Polymer chemist and engineer Irene Yurovska is urgently raising concerns regarding supply chain challenges related to chemical additives utilized in rubber and other polymers, which she asserts pose a significant national security risk to the US. As a member of the executive board of the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) rubber division, Yurovska highlighted at a recent ACS conference in Washington, DC that 87% of all essential chemical rubber additives are produced outside the US, with 43% coming from China. She points out the lack of adequate US manufacturing capacity for crucial rubber chemicals to meet domestic needs and anticipated growth.
Yurovska, holding a PhD in polymer physics and mechanics along with an MBA, runs the consulting firm YIGlobal in Texas. Her broad experience encompasses roles at Cabot, SI Group, Teknor Apex, Precix, and Himadri Speciality Chemical in India. She criticizes the US government’s limited approach, which focuses on securing polymer supply chains solely for tires and personal protective equipment, neglecting vital rubber chemicals necessary across various industries. She cautions that disruptions in the supply of rubber chemicals could lead to a halt in critical sectors such as automotive, electronics, aerospace, and healthcare.
According to Yurovska, the growth of rubber additives is essential, as these chemicals prevent early degradation, enhance curing methods, and improve rubber mixing and shaping. Since Charles Goodyear’s discovery of vulcanization in the 19th century, rubber formulations now comprise over 20 components, each serving an important function. Nonetheless, manufacturing operations have largely relocated offshore due to lower labor costs and stringent US regulations, with key products predominantly made in Asia, particularly China.
For instance, Cabot’s facilities in the US and Canada have drastically decreased, with the majority of production now taking place in China. Yurovska warns of the national danger associated with reduced domestic output, underscoring the military uses of rubber materials and China’s limitations on dual-use goods. She emphasizes the necessity for industry awareness to mitigate potential restrictions affecting the rubber market.