rubber consumption
('000 mt)

                         2005          2006
                    Jan.-June     Jan.-June

North America             671           630
Latin America             279           265
European Union            689           634
Other Europe              113           109
Africa                     63            59
Asia/Oceania            2,712         2,783
Total                   4,526         4,481

Synthetic rubber production
('000 mt)

                         2005          2006
                    Jan.-June     Jan.-June

North America           1,235         1,280
Latin America             324           320
European Union          1,363         1,367
Other Europe              627           643
Africa                     38            31
Asia/Oceania            2,459         2,632
Total                   6,018         6,272

Synthetic rubber consumption
('000 Mt)

                         2005          2006
                    Jan.-June     Jan.-June

North America           1,127         1,099
Latin America             391           401
European Union          1,333         1,275
Other Europe              466           468
Africa                     51            46
Asia/Oceania            2,576         2,925
Total                   5,991         6,276