For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• The USA's TPE Spot Price reduced by 1.82% during Q2 2025, resulting in a weaker TPE Price Index for the quarter.
• Prices fell from USD 6,256/MT average in Q1 to USD 6,143/MT in Q2, indicating reduced April and May procurement activity.
• The TPE Production Cost Trend levelled out, with the steady feedstock prices for butadiene and styrene and no significant supply issues.
• In spite of flat manufacturing production, restrained restocking by consumer durables and tire sectors contained price gain.
• The TPE Demand Outlook was neutral, with continued macroeconomic restraint suppressing bulk purchases by the healthcare and automobile sectors.
• The TPE Price Forecast into Q3 indicates gentle revival if seasonal demand by medical and construction industries revives.
Why did the price of TPE shift in July 2025 in North America?
• The TPE Price Index declined marginally during July 2025 as a result of decelerating offtake from the automotive and medical device industries.
• Seasonal demand tempered following Q2 restocking cycles, leading to few spot transactions throughout major regions such as the Midwest and Gulf Coast.
• The TPE Spot Price fell during the June to July period, which was in accordance with prudent procurement and postponed contract renewals.
• The TPE Production Cost Trend remained even, providing no cost-driven reasoning for price hikes.
• Buyers focused on inventory management in the face of ambiguous macroeconomic indicators and limited construction activity.
• The TPE Price Forecast for early Q3 was lowered as demand indications did not exhibit early strength.
Europe
• The German TPE Spot Price gained 1.44% in Q2 2025, driving the regional TPE Price Index upwards steadily.
• Average prices rose from USD 6,685/MT in Q1 to USD 6,781/MT in Q2, greatly influenced by the strong performance in June.
• The TPE Production Cost Trend was steady with no drastic feedstock or energy price movements.
• Resurgent demand from infrastructure, polymer compounding, and tire production spurred June sales volumes.
• The TPE Demand Outlook strengthened moderately on the back of recovery in downstream construction polymers.
• The TPE Price Forecast indicates stable pricing through Q3 unless inflation-indexed energy volatility derails cost stability.
Why did TPE price move in July 2025 in Europe?
• During July 2025, the Price Index rose as downstream industries stepped up buying after summer doldrums.
• Inventory circulation picked up in Germany and Italy, supporting spot deals.
• The TPE Production Cost Trend stayed even, enabling margin growth without extreme pricing.
• The TPE Price Forecast continues to look optimistic with the recovery of EU industrial activity.
Asia-Pacific (APAC)
• The APAC TPE Price Index continued to fall in July 2025 amid continuing weak regional demand into the beginning of Q3.
• Downstream consumption from footwear, auto, and toy industries continued to be soft, resulting in lower order volumes.
• Overhang of inventories from Q2, particularly in China and Southeast Asia, continued to drag down prices.
• The TPE Production Cost Trend continued to be level, with no cost-push support available to arrest prices.
• Export performance was less than expected, and purchasing sentiment remained weak at major production centers such as Guangdong and Zhejiang.
• The TPE Spot Price correction was consistent with persistent oversupply and weak recovery in consumer markets.
Why did the price of TPE shift in July 2025 in APAC?
• The Price Index rose in July 2025 following seasonal purchasing and stable downstream demand in China and India.
• Supply was balanced with smooth plant operations and no significant outages.
• The TPE Production Cost Trend was stable, providing pricing assurance to producers.
• The TPE Price Forecast reflects firm-to-stable prices, subject to holiday season restocking patterns by region.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
• The Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Price Index rose by 4.8% in Q1 2025, supported by rising feedstock costs and improved logistics post-winter storm.
• January’s excess supply from strong November production met logistical disruptions (e.g., warehouse congestion and storms), briefly suppressing prices.
• Ethylene and Styrene prices surged mid-January, tightening TPE supply and increasing the TPE Production Cost Trend.
• February brought a $330/MT TPE price hike from Kuraray Plastics, driven by higher logistics and raw material costs. Styrene prices rose another 7%.
• Demand dipped due to a 7.5% decline in car sales, while March saw a 6.2% drop in resin output.
• As transport costs normalized in late Q1, prices stabilized. However, by April, increased feedstock and tight supply pushed up the TPE Spot Price again.
Why did the price of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) change in April 2025 in the US?
• The 0.4% decline in the price of Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) in the US during April 2025.
• Despite an overall tight supply earlier in Q1, the automotive industry—a major consumer of TPE—showed continued weakness in April. Car sales remained sluggish due to high interest rates and delayed fleet renewals, limiting downstream consumption of TPE.
