Nitrile Butadiene Rubber (NBR) Prices

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Prices December 2023

The nitrile butadiene rubber prices in the USA for Q4 2023 reached 2980 USD/MT (NBR 41%-66%) in December. The market witnessed bearish trends in Q4 2023, driven by weak consumption across the automotive and construction sectors. Consumers held back purchases owing to high rates of interest, and declining crude oil rates put additional pressure on the market. While some inquiries emerged mid-quarter, producers lowered cost in December to encourage new orders during the destocking season.

The price trend for NBR in Japan for Q4 2023 reached 2040 USD/MT (NBR 36%-43%) in December. In Japan, the market experienced a bearish trend during Q4 2023, with weak demand from the automotive industry and ongoing inflationary challenges. Market prices softened, and the construction sector provided limited support. Year-end destocking activities further depressed the market, while upstream volatility in Butadiene prices and maintenance shutdowns in regional plants influenced the market dynamics.

The price trend for NBR in Germany for the fourth quarter of 2023 reached 2430 USD/MT (NBR 18%-40%) in December. In Germany, the market was bearish alongside, heavily impacted by reduced automotive sales and a gradual revival from the post-pandemic period. Inflationary pressures, lower operating rates, and weaker demand from construction added to the challenges. The year-end stock clearance season further pushed prices down, as market sentiment remained pessimistic amid soft downstream demand and limited recovery prospects.

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price Trend, Market Analysis, and News

IMARC’s newly published report, titled “Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Pricing Report 2024: Price Trend, Chart, Market Analysis, News, Demand, Historical and Forecast Data,” offers an in-depth analysis of nitrile butadiene rubber pricing, covering an analysis of global and regional market trends and the critical factors driving these price movements.

It encompasses an in-depth review of spot price of nitrile butadiene rubber at major ports, a breakdown of prices including Ex Works, FOB, and CIF, alongside a region-wise dissection of nitrile butadiene rubber price trend across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa.

The report examines the elements influencing nitrile butadiene rubber price fluctuations, such as changes in raw material costs, supply-demand dynamics, geopolitical factors, and industry-specific developments. Additionally, it integrates the latest market news, providing stakeholders with up-to-date information on market shifts, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, thereby offering a comprehensive overview that aids in strategic decision-making and forecasting.

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Market Analysis

The global nitrile butadiene rubber market size reached US$ 2.3 Billion in 2023. By 2032, IMARC Group expects the market to reach US$ 3.7 Billion, at a projected CAGR of 5.40% during 2023-2032.

• The increase in industrialization and expansion of automotive sectors all across the world represents one of the key factors influencing the growth of the market. Nitrile butadiene rubber is generally used in manufacturing oil-resistant automotive components like seals, gaskets, and hoses. According to a report published by Statista, in 2023 approx. 94,000,000 motor vehicles were produced worldwide. This figure translates into an increase of around 10% as compared to the previous year. China, Japan, and Germany were among the largest producers of cars and commercial vehicles where China is ranked as the largest passenger car manufacturer in the world having produced more than 26,000,000 cars in 2023 which is about 1/3 of the world's passenger car vehicle production. Along with the increase in production of vehicles the demand for durable and reliable materials that can withstand harsh chemical environments is also on the rise, thereby driving the nitrile butadiene rubber market.
• The global healthcare sector is also an important market driver for nitrile butadiene rubber mainly because of the increasing demand for disposable gloves. The COVID-19 pandemic notably increased this demand highlighting the importance of nitrile butadiene rubber in medical applications where durability and protection against contaminants are necessary. Nitrile butadiene rubber is known for its durability and excellent barrier protection against viruses, bacteria, and chemical contaminants making them an important component for medical professionals and healthcare workers. Hospitals and clinics globally increased their orders for nitrile butadiene rubber gloves to ensure safety and prevent the spread of the virus among their staff and patients.
• The expansion of the oil and gas industry is another significant driver of nitrile butadiene rubber. NBR’s resistance to oil, fuels, and solvents makes it indispensable for producing various oil field exploration and processing equipment. According to a report published by Statista, over 4 billion metric tonnes of oil is produced across the world every year. The Middle East retains the greatest share of proven oil reserves, which is more than 50%.

Nitrile Butadiene Rubber News

The report covers the latest developments, updates, and trends impacting the global nitrile butadiene rubber market, providing stakeholders with timely and relevant information. This segment covers a wide array of news items, including the inauguration of new production facilities, advancements in nitrile butadiene rubber production technologies, strategic market expansions by key industry players, and significant mergers and acquisitions that impact the nitrile butadiene rubber price trend.

Latest developments in the nitrile butadiene rubber industry:

• In 2023, the Sri Lankan cabinet approved a contract for China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) to build a new refinery, following an earlier deal between the South Asian country’s government and Chinese state-owned Sinopec for fuel retailing.
• In 2023, Arlanxeo, a leading manufacturer of hydrogenated nitrile rubber (HNBR), expanded its production capacity by nearly 1,000 tons at its facilities in the United States and Germany, bringing its total production capacity to 11,000 tons per year. This expansion helped meet the growing demand for HNBR, a versatile elastomer used in various harsh environments.

