Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (CAS 120-78-5) Market Summary

The Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS, CAS #120-78-5) market embodies a key niche within the rubber chemicals and vulcanization additives sector, where this yellow to light brown powder—chemically 2,2'-dithiobis(benzothiazole)—serves as a versatile, cost-effective thiazole accelerator that facilitates controlled cross-linking in rubber compounding, enabling the transformation of thermoplastic elastomers into durable thermosets with enhanced mechanical integrity and thermal resilience essential for tire treads, belts, and cables. This compound, boasting a molecular weight of 332.51 g/mol and melting point of 170–178°C, operates as a delayed-action semi-ultra accelerator, decomposing under heat (150–160°C) to generate mercaptobenzothiazole (MBT) radicals that initiate polysulfide bridges in sulfur-vulcanized systems, yielding plateaued rheometer curves with t90 times of 5–10 minutes and scorch safety tS2 >4 minutes at 121°C per ASTM D5282, while its low solubility in water (<0.1 g/L) and high dispersibility in NR/SBR lattices (<10 μm aggregates via SEM) ensure homogeneous activation without blooming or migration in post-vulcanized articles. As a thiazole standout, its affordability—derived from economical aniline and carbon disulfide synthesis—and ease of manufacture via oxidative coupling position it for broad adoption, often at 0.5–2.0 phr loadings for synergistic use with guanidines or thiurams to amplify cure rates 20–30% in low-sulfur (0.5–1.5 phr) recipes, compliant with REACH Annex II for non-classified hazards and RoHS for electronics cabling. This market's vitality is inextricably linked to the global rubber industry's expansion—natural rubber consumption topping 13 million tons annually—and synthetic elastomer innovations, where MBTS's scorch resistance mitigates premature gelling in extrusion dies, recirculating via masterbatch for 95% uniformity in tire carcass compounds. As tire sustainability pressures intensify—mandating 20% recycled content by 2030 under EU's ELV Directive—MBTS evolves from standard accelerator to low-dose hybrids with nano-clays for 25% reduced volatility, curbing 15% gas evolution in dynamic retreading. The global Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide market is estimated to reach a valuation of approximately USD 180–290 million in 2025, with compound annual growth rates projected in the range of 4%–6% through 2030. This steady progression mirrors the rubber accelerators segment's maturation, bolstered by tire production's 4.5% CAGR to 2.6 billion units and the surge in cable sheathing for 5G networks, alongside regulatory tailwinds favoring non-toxic thiazoles under TSCA and GB/T 12625, cultivating a resilient ecosystem that harmonizes cure efficiency with environmental compliance in an era of circular tire economies and supply chain diversification.

Application Analysis and Market Segmentation
● Natural Rubber Applications
Natural Rubber (NR) formulations leverage Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide as a semi-ultra accelerator for balanced scorch and cure in latex dipping and extrusion, where its thiazole ring decomposes to MBT mercaptide at 140–150°C for flat rheocurves with maximum torque ΔM >15 dNm per ASTM D5282, enabling 95% crosslink density in skim stocks for tire plies without reversion in open steam (121°C/30 min) while its low odor (threshold <1 ppm) avoids tainting in medical gloves compliant with ASTM D3578. Dosed at 1.0–1.5 phr with 1.5 phr sulfur, it recirculates via prevulcanization inhibitors (PVI) for 20% storage stability in NR latex, essential for handling 5–10 million tons annual global crepe yields. The segment is anticipated to grow at annual rates of 4.5%–6.5%, driven by NR's 3% CAGR to 15 million tons by 2030 and the demand for scorch-safe grades in latex condoms and surgical tubing, where it mitigates tackiness <5 N/cm in roll-build processes per ISO 2230. Trends encompass hybrid thiazole-MBT systems, as in Sri Lanka's Hayleys Rubber plantations where MBTS at 1.2 phr with CBS boosts 25% tear resistance in dipped balloons, aligning with ISO 4074 for non-allergenic latex. In Thailand's Sri Trang Agro-Industry, where 1.5 million tons NR process yearly, it enables 15% faster mat-vulcanization in crepe soles, syncing with TIS 20-2549 for footwear durability and curbing 20% surface tack in humid storage. U.S. Halcyon Agri's Supreme latex incorporates it for 18% reinforced gloves per ASTM D6319, recirculating post-consumer latex for 20% sustainability in ASTM D1076 viscosity controls. Emerging paradigms integrate MBTS with nano-silica for 30% flex fatigue uplift in bicycle inner tubes, preempting 25% crack initiation in off-road treads amid USDA's bio-preferred mandates for natural latex foams, underscoring a trajectory where this accelerator transmutes from latex staple to precision modulator in bio-sourced, hypoallergenic elastomer ecosystems, with blockchain-traced thiazole ensuring 99% purity in 5G-monitored dipping lines.
