For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
EPDM Rubber ENB (4.1-5.5) prices in the U.S. market witnessed a marginal decline of 1.66% quarter-on-quarter through Q1 2025, shaped by a consistent interplay between supply and demand dynamics. While prices remained largely stable month-on-month, cumulative quarterly data showed a minor easing, primarily due to improved feedstock availability and cost relief from falling Ethylene and Propylene prices. Ethylene saw a sharp decline of 13.8% in March, while Propylene prices also softened by 6.2%, supporting favorable production economics.
On the supply front, logistical bottlenecks like port congestion and shipping delays in January and February gradually improved by March, enhancing the flow of imports and stabilizing overall availability. Demand trends presented a mixed picture: automotive sales dipped early in the quarter but rebounded sharply in March, while the construction sector provided steady support throughout, especially in residential building. However, broader concerns over inflation, tariffs, and subdued consumer sentiment capped aggressive buying behavior.
Manufacturing indicators showed resilience, but forward momentum was tempered by uncertainties around trade policy and rising logistics costs. Despite these challenges, the market-maintained equilibrium, with suppliers adjusting to moderate demand and cost-side developments, ultimately leading to a slight Q1 price correction without sharp volatility.
APAC
In the first quarter of the year, the EPDM Rubber market in Japan experienced a modest decline of 0.93% compared to the previous quarter. The supply side remained relatively stable, with balanced availability of feedstocks like Ethylene and Propylene, although logistical adjustments and reduced Ethylene production rates affected overall dynamics. Despite efforts by manufacturers to streamline operations, including Mitsui Chemicals' price to increase for certain elastomer products, the overall impact on EPDM prices remained limited. Demand for EPDM Rubber faced pressure due to a combination of weak global demand, particularly from key markets such as the US, Europe, and China. While the automotive sector showed resilience, the construction sector struggled with rising labor costs and a slight decline in project completions. This mix of factors, including reduced trade volumes and subdued manufacturing activity, led to a slower pace of demand growth. However, domestic market conditions showed some positive trends, with vehicle sales increasing, though at a slower rate, and a modest recovery in the housing sector. Despite these improvements, the overall economic sentiment remained cautious, impacting business confidence and limiting any significant growth in demand. This combination of factors resulted in the slight quarter-over-quarter decline in EPDM Rubber prices.
Europe
In the first quarter of the year, the European EPDM Rubber market experienced a slight downturn of 0.88% compared to the previous quarter, with prices showing stability amidst mixed market dynamics. Supply conditions remained steady, bolstered by consistent output from domestic manufacturers and stable import flows. However, logistical disruptions, particularly at key ports like Hamburg and Rotterdam, continued to pose challenges, although their impact on supply was somewhat mitigated by robust inventory levels and declining freight charges. On the demand side, the automotive sector saw a moderate decrease in registrations, with a year-on-year decline observed in both January and February. The construction sector also remained weak, with reduced activity across residential, commercial, and civil engineering projects, though civil engineering showed signs of potential recovery due to government infrastructure initiatives. Economic factors, including the European Central Bank’s interest rate cuts, offered cautious optimism for future demand, but uncertainty surrounding global trade policies and inflationary concerns tempered expectations. Despite stable supply and demand conditions, the persistent challenges in the automotive and construction sectors, combined with geopolitical uncertainties, contributed to a slight price dip. However, the market remained resilient, and participants are cautiously optimistic about a recovery, particularly in the latter half of the year.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The EPDM Rubber market in the US has experienced a marginal 0.87% price increase in the fourth quarter of 2024, driven by stable supply and gradual demand recovery. The increase reflects a balance between supply constraints, including moderate raw material availability, and steady demand from the automotive sector, which saw continued growth in vehicle sales.
While feedstock prices for Ethylene and Propylene showed mixed trends, the market remained stable due to adequate supply and efficient sourcing strategies by manufacturers. The automotive sector provided significant support, with strong sales growth reported in November and December, while the construction sector remained subdued. Ongoing logistical challenges, including port congestion and labor shortages, extended delivery times, but did not disrupt supply enough to cause price spikes.
Despite a weakened manufacturing sector, cautious buying behavior, and moderate demand from the construction sector, EPDM Rubber prices showed resilience, reflecting a balanced market outlook. With expectations for gradual improvement in 2025, this trend of modest price increases is likely to continue.
