Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Market Shows Slight Increase

August 26, News

Recently (August 11-25), the styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) market in China has seen a slight increase. According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 25, the price of SBR in the East China market was 12,250 CNY/ton, an increase of 1.31% from 12,091 CNY/ton on the 11th. The price of butadiene, a raw material, slightly increased, while the price of styrene remained stable, providing continued cost support for SBR. Downstream tire production slightly increased, supporting the demand for SBR; SBR production slightly decreased, resulting in no significant supply pressure. As of August 25, the mainstream prices for SBR 1502 produced by Fushun, Jilin Petrochemical, Yangzi, and Qilu in the East China region were around 12,100 to 12,500 CNY/ton.

Recently (8.11~8.25), the price of butadiene, a raw material, has slightly increased, while the price of styrene has remained stable, continuing to provide cost support for SBR (styrene-butadiene rubber). According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 25, the price of butadiene in China was 9,333 CNY per ton, up 2.75% from 9,083 CNY per ton on the 11th; as of August 25, the price of styrene in China was 7,624 CNY per ton, up 0.26% from 7,606 CNY per ton on the 11th. The highest price during the period was 7,656 CNY per ton, and the lowest was 7,568 CNY per ton.

Recently (8.11~8.25), the operating rate of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) plants in China has slightly decreased to around 68%. The 200,000 tons/year SBR plant of Fushun Petrochemical, which consists of four production lines, has been gradually shut down for maintenance since August 15.

Supply and demand: Recently (August 11-25), the downstream tire production has slightly increased, providing support to the demand for styrene-butadiene rubber. As of August 22, the operating rate of semi-steel tire production in Chinese tire enterprises has slightly increased to around 74%; the operating rate of all-steel tire production in Shandong region tire enterprises has slightly increased to about 65%.

Market Forecast: From a fundamental perspective, analysts believe that current costs continue to provide support for styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR). Meanwhile, SBR plant operating rates have edged slightly downward. On the downstream side, the tire industry remains a key source of support for SBR demand. As the peak season approaches, overall market conditions suggest that SBR prices are likely to fluctuate while gradually moving upward in the near term.