The ABS Price Trend in Q2 2026 showed a sharp rise across major global markets before moving into a broad correction in June. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, commonly known as ABS, is an important engineering plastic used in automotive parts, consumer electronics, home appliances, construction products, and many everyday manufactured goods.
During the quarter, geopolitical tensions disrupted crude oil and naphtha trade flows, putting pressure on key ABS feedstocks such as Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile. Production interruptions, maintenance activities, lower operating rates, and higher energy costs added to the pressure.
By June, however, easing geopolitical tensions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, improving material availability, and softer crude oil and feedstock prices changed market sentiment and pushed ABS Prices lower in many regions.
ABS Price Trend in Q2 2026
The second quarter of 2026 was a highly active period for the global ABS market. Prices increased strongly across all the markets covered in the Q2 data, although the size of the increase varied considerably.
The Netherlands recorded the largest quarterly increase at approximately 56.85%, followed closely by Belgium at 56.09% and Germany at 51.73%. India recorded an increase of around 37.35%, while the USA rose by approximately 36.73%.
Brazil increased by around 36.22%, Taiwan by 35.64%, South Korea by 31.00%, Turkey by 28.03%, Thailand by 29.85%, and Indonesia by 29.06%. China recorded a quarterly increase of approximately 17.61%.
These numbers show that the increase was not limited to one region. Both Asian and European markets experienced strong price pressure, while import markets were also affected by higher replacement costs.
The ABS Price Chart for Q2 would therefore show a strong upward movement through much of the quarter, followed by a noticeable correction during June.
Why Did ABS Prices Increase?
Several factors came together to push ABS Prices higher during the first part of Q2.
The most important factor was the increase in feedstock costs. ABS production depends on Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile. When the cost of these materials rises, ABS producers face higher manufacturing expenses.
Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted crude oil and naphtha trade flows. Naphtha is an important starting material for several petrochemical products, so disruptions in its availability can affect the wider plastics value chain.
Production issues also added pressure. Force majeure events, refinery and petrochemical maintenance, and lower operating rates reduced the availability of some feedstocks and finished ABS material.
In Europe, higher energy costs made the situation even more challenging. Producers faced a higher cost base while trying to manage limited supply.
At the same time, buyers from the automotive, consumer electronics, home appliance, and construction sectors continued to require ABS. Some buyers also moved to secure material because they were concerned about future availability.
Together, these conditions created a strong ABS Price Trend during Q2.
South Korea ABS Price Trend
South Korea recorded an approximately 31% increase in Q2 2026 compared with Q1.
Geopolitical disruptions tightened naphtha and Styrene supply, increasing costs across the ABS value chain. Delayed Middle Eastern naphtha cargoes and reduced operating rates further restricted regional availability.
Acrylonitrile and Butadiene costs also remained elevated, supporting firm export prices.
The market stayed strong for much of the quarter as spot availability remained limited.
However, June brought a sharp change. ABS Prices in South Korea declined by approximately 7.89%.
The easing of geopolitical tensions reduced crude oil and feedstock cost pressure. Comfortable inventories, improved material availability, competitive Chinese cargoes, and cautious buying from automotive, electronics, and appliance manufacturers added further downward pressure.
Taiwan ABS Prices
Taiwan recorded an approximately 35.64% quarterly increase.
Supply disruptions, delayed naphtha shipments, and lower operating rates affected Styrene and Butadiene availability. These conditions increased production costs and supported higher export offers.
However, the market experienced one of the sharper June corrections.
ABS Prices in Taiwan declined by approximately 13.95% in June.
Lower crude oil, Styrene, and Butadiene costs reduced production-cost support. Weak export demand, comfortable inventories, competitive Chinese-origin cargoes, and cautious purchasing from downstream industries accelerated the correction.
This shows how quickly the ABS market can change when supply concerns ease.
China ABS Price Trend
China recorded an approximately 17.61% increase during Q2.
Maintenance-related production reductions and lower operating rates reduced domestic availability. Several production units also experienced shutdowns or lower throughput, limiting supply.
At the same time, Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile costs increased, creating additional production pressure.
The ABS Price Trend in China remained firm through much of the quarter.
June was very different. ABS Prices declined by approximately 16.32%, the largest monthly correction among the markets covered.
Higher polymerization operating rates improved availability, while inventories remained comfortable. Sluggish demand from automotive, electronics, and appliance sectors also reduced buying interest.
As buyers became more cautious, domestic ABS prices moved sharply lower.
USA ABS Price Trend
The USA recorded a 36.73% increase during Q2.
Higher Taiwanese export prices increased import replacement costs in the US market. Feedstock disruptions and higher Styrene and Butadiene costs contributed to firmer export offers from Asia.
Importers also secured material amid concerns about tighter regional availability.
In June, however, ABS Prices in the USA declined by approximately 5.89%.
Easing geopolitical tensions reduced crude oil and feedstock costs, while softer Taiwanese export offers lowered landed replacement values.
Comfortable inventories and cautious procurement from major downstream sectors also contributed to the decline.
Turkey, Thailand and Indonesia
Turkey recorded an approximately 28.03% increase in Q2, while Thailand and Indonesia increased by approximately 29.85% and 29.06%, respectively.
All three markets were strongly influenced by higher South Korean export offers.
Higher Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile costs increased export prices, while logistics disruptions affected regional supply.