APAC
The Chinese EPDM Rubber market demonstrated a modest 0.73% price increase this quarter. This rise was underpinned by steady pricing strategies from key exporters like Japan and South Korea, coupled with balanced inventory management by Chinese suppliers. While downstream demand from automotive and construction sectors showed signs of recovery, cautious optimism prevailed among buyers, ensuring market stability. The automotive sector exhibited robust growth, with passenger vehicle sales rising consistently, reflecting strong domestic demand. Meanwhile, the construction sector displayed a tentative recovery, driven by government measures to support urban housing projects and stabilize property markets. Improved business expectations and non-manufacturing PMI growth in December further supported construction activity, although challenges like high foreclosure rates in lower-tier cities persisted. On the supply side, manufacturers managed inventory levels prudently, avoiding overstocking despite steady feedstock availability. Supply chain efficiency and uninterrupted port operations contributed to smooth market dynamics, preventing significant price fluctuations. Overall, the EPDM Rubber market in China remained stable, with incremental growth fueled by a combination of steady supplier actions, recovering downstream demand, and improving economic conditions.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the EPDM Rubber ENB (4-6) market in Germany exhibited a marginal 0.72% price increase compared to the previous quarter. This rise occurred amidst a complex market environment marked by stable domestic feedstock prices for Ethylene and Propylene and consistent import pricing from leading Asian suppliers. The supply side benefited from stable inventory levels and improved vendor performance, as logistical challenges eased slightly despite occasional port congestion. Enhanced operational efficiencies among suppliers contributed to better material availability and reduced lead times, stabilizing supply dynamics. On the demand side, buyer sentiment remained cautious, driven by underwhelming performance in the construction and automotive sectors. While automotive sales showed modest growth in October and November, December witnessed a notable decline. Construction activity continued its downward trend, impacted by political uncertainty and reduced investment. Despite these challenges, the market achieved a delicate balance between supply and demand, supported by steady import flows and manageable cost structures. As a result, the slight quarterly price increase reflects a resilient yet cautious market outlook amid ongoing economic and sectoral pressures.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
In Q3 2024, EPDM Rubber (medium diene) prices in North America saw a notable rise, influenced by several key factors. Tight supply conditions for critical feedstocks like Ethylene and Propylene, combined with rising production costs, played a major role in driving up prices. Strong demand from key sectors such as automotive, electronics, and construction also contributed to the upward trend.
The USA experienced the most significant price increases, with a 2.44% rise from the previous quarter, reflecting a steady growth trajectory. However, prices were still down by 28.85% compared to the same period last year. Meanwhile, weakened economic performance in the European market led to reduced demand for EPDM Rubber, particularly in downstream industries.
Despite this, the US pricing environment remained largely positive, demonstrating resilience and adaptability to shifting market conditions. By the end of Q3 2024, the price of EPDM Rubber medium diene ENB (4.1-5.5) FOB Texas reached USD 2785/MT, highlighting the continued price increases and a cautiously optimistic outlook for the market moving forward.
APAC
Q3 2024 has been marked by stability in EPDM Rubber pricing across the APAC region, with consistent market conditions prevailing throughout the quarter. Several factors have contributed to this steady pricing environment, including well-balanced supply levels, stable demand from key sectors, and efficient inventory management by suppliers. Major manufacturers have employed consistent pricing strategies, maintaining a healthy balance between supply and demand dynamics in the market. Japan has seen the most notable price movements in the region during this quarter. Despite facing some challenges in downstream sectors, the country has successfully maintained stable EPDM Rubber prices. The overall market trend in Japan reflects minimal price fluctuations and an alignment with broader market stability. The country recorded a slight 2.96% decrease compared to the same quarter last year, alongside a modest 2.18% increase from the previous quarter in 2024, indicating a relatively steady pricing landscape. As of the quarter's end, the price for EPDM Rubber Medium Diene (ENB 4.7-5.4) FOB Tokyo was USD 2360/MT, reinforcing the region's overall stable market sentiment.
