Frictional power transmission belt

A frictional power transmission belt comprising:

• an extensible layer to form a belt back surface,
• a compressive layer formed on one surface of the extensible layer and having a power transmission surface at least a part of which is configured to contact with pulleys, and
• a tension member embedded between the extensible layer and the compressive layer along a belt length direction,
• wherein at least the compressive layer is formed of a rubber composition comprising a polymer component, short fibers and a surfactant,
• wherein the content of the polymer component in the rubber composition is in a range of 45% to 55% by weight, and the polymer component comprises an ethylene-α-olefin elastomer,
• wherein the short fibers comprise at least water-absorbing fibers,
• wherein the short fibers and the surfactant exist to be exposed out to a surface of at least a part of the power transmission surface, and the surfactant adheres to a surface of at least a part of the exposed short fibers, and
• wherein the mean length of the short fibers is 2 mm to 30 mm.