Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Trend and Forecast 2026-2027

Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) is an engineering thermoplastic produced from acrylonitrile, butadiene, and styrene monomers through copolymerization, used extensively in automotive components, appliance housings, and electronics and consumer goods manufacturing. Styrene, acrylonitrile, and butadiene feedstock costs, and automotive and appliance demand all feed into the price.

Global ABS prices in Q2 2026 stood at USD 1.855 per KG in the United States, the highest among tracked markets, USD 1.780 per KG in South Korea, USD 1.720 per KG in Taiwan, and USD 1.545 per KG in China, the most competitively priced tracked market. The United States held the highest tracked price on elevated domestic feedstock and logistics costs, while China benefited from ample regional capacity utilization. Steady automotive manufacturing, appliance production, and electronics demand continued to underpin consumption across all tracked regions amid feedstock volatility.

What is Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) Price in August 2026?

ABS prices held close to Q2 2026 levels through August 2026, tracking regional styrene, acrylonitrile, and butadiene feedstock cost differentials, as steady automotive and appliance demand continued to support the market across all tracked regions.

• North America: US ABS prices held near USD 1.76 to USD 1.95 per KG, close to the USD 1.855 per KG recorded in Q2 2026 and the highest among tracked markets, as elevated domestic feedstock and logistics costs continued to sustain the regional premium.
• APAC (South Korea/Taiwan): South Korean ABS prices held near USD 1.69 to USD 1.87 per KG, close to the USD 1.780 per KG recorded in Q2 2026, while Taiwanese prices held near USD 1.63 to USD 1.81 per KG, close to the USD 1.720 per KG level.
• APAC (China): Chinese ABS prices held near USD 1.47 to USD 1.62 per KG, the most competitively priced tracked market, close to the USD 1.545 per KG recorded in Q2 2026, as ample regional capacity utilization continued to anchor pricing.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Forecast for 2026

The second half of 2026 (H2 2026) opened in recovery mode after an unusually volatile first half. A sharp feedstock spike tied to Middle East shipping disruptions in early 2026 pushed the styrene, acrylonitrile, and butadiene costs up sharply. Some regional styrene producers even declared force majeure, tightening the ABS supply further. By Q2, the crude and styrene retreated from those highs as the acute disruption eased, letting the prices give back a good portion of the Q1 gain. China's expanded capacity base still kept a lid on how far the market could recover.

A couple of factors bear watching. A renewed shipping disruption near key crude and feedstock routes, or a fresh force-majeure event at a major styrene producer, could push the prices back toward the top of the range. Continued absorption of China's expanded ABS capacity, or a slowdown in the automotive and appliance demand, could pull the market toward the bottom of the range instead.

For the Quarter Ending June 2026

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices Q2 2026:

• China: USD 1545/MT
• South Korea: USD 1780/MT
• Taiwan: USD 1720/MT
• United States: USD 1855/MT

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in China

China's ABS market gave back some of its Q1 spike in Q2. Styrene and butadiene costs retreated from their highs, and the country's expanded capacity base reasserted itself. The decline came to a value of 6.4%, from USD 1650/MT to USD 1545/MT.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q2 2026 in China?

• Styrene and butadiene feedstock costs retreated from their Q1 highs.
• China's expanded capacity base kept competitive pressure on pricing.
• Export volumes held high, easing domestic oversupply somewhat.
• Quarter closed at USD 1545/MT.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in South Korea

South Korea saw the steepest reversal of any market, down by 11.9% to a value of USD 1780/MT. The acute feedstock squeeze that drove its sharp Q1 spike eased through the quarter.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q2 2026 in South Korea?

• The acute feedstock squeeze behind the Q1 spike eased through the quarter.
• Export pricing momentum cooled from its earlier highs.
• Quarter closed at USD 1780/MT, still well above year-ago levels.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in Taiwan

Taiwan eased by 7.5% to a value of USD 1720/MT. It tracked the broader regional retreat in the feedstock costs.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q2 2026 in Taiwan?

• Regional feedstock costs retreated in step with the broader market.
• Export-oriented producers adjusted offers lower to stay competitive.
• Quarter closed at USD 1720/MT.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in the United States

The US ABS eased a milder 3.4% to a value of USD 1855/MT. The steady automotive and appliance demand cushioned the decline more than in Asia.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q2 2026 in United States?

• Steady automotive and appliance demand cushioned the decline.
• Feedstock costs eased more gradually than in Asian markets.
• Quarter closed at USD 1855/MT.

