Butadiene Prices August 2026: Price Index, Trends, Chart & Market Analysis

Butadiene prices showed significant regional variation during August 2026, with Northeast Asia recording the highest price at USD 1.63/KG, followed by Europe at USD 1.19/KG and North America at USD 0.78/KG. The regional spread reflected differences in cracker and refinery operations, feedstock availability, production economics, inventory positions, logistics, and downstream synthetic rubber and chemical demand.

The market presented contrasting regional movements, with prices declining in Northeast Asia while increasing in Europe and North America. Demand from synthetic rubber, tire manufacturing, ABS and other engineering plastics, and chemical applications remained important. Procurement teams continued to monitor plant operating rates, feedstock costs, inventory levels, import requirements, and downstream production schedules when planning purchases.

Regional Butadiene Prices Outlook – August 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?

• Northeast Asia: USD 1.63/KG (-1.2% ↓ Down)
• Europe: USD 1.19/KG (11.2% ↑ Up)
• North America: USD 0.78/KG (14.7% ↑ Up)

Northeast Asia recorded the highest butadiene price at USD 1.63/KG, while North America recorded the lowest at USD 0.78/KG. The substantial regional spread reflects differences in feedstock economics, cracker utilization, production availability, inventory conditions, transportation costs, and downstream demand.

The decline in Northeast Asia contrasted with the increases recorded in Europe and North America. This divergence indicates that regional supply-demand conditions played an important role in August pricing, with procurement economics varying according to local production and consumption structures.

Regional Price Analysis of Butadiene Prices – August 2026

Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia recorded butadiene prices of USD 1.63/KG, with prices declining 1.2% during the reported period. The relatively high price level reflected regional feedstock economics, production conditions, inventory positions, and demand from synthetic rubber and chemical manufacturers.

Demand from tire manufacturing, synthetic rubber, ABS production, and other downstream applications remained important. Procurement teams continued to monitor cracker operations, availability, and downstream production schedules while managing inventories carefully amid the price decline.

Europe

Europe recorded butadiene prices of USD 1.19/KG, representing an increase of 11.2%. The upward movement reflected changes in regional supply conditions, feedstock costs, production economics, and downstream purchasing requirements.

Demand from tire manufacturers, synthetic rubber producers, plastics manufacturers, and chemical processors remained relevant. Buyers continued evaluating supplier availability and inventory requirements while accounting for production costs and regional logistics.

North America

North America recorded butadiene prices of USD 0.78/KG, with prices increasing 14.7%. Despite remaining the lowest-priced region among those reported, the significant upward movement indicated tightening or changing regional supply-demand conditions.

Demand from synthetic rubber, tires, plastics, and chemical applications supported consumption. Procurement teams remained attentive to cracker operating rates, inventory levels, feedstock availability, and supplier commitments as prices moved higher.

Supply and Demand Overview – August 2026

Butadiene supply remained closely linked to steam-cracker and refinery operations, feedstock selection, production rates, plant maintenance, inventories, and regional trade flows. Availability can vary considerably depending on cracker economics and the production mix of ethylene and associated co-products, making regional supply conditions particularly important.

Demand intensity across key downstream industries remained as follows:

• Tire Manufacturing: Strong demand
• Synthetic Rubber: Strong and consistent demand
• ABS and Engineering Plastics: Stable demand
• Chemical Manufacturing: Stable demand
• Industrial Rubber Products: Moderate to strong demand

The overall supply-demand balance remained regionally differentiated. Northeast Asia maintained the highest reported price despite its modest decline, while North America recorded the strongest upward movement from a lower price base. Europe also experienced significant price appreciation, highlighting the importance of regional production, inventory, and downstream consumption patterns.

Key Factors Affecting Prices – Monthly Perspective

• Raw Material Availability: Cracker feedstock availability and operating conditions influence butadiene production and regional supply levels.
• Downstream Demand: Tire manufacturing, synthetic rubber, ABS, plastics, and chemical applications provide major sources of butadiene consumption.
• Logistics: Freight, storage, transportation, and regional distribution costs affect delivered prices and cross-border procurement economics.
• Energy Costs: Energy expenses influence cracker operations and the broader production economics of petrochemical manufacturers.
• Trade Dynamics: Regional imports, exports, supplier availability, and changes in international trade flows can significantly affect local butadiene balances.

Recent Developments (August Highlights)

• Northeast Asian butadiene prices declined modestly as regional supply-demand conditions remained balanced.
• European prices increased as market participants responded to changing supply and downstream procurement conditions.
• North American prices recorded the strongest increase among the tracked regions, indicating firmer regional pricing conditions.
• Tire, synthetic rubber, plastics, and chemical manufacturing continued to provide an important downstream demand base.

Overall, August 2026 demonstrated divergent regional pricing trends, with Europe and North America moving upward while Northeast Asia recorded a modest decline.

For detailed insights, charts, and forecasts, explore: https://www.imarcgroup.com/butadiene-pricing-report/requestsample

Butadiene Price Chart Analysis – Monthly Movement

The Butadiene Price Chart for August 2026 highlights a wide regional price range, with Northeast Asia at USD 1.63/KG compared with USD 0.78/KG in North America. The chart also captures contrasting monthly movements across the three tracked regions.

