For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In USA, Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Index fell by 3.63% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting weak automotive demand.
• The average Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber price for the quarter was approximately USD 32260/MT, reported FOB-Texas.
• Elevated inventories pressured Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Spot Price, prompting competitive offers and reducing leverage.
• Near-term Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Forecast shows modest volatility with aerospace and automotive restocking.
• Butadiene and acrylonitrile movements influence Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Production Cost Trend, easing margin pressure.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Demand Outlook is mixed, automotive weakness offsets aerospace export demand support.
• Supplier allocations supported Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Index stability despite moderate spot market volatility.
Why did the price of Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber change in September 2025 in North America?
• Subdued automotive demand reduced bulk purchases, sustaining downward pressure on regional HNBR pricing.
• Ample inventories and softer butadiene feedstock costs lowered production costs, prompting seller discounts.
• Smooth logistics but tariff uncertainty encouraged cautious buying, prompting hand-to-mouth procurement limiting recovery.
APAC
• In Japan, the Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Index rose by 1.83% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting repricing.
• The average Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber price for the quarter was approximately USD 22943.33/MT FOB-Osaka, reported.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Spot Price movements muted as inventories remained ample and buying subdued.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Forecast indicates oscillations as suppliers raise offers to protect margins.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Production Cost Trend improved on lower acrylonitrile, offset by butadiene spikes.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Demand Outlook cautious as automotive recovery uneven despite aerospace, defense resilience.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Index reflected weaker exports and ample stocks, constraining upward momentum.
Why did the price of Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Oversupplied butadiene and acrylonitrile lowered input costs, enabling producers to offer more competitive HNBR prices.
• Domestic automotive demand recovery remained weak, insufficient to absorb inventories and drive HNBR price increases.
• Logistical delays and weak export demand limited spot buying, leaving exporters cautious, HNBR prices subdued.
Europe
• In Germany, the Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Index rose slightly by 1.12% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting mild stabilization after earlier softness.
• The average HNBR price for the quarter was approximately USD 27,880/MT DDP-Hamburg, supported by improved aerospace and defense demand.
• HNBR Spot Prices showed limited movement in September as suppliers maintained steady offers despite weak automotive consumption.
• Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Forecast signals near-term firmness amid tighter supply management and modest feedstock cost recovery.
• The HNBR Production Cost Trend remained steady—lower acrylonitrile costs offset by fluctuating butadiene levels and higher energy inputs in the Eurozone.
• HNBR Demand Outlook improved modestly, aided by recovering aerospace activity and increased seal and gasket demand from industrial maintenance sectors.
• The HNBR Price Index reflected balanced market fundamentals, with stable inventories and cautious restocking activity limiting major volatility.
Why did the price of Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Moderate recovery in aerospace and defense manufacturing supported baseline demand for high-performance HNBR grades.
• Weaker automotive output across Germany and France constrained broader consumption, preventing sharper price escalation.
• Stable acrylonitrile and butadiene costs, combined with controlled producer output and balanced inventories, led to steady pricing trends in September.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• HNBR prices declined by -3.8% Q-o-Q in Q2 2025, influenced by weaker demand from the oil & gas and industrial machinery sectors.
• Ample inventory levels and lower-than-expected offtake reduced supplier pricing power.
• Production costs remained favorable for HNBR manufacturers due to declining Butadiene prices, enabling suppliers to sustain competitive offers amid subdued demand.
• End-users operated on hand-to-mouth buying strategies amid macro uncertainty.
Why did the price of HNBR change in July 2025 in North America?
• Downstream sectors gradually resume restocking, encouraged by a modest recovery in rig count activity.
• Improving demand from the regional Automobile sector supports a positive shift in procurement sentiment.
• Domestic producers raise offers moderately to reflect tighter inventories and maintain healthy margins.
Europe
• HNBR prices remained under pressure throughout Q2 2025, primarily due to subdued demand from core consuming sectors and persistently high inventory levels across the region.
