For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Prices in North America
- In United States, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by escalating feedstock costs.
- The Producer Price Index rose 4.0% year-over-year in March 2026, while the Consumer Price Index increased 3.3%.
- Industrial Production grew 0.7% year-over-year in March 2026, alongside a 4.0% year-over-year increase in retail sales.
- The unemployment rate stood at 4.3% in March 2026, with consumer confidence at 91.8 and an expanding Manufacturing Index.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Production Cost Trend escalated in Q1 2026 as upstream benzene, ethylene, and methanol surged.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Demand Outlook remained steady in Q1 2026, supported by robust automotive and construction sector consumption.
- Disrupted global trade routes and restricted shipping tightened methyl methacrylate feedstock availability throughout Q1 2026.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Forecast reflected upward momentum in March 2026, tracking the elevated Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in March 2026 in North America?
- Crude oil and naphtha feedstock costs spiked significantly in March 2026, elevating upstream production expenses.
- Regional styrene availability became severely constrained in Q1 2026 due to unscheduled regional plant outages.
- Export demand for styrene feedstocks strengthened significantly in March 2026 due to overseas supply gaps.
Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by escalating feedstock costs.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Production Cost Trend increased during March 2026 as the PPI grew by 0.5%.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Demand Outlook stabilized in March 2026, supported by a mild 1.0% CPI increase.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% in March 2026, directly boosting Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene consumption for automotive component manufacturing.
- Sluggish retail sales at 1.7% and 5.4% unemployment in March 2026 limited consumer-facing packaging material demand.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Forecast remained elevated in February 2026 despite the consumer confidence hitting 91.6.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, reflecting a strong recovery in industrial activity and factory output.
- Butadiene and styrene availability tightened significantly due to concentrated plant maintenance and temporary shutdowns throughout Q1 2026.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Upstream benzene and crude oil feedstock costs elevated significantly throughout the entire Q1 2026 period.
- Import volumes of key feedstocks decreased substantially due to maritime shipping disruptions in March 2026.
- Strategic inventory building by downstream polymer producers amplified purchasing activity during the Q1 2026 timeframe.
Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, reflecting higher costs.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Production Cost Trend rose in March 2026 as inflation hit 2.7 percent.
- Producer prices fell 0.2 percent in March 2026, contrasting with rising upstream petrochemical feedstock costs.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, supporting the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Demand Outlook.
- Industrial production at 0.0 percent in February 2026 reflected flat demand for extruded materials.
- Retail sales of 0.7 percent and 4.2 percent unemployment in February 2026 sustained consumer purchasing.
- Consumer confidence at -24.7 in March 2026 negatively impacted construction and automotive plastics demand.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Forecast stayed elevated in March 2026 due to tightened regional supply.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Methyl methacrylate feedstock costs steadily increased throughout Q1 2026, directly driving up overall production expenses.
- Geopolitical conflicts disrupted Middle Eastern petrochemical trade flows into Europe during March 2026, tightening supply.
- European buyers actively engaged in panic buying to secure methyl methacrylate inventories in March 2026.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Prices in North America
- In United States, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by increased industrial production.
- Production costs for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene increased; the Producer Price Index rose 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025.
- Demand for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene strengthened, supported by a 2.0% year-over-year industrial production in December 2025.
- Retail sales increased 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025, indicating robust consumer spending and higher MBS demand.
- Styrene feedstock costs for North America eased in December 2025, offering relief to Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene producers.
- Butadiene supply in the U.S. grew during October-December 2025 as refinery maintenance concluded.
- Demand for ABS grades, a similar derivative, strengthened from electronics and automotive sectors in December 2025.
- The Consumer Price Index rose 2.7% year-over-year in December 2025, reflecting higher operational costs for MBS manufacturing.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in December 2025 in North America?
- Rising input costs, with PPI up 3.0% year-over-year in November 2025, pressured MBS prices.
- Industrial production increased 2.0% year-over-year in December 2025, boosting MBS demand.
- Styrene feedstock costs eased in December 2025, providing relief to MBS production expenses.
Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, influenced by declining factory-gate prices.
- Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene production costs declined in Q4 2025, driven by falling crude oil prices and unfavorable naphtha economics.
- Demand for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene showed mixed trends in Q4 2025, with robust automotive growth offsetting weak consumer spending.
- Weak consumer demand, indicated by 0.8% CPI and 0.9% retail sales in December 2025, dampened Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene consumption.
- Industrial production increased by 5.2% in December 2025, and the manufacturing index expanded, supporting industrial applications.
- The Producer Price Index declined by 1.9% in December 2025, reflecting falling factory-gate prices and weak industrial demand.
- Elevated butadiene inventories and surging import volumes in 2025 contributed to oversupply in the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene market.