By June, all three markets experienced corrections.
Turkey’s ABS Prices declined by around 4.80%, while Thailand and Indonesia recorded sharper monthly declines of approximately 8.43% and 8.42%.
Improved cargo availability, lower upstream costs, comfortable inventories, and cautious purchasing were the main reasons behind the corrections.
European ABS Price Trend
The European market experienced some of the strongest quarterly increases.
The Netherlands recorded an approximately 56.85% increase, Belgium rose 56.09%, and Germany increased 51.73%.
Higher energy and feedstock costs were major drivers. Disruptions to cargo movements and tighter availability of Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile increased production expenses.
European producers responded with higher offers as they managed increased manufacturing costs and controlled material availability.
However, June brought moderate corrections.
ABS Prices declined by approximately 5.45% in the Netherlands, 5.41% in Belgium, and 4.71% in Germany.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and easing geopolitical tensions reduced crude oil and upstream feedstock costs. Weaker demand from automotive, appliances, consumer electronics, and construction also reduced buying pressure.
Brazil and India ABS Prices
Brazil recorded a quarterly increase of approximately 36.22%, driven by higher South Korean export prices and increased import replacement costs.
Delays in Middle Eastern naphtha shipments and higher feedstock costs supported the increase.
In June, Brazilian ABS Prices declined by approximately 2.71% as supply conditions improved and Korean export offers softened.
India recorded an approximately 37.35% increase during Q2.
Delayed naphtha arrivals, feedstock restrictions, and higher production costs supported the domestic market. Higher-priced imports also helped maintain firm local pricing.
In June, however, prices declined by approximately 6.28% as lower-priced imports became available, inventories remained comfortable, and manufacturing demand weakened.
Understanding the ABS Price Chart
The ABS Price Chart for Q2 2026 tells two different stories.
The first part of the quarter was dominated by rising costs and limited availability. The second part, particularly June, showed a broad correction.
European markets recorded some of the strongest quarterly increases, while Asian markets also experienced significant growth.
The June corrections were especially notable in China and Taiwan, where prices declined by approximately 16.32% and 13.95%, respectively.
This shows that ABS pricing can react quickly when feedstock costs, inventories, and supply availability change.
ABS Price Index
The ABS Price Index remained elevated during Q2 because the overall market experienced strong price increases.
Higher crude oil and naphtha costs, feedstock shortages, production disruptions, maintenance, and logistics problems created strong upward pressure.
However, toward the end of June, the index began showing signs of moderation.
The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz improved trade conditions. Lower crude oil prices reduced feedstock costs, while improving supply availability gave buyers more flexibility.
Therefore, although the ABS Price Index remained above Q1 levels, the direction toward the end of the quarter became less bullish.
ABS Price Forecast
The future direction of the ABS Price Trend will depend on several key factors.
Feedstock prices will remain one of the most important factors to watch. Changes in crude oil, naphtha, Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile prices can quickly affect ABS production costs.
Supply availability will also be important. If producers increase operating rates and maintenance-related restrictions end, supply could become more comfortable.
Demand is another major factor. Automotive, consumer electronics, home appliances, and construction industries will continue to influence ABS consumption.
If demand remains weak while inventories stay comfortable, prices could face additional downward pressure.
On the other hand, a new supply disruption or increase in feedstock costs could quickly strengthen the market again.
For buyers, the Q2 experience highlights the importance of monitoring both cost and supply conditions instead of focusing only on current market prices.
What Q2 2026 Means for ABS Buyers
The Q2 market provides a useful lesson for ABS buyers and manufacturers.
Prices can rise quickly when several problems occur at the same time. Feedstock shortages, higher energy costs, production interruptions, and logistics disruptions can create a strong price rally.
But the market can also correct quickly when these pressures disappear.
By June, improved supply availability and lower feedstock costs gave buyers more negotiating power in many markets.
Companies using ABS should therefore pay close attention to inventories, import availability, feedstock prices, and downstream demand.
A balanced purchasing strategy can help businesses avoid both excessive inventory costs and supply shortages.
The ABS Price Trend in Q2 2026 was strongly upward across all monitored markets, with quarterly increases ranging from approximately 17.61% in China to 56.85% in the Netherlands.
The main drivers were geopolitical disruptions, tighter crude oil and naphtha trade flows, higher Styrene, Butadiene, and Acrylonitrile costs, production interruptions, maintenance activities, lower operating rates, and elevated energy expenses.
European markets experienced some of the strongest quarterly increases, while South Korea, Taiwan, China, India, the USA, and several Southeast Asian markets also recorded substantial gains.
June brought a clear change in market direction. Lower crude oil and feedstock costs, improved supply availability, reopening of trade routes, comfortable inventories, and cautious downstream procurement resulted in significant corrections in many regions.
Please Submit Your Query For ABS Price Trend, Market Analysis and Forecast: https://www.price-watch.ai/book-a-demo/
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.
Futura Tech Park,
C Block, 8th floor 334,
Old Mahabalipuram Road,
Sholinganallur, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Pincode – 600119.
𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐤𝐞𝐝𝐈𝐧: https://www.linkedin.com/company/price-watch-ai/
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: https://www.facebook.com/people//61568490385598/
𝐓𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫: https://x.com/pricewatchai
𝐖𝐞𝐛𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞: https://www.price-watch.ai/
