For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
The North American synthetic rubber market largely witnessed downward price trends in Q1 2025. EPDM saw the steepest fall at -3.54%, driven by declining ethylene and propylene costs. SBR declined -3.19% as tire demand weakened amid cheaper imports. PBR dropped -2.56% due to softening butadiene prices and mixed auto sector performance. Neoprene fell -2.30%, reversing early gains as freight and feedstock pressures eased.
POE declined -1.92%, affected by stable supply and weak construction demand. FKM registered a -1.71% dip due to steady production and moderate demand from aerospace and auto. Isoprene Rubber slipped -1.22%, though March showed slight recovery from auto demand. HNBR fell -0.94% amid easing feedstock prices and steady aerospace activity. NBR was nearly flat at -0.04%, with brief bullishness in February fading under oversupply and demand caution. Only Halo Butyl Rubber (HBR) recorded a positive movement, rising +0.66%, buoyed by tight feedstock supply, tariff impacts, and moderate automotive demand.
Overall, Q1 reflected a market correction phase driven by cost-side relief, mixed demand recovery, and supply stability across key sectors.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the European synthetic rubber market experienced predominantly declining price trends, driven by sluggish demand across key sectors such as automotive and construction, logistical disruptions at major ports, and broader economic uncertainties. Among the various rubbers, Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) was the only segment to register a price increase, rising by 1.81% due to moderate demand from the tire and automotive industries and stable feedstock costs. In contrast, Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) prices declined by 1.00%, as stable supply and modest tire sector support were offset by weak auto sales. EPDM prices fell by 0.90%, pressured by soft demand in construction and limited automotive activity, despite some resilience in civil engineering. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) saw a slight 0.15% drop after February’s gains were erased by March’s excess inventories and reduced car sales. Fluoroelastomer (FKM) prices slipped 1.14% amid port delays and weak automotive demand, while Halo Butyl Rubber (HBR) declined by 0.47%, affected by early-year inventory excess and softened end-use consumption. Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) dropped by 1.45%, weighed down by slow industrial uptake and weak construction activity. Neoprene Rubber posted a notable 3.27% decline, impacted by fluctuating demand and subdued construction momentum, whereas Isoprene Rubber showed a shift from bearish to cautiously bullish sentiment, ending the quarter on a slightly positive note. Isoprene rubber prices declined by 1.74%, underscoring the overall softness in the European synthetic rubber market during Q1 2025, with only limited optimism for recovery in the latter half of the year.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the synthetic rubber market across the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region displayed a mixed performance influenced by varying demand trends, feedstock cost fluctuations, and sectoral dynamics. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) experienced a significant decline of 4.46% due to weak demand from the automotive, electronics, and personal care sectors, despite some resilience in China’s NEV exports.
In contrast, Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) prices rose by 1.68%, supported by stable demand in the automotive and tire sectors and strategic inventory management. EPDM prices in Japan fell by 1.12% amid weak construction activity and subdued global trade. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) rose by 2.28% due to mid-quarter demand improvements and supply tightness, though oversupply pressures capped gains by March.
Fluoroelastomer (FKM) declined 2.26% as demand from semiconductors and automotive tapered off, while Halo Butyl Rubber (HBR) dropped 2.50% following an initial surge, driven by fluctuating demand and trade policy concerns in Thailand. Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) prices decreased by 1.66% in South Korea due to weak demand from construction and automotive sectors.
Neoprene Rubber in Japan registered a 2.32% decline, reflecting cost relief from falling butadiene prices and cautious domestic sentiment. Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) dropped 0.60%, pressured by lower input costs and moderating industrial demand. Polyacrylate Rubber (ACM) in China increased by 1.80%, buoyed by NEV sector strength before declining raw material costs caused a March correction. Finally, Isoprene Rubber ended the quarter with a slight 0.97% decline, although sentiment shifted bullishly by March due to improving downstream activity and tightening supply.
