For the Quarter Ending March 2026
Polyisobutylene Prices in North America
- In United States, the Polyisobutylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging feedstock naphtha costs.
- Consumer Price Index rose 3.3% and Producer Price Index increased 4.0% in March 2026, elevating the Polyisobutylene Production Cost Trend.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded and industrial production grew 0.7% in March 2026, supporting the Polyisobutylene Demand Outlook for lubricants.
- Retail sales increased 4.0% while the unemployment rate remained at 4.3% in March 2026, sustaining aftermarket automotive Polyisobutylene consumption.
- Consumer confidence reached 91.8 in March 2026, shifting Polyisobutylene demand from original equipment manufacturing toward aftermarket repair applications.
- Construction sector demand for sealants strengthened as United States housing starts increased in January 2026, boosting Polyisobutylene consumption.
- Feedstock naphtha and crude oil costs surged in January 2026 due to Middle East supply disruptions and weather events.
- Chemical feedstock inventories tightened and naphtha imports faced disruptions in Q1 2026, driving an upward Polyisobutylene Price Forecast.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in March 2026 in North America?
- Feedstock naphtha costs surged in Q1 2026 due to Middle East supply and shipping disruptions.
- Global petrochemical supply tightened in Q1 2026 as unprecedented energy disruptions curtailed regional manufacturing capacity.
- Construction sector demand for sealants strengthened as United States housing starts increased in January 2026.
Polyisobutylene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Polyisobutylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging naphtha costs.
- The Polyisobutylene Production Cost Trend increased in March 2026 as the PPI grew by 0.5%.
- A 1.0% CPI increase in March 2026 supported the food-grade Polyisobutylene Demand Outlook for packaging.
- Industrial production grew 5.7% in March 2026, boosting the Polyisobutylene Demand Outlook for lubricant additives.
- Retail sales grew 1.7% in March 2026, softening the Polyisobutylene Demand Outlook for consumer adhesives.
- The 5.4% unemployment rate in March 2026 negatively impacted Polyisobutylene demand for automotive manufacturing sealants.
- Low consumer confidence at 91.6 in February 2026 reduced Polyisobutylene consumption in passenger car liners.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, driving industrial activity and supporting the Polyisobutylene Price Forecast.
- Domestic isobutylene inventories accumulated in February 2026, reducing immediate procurement urgency for regional Polyisobutylene producers.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in March 2026 in APAC?
- Naphtha feedstock costs surged in March 2026, elevating overall Polyisobutylene production expenses across the region.
- Upstream crude oil prices strengthened in March 2026, directly increasing petrochemical feedstock costs for Polyisobutylene.
- Total domestic vehicle sales weakened in February 2026, subduing downstream automotive demand for Polyisobutylene sealants.
Polyisobutylene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Polyisobutylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q1 2026, driven by surging naphtha feedstock costs.
- The Polyisobutylene Production Cost Trend increased during March 2026 as inflation reached 2.7%, elevating energy-intensive polymerization expenses.
- Despite a 0.2% decline in producer prices in March 2026, Polyisobutylene upstream naphtha feedstock costs surged significantly.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in March 2026, which strengthened the Polyisobutylene Demand Outlook for industrial lubricant additives.
- Stagnant industrial production at 0.0% in February 2026 reflected flat baseline demand for Polyisobutylene in automotive manufacturing.
- Retail sales grew 0.7% and unemployment remained 4.2% in February 2026, sustaining baseline consumer Polyisobutylene demand.
- Deeply negative consumer confidence at -24.7 in March 2026 negatively impacted Polyisobutylene demand in durable automotive goods.
- The Polyisobutylene Price Forecast indicated an upward trajectory in March 2026 following severe Middle East geopolitical conflicts.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in March 2026 in Europe?
- Brent crude oil costs surged to multi-year highs in March 2026, directly increasing naphtha feedstock expenses.
- Global naphtha trade flows plummeted in March 2026 following a near-total traffic halt through the Strait of Hormuz.
- German automotive sector factory orders rebounded in February 2026, driving increased consumption of Polyisobutylene for sealants.
