Styrene-Butadiene Rubber Market Prices Fluctuate and Rise

August 26, News

Recently (8.11~8.25), the butadiene rubber market in China has experienced a fluctuating upward trend. According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 25th, the price of butadiene rubber in the East China region was 12,020 CNY/ton, an increase of 1.01% from 11,900 CNY/ton on the 11th. The price of the raw material butadiene has slightly increased, providing support for the cost of butadiene rubber; the expected production of butadiene rubber is slightly lower; the operation rate of downstream tire manufacturers has slightly improved, providing support for the demand for butadiene rubber. As of August 25th, the mainstream prices for Qilu, Daqing, Sichuan, and Yangzi butadiene rubber in the East China region were 11,900 to 12,200 CNY/ton.

Recently (August 11-25), the butadiene price has shown a slight increase with fluctuations, and the cost of polybutadiene rubber still has support. According to the commodity market analysis system, as of August 25, the butadiene price in China was 9,333 CNY/ton, up 2.75% from 9,083 CNY/ton on the 11th.

Recently (8.11~8.25), the butadiene facilities in China have been operating at around 69% capacity. Later on, there are maintenance plans for butadiene facilities at Haopu and Qilu Petrochemical, so it is expected that the supply pressure will not be significant.

Demand side: Recently (August 11–25), downstream tire production activity saw a slight uptick, providing solid support for the butadiene rubber market. As of August 22, Chinese tire companies' semi-steel tire operating rates edged up to around 74%, while tire manufacturers in Shandong province reported a modest increase in all-steel tire production capacity utilization, reaching approximately 65%.

Market Forecast: From a fundamental perspective, analysts believe that with slight increases in raw material prices and a modest rise in downstream tire production capacity—coupled with the onset of the peak season—the market anticipates that solution polymerized styrene-butadiene rubber (SBS) may experience volatile yet upward price movements in the near term.