The Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Trend moved sharply upward in Q2 2026 before showing a clear correction toward the end of the quarter. ABS is closely connected with the prices of styrene, butadiene, and acrylonitrile, so changes in these raw materials can quickly affect the finished polymer market. During the first part of Q2, geopolitical tensions in the Middle East disrupted crude oil and naphtha trade flows and created pressure on feedstock availability. This increased production costs and encouraged suppliers to raise prices across several major markets. Later in the quarter, the easing of tensions and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz reduced some of this cost pressure, while comfortable inventories and cautious buying from major consuming industries pushed prices lower.

ABS Market Overview in Q2 2026

The ABS market experienced a very different pattern between the beginning and end of Q2. During the early part of the quarter, buyers faced higher offers as feedstock costs increased and supply became less comfortable. Naphtha availability was affected by delays in Middle Eastern cargoes, while production disruptions and maintenance reduced availability in some Asian markets.

Styrene, butadiene, and acrylonitrile are important cost components in ABS production. When their prices rise together, producers generally face higher manufacturing expenses. In Q2, this effect became particularly visible as crude oil and naphtha markets strengthened.

Supply-side problems added another layer of pressure. Force majeure events, maintenance activity, and lower operating rates affected ABS and upstream production in several locations. As a result, some buyers moved to secure material earlier, which added support to the market.

However, the market changed direction in June. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and easing geopolitical tensions helped reduce crude oil and upstream feedstock costs. At the same time, inventories became more comfortable and downstream buyers became more cautious. This combination resulted in lower ABS quotations across most of the markets covered in the Q2 assessment.

South Korea ABS Price Trend

South Korea recorded a 31.00% increase in the ABS Price Trend during Q2 2026 compared with Q1. Higher feedstock costs and tighter availability were the main reasons behind the increase.

Delayed naphtha cargoes, lower operating rates, and limited merchant styrene availability contributed to stronger export offers. Acrylonitrile and butadiene costs also remained supportive during the quarter.

The market nevertheless changed direction in June. ABS prices in South Korea declined by 7.89% as lower crude oil, styrene, acrylonitrile, and butadiene costs weakened production-cost support. Comfortable inventories and competitively priced Chinese cargoes also increased pressure on Korean export offers.

Taiwan ABS Price Trend

Taiwan saw an even stronger quarterly increase, with the ABS Price Trend rising 35.64% in Q2 compared with Q1.

Feedstock disruptions and delays in naphtha shipments through the Strait of Hormuz reduced supply flexibility. Lower operating rates and supply interruptions added further pressure to styrene and butadiene availability.

In June, however, ABS prices in Taiwan dropped 13.95%. Lower crude oil, styrene, and butadiene costs reduced production-cost pressure. Weak export demand, comfortable inventories, and competitively priced Chinese material contributed to the correction.

China ABS Price Trend

China's ABS Price Trend increased 17.61% in Q2 2026 compared with Q1. The rise was supported by higher crude oil and feedstock costs as well as several production-related supply restrictions.

Maintenance activity and lower operating rates at several production facilities reduced available supply. A styrene unit shutdown also added to the pressure on upstream availability.

The market then corrected sharply in June, when ABS prices declined 16.32%. Higher polymerization operating rates, comfortable inventories, and slower demand from automotive, electronics, and appliance industries contributed to the decline. Buyers also became more cautious about replenishing stocks.

USA ABS Price Trend

In the USA, the ABS Price Trend increased 36.73% in Q2 compared with Q1. The market was strongly influenced by higher Asian export offers and rising import replacement costs.

Supply disruptions in Asia increased styrene and butadiene costs and supported higher import quotations. Importers also secured material while regional availability was tighter.

By June, ABS prices in the USA declined 5.89%. Lower upstream costs, weaker Taiwanese export offers, comfortable inventories, and cautious purchasing from downstream industries reduced pressure on landed import prices.

European ABS Price Trend

Europe recorded some of the largest quarterly increases in the Q2 market. The Netherlands registered a 56.85% increase, while Germany increased 51.73% and Belgium increased 56.09% compared with Q1.

The European market was affected by higher energy costs, feedstock disruptions, and logistical problems connected with the Middle East. Higher styrene, butadiene, and acrylonitrile costs increased manufacturing expenses.

The Netherlands later recorded a 5.45% decline in June, while Germany fell 4.71% and Belgium declined 5.41%. The reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and easing geopolitical tensions reduced upstream cost pressure. At the same time, softer demand from automotive, appliance, electronics, and construction sectors encouraged suppliers to lower domestic offers.

India ABS Price Trend

India recorded a 37.35% increase in the ABS Price Trend during Q2 2026 compared with Q1.

The market was affected by delays in Middle Eastern naphtha arrivals, higher styrene and butadiene costs, and restrictions affecting LPG use for petrochemical production. These conditions reduced feedstock flexibility and increased domestic production costs.

