Synthetic rubber prices see sharp rise in China

Beijing – China’s synthetic rubber prices have witnessed a sharp surge since the beginning of October, helped by a post-lockdown economic recovery, according a recent report by consulting firm Sublime China Information Co. (SCI). 

During the month, ‘ex-works prices’ for styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and polybutadiene rubber (PBR) had strengthened substantially by 21 Oct, to reach RMB1,500-1,800/tonne (€191-€230/tonne), SCI reported 28 Oct.

By 21 Oct, SCI said, market prices of emulsion styrene butadiene rubber (ESBR 1502) closed at RMB 11,100-11,300/t, up 46% compared with the lowest point in 2020 and up around 6% compared to October 2019.

The market price for high CIS polybutadiene rubber (HCBR 9000) closed at RMB10,500-10,700/tonne, up 46% compared with the lowest price in 2020 and down 6% year over year, SCI said.

According to the report, the supply of Chinese-made SBR and PBR was “relatively sufficient” throughout the first nine months of the year, and imported SBR and PBR resources "arrived at ports constantly.”  

The consulting firm linked the fourth quarter surge in prices to the economic recovery in the post-Covid era and an increase in demand and capital.

Based in Zibo, Shandong, SCI is a Chinese commodity market consulting firm, providing information for energy, chemicals, metal and agriculture industries.