For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• EPDM Rubber Price Index in North America declined by 1.66% quarter-on-quarter, indicating a marginal softening in pricing.
Why did the price of EPDM Rubber change in April 2025 in the US?
• Prices decreased in April due to lower EPDM Rubber Production Cost Trends, primarily driven by declining feedstock prices: Ethylene dropped by 13.8% and Propylene by 6.2%.
• Logistical constraints such as port congestion and shipping delays observed in January and February eased by March, improving supply flows and stabilizing inventory.
• The EPDM Rubber Demand Outlook was mixed:
o Automotive demand dropped early in Q1 but rebounded sharply in March.
o Residential construction activity remained a steady source of demand.
o Broader concerns like inflation and tariffs capped aggressive purchasing.
• Despite strong manufacturing indicators, uncertainties in trade policy and rising logistics costs limited growth potential.
• The EPDM Rubber Spot Price reflected stable month-on-month levels but showed a soft quarter-end.
• Suppliers maintained a cautious approach, optimizing output in response to moderate demand and improved production costs.
• Looking ahead, the EPDM Rubber Price Forecast suggests continued stability with minimal fluctuations barring any external economic shocks.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The EPDM Rubber Price Index in Japan declined modestly by 0.93% from the previous quarter.
Why did the price change in April 2025 in Asia?
• Prices decreased in April due to a combination of weak global demand, steady supply, and limited cost inflation, all contributing to a soft EPDM Rubber Production Cost Trend.
• Feedstock availability, especially Ethylene and Propylene, remained balanced. However, reduced Ethylene production rates and minor logistical adjustments played a role in the slight price dip.
• Manufacturers like Mitsui Chemicals attempted to adjust prices for elastomer products, but this had limited impact on EPDM prices overall.
• The EPDM Rubber Demand Outlook was pressured by:
o Weak export demand from major economies like the US, Europe, and China.
o Rising labor costs and a drop in construction project completions.
• Domestic signals showed mild optimism:
o Automotive sales rose slightly.
o The housing sector started a modest recovery.
• Despite these improvements, business sentiment stayed cautious, curbing any substantial growth in demand.
• The EPDM Rubber Spot Price remained relatively stable, with no significant volatility.
• Projections in the EPDM Rubber Price Forecast point toward marginal recovery, assuming a pick-up in downstream demand and export activity.
Europe
• The EPDM Rubber Price Index in Europe showed a 0.88% quarter-on-quarter decline, reflecting market stability with minor weakness.
• Why did the price change in April 2025 in Europe?
• April prices fell slightly due to persistent weakness in the automotive and construction sectors, despite a stable EPDM Rubber Production Cost Trend and steady raw material availability.
• Supply-side conditions were robust with consistent domestic output and reliable import flows.
• Logistics faced hurdles, especially at ports like Hamburg and Rotterdam, but these were offset by high inventory and falling freight costs.
• EPDM Rubber Demand Outlook remained sluggish:
o Automotive registrations declined year-on-year in January and February.
o Construction activity weakened across residential and commercial segments, though civil engineering projects hinted at future growth due to government investments.
• The EPDM Rubber Spot Price reflected stability but lacked upward momentum due to demand constraints.
• Economic sentiment was supported by the European Central Bank’s interest rate cuts, though geopolitical uncertainty and inflation restrained bullish market behavior.
• Participants expect a moderate recovery in the EPDM Rubber Price Forecast in the second half of 2025, especially if construction and automotive sectors begin to rebound.
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.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
1. What is the current price of EPDM Rubber in the US?
As of Q1 2025, EPDM Rubber prices have declined slightly across all major regions. In North America, prices dropped by 1.66%; in Europe by 0.88%; and in APAC by 0.93%.
2. Who are the top EPDM Rubber producers in the United States?
Leading producers include ExxonMobil, Lion Elastomers, and Dow Chemical Company, all known for producing high-quality ENB-grade EPDM.
3. What factors are influencing the EPDM Rubber Price Forecast for 2025?
The forecast is shaped by feedstock prices (Ethylene and Propylene), global demand trends (especially from automotive and construction sectors), logistics efficiency, and macroeconomic policies.
4. How is the EPDM Rubber Production Cost Trend impacting the market?
Lower raw material prices and improved logistics have reduced production costs, leading to moderate price corrections and offering room for better supply chain planning.
