The global nitrile butadiene rubber market saw a strong rise during Q2 2026. The main reason behind this movement was the disruption caused by the ongoing conflict in the Middle East and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz. These developments affected the movement of raw materials and created uncertainty for producers, traders, and buyers across different regions.

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Nitrile butadiene rubber is widely used in products that need resistance to oil, fuel, and chemicals. Because of this, its demand remains connected to several industries, including automotive components, industrial goods, seals, hoses, gloves, and other rubber products. When raw material availability becomes tighter, producers usually face higher manufacturing costs, and these changes can quickly reach the downstream market.

During the early part of Q2, the availability of important feedstocks such as butadiene and acrylonitrile became more difficult. Disruptions in shipping routes made the movement of these materials less predictable. Crude oil and related feedstock costs also moved sharply higher at the beginning of the quarter. This increased production expenses and gave additional support to NBR values in many markets.

The overall nitrile butadiene rubber price trend during the quarter was therefore strongly upward, especially through April and May. However, the market situation started to change toward the end of the quarter. Geopolitical tensions eased, the Strait of Hormuz reopened, and trade flows gradually improved. As a result, feedstock and shipping pressures became less severe, allowing some regional markets to correct in June.

South Korea Market

South Korea recorded one of the strongest increases during Q2 2026. Export values for medium-high acrylonitrile grade NBR increased by around 44% during the quarter.

At the beginning of Q2, limited naphtha availability created problems for the country's downstream feedstock supply. Lower naphtha flows affected butadiene production and made the domestic supply chain tighter. This situation became more difficult because of the wider disruption to regional trade routes.

Export restrictions and steps taken to prevent excessive stockpiling also reduced the amount of material available in the market. Buyers therefore had to compete for available cargoes, which helped keep NBR values elevated.

The market started to calm in June. The late-Q2 US-Iran ceasefire and reopening of the Strait of Hormuz improved supply conditions. Crude oil and feedstock costs also declined from their earlier levels. South Korean NBR values fell by around 11% in June as supply flows improved.

Japan Market

Japan experienced an even larger quarterly increase. Export values for medium-high acrylonitrile grade NBR rose by around 50% in Q2 2026.

The Japanese market faced difficulties because shipments of key feedstocks were disrupted by the Middle East situation and the closure of the Strait of Hormuz. Butadiene and acrylonitrile availability became tighter, creating additional pressure for local producers.

The situation was also affected by planned maintenance and unexpected outages at local crackers. These interruptions reduced butadiene availability at a time when buyers were already competing for limited spot cargoes. As a result, market participants were willing to pay higher values to secure supply.

Conditions improved toward the end of the quarter. Lower crude and feedstock costs, together with better shipping conditions, reduced some of the pressure seen earlier. Japanese NBR values corrected by around 7% in June.

France Market

France also recorded a sharp increase of more than 45% during Q2. The European market was affected not only by raw material availability but also by higher energy costs.

Disruptions to LNG exports and regional infrastructure pushed European energy markets higher during the early part of the quarter. Gas storage levels were also low, with storage reported at around 28%. This created additional concern among manufacturers because energy is an important part of production costs.

At the same time, maintenance turnarounds and unexpected outages affected the availability of butadiene and acrylonitrile. Strong demand for spot cargoes increased competition among buyers and added further support to market values.

By June, the situation had started to improve. Lower feedstock costs and reduced supply pressure allowed the French market to stabilize. Values corrected by around 1% during June, showing that the market was beginning to move away from the extreme pressure seen earlier in the quarter.

Indonesia Market

Indonesia recorded an increase of more than 40% during Q2. The country depends on imported material for part of its NBR requirements, making it particularly sensitive to changes in international supply and freight costs.

Supply from South Korea became tighter as limited naphtha flows affected butadiene and acrylonitrile availability. The wider geopolitical situation also caused difficulties along important shipping routes.

Importers faced another problem in the form of higher shipping costs and marine insurance premiums. These additional expenses increased the landed cost of NBR and added to the pressure on buyers.

The reopening of important shipping routes and improving supply conditions helped the market in June. Indonesian NBR values corrected by around 10% during the month as Korean supply became more available and freight-related pressure eased.

India Market

India recorded an increase of around 35% during Q2 2026. The market was affected by disruptions in Asian feedstock supply and reduced material inflows caused by the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Limited naphtha availability tightened regional supply chains and increased the cost of producing NBR. As material availability became less comfortable, manufacturers and buyers competed more actively for available supply.

This situation kept the Indian market firm during most of the quarter. However, conditions changed in June as feedstock availability improved and international supply pressures eased. Indian NBR values corrected by more than 10% during the month.

The June correction shows how quickly the market can respond when raw material availability improves. After several months of supply concerns, better feedstock flows gave buyers more flexibility and reduced some of the urgency seen earlier.

USA Market

The US market recorded an increase of more than 45% during Q2. Imports from France became tighter because European producers were dealing with limited butadiene availability and supply chain disruptions.

Higher crude oil and feedstock costs added to the cost of imported NBR. Freight rates and marine insurance costs also increased, making imported material more expensive for US buyers.

These factors kept the market firm throughout most of the quarter. However, the situation became more balanced in June. Feedstock costs eased slightly, while supply from France improved. As a result, US NBR values corrected by around 1%.

The relatively small June decline suggests that the market remained supported even after the earlier supply pressures started to fade.

China Market

China recorded an increase of more than 15% during Q2, which was lower than the increases seen in several other major markets.

The Chinese market was still affected by reduced naphtha flows from the Middle East. Since naphtha is an important feedstock for producing butadiene and other downstream materials, limited availability increased production costs.

Production slowdowns and reduced capacity across parts of the supply chain also contributed to market tightness. These conditions kept domestic NBR values firm through most of the quarter.

However, China experienced a stronger correction in June than several other regions. Values declined by around 18% during the month as feedstock flows improved and production restrictions became less severe.

Market Outlook

The second quarter of 2026 showed how strongly NBR markets can react to changes in raw material supply, energy costs, freight, and geopolitical conditions. The sharp increases recorded across South Korea, Japan, France, Indonesia, India, the USA, and China were not driven by a single factor. Instead, several pressures appeared at the same time.

The early part of the quarter was dominated by supply concerns. Disrupted shipping routes reduced the availability of important feedstocks, while higher crude oil, energy, freight, and insurance costs increased the overall cost of moving and producing material.

The situation changed during June. The ceasefire, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, improved trade flows, and lower feedstock costs allowed several markets to correct. The size of the correction varied by region depending on local production, import dependence, freight conditions, and availability.

Going forward, buyers and producers are likely to continue watching feedstock availability and international shipping conditions closely. If supply chains remain stable, some of the exceptional price pressure seen during April and May could continue to ease. However, any renewed disruption to crude oil, naphtha, butadiene, or acrylonitrile flows could quickly bring volatility back into the market.

Overall, nitrile butadiene rubber prices experienced a highly active quarter, with strong gains followed by early signs of correction. The regional differences also show that local supply conditions and import costs remain important factors in determining market direction. For buyers, maintaining flexible procurement plans and monitoring feedstock and freight movements can be useful when market conditions change quickly.

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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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