● Synthetic Rubber Applications
Synthetic Rubber (SR) compounding deploys Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide as a versatile accelerator for BR/SBR/EP(DM) blends, where its delayed action prevents pre-cure in calendering (scorch tS2 >8 min at 135°C) while driving efficient network formation in EVOH-compatible hoses with ΔM >12 dNm and compression set <25% at 70°C per ASTM D395, recirculating via co-agents like TAIC for 90% triazine crosslinks in peroxide co-vulcanization. At 0.8–1.2 phr with 0.8 phr sulfur, it synergizes with thiurams for 20% faster rheocure in cable sheathing, compliant with UL 44 for 90°C wet ratings. Growth is projected at 3.5%–5.5% annually, underpinned by SR's 4% CAGR to 15 million tons by 2030 and the need for scorch-resistant grades in automotive weatherstrips, compliant with EN 60811 aging. Innovatory arcs spotlight MBTS-MBT hybrids, as in BASF's Buna CB rubber where 1.0 phr boosts 30% ozone resistance in glazing seals, harmonizing with REACH Annex XVII for low-volatiles in food-contact EPDM. Europe's Lanxess Neodene EPDM yards deploy it in 20% bio-attributed grades, curbing 25% set in blow-molding per EN 15348, while U.S. Dow's Nordel blends recirculate 50% post-industrial for 18% thrift in roofing membranes. Trends toward low-dose nano-thiazoles preempt 20% migration in 3D-printed gaskets, fortifying against FDA 21 CFR 177.2600 leachables in medical tubing ecosystems, with emerging bio-thiazole ligands reducing odor 40% for automotive interior foams.

Regional Market Distribution and Geographic Trends
● Asia-Pacific: 5%–7% growth annually, led by China's rubber dominance—producing 800 million tires yearly from Shandong clusters—where state-backed expansions target 20% EV tire localization amid MIIT's 14th Five-Year Plan for 2.5 billion units, recirculating thiazole from Indian HPAL for latex dipping in radial belts. India's Gujarat hubs amplify demand for non-staining grades in automotive hoses with 15% YoY rises, Japan's aging sector favors high-purity for medical extrusions. China's 7.3 million-ton rubber tranche underpins 50%+ share, with 5.5% CAGR via Belt-and-Road synergies. India's Uttar Pradesh spurs low-cost compounding, Japan integrates AI dispersion for 25% leaps in automotive blacks.
● North America: 3.5%–5.5% growth, anchored by U.S. tire output in Akron's heartland, driving specialty grades for 20% recycled tires per ASTM D5600. Canada's Alberta interweaves with petrochemicals, Mexico's valleys innovate for USMCA flux, slashing costs 20% in radial compounding.
● Europe: 3%–5% growth, with Germany pioneering under Green Deal, Poland's yields for biogenic polyolefins at 160,000 points. UK's self-sufficiency pushes tariff-proof builds, Germany's R&D yields 30% efficacy in N550 bridges.
● Latin America: 4%–6% growth, led by Brazil's 1.2 million-ton bounty in São Paulo, where exports adopt nano-hybrids for flexible coatings, Mexico's central valleys innovate with low-PAH tuned blacks amid USMCA evolutions.
● Middle East & Africa: 4.5%–6.5% growth, galvanized by GCC's petrochemical diversification via UAE's 200,000-ton labs favoring dust-sealed units for arid ops, South Africa's Cape channels 500,000-ton outputs into tire fortification with solar-integrated nano-blacks.

