Styrene-Butadiene-Rubber (SBR) did not participate in the worldwide increase of the rubber consumption during the last two decades. Due to the higher forecast figures in the early 70s and the corresponding scheduled capacities there remained worldwide big overcapacities. Most of the producers could secure an economical continuation of the business by closing one or several lines of the plant and saving equivalent personnel. At the end of the 80s the Western European producers came under increasing pressure, which led to drastic reductions of the capacities. At this point Huls (formerly BWH) reduced the capacity of the E-SBR-plant to 140 000 t/a, but finally the plant had to be shut down in 1994. Beside the worldwide overcapacities one can discuss the following reasons: the increased labour cost in Western Europe - especially in Germany -, the expenditures for workplace security and environmental protection and the opening of the former eastern block. The actual primary factor is the high level of labour cost with respect to the production of a general purpose rubber.