The ABS Price Trend in the second quarter of 2026 showed a strong increase across major global markets, followed by a noticeable correction in June. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) is a widely used plastic material found in automotive parts, household appliances, electronic products, packaging, and many other everyday items.
During Q2 2026, rising energy costs, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, and disruptions to raw material shipments pushed ABS prices higher.
However, as tensions eased and feedstock costs began to decline toward the end of the quarter, the market started moving in the opposite direction. This change showed how quickly raw material prices can affect the wider plastics industry.
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Understanding the ABS Market in Q2 2026
ABS is produced using three main raw materials: acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene. Each of these materials plays an important role in determining the final production cost. When the prices of these feedstocks increase, ABS manufacturers often face higher expenses, which can lead to higher selling prices.
During Q2 2026, the global ABS market experienced significant cost pressure because of disruptions to crude oil and naphtha trade flows linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. These disruptions affected the availability and cost of important feedstocks. At the same time, production limitations, refinery maintenance, and reduced operating rates in parts of Asia added pressure to regional supply.
The market was not equally affected everywhere. Some countries experienced larger price increases because they depended heavily on imported material, while others faced higher domestic production costs.
Europe also experienced considerable pressure from elevated energy expenses. By June, however, easing tensions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and lower feedstock prices began to reduce the support that had pushed ABS prices upward.
ABS Prices Rise Across Major Global Markets
The second quarter of 2026 was marked by a strong increase in ABS prices across Asia, Europe, North America, and other importing regions. The extent of the increase varied depending on local supply conditions, feedstock costs, import dependence, and demand from downstream industries.
In South Korea, export prices increased by 31.00% compared with Q1 2026. Delays in Middle Eastern naphtha shipments, reduced production rates, and limited styrene availability contributed to higher prices. However, prices declined by 7.89% in June as raw material costs eased and competitively priced Chinese cargoes increased pressure on Korean suppliers.
Taiwan recorded a quarterly increase of 35.64%. Supply constraints and higher styrene and butadiene costs supported export prices during the quarter. In June, prices fell by 13.95% as weaker export demand, comfortable inventories, and competitive offers from China affected market sentiment.
China experienced a more moderate quarterly increase of 17.61%. Production restrictions and maintenance-related supply reductions supported domestic prices. Nevertheless, prices declined by 16.32% in June as production availability improved and buyers remained cautious about purchasing additional material.
The US market recorded a quarterly increase of 36.73%, reflecting higher import replacement costs and firmer offers from Asian suppliers. In June, prices decreased by 5.89% as lower export offers and sufficient inventories reduced pressure on import prices.
Turkey recorded a quarterly increase of 28.03%, while June prices declined by 4.80%. Lower Korean export offers and cautious buying from automotive and appliance manufacturers contributed to the correction.
Europe experienced some of the largest quarterly increases. Prices rose by 56.85% in the Netherlands, 51.73% in Germany, and 56.09% in Belgium compared with Q1 2026. Higher energy costs, tighter feedstock availability, and successive producer price increases supported these movements. In June, prices declined by 5.45% in the Netherlands, 4.71% in Germany, and 5.41% in Belgium as upstream costs eased and buyers avoided unnecessary purchases.
Brazil recorded a quarterly increase of 36.22%, followed by a 2.71% decline in June. Thailand and Indonesia recorded quarterly increases of 29.85% and 29.06%, respectively. Their June prices declined by 8.43% and 8.42% as lower feedstock costs and improved cargo availability weakened import prices.
India recorded a quarterly increase of 37.35%. Delayed naphtha arrivals, higher styrene and butadiene costs, and restrictions affecting LPG use in petrochemical production added pressure to domestic supply. In June, prices declined by 6.28% as lower-priced imports, comfortable inventories, and subdued manufacturing demand encouraged suppliers to reduce their offers.
These regional movements show that the ABS market experienced a broad increase during Q2 2026, but the size of the increase and the speed of the subsequent correction depended on local market conditions.
What Caused the Increase in ABS Prices?
One of the main reasons behind the Q2 increase was the rise in raw material costs. ABS manufacturers depend on styrene, butadiene, and acrylonitrile, which are connected to the wider petrochemical and energy markets. When crude oil and naphtha supply chains face disruption, the effects can spread through several stages of production.
The geopolitical situation in the Middle East created uncertainty around shipping routes and the availability of important feedstocks. Delayed cargoes increased concerns about supply continuity. Manufacturers and traders had to consider higher replacement costs when purchasing raw materials, and these costs were reflected in ABS offers.
Production constraints also played an important role. Reduced operating rates and maintenance at petrochemical facilities in Asia limited the amount of material available in the market. When supply becomes tighter while production costs are rising, suppliers generally have more room to increase prices.
European markets faced additional pressure from high energy costs. Producing and processing plastics requires energy, so increases in electricity, fuel, and other operating expenses can affect manufacturers’ pricing decisions. These combined factors explain why ABS prices increased across several regions during the quarter.
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About Price Watch™
Price Watch™ is an India-based, independent raw material price reporting agency that provides real-time price forecasts and data-driven insights into global raw material markets. Price Watch™ specializes in tracking raw material prices, analyzing market trends, and delivering timely updates on plant shutdowns, supply disruptions, capacity expansions, and demand-supply dynamics. The Price Watch™ platform empowers manufacturers, traders, and procurement professionals to make faster, smarter decisions. Leveraging AI-powered forecasting and over a decade of historical data, Price Watch™ transforms market volatility into actionable opportunity.
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