- Automotive sector expansion, particularly NEV production and sales in December 2025, supported some Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene demand.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer demand, with CPI at 0.8% and retail sales at 0.9% in December 2025, pressured prices.
- Crude oil prices declined in Q4 2025, reducing butadiene feedstock costs for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene.
- Producer Price Index declined by 1.9% in December 2025; butadiene oversupply also impacted prices.
Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025 due to deflationary industrial factors.
- Producer prices declined 2.5% year-over-year in December 2025, lowering input costs for energy-intensive MBS feedstocks.
- Conversely, styrene monomer feedstock costs strengthened in December 2025, creating late-quarter cost pressure on manufacturers.
- Automotive sector demand rebounded significantly in November 2025, bolstering MBS usage in engineering plastic components.
- Retail sales increased 1.5% in December 2025 as 1.8% CPI inflation supported FMCG packaging demand.
- The Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025, reflecting persistent weakness in the construction sector throughout Q4 2025.
- Industrial production rose 0.8% year-over-year in November 2025, ensuring steady baseline demand for polymer additives.
- Major producers destocked inventories significantly by year-end 2025, responding to mixed demand signals across sectors.
- The Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Forecast outlook adjusted as regional styrene availability tightened in late Q4 2025.
- The price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene in Q4 2025 setteled at USD 2150 /MT in Europe.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in December 2025 in Europe?
- Producer prices dropped 2.5% in December 2025, reducing manufacturing costs for chemical suppliers.
- Construction sector consumption remained sluggish throughout Q4 2025, dampening demand for impact modifiers.
- Methyl Methacrylate input costs softened in October 2025, contributing to early quarter pricing weakness.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
- In United States, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increased production costs.
- MBS production costs increased in Q3 2025, with CPI rising 3.0% (September) and PPI 2.6% (August) year-over-year.
- Energy costs for MBS manufacturing increased in Q3 2025, with Henry Hub natural gas prices trending upward.
- Overall demand for chemicals, including MBS, deteriorated in major customer markets during Q3 2025.
- Retail sales increased 5.42% year-over-year in September 2025, supporting some MBS consumer goods demand.
- Industrial production grew marginally 0.1% year-over-year in September 2025, while unemployment remained stable at 4.3%.
- US chemical manufacturers accelerated MBS inventory destocking in Q3 2025; finished goods levels were negative.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in September 2025 in North America?
- Increased input and raw material costs, with CPI rising 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025.
- Higher energy costs for chemical manufacturing, as Henry Hub natural gas prices trended upward.
APAC
- In China, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index remained stable to slightly fell in Q3 2025, influenced by deflationary pressures.
- MBS demand faced headwinds from a -0.3% CPI and -2.3% PPI decrease year-over-year in September 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index was Contracting in September 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity impacting MBS demand.
- Industrial production increased by 6.5% year-over-year in September 2025, providing some counterbalancing support.
- Retail sales grew by 3.0% year-over-year in September 2025, positively influencing consumer-facing MBS applications.
- A 5.2% unemployment rate and low consumer confidence (89.6 index) dampened overall consumer purchasing power.
- Robust automotive production and sales growth throughout Q3 2025 served as a significant demand driver for MBS.
- Production costs for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene remained stable in Q3 2025, supported by stable crude oil prices.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Deflationary pressures from -0.3% CPI and -2.3% PPI in September 2025 impacted MBS pricing.
- Contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 signaled weaker industrial demand for raw materials.
- Low consumer confidence (89.6 index) and 5.2% unemployment limited overall demand for MBS products.
Europe
- In Germany, the Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by declining feedstock costs and weak industrial demand.
- Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene production costs decreased in Q3 2025, supported by a 1.7% year-over-year decline in Producer Price Index in September 2025.
- Overall Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene demand faced headwinds as industrial production declined 1.0% year-over-year in September 2025.
- The Manufacturing Index indicated contracting activity in Q3 2025, signaling weakening industrial demand for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene.
- Automotive sector demand for Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene rebounded in September 2025, with new car registrations rising in Germany.
- Elevated styrene inventories in Germany during September 2025 contributed to downward pressure on Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene prices.
- High energy costs continued to burden German chemical production in Q3 2025, impacting naphtha-derived feedstock costs.
- Consumer Price Index rose 2.4% year-over-year in September 2025, while retail sales increased slightly by 0.2% year-over-year.
Why did the price of Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Styrene monomer feedstock costs sharply declined in Q3 2025, reducing Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene production expenses.
- Industrial production decreased 1.0% in September 2025, alongside a contracting Manufacturing Index, weakening demand.
- Elevated styrene inventories in September 2025 exerted significant downward pressure on Methacrylate Butadiene Styrene pricing.