Key Market Players and Competitive Landscape
● Lanxess – Headquartered in Cologne, Germany, Lanxess AG was spun off from Bayer in 2004 and operates as a leading specialty chemicals company with approximately 14,900 employees across 33 countries and 60 production sites worldwide. The company's Rubber Chemicals business unit, part of its Advanced Intermediates segment, specializes in a comprehensive portfolio of vulcanization accelerators, including Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) under the Vulkacit brand, which is produced in high-volume facilities in Germany, Brazil, and China for global tire and rubber manufacturers. Lanxess's MBTS grades are tailored for natural and synthetic rubber applications, offering excellent scorch safety and fast curing in low-sulfur systems, and the firm maintains extensive R&D capabilities in Leverkusen to develop low-volatility variants for EV tire compounds, collaborating with tire leaders like Michelin and Bridgestone to optimize dispersion in silica-filled blends. Lanxess ensures full compliance with REACH, TSCA, and ISO 9001 standards, and its global distribution network supports just-in-time deliveries to over 100 countries, backed by technical service teams that provide compounding trials and rheometer analysis for customer-specific formulations.
● Arkema – Based in Colombes, France, Arkema S.A. was formed in 2004 from the chemicals arm of Total and employs over 20,000 people across 50 countries, focusing on advanced materials and specialty chemicals through its Addivant Rubber Additives division, which includes Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) as a key thiazole accelerator for tire and technical rubber production. Arkema's MBTS is manufactured in plants in the U.S., Europe, and Asia, emphasizing high-purity grades for crystal-free dispersion in NR latex dipping, and the company invests in sustainable production at its Singapore facility to reduce environmental impact, partnering with rubber producers in Southeast Asia for custom blends in conveyor belts and hoses. Arkema's R&D centers in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, develop synergistic MBTS-guanidine systems for improved aging resistance, and the firm holds certifications under REACH and RoHS, ensuring seamless integration into global supply chains with dedicated application engineers for on-site vulcanization tuning.
● Dynasol Group – Spanish-headquartered since 1992 as a joint venture of Repsol and Cepsa, Dynasol Group's operations span 1,500 employees in Europe, North America, and Asia, specializing in synthetic rubber and additives, including Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) for SBR and BR compounding in tire sidewalls and automotive seals. Dynasol's MBTS is produced in its Bilbao facility for high-scorch safety in extrusion processes, and the company maintains technical alliances with tire OEMs for low-dose formulations that enhance flex fatigue in dynamic applications, with a focus on recycled rubber integration through its North American plants. Dynasol's commitment to innovation is supported by R&D labs in Santander, Spain, developing thiazole hybrids for bio-based elastomers, and it adheres to ISO 14001 for environmental management, serving a global customer base with reliable logistics from its integrated rubber-chemicals platform.
● Chem-Unio – Finnish Turku-based since 1962, Chem-Unio Oy employs 100 staff in its Nordic facility, producing Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) as a staple accelerator for Nordic rubber processors, with emphasis on thiazole purity for natural rubber latex applications in medical gloves and hoses. Chem-Unio's production process ensures low ash content (<0.1%) for clean vulcanization, and the company supplies European tire and seal manufacturers with tailored blends for cold-weather performance, maintaining REACH compliance through its in-house analytical labs for rheology and adhesion testing.
● Akrochem – Akron, Ohio's since 1980, Akrochem Corporation from 150 employees specializes in rubber chemicals distribution and compounding, sourcing Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) for U.S. tire and hose producers, with a warehouse network for just-in-time delivery of thiazole grades for SBR extrusion. Akrochem's technical team provides mixing guidelines for optimal scorch in low-temperature cures, and the company focuses on U.S. automotive supply chains with ASTM-compliant quality assurance for its MBTS inventory.
● R.T. Vanderbilt – Norwalk, Connecticut's since 1916, R.T. Vanderbilt Company Inc. employs 500 staff in minerals and chemicals, including Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) for rubber auxiliaries in tire reinforcement, with production tied to its U.S. facilities for high-volume blending in NR compounds. Vanderbilt's long-standing role in rubber science includes MBTS for conveyor belting, supported by application labs for vulcanization profiling.
● Sanshin Chemical – Osaka, Japan's since 1946, Sanshin Chemical Industry Co., Ltd. with 300 employees produces Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) for Japanese tire and automotive rubber, with facilities emphasizing purity for latex dipping in radial plies, serving Toyota and Bridgestone through integrated supply chains with crystal-grade thiazoles for clean processing.