• Early August: Market conditions were influenced by cracker operations, feedstock availability, inventory positions, and downstream synthetic rubber and plastics demand.
• Mid-August: Regional market conditions diverged, with procurement activity responding to differences in production availability, inventories, and downstream requirements.
• Late August: Europe and North America maintained upward price momentum, while Northeast Asia remained comparatively firm despite its reported decline.

The price chart helps procurement managers monitor regional price positioning and identify changes in sourcing economics. It can support supplier negotiations, purchasing schedules, inventory planning, and assessment of regional supply alternatives.

Butadiene Price Index & Historical Analysis

The Butadiene Price Index during August 2026 reflected significant regional divergence. Northeast Asia remained the highest-priced market at USD 1.63/KG, while North America recorded the lowest at USD 0.78/KG. The contrasting monthly movements further demonstrate the importance of local supply-demand conditions.

Historically, butadiene pricing has been closely associated with petrochemical production cycles, cracker operating rates, feedstock economics, synthetic rubber demand, and tire manufacturing activity. Changes in downstream plastics production and regional inventories can also influence procurement requirements.

Key structural drivers include:

• Raw material availability: Feedstock selection, cracker operations, and refinery activity influence the availability of butadiene.
• Production and processing capacity: Plant operating rates, maintenance schedules, and production economics determine regional supply conditions.
• Downstream manufacturing cycles: Tire, synthetic rubber, plastics, and chemical manufacturing cycles directly influence consumption and purchasing requirements.

The August 2026 pricing structure demonstrates how regional supply balances can produce different price directions even within the same global commodity market. Procurement managers therefore need to evaluate local production, inventory, demand, and logistics conditions alongside broader petrochemical trends.

What Is Butadiene?

Butadiene is a colorless, highly reactive hydrocarbon primarily produced as a co-product during the steam cracking of hydrocarbons and through certain refinery and petrochemical processes. It is an important building block for synthetic rubber, elastomers, plastics, and several chemical intermediates.

Its chemical reactivity and suitability for polymerization make it an essential feedstock for multiple industrial applications.

Key applications include:

• Synthetic rubber production
• Tire manufacturing
• ABS and engineering plastics
• Styrene-butadiene rubber production
• Industrial rubber and chemical products

Butadiene is strategically important to the automotive, tire, plastics, and chemical industries. Its availability can directly affect the cost structures of downstream manufacturers, making reliable supply and competitive procurement important for industrial buyers.

Butadiene Price Forecast – Next 12 Months

The butadiene price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain volatile, with regional movements influenced by cracker operating rates, feedstock costs, synthetic rubber demand, tire production, inventories, and trade flows. Regional price differences are likely to persist as supply availability and downstream demand continue to vary.

Key growth drivers include:

• Tire production activity
• Synthetic rubber demand
• ABS and engineering plastics production
• Petrochemical operating rates
• Industrial rubber consumption

Potential risks include:

• Changes in cracker operating rates
• Feedstock cost volatility
• Petrochemical plant maintenance or disruptions
• Weakness in automotive and tire demand
• International trade and logistics disruptions

Overall, butadiene prices are expected to remain sensitive to petrochemical supply conditions and downstream rubber and plastics demand. Procurement strategies will need to account for regional availability, inventory levels, feedstock economics, and the potential for divergent price movements across major markets.

FAQs About Butadiene Prices Insights & Market Analysis

What does the Butadiene Price Index indicate in August 2026?

The Butadiene Price Index indicates substantial regional variation, with Northeast Asia recording USD 1.63/KG, Europe USD 1.19/KG, and North America USD 0.78/KG. The movements also differed, with Northeast Asia declining while Europe and North America increased.

How does the Butadiene Price Chart help procurement managers?

The Butadiene Price Chart helps procurement managers compare regional prices, monitor changes in supply-demand conditions, evaluate supplier quotations, plan inventories, and identify shifts in sourcing economics.

What is the butadiene price forecast for the next 12 months?

Butadiene prices are expected to remain volatile, with cracker operating rates, feedstock availability, tire and synthetic rubber demand, plastics production, inventories, logistics, and international trade conditions influencing future movements.

How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help

The latest IMARC Group study, "Butadiene Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition," provides a detailed analysis of butadiene price trends and global market dynamics. The report covers price movements, regional developments, demand patterns, supply conditions, and the factors influencing current and future prices.

The analysis examines the relationship between raw material costs, production conditions, downstream demand, logistics, trade flows, and regional market developments. By exploring the interaction between supply and demand, the pricing analysis provides businesses with useful insights into current market conditions and future pricing dynamics.

Explore pricing intelligence across 500+ commodities: https://www.imarcgroup.com/pricing-intelligence

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IMARC Group is a global management consulting firm that provides a comprehensive suite of services to support market entry and expansion efforts. The company offers detailed market assessments, feasibility studies, regulatory approvals and licensing support, and pricing analysis, including spot pricing and regional price trends. Its expertise spans demand-supply analysis alongside regional insights covering Asia-Pacific, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East and Africa. IMARC also specializes in competitive landscape evaluations, profiling key market players, and conducting research into market drivers, restraints, and opportunities. IMARC’s data-driven approach helps businesses navigate complex markets with precision and confidence.

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