For the Quarter Ending March 2026

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices Q1 2026:

• China: USD 1650/MT
• South Korea: USD 2020/MT
• Taiwan: USD 1860/MT
• United States: USD 1920/MT

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in China

China's ABS market spiked by 12.2% to a value of USD 1650/MT in Q1. Middle East shipping disruptions pushed the crude, styrene, and butadiene costs up sharply across the board.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q1 2026 in China?

• Middle East shipping disruptions pushed crude and feedstock costs up sharply.
• Styrene and butadiene became noticeably more expensive to source.
• Quarter closed at USD 1650/MT despite China's ample capacity.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in South Korea

South Korea posted the sharpest move of any market, surging by 25.1% to a value of USD 2020/MT. A regional producer's force-majeure declaration on styrene tightened the supply just as the feedstock costs spiked.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q1 2026 in South Korea?

• A major regional producer declared force majeure on styrene supply.
• Feedstock costs spiked at the same time supply tightened.
• Export pricing momentum accelerated sharply, closing the quarter at USD 2020/MT.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in Taiwan

Taiwan jumped by 12.4% to a value of USD 1860/MT. It tracked the same feedstock-driven surge affecting the rest of the region.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q1 2026 in Taiwan?

• Feedstock costs surged in step with the rest of the region.
• Export-oriented producers passed through the higher costs.
• Quarter closed at USD 1860/MT.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in the United States

The US ABS gained by 6.4% to a value of USD 1920/MT. Feedstock costs climbed, though by less than in Asia. The automotive and appliance demand improved after a quiet Q4 too.

Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene change in Q1 2026 in United States?

• Feedstock costs climbed, though less sharply than in Asian markets.
• Automotive and appliance demand improved after a quiet Q4.
• Quarter closed at USD 1920/MT.

Quarterly Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Trends

The pattern here is a sharp spike followed by a partial retreat. The global average moved gently from a value of USD 1580/MT in Q1 2025 to USD 1635/MT by Q4, then jumped to USD 1810/MT in Q1 2026 before easing back to USD 1680/MT by Q2, a net gain across the six quarters of about 6.3 percent. The inflection came in Q1 2026. Middle East shipping disruptions and a regional force-majeure event pushed the feedstock costs sharply higher there, before conditions normalized somewhat into Q2.

What was Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price in 2025?

The year 2025 was a comparatively calm year for ABS across every market we track, in contrast with the volatility that followed in early 2026. The global average opened near a value of USD 1580/MT in Q1 and climbed gently in every quarter to close Q4 at USD 1635/MT, a full-year gain of 3.5 percent. Every region we track posted a similar mild gain, ranging from 3.1 percent in the United States to 3.5 percent in China. Steady feedstock costs and gradually improving automotive and appliance demand kept the market on an even keel ahead of the disruption that would follow.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in China in 2025

China opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1420/MT and closed the year at USD 1470/MT, a gain of 3.5 percent. The steady feedstock costs and gradually improving demand from electronics, appliances, and molded goods kept the market on a mild upward path. There was no sign yet of the sharp feedstock disruption that would hit in early 2026. The net direction for the year was mildly higher, with the steady demand as the main driver.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in South Korea in 2025

South Korea opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1560/MT and closed at USD 1615/MT, a gain of 3.5 percent, a calm year ahead of the sharp Q1 2026 spike that would follow. The export demand held steady. The feedstock costs firmed only gradually through the year too. The net direction for the year was mildly higher, with the steady export demand as the main driver.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in Taiwan in 2025

Taiwan opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1600/MT and closed at USD 1655/MT, a gain of 3.4 percent. The export-oriented producers saw a steady order flow through the year. The feedstock costs firmed at a gradual pace too. The net direction for the year was mildly higher, with the steady export order flow as the main driver.

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Prices in the United States in 2025

The United States opened the year 2025 at a value of USD 1750/MT and closed at USD 1805/MT, a gain of 3.1 percent, the mildest of the four markets. The automotive and appliance demand improved steadily through the year. The feedstock costs firmed only modestly too. The net direction for the year was mildly higher, with the steady downstream demand as the main driver.

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Expert Market Research: Your Source for Real-Time Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Intelligence

Expert Market Research keeps a continuous watch on the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene pricing across every major producing and consuming region. A price alone says very little. Our analysts dig into what actually drives it: the styrene, acrylonitrile, and butadiene feedstock economics, automotive and appliance demand cycles, and how much of the industry's expanded capacity base is actually running. The forecasts draw on the feedstock trends, the capacity utilization, and the trade-flow shifts across all four reporting regions. Contact Expert Market Research today for the acrylonitrile butadiene styrene pricing data, a bespoke market analysis, and a strategic procurement advisory.