The market remained firm for much of the quarter, but June brought a correction. ABS prices in India declined 6.28% as lower-priced imports from Asian suppliers reduced import replacement costs. Comfortable inventories, subdued manufacturing demand, and cautious buying from automotive, electronics, and appliance manufacturers also pressured domestic offers.

ABS Prices in Turkey, Brazil, Thailand and Indonesia

Import markets also experienced strong increases during Q2 because they were influenced by higher Asian export offers.

Turkey recorded a 28.03% quarterly increase, while Brazil increased 36.22%. Thailand and Indonesia recorded increases of 29.85% and 29.06%, respectively.

These markets were affected by higher South Korean export prices, tighter feedstock availability, and stronger costs for styrene, butadiene, and acrylonitrile. Import replacement costs therefore increased during the quarter.

The June correction was more moderate in Brazil, where prices declined 2.71%. Turkey recorded a 4.80% decline, while Thailand and Indonesia declined 8.43% and 8.42%, respectively. Better cargo availability, lower upstream costs, and cautious purchasing contributed to the reductions.

What Drove ABS Prices in Q2 2026?

One of the biggest factors behind the Q2 movement was the cost of raw materials. ABS production depends heavily on styrene, butadiene, and acrylonitrile. When these materials become expensive, ABS producers usually need to protect their margins by raising selling prices.

Crude oil and naphtha also played an important role because they influence the broader petrochemical cost chain. Disruptions in crude oil and naphtha trade flows created additional uncertainty for producers and buyers.

Logistics were another important factor. Delays in cargo movements increased concerns about availability and made replacement material more expensive. This was particularly important for markets that depend heavily on imports.

Production rates also influenced regional pricing. Maintenance, force majeure events, and reduced operating rates limited supply in several locations. When supply becomes tighter at the same time that production costs are increasing, price pressure can become stronger.

Demand was a different story. While some buyers secured material during the period of tight supply, downstream industries became more cautious later in the quarter. Automotive, consumer electronics, home appliances, and construction are important ABS-consuming sectors, and slower or cautious purchasing reduced the ability of suppliers to maintain earlier price increases.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Chart and Market Movement

The Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Chart for Q2 2026 would show a clear two-stage movement. The first stage was a strong upward trend from the Q1 baseline, supported by higher feedstock costs, supply restrictions, and logistical uncertainty.

The second stage appeared in June, when most markets moved lower. This correction was not caused by one single factor. Instead, several developments worked together. Crude oil and upstream feedstock costs eased, the Strait of Hormuz reopened, material availability improved, and buyers became more selective.

This kind of movement is important for buyers because a quarterly average can hide significant changes within the quarter. Looking only at the average Q2 increase does not fully show the difference between the strong early-quarter market and the softer June conditions.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Index

The Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Index also needs to be viewed alongside regional market conditions rather than as a single global number.

The Q2 data show that Europe experienced particularly strong increases, while Asian and import markets also recorded substantial gains. The Netherlands and Belgium were among the markets with increases above 56%, while India, the USA, Taiwan, and Brazil also recorded increases above 35%.

At the same time, the June correction shows why price index movements need regular monitoring. A market can experience a large quarterly increase while still moving downward at the end of the period. This is especially important for procurement teams that are negotiating prices based on current replacement costs rather than historical quarterly averages.

Demand Outlook for ABS

ABS demand remained closely connected with the automotive, electronics, appliance, and construction industries during Q2.

These sectors use ABS because it combines useful properties such as toughness, impact resistance, processability, and a good surface finish. However, purchasing decisions in these industries can change quickly when raw material costs rise.

During the later part of Q2, cautious procurement became more visible. Buyers were less willing to build large inventories while prices were uncertain. Instead, many purchasing decisions focused on immediate requirements.

This behavior can limit price increases even when production costs remain relatively high. If inventories are comfortable and buyers are not actively restocking, suppliers may need to adjust offers to encourage purchases.

ABS Price Forecast: What to Watch Next

The Q2 market suggests that the direction of ABS prices will continue to depend on several connected factors.

Feedstock prices will remain important. Any renewed increase in crude oil, naphtha, styrene, butadiene, or acrylonitrile could again increase production costs.

Supply conditions will also matter. Changes in operating rates, maintenance schedules, unexpected production problems, and regional availability can quickly affect market balance.

Logistics should also be watched closely. Any renewed disruption to major shipping routes could increase freight and replacement costs.

Finally, downstream demand will be important. If automotive, electronics, appliance, and construction demand improves, buyers may return to the market more actively. If demand remains cautious and inventories stay comfortable, suppliers may continue to face pressure on selling prices.

The Q2 2026 ABS market showed how quickly polymer prices can change when feedstock costs, logistics, supply, and demand move at the same time. The first part of the quarter was dominated by higher costs and tighter availability, resulting in strong price increases across Asia, Europe, North America, and several import markets.

By June, the situation changed. Easing geopolitical tensions, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, lower crude oil and feedstock costs, improved availability, and cautious downstream purchasing resulted in a broad correction.

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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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