• Industrial activity related to sealing applications and powertrain components continued to be sluggish, particularly in the automotive and mechanical equipment sectors.
• Many buyers postponed placing new orders, anticipating further price corrections amid signs of weakening cost support and a lackluster economic outlook.
• Suppliers shifted their focus toward aggressive volume clearance strategies, aiming to reduce warehouse burden and manage cash flows amid weak performance from downstream industries.
Why did the price of HNBR change in July 2025 in Europe?
• HNBR prices are rising in response to improving downstream demand and easing competitive import pressures.
• The production of aerospace components, particularly in Germany and Italy, showed signs of acceleration in effect with strong demand from the Aircraft manufacturers.
• Downstream converters are actively returning to the market after depleting earlier stockpiles, leading to a pickup in fresh procurement across Western and Central Europe.
• Fewer low-cost shipments from East Asia and firming CIF rates are reducing competitive pressure, allowing local distributors to restore margins and raise offers.
Asia Pacific
• In the Asian market particularly Japan the price of the HNBR marked an increment of 1% in Q2.
• Demand from Japanese and South Korean automotive component manufacturers saw modest recovery.
• Export interest from Southeast Asia and the Middle East picked up in May and June.
• Rising feedstock values (Butadiene and Nitrile intermediates) nudged up production costs.
• Regional suppliers responded by raising offers, especially toward premium-grade buyers.
• Procurement activity in China and India showed a mild uptick despite broader macro softness.
Why did the price change in July 2025?
• A further price increase is getting witnessed as downstream OEMs continue to place healthy order volumes in July.
• Asian suppliers are likely to implement additional price adjustments, citing sustained increases in input costs.
• Stronger buying interest from Europe led to tighter spot availability, contributing to upward momentum.
• Supportive demand from the asian aerospace and defense sector market is stimulating the HNBR pricing and demand towards upside.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Index in North America declined by 0.94% quarter-on-quarter in Q1 2025.
• January witnessed stable prices supported by a 1.2% increase in Butadiene costs and improved production capacities. Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Spot Price remained firm due to steady demand from the aerospace sector.
• In February, HNBR prices saw a brief increase driven by a surge in feedstock costs: Butadiene rose 10.07% and Acrylonitrile by 8.7%.
• By March, easing raw material costs, especially a 0.9% decline in Butadiene prices, led to a reduction in the Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Index.
Why did the price of HNBR change in April 2025 in the US?
• The price decline in April 2025 by 4.25% was attributed to reduced cost pressure from feedstocks and strong inventory levels that allowed sellers to offer more competitive pricing.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Production Cost Trend eased due to improved logistics and stable supply chains.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Demand Outlook remained steady, particularly supported by rising automotive sales and stable aircraft deliveries.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Forecast indicates a cautiously stable market ahead, with moderate growth potential depending on feedstock volatility and trade developments.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The APAC Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Index dropped marginally by 1.01% during Q1 2025.
• January prices increased due to a 7.7% spike in Butadiene prices and consistent demand from automotive and aerospace segments in Japan.
• March witnessed a reversal in trend, with price declines driven by falling Butadiene and Acrylonitrile costs, leading manufacturers to implement price reductions.
Why did the price of HNBR change in April 2025 in Asia?
• The April 2025 price dropped by 5.8% was triggered by weaker export activity, especially to China, and reduced upstream input costs.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Spot Price declined despite a steady domestic market and currency strengthening, which improved export competitiveness.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Demand Outlook remained resilient in the auto sector but softened across broader industrial markets.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Production Cost Trend moderated by quarter-end, thanks to improved raw material availability.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Forecast suggests continued cautious pricing with slight volatility due to fluctuating regional demand and trade policy adjustments.
Europe
• The European Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Index recorded a minor quarter-on-quarter decrease in Q1 2025.
• Prices were stable early in the quarter due to consistent supply and demand from automotive and aerospace industries.