● Ouchi Shinko Chemical – Japan's since 1950s, Ouchi Shinko Chemical Industrial Co., Ltd.'s 400 staff manufacture MBTS for synthetic rubber in seals and hoses, with R&D for low-volatility grades for EV battery casings, exporting to Asia with JIS K 6219-1 certification for accelerator performance.
● Kawaguchi Chemical Industry – Japan's since 1940s, Kawaguchi's 250 employees focus on thiazole accelerators like MBTS for natural rubber in industrial belting, with production in Osaka for domestic hose makers, ensuring high scorch safety through proprietary synthesis routes.
● PMC Rubber Chemicals – India Mumbai's since 1960s, PMC's 200 staff produce Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide (MBTS) for local tire industry, with facilities in Maharashtra for powder grades used in SBR extrusion for automotive mats, supplying Apollo Tyres with consistent batch purity.
● China Sunsine Chemical – Shandong Tengzhou's since 1986, Sunsine's 3,000 employees boast 50,000 tons/year MBTS capacity, expanded from 5,000 tons in February 2025 to 8,000 tons, serving China's 800 million tire output with granular MBTS for radial curing, certified ISO 9001 with export to Southeast Asia via integrated latex processing.
● Hebi Hengli – Hebi, Henan since 1990s, Hengli's 150 staff produce MBTS for regional rubber factories, with 5,000 tons/year capacity for hose compounding, focusing on low-cost production for domestic belts and seals.
● Kemai Chemical – China's since 2000s, Kemai's 1,000 tons/year MBTS capacity for tire dipping, serving northern Chinese manufacturers with thiazole blends for steel cord adhesion.
● Shandong Yanggu Huatai – Yanggu, Shandong's since 1990s, Huatai's 300 employees produce 2,000 tons MBTS for synthetic rubber in cables, with facilities emphasizing dust-free granulation for clean extrusion.
● Henan Kailun Chemical – Henan since 2000s, Kailun's 200 staff manufacture MBTS for natural rubber in gloves, with 1,500 tons/year capacity for export to Africa.
● Rongcheng Chemical – China's Rongcheng since 1980s, Rongcheng's 5,000 tons/year MBTS capacity for tire industry, supplying local OEMs with powder for belt skim compounds.
● Shandong Faen New Materials Technology – Shandong's since 2010s, Faen's 100 staff produce MBTS for plastics-rubber hybrids, with 1,000 tons/year for seal production.
● Hebi Harmony Chemical – Hebi's since 2000s, Harmony's 150 employees focus on thiazole accelerators for industrial hoses, with 800 tons/year MBTS for southern markets.
● Weifang Zhong An Rubber Chemicals – Weifang's since 1990s, Zhong An's 200 staff produce 3,000 tons MBTS for tire retreading, exporting to Europe with REACH pre-registration.
● Taizhou Huangyan Donghai Chemical – Taizhou's since 2005, Donghai's CNY 30 million production of MBTS for rubber, with facilities for 1,000 tons/year, serving coastal hose manufacturers.

Industry Value Chain Analysis
The value chain for Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide is integrated yet specialized, encompassing aniline sourcing, synthesis, purification, distribution, and rubber compounding, with value concentrated in midstream thiazole formation and downstream tire dipping.
1. Raw Materials and Upstream Supply
Aniline from nitrobenzene reduction and carbon disulfide from CS2 synthesis; Lanxess secures 20% edges via integrated aniline, buffering 15% CS2 volatility. Sunsine's local aniline yield optimizes 95% coupling, valorizing by-products into dyes for 25% ESG uplift.
2. Production and Processing
Oxidative dimerization of MBT at 80–100°C with H2O2, purified to 99% assay with <0.1% impurities per HPLC; Arkema's continuous reactors trim cycles 40%, infusing ISO 9001 for tire purity. Kemai's 1,000 tpa line achieves 98% yield, commanding 15% premiums, while automation in crystallization slashes dust 40%, aligning with REACH.
3. Distribution and Logistics
Bulk silos for rubber volumes, bagged pharma via IATA; Dynasol's RFID pallets facilitate JIT to EU extruders, compressing leads 25%. Chinese exports (60% flux) leverage Shanghai amid tariffs, prompting Indian warehousing.
4. Downstream Processing and Application Integration
● Natural Rubber: Incorporated at 1.2 phr in latex dips, recirculating via RFL for 90% cord coverage in tire plies.
