Pampa Energia to Close Argentina’s Only Synthetic Rubber Plant

Pampa Energia, an Argentinian energy group, has announced plans to close the country’s only synthetic rubber plant, located in Puerto General San Martin. The decision is linked to the closure of a production facility by local tire manufacturer Fate, which affected 920 jobs. The synthetic rubber plant has a capacity to produce 55 kilotonnes per annum of styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and sold 41ktpa of SBR in 2025, down 8% from 45ktpa sold in 2024. The closure will impact 150 workers and leaves Argentina without domestic production of this key input for the automotive and footwear industries. This move is part of a larger trend, with US supplier Cabot also announcing plans to close its carbon black production facility in Campana due to structural changes in the region’s tire and automotive markets.