• Sluggish activity in the construction sector and reduced new car registrations put downward pressure on demand.
Why did the price of HNBR change in April 2025 in Europe?
• April 2025 prices declined due to weaker downstream consumption, port congestion in Hamburg and Rotterdam, and reduced export competitiveness from a strong Euro.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Spot Price in Europe softened despite no major disruptions in production.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Production Cost Trend remained steady, but rising inflation and macroeconomic concerns created uncertainty.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Demand Outlook was muted, with aerospace offering limited support amid broader industrial stagnation.
• The Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) Price Forecast anticipates a slow recovery contingent on improvement in automotive performance and easing inflationary pressures.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the U.S. Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) market experienced a slight 0.92% decrease from the previous quarter, reflecting the overall dynamics of moderate supply and demand fluctuations. Feedstock prices, such as Butadiene and Acrylonitrile, contributed to price stability, although both witnessed decreases, supporting the more subdued market conditions.
Manufacturing and supply remained stable, with suppliers managing adequate production levels to meet steady demand, despite disruptions caused by hurricanes and port congestion. Suppliers effectively adjusted to these challenges through inventory management and operational efficiency, maintaining a consistent flow of HNBR.
Demand in the automotive sector showed resilience, with steady vehicle sales reported throughout the quarter, marking notable increases in monthly figures. Conversely, the aerospace sector faced challenges, with Boeing’s reduced aircraft deliveries and production setbacks impacting overall HNBR consumption. Despite the setbacks, Boeing’s order for 200 787 MAX 10s brought cautious optimism for future recovery in the sector. The U.S. manufacturing sector continued its decline, as weaker order books and rising inventories indicated a potential slowdown, although business confidence improved in December. Despite these challenges, the stable automotive sector and effective supply chain management helped the HNBR market remain steady, mitigating the overall price decrease.
APAC
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) market in Japan experienced a 0.29% decrease from the previous quarter, largely driven by a combination of supply and demand factors. Despite steady feedstock availability, including Butadiene and Acrylonitrile, the automotive sector's underperformance and weak domestic demand contributed to the overall market slowdown. Manufacturers reported a decline in production volumes, influenced by reduced demand and extended delivery times. Additionally, sector-specific dynamics such as moderate activity in the aerospace sector provided some support, yet the overall market sentiment remained subdued. The trade data revealed mixed export trends, with shipments to China fluctuating, while exports to the U.S. showed significant variance, underscoring regional demand shifts. The manufacturing sector showed signs of stabilization in December, with some improvement in employment and a reduction in order backlogs. However, caution remained prevalent as manufacturers adjusted to the moderate supply conditions, bolstering their inventory levels while avoiding aggressive purchasing strategies. The combination of weak demand from key industries and cautious buyer sentiment shaped the overall market performance, reflecting a modest decline in market dynamics compared to the previous quarter.
Europe
In the fourth quarter of 2024, the European Hydrogenated Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (HNBR) market faced a challenging period, driven by mixed demand and supply conditions. While the automotive sector experienced a downturn, with new car registrations in December falling by 7.1% year-on-year, the aerospace sector performed well, with Airbus achieving strong delivery and order figures. This helped partially offset the sluggish demand from the automotive industry and supported continued consumption of HNBR in aerospace applications. The market also faced logistical difficulties, particularly with persistent port congestion at major European hubs, which strained supply chains. However, manufacturers worked to improve operational efficiencies and reduce lead times to mitigate these challenges, maintaining adequate inventory levels. Despite these hurdles, steady overseas demand, particularly from the aerospace sector, helped maintain a balanced market. However, the reduced activity in the automotive sector and ongoing supply chain pressures created a more challenging environment for suppliers, who had to adjust their strategies accordingly. Overall, the European HNBR market navigated a difficult quarter, but with a resilient aerospace sector and steady demand, it remained relatively balanced, though still facing significant challenges.
