Carbon Black Prices Index and Trend Chart with Quarterly Forecast Prices

Carbon black prices showed a broadly firm regional pattern in August 2026, with North America recording the highest price at USD 2.12/Kg, followed by Africa at USD 1.68/Kg, Europe at USD 1.62/Kg, the Middle East at USD 1.46/Kg, and Northeast Asia at USD 1.32/Kg. North America also registered the strongest upward movement at 18.4%, while Northeast Asia increased 13.8%, indicating substantial regional variation in pricing momentum.

The market remained influenced by feedstock costs, refinery-derived raw material availability, tire manufacturing activity, automotive demand, and industrial rubber consumption. Carbon black buyers also monitored energy and logistics costs closely, while specialty applications in plastics, coatings, inks, and conductive materials provided additional demand support. The combination of higher prices in most regions and differing supply conditions encouraged manufacturers and procurement teams to manage inventories carefully and evaluate sourcing alternatives.

Regional Carbon Black Prices Outlook – August 2026: Where Are Prices Highest?

• Africa: USD 1.68/Kg (9.2% ↓ Down)
• Northeast Asia: USD 1.32/Kg (13.8% ↑ Up)
• Europe: USD 1.62/Kg (5.2% ↑ Up)
• Middle East: USD 1.46/Kg (2.1% ↑ Up)
• North America: USD 2.12/Kg (18.4% ↑ Up)

North America recorded the highest carbon black price at USD 2.12/Kg, while Northeast Asia recorded the lowest at USD 1.32/Kg. The regional spread of USD 0.80/Kg reflected differences in feedstock availability, production economics, downstream tire demand, import exposure, and logistics.

The sharp increase in North America indicated stronger pricing pressure than in other markets, while Northeast Asia maintained the lowest reported price despite recording a substantial upward movement. Europe and the Middle East remained at intermediate levels, whereas Africa experienced a decline, highlighting the importance of local supply-demand balances and procurement conditions.

Regional Price Analysis of Carbon Black Prices – August 2026

Africa

Africa recorded carbon black prices of USD 1.68/Kg, down 9.2% in August 2026. The decline reflected softer regional pricing conditions and more cautious procurement, while supply availability and imported material continued to influence purchasing economics.

Demand from tire manufacturing, rubber products, plastics, paints, and coatings remained important. Buyers continued to balance inventory requirements against delivered costs, particularly where imported carbon black contributes significantly to local supply.

Northeast Asia

Northeast Asia recorded prices of USD 1.32/Kg, increasing 13.8% during August. The region remained closely linked to tire and automotive production, industrial rubber consumption, and carbon black manufacturing capacity.

The upward movement reflected firmer market conditions despite Northeast Asia retaining the lowest supplied regional price. Procurement teams continued to monitor feedstock costs, producer inventories, and downstream orders when determining purchasing volumes.

Europe

Europe recorded carbon black prices of USD 1.62/Kg, up 5.2%. The market was influenced by feedstock costs, production economics, and demand from tire manufacturers and industrial rubber processors.

Automotive components, plastics, coatings, and specialty carbon black applications supported consumption. Buyers remained attentive to supplier availability and replacement costs while maintaining controlled inventories.

Middle East

The Middle East recorded carbon black prices of USD 1.46/Kg, increasing 2.1% in August. Regional pricing was influenced by feedstock availability, refinery-linked raw materials, export flows, and downstream industrial demand.

Tire manufacturing, rubber products, plastics, construction-related applications, and coatings remained important demand areas. Procurement strategies focused on balancing regional supply availability with logistics and inventory costs.

North America

North America recorded carbon black prices of USD 2.12/Kg, rising 18.4%, the strongest movement among the supplied regions. The increase reflected firmer pricing conditions across the regional supply chain, with feedstock costs, industrial demand, and supply availability influencing producer pricing.

Tire manufacturing remained a major demand center alongside automotive components, industrial rubber, plastics, coatings, and specialty applications. The sharp increase encouraged buyers to assess contract coverage, inventory levels, and alternative sourcing options more closely.

Supply and Demand Overview – August 2026

Carbon black supply remained closely connected to feedstock availability, production capacity, refinery-linked raw materials, plant operating rates, and logistics. Changes in feedstock costs can materially influence carbon black production economics, while maintenance schedules and regional supply availability can affect producer offers. Import flows also remained important in markets where domestic capacity does not fully satisfy downstream requirements.

Demand intensity across major downstream industries remained as follows:

• Tire Manufacturing: Strong demand
• Automotive Components: Strong demand
• Industrial Rubber: Consistent demand
• Plastics and Coatings: Stable demand
• Printing Inks and Specialty Applications: Moderate demand

Overall, the market showed a firm supply-demand balance, although conditions differed significantly by region. Stronger pricing in North America and Northeast Asia contrasted with the decline in Africa, reinforcing the importance of regional procurement strategies.

Key Factors Affecting Prices – Monthly Perspective

• Raw Material Availability: Carbon black production depends heavily on the availability and cost of suitable hydrocarbon feedstocks, making refinery conditions and feedstock supply important price drivers.
• Downstream Demand: Tire manufacturing, automotive production, industrial rubber, plastics, coatings, and specialty applications continued to determine consumption intensity.
• Logistics: Freight, port handling, warehousing, and inland transportation costs influenced delivered carbon black prices, particularly in import-dependent markets.
• Energy Costs: Carbon black production involves energy-intensive thermal processing, making energy expenses an important component of producer cost structures.
• Trade Dynamics: Import and export flows, regional supply availability, and sourcing patterns influenced competition between domestic and imported carbon black.