• The TPE Demand Outlook in North America remains subdued, with only modest recovery expected from downstream automotive and construction sectors.
Europe
• The Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Price Index climbed by 2.5% in Q1 2025, largely due to elevated feedstock and energy costs amid low run rates.
• January’s production constraints (Styrene plant operating at 56.13%) and port congestion (e.g., Antwerp) restricted supply chains.
• Feedstock costs surged 6%, intensifying the TPE Production Cost Trend, but demand remained soft, especially in automotive—new car registrations dropped 6%.
• February and March saw low output with high inventory overhang. March’s 9% Styrene price surge extended the high-cost environment.
• Although some port operations improved, limited imports and poor demand from markets like Belgium (which saw a 10.7% drop in auto sales) capped pricing.
Why did the price of TPE change in April 2025 in Europe?
• In April 2025, TPE prices increased slightly by 0.4% in Europe as Styrene prices remained high and production levels stayed suppressed. However, the rise was modest due to weak automotive demand and sufficient inventory levels.
• The TPE Demand Outlook for Europe remains fragile, heavily dependent on recovery in automotive and manufacturing.
APAC
• The Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) Price Index fell by 3.3% early in Q1, followed by a 1.1% rebound late in the quarter.
• January saw high operating rates in China (TPE at 86%) and Styrene at 74.36%, creating oversupply. Bulk exports to Southeast Asia and a 6% drop in freight rates exacerbated the price decline.
• Ramadan and festive slowdowns muted demand, even as Styrene prices rose by 8% in February. TPE production dropped to 40–50%, but inventory levels stayed high.
• In March, production rebounded in China, but price gains were offset by lower Styrene and shipping costs.
Why did the price of TPE change in April 2025 in Asia?
• In April 2025, TPE prices decreased by 5% across the APAC region, primarily due to surplus inventory from China, lower Styrene prices, and continued weak demand across key sectors, despite brief restocking attempts.
• By April, regional buyers were still liquidating stockpiles. Oversupply from Chinese producers and weak downstream consumption drove a continued decrease in the TPE Spot Price.
• The TPE Demand Outlook in APAC remains bearish, with a slow recovery expected only after seasonal restocking and macroeconomic stabilization.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) market remained relatively stable throughout Q4 2024, despite some fluctuations in demand and supply dynamics. Prices showed limited movement, with suppliers largely working through existing inventories, which helped prevent any significant price increases. In November 2024, the US automotive market displayed signs of gradual recovery, supporting stable TPE prices. The rise in new car sales, particularly in the hybrid segment, was a key factor in the positive outlook, though the impact on TPE prices was largely absorbed by abundant inventory levels.
While feedstock Styrene prices remained stable, logistical challenges, including backlogs in Houston warehouses and delays caused by the ILA strike, contributed to inventory accumulation, exerting downward pressure on prices. Despite these supply chain hurdles, production levels remained healthy, with the American Chemistry Council reporting a 5.8% increase in TPE production in November 2024. On the export front, conditions improved, although weaker demand from key markets like Canada and Mexico dampened growth.
Overall, despite some localized disruptions and a slight decline in export demand, the TPE market in North America maintained a balanced and steady pricing environment through Q4 2024.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) market in the Asia-Pacific (APAC) region experienced a marginal downward price trend, with prices declining by approximately 0.5%. Ample supply conditions dominated the quarter as production rates remained high, supported by elevated styrene inventories in China, which reached 31,900 tons by December. Operating loads for TPE production averaged 86%, contributing to oversupply and consistent downward pressure on prices. Domestic demand in China was bolstered by the strong performance of the automotive sector, where passenger vehicle sales rose by 12% year-on-year in December, driven by government incentives and increasing demand for new-energy vehicles. However, export demand from key Southeast Asian markets such as Vietnam and Malaysia remained weak. Vietnam’s automotive sector faced a significant downturn, with vehicle sales dropping 29% month-on-month in December, while seasonal disruptions and higher freight costs further hampered export activity. Despite stable demand from China’s automotive sector, the combination of oversupplied feedstock, subdued export demand, and regional logistical challenges prevented any price recovery. Overall, the APAC TPE market concluded the quarter with a bearish sentiment, reflecting a mix of abundant supply and uneven demand dynamics.
