For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
The North American synthetic rubber sector witnessed broad-based weakness through Q2 2025, with most elastomers recording price declines amid subdued automotive and tire demand, high inventories, and tariff-driven uncertainty. Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) and Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) saw the sharpest drops, down ~11%, as tire manufacturers cut procurement and import competition intensified. Neoprene Rubber registered the steepest fall at -13.4%, pressured by lower Asian butadiene costs and sluggish construction demand, though July showed a mild rebound on renewed restocking.
Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) and EPDM posted smaller declines (-2.4% and -1.5%), with July stability supported by modest export traction and steady automotive output. Halo Butyl Rubber (BIIR) slipped -1.3% but steadied in July as construction and tire demand improved. Isoprene Rubber prices fell marginally (-0.25%) due to weak auto sales and inflow of low-cost imports. Specialty rubbers such as HNBR (-3.4%) and Polyolefin Elastomers (-3.9%) also softened, though July saw restocking in oil & gas and auto sectors provide limited uplift.
Overall, the sector remains demand-constrained, with bearish outlooks into Q3 unless auto production recovers or feedstock costs firm. Tariff uncertainty, competitive imports, and high inventories continue to limit price recovery momentum.
Europe
The European synthetic rubber market remained under pressure through Q2 2025, driven by weak automotive demand, ample inventories, and softer feedstock costs. Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) was largely stagnant in Q2 at EUR 1,550–1,600/MT, reflecting sluggish tire offtake and squeezed margins, though July saw a +4.1% rebound as restocking emerged. Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) fell -3.6% in Q2 amid weak car sales but edged up in July on supply discipline and stronger Chinese exports.
EPDM declined -2.4% in Q2 as construction and auto sectors stayed muted, with July stability reflecting cautious procurement. Halo Butyl Rubber (CIIR) dropped -2.1%, pressured by soft construction and lower feedstock costs, though July steadied on steady EV tire demand. Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) weakened -6.5% on high inventories and weak auto activity, extending losses into July.
Specialty rubbers showed mixed signals: Fluoroelastomers (FKM) rose +0.6% on stronger aerospace/auto demand, while HNBR gained in July amid aerospace recovery and reduced import competition. Neoprene Rubber fell sharply (-13%) in Q2 but rebounded slightly in July as aerospace and Asian supply tightened. Isoprene Rubber declined -0.42% in Q2, with July showing no recovery amid persistently weak tire demand.
Overall, the sector remains constrained by weak downstream consumption, oversupply, and cautious procurement, with recovery dependent on auto and construction demand revival.
APAC
The APAC synthetic rubber market recorded broad declines through Q2 2025, pressured by weak automotive demand, oversupply, and subdued trade sentiment. Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) fell -15.9%, weighed down by sluggish tire demand and lower styrene/butadiene costs, with July offering no meaningful rebound. Polybutadiene Rubber (PBR) plunged -5% in Q2 but stabilized in July as seasonal tire and footwear restocking emerged, supported by leaner inventories.
EPDM slipped -3.6%, pressured by excess availability in China despite steady South Korean and Japanese operations, while July saw further mild discounting to encourage offtake. Halo Butyl Rubber declined -1.7% in Q2 but steadied in July, supported by resilient NEV tire demand and easing crude oil costs. NBR dropped -13.7% amid regional oversupply and poor automotive sales, extending losses into July as traders absorbed discounted Korean cargoes.
Specialty rubbers showed resilience: Neoprene Rubber plunged -18.1% in Q2 but rebounded in July as export offers rose on tighter supply. Polyacrylate Rubber (-8.2%) and Isoprene Rubber (-7.3%) remained under pressure from oversupply and weak automotive orders.
Overall, APAC rubber markets remain oversupplied with uneven demand, though restocking in PBR, FKM, HNBR, and Neoprene signaled tentative stabilization heading into Q3 2025.
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.