Recent Developments (August Highlights)

• North American carbon black prices increased 18.4% to USD 2.12/Kg, representing the strongest movement among the tracked regions.
• Northeast Asia recorded a 13.8% increase despite maintaining the lowest regional price at USD 1.32/Kg.
• Europe and the Middle East also recorded upward movements of 5.2% and 2.1%, respectively.
• Africa moved in the opposite direction, with prices declining 9.2% to USD 1.68/Kg.

The August market therefore remained regionally differentiated, with supply conditions, feedstock economics, and downstream tire and industrial rubber demand shaping procurement conditions.

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

Carbon Black Price Chart Analysis – Monthly Movement

The Carbon Black Price Chart for August 2026 shows a predominantly upward regional market, with North America recording the highest price and strongest increase. Africa was the only supplied region to experience a decline, while Northeast Asia, Europe, and the Middle East recorded increases.

• Early August: Buyers assessed feedstock costs, producer availability, inventories, and tire-sector demand while determining near-term purchasing requirements.
• Mid-August: Firmer procurement activity in several markets supported higher prices, with North America and Northeast Asia showing particularly strong upward momentum.
• Late August: Regional divergence remained visible, with North America maintaining the highest price and Africa retaining a downward trajectory. Procurement teams continued adjusting inventory coverage according to local supply conditions.

The price chart helps procurement managers identify regional pricing momentum, evaluate sourcing alternatives, negotiate supply contracts, and determine appropriate inventory levels in response to changing feedstock and downstream market conditions.

Carbon Black Price Index & Historical Analysis

The Carbon Black Price Index in August 2026 reflected a predominantly firm market structure. North America recorded the highest price at USD 2.12/Kg, while Northeast Asia remained at USD 1.32/Kg. The contrasting movement in Africa, where prices declined 9.2%, demonstrated the importance of regional supply-demand conditions.

Historically, carbon black pricing has been closely linked to hydrocarbon feedstock costs, tire production cycles, automotive manufacturing, industrial rubber demand, and regional production capacity. Changes in refinery-derived feedstock availability can affect production costs, while downstream inventory adjustments can amplify short-term price movements.

Key structural drivers include:

• Feedstock availability and production economics
• Carbon black manufacturing capacity and operating rates
• Tire, automotive, rubber, and specialty-material manufacturing cycles

The August 2026 price structure highlights the importance of combining regional price intelligence with feedstock and downstream demand monitoring. Buyers can use these indicators to manage cost exposure and optimize procurement timing.

What Is Carbon Black?

Carbon black is a fine, high-purity form of elemental carbon produced through the controlled thermal decomposition or partial combustion of hydrocarbon feedstocks. It provides reinforcing, pigmenting, conductive, and ultraviolet-protection properties and is widely used across rubber and industrial applications.

Key applications include:

• Tire manufacturing
• Automotive and industrial rubber products
• Plastics and polymer compounds
• Paints, coatings, and printing inks
• Conductive and specialty materials

Carbon black is strategically important because it improves mechanical strength, durability, conductivity, pigmentation, and resistance properties in finished products. Tire manufacturing remains a major consumption center, while specialty grades support higher-value applications across electronics, coatings, plastics, and advanced materials.

Carbon Black Price Forecast – Next 12 Months

The carbon black price outlook for the next 12 months is expected to remain firm-to-volatile, with regional differences likely to persist. Feedstock costs, tire manufacturing activity, automotive demand, production capacity, logistics, and inventory management will determine the direction of individual markets.

Key growth drivers include:

• Stable global tire manufacturing demand
• Automotive production and replacement-tire consumption
• Growth in industrial rubber applications
• Expansion of plastics, coatings, and specialty grades
• Demand for conductive and performance-oriented carbon black

Potential risks include:

• Weakness in automotive and tire production
• Lower hydrocarbon feedstock costs
• Increased carbon black production capacity
• Higher availability of competitively priced imports
• Inventory accumulation among downstream buyers

Overall, carbon black prices are expected to remain sensitive to feedstock economics and tire-sector demand. North American pricing could remain comparatively firm if supply and industrial demand stay supportive, while other regions may experience greater flexibility depending on local inventories and import availability.

FAQs About Carbon Black Prices Insights & Market Analysis

What does the Carbon Black Price Index indicate in August 2026?

The index indicates a predominantly firm market, with North America recording USD 2.12/Kg and an 18.4% increase, while Africa recorded the only decline at 9.2%.

How does the Carbon Black Price Chart help procurement managers?

The chart helps procurement teams compare regional price movements, monitor feedstock-related cost pressure, evaluate supplier offers, and optimize inventory and contract purchasing strategies.

What is the carbon black price forecast for the next 12 months?

Carbon black prices are expected to remain firm-to-volatile, with feedstock costs, tire demand, automotive production, supply availability, logistics, and inventory levels shaping future regional movements.

How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help

The latest IMARC Group study, "Carbon Black Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition," provides a detailed analysis of carbon black 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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