Asia EPDM Rubber Holds Steady in Late August Amid Feedstock Volatility

Key Highlights

• Japan auto sales fell xx.xxx MoM in August, while South Korea posted a x.xxx YoY increase.
• Ethylene supply tightened due to cracker outages, but demand remained weak from polyethylene and MEG.
• Propylene prices rose on stronger crude and naphtha benchmarks, supporting cost-push sentiment.
• Port congestion in China extended lead times for EPDM shipments, especially in Ningbo and Shanghai.
• China’s manufacturing showed signs of recovery, boosting optimism for Hx demand.

Price Trend

Feedstock Update

Demand Dynamics

The demand for EPDM Rubber remained steady in August, supported by a moderate recovery in South Korean auto manufacturing and the ongoing stability of manufacturing in China. Although the Japanese auto industry continued to decline significantly, marginal growth in South Korea helped to offset regional weakness in manufacturing activity. EPDM Rubber, as it is most commonly used for seals,...