Product Description

Nitrile butadiene rubber (NBR), commonly known as nitrile rubber. It is a synthetic rubber copolymer which is composed of acrylonitrile and butadiene. This material is known for its excellent resistance to oil, fuel and other chemicals which makes it a preferred choice in various industrial applications. Nitrile butadiene rubber is particularly valued in automotive and aerospace industries for the manufacturing of fuel and oil handling hoses, gaskets and seals. Its resistance to abrasion and ability to withstand range of temperatures also makes it an ideal for use in production of disposable gloves in healthcare industry. Nitrile butadiene rubber’s versatility extends to the production of molded goods and footwear. The physical and chemical properties of nitrile butadiene rubber can be varied by adjusting the acrylonitrile content which allows it to meet specific performance requirements.

Regional Coverage

The report provides a detailed analysis of the NBR market across different regions, each with unique pricing dynamics influenced by localized market conditions, supply chain intricacies, and geopolitical factors. This includes price trends, price forecast and supply and demand trends for each region, along with spot prices by major ports. The report also provides coverage of ex-works, FOB, and CIF prices, as well as the key factors influencing the NBR price trend.

Global Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price

The report offers a holistic view of the global NBR pricing trends in the form of NBR price charts, reflecting the worldwide interplay of supply-demand balances, international trade policies, and overarching economic factors that shape the market on a macro level. This comprehensive analysis not only highlights the current price but also provides insights into NBR historical price trends, enabling stakeholders to understand past fluctuations and their underlying causes.

The report also delves into NBR price forecast models, projecting future price movements based on a variety of indicators such as expected changes in supply chain dynamics, anticipated policy shifts, and emerging market trends. By examining these factors, the report equips industry participants with the necessary tools to make informed strategic decisions, manage risks, and capitalize on market opportunities. Furthermore, it includes a detailed NBR demand analysis, breaking down regional variations and identifying key drivers specific to each geographic market, thus offering a nuanced understanding of the global pricing landscape.

Europe Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price

The European market experienced a similarly bearish trend, driven by reduced requirements from the construction and automotive sectors. New automotive projects saw a notable decline, especially in Germany, where car sales dropped, fueling a pessimistic market outlook. Inflationary pressures and slow rebound from the post-pandemic period also affected NBR demand. Falling natural gas costs reduced production prices, but raw material support was insufficient to trigger price growth. The quarter concluded with weaker market conditions during the year-end stock clearance season, further weakening the demand for NBR. The European market also saw supply-side pressures as operating rates stayed low, but no major plant shutdowns were reported.

This analysis can be extended to include detailed NBR price information for a comprehensive list of countries.

North America Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price

The market in North America exhibited a bearish trend due to sluggish requirements from key sectors like automotive and construction. High interest rates, coupled with the reduction in crude oil prices, further pressured market sentiments. Ample accessibility of NBR stocks led to limited production capacities, while US consumer spending remained restrained. Although some improvement was observed with incoming inquiries from the automotive industry in mid-Q4, overall demand remained weak. At year-end, as the stocking clearance period unfolded, companies reduced costs to stimulate new orders. Global factors, such as weak global demand and rising interest rates, also added to a slowdown in both domestic and export markets, adding to the bearish outlook.

Specific NBR historical data within the United States and Canada can also be provided.

Middle East and Africa Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price

The report explores the NBR pricing trends in the Middle East and Africa, considering factors like regional industrial growth, the availability of natural resources, and geopolitical tensions that uniquely influence market prices.

In addition to region-wise data, information on NBR prices for countries can also be provided.

Asia Pacific Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price

In the Asia Pacific, the market faced bearish conditions driven by declining consumption across the automotive and construction sectors. Instability in feedstock Butadiene rates added to the market’s instability. The region’s market saw a brief boost from construction-related inquiries in mid-Q4, but overall, demand remained weak. The market faced challenges such as inflationary pressures, particularly in Japan, where the automotive sector was sluggish. Plant maintenance shutdowns, like Hyundai Chemical’s Butadiene plant in South Korea, further influenced the market. By December, the destocking season pushed prices downward, compounding the already bearish trend. Supply remained ample, but the demand outlook showed minimal recovery signs.

This NBR price analysis can be expanded to include a comprehensive list of countries within the region.

Latin America Nitrile Butadiene Rubber Price

The analysis of NBR prices in Latin America provides a detailed overview, reflecting the unique market dynamics in the region influenced by economic policies, industrial growth, and trade frameworks.

This comprehensive review can be extended to include specific countries within the region.

Report Coverage

Key Benefits for Stakeholders:

• IMARC’s report presents a detailed analysis of nitrile butadiene rubber pricing, covering global and regional trends, spot prices at key ports, and a breakdown of Ex Works, FOB, and CIF prices.
• The study examines factors affecting nitrile butadiene rubber price trend, including raw material costs, supply-demand shifts, geopolitical impacts, and industry developments, offering insights for informed decision-making.
• The competitive landscape review equips stakeholders with crucial insights into the latest market news, regulatory changes, and technological advancements, ensuring a well-rounded, strategic overview for forecasting and planning.
• IMARC offers various subscription options, including monthly, quarterly, and biannual updates, allowing clients to stay informed with the latest market trends, ongoing developments, and comprehensive market insights. The nitrile butadiene rubber price charts ensure our clients remain at the forefront of the industry.