Europe
In Q4 2024, the European Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) market exhibited a steady downward price trend. Throughout the quarter, European TPE prices faced consistent pressure due to weak demand, particularly from the automotive sector. While the region experienced ample supply due to low operating rates and reduced production in several manufacturing facilities, the demand remained underwhelming. The automotive industry, a key driver of TPE consumption, saw only marginal improvements, which did little to alleviate the overall market downturn. Despite a slight increase in Styrene prices, production costs remained relatively stable, and feedstock prices rose only moderately. Logistical challenges, including port congestion and maintenance work, also disrupted the flow of goods, adding to the downward pricing pressure. Throughout the quarter, European suppliers were mainly focused on reducing their inventory levels, which were already substantial due to previous months' low demand. These conditions led to minimal procurement activities, and most suppliers kept prices steady with few adjustments. As a result, TPE prices for Q4 2024 remained under pressure, with the outlook for early 2025 not expected to show significant recovery unless demand from the automotive sector improves markedly.
For the Quarter Ending September 2024
North America
The third quarter of 2024 for Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) pricing in North America has been characterized by a significant upward trend in prices. Several key factors have influenced market prices during this period, notably the continuous increase in production costs driven by rising prices of feedstock materials, particularly Ethylene. Supply chain disruptions due to plant maintenance and force majeures have further tightened supplies, exerting upward pressure on prices. Additionally, subdued demand from the automotive industry and cautious procurement activities have contributed to the price increments.
In the USA, the market has experienced the most substantial price changes. From the previous quarter in 2024, prices have risen by 3%, Sindicating a steady upward trajectory. The second half of the quarter saw a 1.5% price increase compared to the first half, demonstrating a sustained positive momentum in pricing.
As the quarter draws to a close, the latest price stands at USD 6041/MT of Thermoplastic Elastomer TPE- FOB Chicago in the USA, reflecting a consistently increasing pricing environment driven by supply constraints and rising production costs.
APAC
The third quarter of 2024 for the Asian Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) market was marked by a gradual decline in prices, driven by several key factors. In China, prices for Thermoplastic Elastomers fell as moderate production levels, coupled with lacklustre demand from the automotive industry, balanced market conditions. Despite the automotive sector achieving high production rates, sales continued to slump, keeping demand unfavourable. Insights revealed that China's manufacturing activity hit a six-month low in August, as factory gate prices plummeted, and manufacturers struggled to secure orders. This situation pressured policymakers to consider increasing stimulus for households. Sentiment among manufacturers remained gloomy, exacerbated by a prolonged property crisis that has dampened domestic demand, along with looming Western curbs on exports, including electric vehicles. New orders and export sub-indices remained firmly in negative territory, resulting in a hiring freeze across the sector. Overall, the quarter recorded a 6% decrease compared to the previous quarter, with a consistent negative pricing environment reflected by a -1.6% change between the first and second halves. By the end of the period, the price of thermoplastic elastomer FOB Shanghai in China reached USD 2118/MT, underscoring the challenging market conditions.
Europe
The third quarter of 2024 for the European Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE) market has been characterized by a gradual increase in prices, driven by several key factors. Significant influences on pricing included rising production costs due to inflationary pressures in feedstock prices, particularly Styrene, which surged by approximately 8%. This surge in Styrene prices, attributed to higher upstream Benzene costs, played a crucial role in driving up overall TPE prices. In Germany, the market witnessed the most significant price changes, further emphasizing the upward trajectory in pricing for the region. The quarter recorded a 1% price increase from the previous quarter, maintaining the overall positive sentiment. The price comparison between the first and second half of the quarter showed a consistent 1% increase approximately, reflecting stability in the pricing environment. The quarter-ending price for Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPC-ET Copolyester) IM Grade FD Hamburg in Germany stood at USD 6916/MT, indicating a steady rise in prices throughout the period. Overall, the pricing environment for TPE in Europe during Q3 2024 has been characterized by a steady and positive upward trend.
FAQs
1. What is the price of Thermoplastic Elastomer in July 2025?
As of July 2025, TPE Spot Prices are around USD 6,160/MT in the USA, USD 6,160/MT in Germany, and USD 2,203/MT in China.
2. Who are the largest Thermoplastic Elastomer manufacturers worldwide?
Domestic players are led by Kraton Polymers, Dynasol, BASF, Sinopec, and Covestro from plants located in the U.S., Germany, and China.
3. What is the Q3 2025 TPE Price Forecast?
The Q3 2025 TPE Price Forecast indicates stabilization in the USA and Germany, while China is likely to experience additional pressure unless demand picks up following inventory clearance.
4. How did the TPE Production Cost Trend influence pricing in Q2 2025?
The Trend of TPE Production Cost remained stable in each of the key markets, such that price action was determined mainly by changes in supply-demand instead of raw material forces.