Overall, the APAC synthetic rubber market was characterized by a cautious recovery with pockets of resilience amid broader economic uncertainties.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American synthetic rubber market exhibited varied price movements in Q4 2024, shaped by supply stability, demand shifts, and sector-specific developments. EPDM Rubber prices inched up slightly, supported by stable supply and a recovering automotive sector, whereas Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) prices declined due to subdued construction activity despite steady automotive demand. Fluoroelastomer (FKM) remained largely stable, with minor gains driven by steady hybrid and electric vehicle demand, though aerospace sector weakness capped broader increases. Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) saw moderate price growth, supported by stable feedstock availability and sustained demand from the automotive and tire industries, despite an early Q1 dip in Butadiene prices. Meanwhile, Halo Butyl Rubber (HBR) prices rose modestly, backed by strong tire and tube demand, though weaker exports and fluctuating energy costs limited gains.
Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) prices fluctuated significantly, initially surging due to strong automotive demand and rising Acrylonitrile (ACN) prices, before declining in November-December amid seasonal slowdowns and destocking. Manufacturers scheduled plant shutdowns to manage excess inventory, contributing to market volatility. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) prices declined, primarily influenced by lower Butadiene costs despite steady demand from tire manufacturers. Tight SBR production helped balance supply pressures, while economic uncertainty kept overall demand restrained.
Overall, North America’s synthetic rubber market remained resilient, with stable supply chains and strategic inventory management mitigating market pressures. The automotive sector continued to drive demand, while construction slowdowns, feedstock fluctuations, and global uncertainties influenced price trends.
APAC
The synthetic rubber market in the APAC region exhibited mixed trends in Q4 2024, with price movements influenced by sector-specific demand and supply conditions. The Chinese EPDM Rubber market saw a marginal price increase, supported by steady pricing strategies and recovering demand from the automotive and construction sectors. In contrast, Polyolefin Elastomer (POE) prices declined due to stable supply and weak construction activity, despite steady demand in packaging and consumer goods. Fluoroelastomer (FKM) prices in Japan remained stable, bolstered by aerospace sector demand, though automotive sector weakness and logistical challenges limited further price movement. Meanwhile, the Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) market in China recorded an uptrend, supported by stable butadiene pricing, high production rates, and strong tire manufacturing demand. The Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) market in South Korea experienced volatility. October prices rose due to strong automotive demand, limited production capacity, and higher acrylonitrile (ACN) costs, but weakened in November amid lower consumer confidence and declining automotive sales. December saw stabilization, with balanced supply and moderate trading. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) prices in the region declined as butadiene costs fell and demand from the automotive and tire industries remained weak. South Korea, a key exporter, faced international market pressure, further weighing on SBR pricing. Overall, the APAC synthetic rubber market was shaped by fluctuations in automotive demand, stable construction activity, and supply chain adjustments, with varied price movements across different product segments.
Europe
The European synthetic rubber market displayed mixed pricing trends in Q4 2024, shaped by fluctuating feedstock costs, sector-specific demand shifts, and evolving supply conditions. Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) prices in Germany recorded a 1.51% decline, impacted by weak automotive and tire sector demand despite stable supply conditions. While November saw a modest rise in car registrations, December’s downturn weighed on sentiment. Similarly, the Fluoroelastomer (FKM) market saw a slight 0.58% price dip, with steady supply levels countering fluctuations in the automotive sector. However, the aerospace industry’s consistent demand provided some stability. Meanwhile, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) prices followed an upward trajectory, supported by rising butadiene and styrene costs. Demand for electric vehicles and tires strengthened, aided by government incentives. In contrast, Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) faced price volatility, with October’s gains driven by tight supply and rising Acrylonitrile (ACN) prices, only to reverse in November as demand eased. Halo Butyl Rubber (HBR) saw a 4% increase in market activity, bolstered by stable production and moderate demand in adhesives and sealants, despite persistent construction sector challenges. Overall, while supply chains improved and raw material prices fluctuated, demand across key sectors remained uneven. The synthetic rubber market in Europe navigated these dynamics cautiously, with price stability prevailing in most segments amid ongoing economic uncertainties.
