The South Korean market for Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR)continues to experience pressures during the initial months of 2026 as a result of oversupply, consistency of delivery, and low downstream demand. Market conditions are not expected to change during this period; however, NBR producers are producing at full capacity due to an adequate supply of both butadiene and acrylonitrile from their respective sources. While export shipments have remained stable to China, India, Italy, and the United States, many of these countries have excess inventory and are therefore proceeding cautiously with ordering from South Korea. Available finished-product inventories are considered stable because customer orders for products from South Korea were limited at the end of 2025. With the input costs for energy remaining stable and the logistics of bringing in crude oil and LNG remaining secure, production is expected to continue. However, the low level of additional demand from the automotive, industrial hose, and oil-resistant rubber segments of the economy prevents any significant increase in the strength of the overall NBR market.