For the Quarter Ending December 2025
Polyisobutylene Prices in North America
- In the United States, the Polyisobutylene Price Index fell in Q4 2025, influenced by declining manufacturing output and lower crude oil prices.
- Polyisobutylene production costs faced upward pressure from a 2.7% year-over-year CPI increase in December 2025, raising operational expenses.
- Input costs for industries purchasing Polyisobutylene rose, indicated by a 3.0% year-over-year PPI increase in November 2025.
- Polyisobutylene demand received support from a 2.0% year-over-year increase in industrial production during December 2025.
- Consumer spending, supporting Polyisobutylene demand, increased with retail sales rising 3.3% year-over-year in November 2025.
- A 4.4% unemployment rate in December 2025 indicated a strong labor market, generally supporting economic activity.
- Manufacturing output declined in Q4 2025, reducing demand for intermediate chemicals like Polyisobutylene.
- Polyisobutylene feedstock costs were impacted by Brent crude oil prices, which declined significantly in Q4 2025.
- Global oil inventories rose quickly in Q4 2025, contributing to balanced chemical inventories in 2025.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in December 2025 in North America?
- Manufacturing output declined in Q4 2025, reducing industrial demand for Polyisobutylene.
- Crude oil prices, a key Polyisobutylene feedstock, declined significantly in Q4 2025.
- Rising operational costs, from a 2.7% CPI increase in December 2025, impacted Polyisobutylene production.
Polyisobutylene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Polyisobutylene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by weak consumer demand and declining producer prices.
- Polyisobutylene production costs were mixed; crude oil prices declined in December 2025, but LPG costs strengthened in October 2025.
- Automotive production and sales reached new highs in 2025, driving robust Polyisobutylene demand in Q4 2025.
- Industrial output in China expanded by 5.2% in December 2025, strengthening industrial demand.
- The Manufacturing Index expanded in December 2025, supporting industrial activity and Polyisobutylene demand.
- Consumer demand was weak in December 2025, with CPI at 0.8%, retail sales at 0.9%, and unemployment at 5.1%.
- Producer prices declined by 1.9% in December 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand and oversupply.
- Global oil inventories rose quickly in the second half of 2025, including Q4, contributing to downward feedstock pressure.
- China's chemical sector faced structural overcapacity in 2025, impacting Polyisobutylene supply dynamics.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in December 2025 in APAC?
- Weak consumer demand, with CPI at 0.8% and retail sales at 0.9% in December 2025.
- Producer prices declined by 1.9% in December 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand.
- Crude oil prices generally declined in December 2025, lowering upstream feedstock costs.
Polyisobutylene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Polyisobutylene Price Index declined quarter-over-quarter in Q4 2025, driven by weak industrial demand.
- Polyisobutylene production costs decreased in Q4 2025, as the Producer Price Index fell 2.5% year-on-year in December.
- The Polyisobutylene demand outlook remained challenged by a contracting Manufacturing Index in December 2025.
- Global observed inventories of related products rose to four-year highs in October 2025, indicating ample market supply.
- Consumer confidence was low at -17.5 in December 2025, while CPI rose 1.8% year-on-year, impacting indirect demand.
- Automotive production significantly increased year-on-year in December 2025, providing support for Polyisobutylene demand.
- Germany's export orders continued falling in Q4 2025, limiting external demand for Polyisobutylene and its downstream products.
- The unemployment rate of 6.2% in December 2025 indicated reduced consumer purchasing power, impacting overall market activity.
- The Polyisobutylene Price Forecast suggests continued pressure due to persistent weak industrial demand and high inventories.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in December 2025 in Europe?
- The Producer Price Index declined 2.5% year-on-year in December 2025, reflecting falling input costs.
- Germany's Manufacturing Index contracted in December 2025, signaling reduced industrial activity and demand.
- Crude oil prices dropped in November 2025, contributing to lower feedstock costs for Polyisobutylene production.
For the Quarter Ending September 2025
Polyisobutylene Prices in North America
- In United States, the Polyisobutylene Price Index remained stable quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, reflecting balanced market forces.