● Synthetic Rubber: Blended into SBR at 0.8 phr, yielding 92% homogeneity in belts via twin-screw.
Downstream tire makers like Bridgestone capture 50% margins via IP dips, retrofitting bio-thiazoles for self-healing adhesion.
5. End-User Industries
Tire giants (Michelin) and hose producers (Continental) drive 60% value, innovating low-sulfur cures for zero-waste vulcanization.

Market Opportunities and Challenges
● Opportunities
Tire surges in APAC unlock USD 50 million niches, China's dominance catalyzing bio-thiazoles for EV hoses. Innovators like Lanxess leverage nano-dispersion for 25% premiums in radial belts. Plastics recycling offers 20% growth via stabilized regrind, EU subsidies for 30% bio-content. Digital twins for coupling optimize 35% R&D, alluring ESG amid ASEAN's 70% urbanization fueling durable composites.
● Challenges
Aniline volatility erodes 10–15% margins, REACH thresholds inflate 20%. SMEs cap 25% adoption in India, compounded by alternatives. Supply chokepoints in China invite disruptions, and Trump's 2025 tariffs—25% on Mexican thiazoles and 15–50% on Chinese MBTS—engorge U.S. imports 25–40%, spawning retaliatory duties crimp exports 15% and mandate reshoring, fracturing chains with 12% EU hikes amid CBAM pilots.

Growth Trends in the Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide Market
The trajectory of the Dibenzothiazolyl Disulfide market is illuminated by its chemical architecture and expanding industrial utility, chronologically delineating a progression from core synthesis to specialized applications. Commencing with structural hallmarks, this compound is recognized as a high-performance thiazole accelerator, underscoring its inherent cost-effectiveness and ease of manufacture that facilitate broad adoption in laboratory and industrial scales. This profile, rooted in its disulfide linkage and benzothiazole ring, enables seamless integration into rubber compounds without phase separation, a trait that has historically lowered scorch risks by 20–30% in formulation workflows since its commercial emergence in the mid-20th century. Building on this, it primarily finds application as a semi-ultra accelerator in natural and synthetic rubber, where it can be used alone or in combination with other accelerators, offering good scorch resistance and enabling durable, high-tensile rubber products that resist high temperatures and cracking, suitable for common items like automobile tires and cables. This dual role, documented in early rubber chemistry texts from the 1960s, propelled initial market adoption in Asia's tire heartlands, with China's 800 million annual units by the 1990s indirectly boosting demand through thiazole formulations for radial sidewalls. Furthering its utility, it functions as an intermediate in preparing high-adhesion compounds for steel-reinforced belting and hoses, leveraging oxidation to mercaptobenzothiazole for radical initiation in sulfur cures, achieving network densities >90% under mild alkaline conditions. This intermediary prowess, amplified by 1980s advancements in delayed-action tuning, has sustained 4–6% annual growth in polymer intermediates, particularly in U.S. and European pipelines for automotive weatherstripping. Moreover, it is employed in tire manufacturing for belt skim and retreading for fleet renewals, where its thiazole structure enables amphiphilic assemblies via RAFT polymerization, yielding composites with 80% interfacial cohesion for off-road treads. This structuring trend, gaining traction post-2000 with sustainability booms, aligns with precision vulcanization, as evidenced by 2020s publications on MBTS hybrids for recycled tire retreading, portending a 10–15% CAGR in advanced materials through 2030. At present, Sennics Company's 12,000-ton accelerator DM project is scheduled to complete in 2025, enhancing production for tire dipping. China Sunsine Chemical's MBTS capacity will expand from 5,000 tons in February 2025 to 8,000 tons, supporting domestic rubber processors. Kemai Chemical currently holds 10,000 tons of rubber accelerator DM capacity, focusing on high-volume tire applications. Rongcheng Chemical's accelerator DM capacity stands at 5,000 tons, serving regional hose manufacturers. Youlibang Chemical is currently constructing a 5,000-ton accelerator DM project, aimed at boosting supply for synthetic rubber extrusion. Collectively, these facets—from thiazole versatility to capacity expansions—chart this compound's trajectory as a linchpin in rubber chemicals, evolving from cure staple to high-value accelerator architect amid sustainability imperatives.