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Hidden Carbon Cost: How Rubber and Plastic Still Rely on Fossil Fuels

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  //science-technology.news-articles.net/content/2 .. bber-and-plastic-still-rely-on-fossil-fuels.html
  Published in Science and Technology on Wednesday, November 19th 2025 at 5:50 GMT by The Independent

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The hidden carbon cost of rubber and plastic: Why the industry must rethink fossil‑fuel dependence

In the age of climate urgency, the production of everyday materials often receives little scrutiny. A recent article from The Independent – “Rubber and plastic production is powered by fossil fuels” – shines a spotlight on one of the world’s most ubiquitous, yet environmentally costly, supply chains. The piece weaves together science, policy, and industry testimony to expose the extent to which rubber and plastic manufacture remains tethered to oil and gas, and to outline a roadmap for change.

The fossil‑fuel backbone of “natural” rubber

The article opens with a paradox that often slips under the radar: natural rubber, harvested from Hevea brasiliensis trees, still relies heavily on fossil fuels. While the latex itself is a renewable product, the process that turns it into consumer goods is far from green. “From the plantation to the factory floor, every step—from the energy needed to dry the latex, to the chemicals used for curing—draws on oil‑derived electricity and feedstocks,” the piece notes, citing a 2023 study from the University of Cambridge that estimated that natural rubber production emits roughly 0.9 kg CO₂ per kilogram of finished product.

The article’s linked research, presented at the World Sustainable Energy Conference, highlights that a single rubber tire can contain over 15 kg of CO₂ when all production stages are counted. This figure is startling, given the role that tires play in everyday life—there are over 1.5 billion cars on the road worldwide, and each vehicle averages 4–5 tires. The cumulative impact is a sizeable share of global emissions.

Synthetic rubber and plastics: a petrochemical juggernaut

While natural rubber is often praised for its renewability, synthetic rubber—such as styrene‑butadiene rubber (SBR) and nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR)—is almost entirely derived from petroleum. The Independent article quotes Dr. Laura Jensen, a chemist at the Royal Institute of Chemistry, who explains that the monomers used to build synthetic rubber are produced through ethylene and propylene pipelines that burn natural gas. The carbon intensity of synthetic rubber is therefore about 50 % higher than its natural counterpart.

When the focus shifts to plastic, the numbers climb even higher. The piece links to a report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) that found plastic production accounts for approximately 400 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent each year—roughly 1 % of global emissions, but rising steadily as demand for packaging and single‑use items increases. This “hidden carbon” is compounded by the fact that most plastics are only reused a handful of times before ending up in landfills or oceans. The Independent article underscores that current recycling rates are only 30 %, meaning the bulk of plastic still contributes to the carbon budget.

The “carbon‑footprint loophole” and policy gaps

An essential portion of the article examines how existing regulatory frameworks fail to address the lifecycle emissions of rubber and plastic. The European Union’s Green Deal, for instance, has set ambitious targets for carbon neutrality, yet its Circular Economy Action Plan leaves the production of synthetic materials largely unregulated. The article cites a 2022 EU Commission draft that would classify “high‑carbon” polymers, but the proposal is still under negotiation and faces opposition from key industry players.

The Independent also references the UK’s Net Zero Strategy, which acknowledges the need for “decarbonised plastics” but stops short of mandating the adoption of biobased alternatives. “Until governments impose binding targets on the carbon intensity of raw materials, the industry will continue to rely on the cheapest, most readily available fossil feedstocks,” notes Dr. Jensen.

Alternatives on the horizon

Despite these grim statistics, the article paints an optimistic picture of emerging technologies and policy levers. It spotlights several promising avenues:

1. Biobased plastics – Materials such as polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can be produced from agricultural residues or algae. A 2023 case study by the University of Leeds, linked within the article, showed that PHAs can cut carbon emissions by up to 30 % relative to conventional PET when produced in a closed‑loop system.

2. Chemical recycling – The Independent reports on a pilot facility in Rotterdam that uses pyrolysis to break down mixed plastics back into monomers. According to the facility’s operators, the process can recover up to 85 % of the material’s original carbon, significantly reducing the need for virgin feedstocks.

3. Bio‑cured rubber – Researchers at the University of Nottingham have engineered a bio‑derived curing agent that replaces the conventional sulfur-based process, cutting the carbon intensity of SBR production by an estimated 15 %.

4. Regulatory incentives – The article highlights the EU’s proposed “Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism” (CBAM), which could level the playing field for producers who adopt low‑carbon feedstocks. By putting a price on imported high‑carbon rubber and plastics, CBAM would force manufacturers to either transition to greener alternatives or face higher costs.

Industry responses and the road ahead

The article presents a balanced view by including commentary from industry stakeholders. A spokesperson for the European Rubber Manufacturers Association (ERMA) acknowledges the challenges but stresses the need for “practical, market‑driven solutions.” They point to a voluntary 2025 roadmap that aims to reduce the carbon footprint of rubber by 20 % through energy efficiency and sourcing of biobased chemicals.

Conversely, representatives from major plastic manufacturers express concerns over the scalability and cost of biobased alternatives. “The price premium for bio‑based plastics is still too high for mass‑market applications,” argues a senior executive from a leading packaging company. He adds that investment in infrastructure—such as dedicated biobased feedstock farms—will be crucial.

Conclusion: A call for systemic change

By weaving together scientific data, policy analysis, and industry perspectives, the Independent article makes a compelling case that the rubber and plastic industries are at a crossroads. Their continued dependence on fossil fuels not only undermines global decarbonisation efforts but also perpetuates a cycle of waste and pollution that will reverberate through ecosystems for generations.

The piece ends with a clear message: “If the climate crisis is to be averted, the industry must transition from fossil‑fuel‑based chemistry to a genuinely circular, low‑carbon economy.” Whether this will happen hinges on coordinated action—from governments mandating stricter carbon standards to manufacturers investing in research and infrastructure for biobased and recyclable materials. The hidden carbon cost of rubber and plastic is no longer an isolated niche; it is a bellwether for the broader shift required in the global manufacturing sector.