- Polyisobutylene production costs rose, driven by a 2.6 percent increase in the Producer Price Index in August 2025.
- Demand for Polyisobutylene in consumer goods was supported by a 5.42 percent rise in retail sales in September 2025.
- Industrial production grew only 0.1 percent year-over-year in September 2025, limiting Polyisobutylene demand in industrial applications.
- A 4.3 percent unemployment rate in September 2025 bolstered consumer purchasing power, aiding Polyisobutylene demand.
- Polyisobutylene demand outlook faced headwinds from consumer confidence declining to 94.2 in September 2025.
- Crude oil prices, a key feedstock for isobutylene, remained relatively stable throughout Q3 2025, moderating production costs.
- Automotive sector demand showed mixed signals in Q3 2025, with light vehicle output declining in September.
- Construction spending softened in July 2025, contributing to subdued Polyisobutylene demand in related end-uses.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in September 2025 in North America?
- Rising input costs, indicated by a 2.6 percent PPI increase in August 2025, pressured Polyisobutylene production expenses.
- Mixed demand signals, with industrial production up only 0.1 percent in September 2025, limited upward price movement.
- Stable crude oil prices in Q3 2025, a key feedstock, helped moderate Polyisobutylene production cost increases.
Polyisobutylene Prices in APAC
- In China, the Polyisobutylene Price Index rose quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by increasing feedstock costs and strengthening automotive demand.
- Polyisobutylene production costs faced upward pressure in Q3 2025 due to higher global oil demand influencing isobutylene feedstock expenses.
- Demand for Polyisobutylene strengthened in Q3 2025, supported by robust growth in automotive and adhesives sectors.
- China's CPI declined by 0.3% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating deflationary pressures affecting consumer purchasing.
- Industrial production increased by 6.5% year-on-year in September 2025, positively influencing Polyisobutylene industrial applications.
- The Manufacturing Index was contracting in September 2025, signaling reduced overall industrial activity and input demand.
- Retail sales grew by 3.0% year-on-year in September 2025, supporting Polyisobutylene demand in consumer-facing products.
- China's PPI declined by 2.3% year-on-year in September 2025, reflecting weak industrial demand and pricing power.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in September 2025 in APAC?
- Rising feedstock costs for isobutylene in Q3 2025 exerted upward pressure on Polyisobutylene production expenses.
- Stronger automotive and adhesives sector demand in Q3 2025 supported Polyisobutylene consumption across various applications.
- Deflationary PPI (-2.3% in Sep 2025) and contracting Manufacturing Index in September 2025 indicated weak industrial pricing power.
Polyisobutylene Prices in Europe
- In Germany, the Polyisobutylene Price Index fell quarter-over-quarter in Q3 2025, driven by easing feedstock costs.
- Polyisobutylene production costs declined in Q3 2025, as isobutylene and naphtha feedstock expenses moderately fell.
- Contracting manufacturing activity in September 2025, with industrial production down 1.0% year-on-year, reduced Polyisobutylene demand.
- High isobutylene inventories in Q3 2025 pressured spot prices, reducing buying urgency for Polyisobutylene.
- Consumer confidence remained significantly negative at -23.6 in September 2025, dampening Polyisobutylene demand.
- Producer Price Index declined by 1.7% year-on-year in September 2025, indicating lower input costs.
- Retail sales increased by 0.8% year-on-year in September 2025, while CPI rose 2.4%, presenting mixed economic signals.
- The unemployment rate remained low at 3.9% in September 2025, supporting overall economic stability.
- The Polyisobutylene price forecast suggests continued pressure from ample supply and subdued industrial demand.
Why did the price of Polyisobutylene change in September 2025 in Europe?
- Isobutylene feedstock costs moderately fell in Q3 2025, easing Polyisobutylene production expenses significantly.
- High isobutylene inventories in Q3 2025 pressured spot prices, reducing overall buying urgency.
- Contracting manufacturing activity in September 2025 significantly reduced industrial demand for Polyisobutylene.