Europe
In Q3 2024, Europe’s EPDM Rubber market displayed steady price stability, holding firm amid shifting economic factors. This equilibrium was largely achieved through strategic inventory controls, consistent supply levels, and sustained demand from core sectors like automotive, electrical and construction. Suppliers managed production and inventory levels carefully, balancing against variable Ethylene and Propylene feedstock costs to limit potential price fluctuations. In Germany, where the most significant regional price changes occurred, overall trends reflected a controlled pricing environment. Suppliers effectively managed seasonal demand variations, aligning price adjustments with both domestic and international market influences. While prices dipped 13.10% year-over-year, this marks a broader trend toward market recalibration. A 1.76% quarter-over-quarter increase points to strengthened supply chain efficiencies and sector-driven demand growth. Price levels remained consistent across the quarter, with EPDM Rubber Medium Diene (ENB 4.1-5.5) ending at USD 2,940/MT FD Wiesbaden, underscoring a stable outlook in Q3 2024. Strategic supplier actions and reliable demand have fostered a stable, positive pricing environment.
For the Quarter Ending June 2024
North America
The second quarter of 2024 has been marked by a generally downward trend in EPDM Rubber prices in the North American region, despite the increasing sentiments surrounding production costs and demand fluctuations. This quarter has seen several significant factors influencing the market prices, predominantly driven by the automotive and construction sectors' robust performance. However, the continuous destocking activities by market participants have exerted downward pressure, balancing out any potential price hikes.
Additionally, rising feedstock costs, particularly for Ethylene and Propylene, have created a complex pricing environment, with suppliers strategically managing their inventories to navigate fluctuating supply chain dynamics. Focusing on the USA, which has experienced the most substantial price changes, the market has primarily observed a bearish trend. Seasonality played a crucial role, with demand surges from the automobile and construction sectors counterbalanced by high inventory levels and cautious supplier activities.
The price of EPDM Rubber in the USA has seen a -6.8% change compared to the last quarter, reflecting a notable reduction in pricing. The quarter closed with the price of EPDM Rubber Commercial Grade FOB Texas at USD 2025/MT, highlighting the overall sustained downward trend. Despite the positive growth in downstream sectors, the pricing environment for EPDM Rubber in the USA has faced challenges, resulting in a predominantly negative sentiment for Q2 2024.
APAC
In Q2 2024, the APAC EPDM Rubber market experienced a consistent upward price trajectory reflecting a robust market environment driven by several factors. The primary catalysts behind this price surge include a marked increase in demand from key industrial sectors such as automotive and construction, coupled with significant supply chain disruptions. Heightened freight charges and logistical challenges, exacerbated by geopolitical tensions and container shortages, further propelled the pricing dynamics. An uptrend in propylene prices, despite a decline in ethylene costs, maintained elevated feedstock prices, contributing to the overall rise in EPDM Rubber rates. Focusing on Japan, the EPDM Rubber market illustrated pronounced volatility, marking the maximum price changes within the region. Seasonally, the second quarter typically sees amplified industrial activity, which bolstered demand, particularly from the automotive sector. The overall trend revealed a potent correlation between supply constraints and increased market appetite, leading to a 9.8% price increase from the previous quarter. The quarter culminated with EPDM Rubber Medium Diene (ENB 4.7-5.4) prices stabilizing at USD 2330/MT FOB Tokyo.
Europe
The second quarter of 2024 has seen a nuanced shift in the EPDM Rubber market in Europe, trending towards increasing prices despite various influencing factors. The market has been characterized by moderate demand from the automotive sector and underperformance in the construction industry. Supply chain efficiencies have improved, reducing disruptions and fostering a positive pricing environment. However, rising costs, including labor, raw materials, and logistical expenses, have exerted upward pressure on prices. The EPDM Rubber market has responded with proactive inventory management by suppliers, who are accumulating stocks in anticipation of sustained demand and potential future supply constraints. The EPDM Rubber price marked the increase of 3.9% from quarter-over-quarter underscores a recovering sentiment. The overall trend in Germany indicates a delicate balance between demand-supply dynamics and cost management. The quarter culminated with EPDM Rubber Medium Diene (ENB 4.1-5.5) priced at USD 2879/MT FD Wiesbaden, marking a stable yet upward trajectory. The pricing environment has been predominantly positive, driven by strategic supplier actions and resilient demand from key sectors.
