SBR Price Trends, Forecast, Chart, Prices And Index in India Q2 2026
Author : Nihal Negi | Published On : 09 Oct 2026
The SBR Price Trend in India showed a sharp upward movement during the second quarter of 2026, as rising crude oil costs, feedstock shortages, and international shipping disruptions affected the rubber market.
Styrene Butadiene Rubber (SBR) is an important synthetic rubber used in tyre manufacturing, footwear, industrial rubber goods, conveyor belts, and various automotive components.
Since many of these industries depend on a steady supply of raw materials, changes in SBR prices can directly influence their production costs. During Q2 2026, the Indian market experienced an increase of more than 55%, followed by a correction of around 13% in June.
This movement reflected the impact of international supply problems, higher import costs, and gradual improvements in feedstock availability toward the end of the quarter.
Understanding the SBR Market in India
Styrene Butadiene Rubber is a synthetic rubber produced mainly from two important raw materials: styrene and butadiene. It is widely used because it offers good abrasion resistance, durability, and flexibility. These properties make it suitable for products that experience regular friction, pressure, and movement.
In India, SBR demand is closely connected to the automobile, tyre, footwear, construction, and industrial manufacturing sectors. Tyre producers are among the important consumers because SBR helps provide the performance and durability required for different types of tyres.
The Indian SBR market also depends on international supply conditions. When imported material becomes expensive or difficult to obtain, domestic buyers may face higher prices. Changes in currency exchange rates, transportation expenses, and the cost of raw materials can also influence the prices paid by manufacturers and distributors.
During Q2 2026, several of these factors occurred together. The resulting increase in production and import costs placed considerable pressure on the Indian market.
SBR Price Trend in India During Q2 2026
The Indian SBR market experienced a strong price increase during the second quarter of 2026. Domestic prices for Emulsion 1502, Non-Oil Grade, traded on an ex-Pune depot basis, rose by more than 55% over the quarter.
One of the main reasons behind this increase was the escalation of geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Concerns surrounding the Strait of Hormuz affected the movement of energy products and created uncertainty across international supply chains. As crude oil prices increased, the cost of important petrochemical feedstocks also moved higher.
Naphtha availability became another important concern. Restrictions on naphtha exports from South Korea affected regional feedstock flows. Since naphtha is an important starting material for producing several petrochemicals, reduced availability placed additional pressure on the production of butadiene, which is used in SBR manufacturing.
For Indian buyers, the impact was not limited to raw material prices. A weaker Indian rupee also made imported products more expensive. When the domestic currency loses value against the currencies used for international trade, importers generally need to spend more rupees to purchase the same quantity of material.
These combined factors contributed to the sharp increase in SBR prices during the quarter. Buyers faced greater uncertainty about procurement costs, while manufacturers and distributors had to manage changing replacement costs and supply conditions.
However, the market began to show signs of correction in June 2026. Feedstock availability improved, and easing geopolitical tensions reduced some of the pressure on international supply chains. As a result, Indian SBR prices declined by around 13% during June.
This correction indicated that the market was responding to improving supply conditions, although it did not erase the substantial increase recorded earlier in the quarter.
Major Factors Affecting SBR Prices in India
1. Rising Crude Oil Prices
Crude oil plays an important role in the wider petrochemical industry. Higher oil prices can increase the cost of producing and transporting many chemical raw materials.
During Q2 2026, the Middle East conflict initially pushed crude oil prices higher. This created additional cost pressure throughout the petrochemical supply chain. For SBR manufacturers and buyers, the increase in energy and feedstock costs contributed to the upward movement in prices.
When crude oil prices rise sharply, producers may need to adjust their selling prices to reflect higher operating expenses. These changes can eventually reach downstream users, including Indian rubber processors.
2. Limited Naphtha Availability
Naphtha is an important feedstock for producing petrochemicals used in synthetic rubber manufacturing. During the quarter, disruptions to regional trade and South Korean naphtha export restrictions affected availability.
Lower naphtha supply can reduce the production of downstream materials, including butadiene. When the availability of these feedstocks becomes limited, SBR producers may face higher input costs and tighter production conditions.
For India, which relies on international supply chains for several petrochemical materials, such disruptions can create additional pressure on domestic prices.
3. Higher Butadiene Costs
Butadiene is one of the principal raw materials used to manufacture SBR. Its price and availability have a direct influence on the economics of synthetic rubber production.
During Q2 2026, reduced feedstock availability and disruptions to production and transportation contributed to tighter butadiene supply. When this raw material becomes more expensive, SBR producers face higher manufacturing costs.
If these costs increase quickly, suppliers may raise their selling prices. Buyers that require regular deliveries can then face higher procurement expenses, especially when alternative supplies are limited.
4. Indian Rupee Depreciation
Currency movements are particularly important for markets that depend on imported materials. A weaker rupee increases the domestic cost of purchasing products priced in foreign currencies.
During Q2 2026, the Indian rupee reached a record low, adding another layer of pressure to import costs. Even if an overseas supplier maintains the same price in its own currency, an unfavourable exchange rate can make the material more expensive for Indian buyers.
This factor became especially important when international SBR and feedstock prices were already rising.
5. Geopolitical Tensions and Shipping Disruptions
International trade routes are essential for transporting energy products, petrochemical feedstocks, and finished rubber materials. Disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz created uncertainty about shipment schedules and supply availability.
When shipping routes face interruptions, buyers may experience longer delivery times and higher logistics costs. Importers may also become more cautious about placing orders because they cannot be certain when replacement material will arrive.
These conditions contributed to the strong upward movement in Indian SBR prices during the quarter.
6. Improvement in Supply Conditions During June
Although the early part of Q2 was marked by rising prices, June brought some relief. Easing geopolitical tensions and improving feedstock availability reduced pressure across the supply chain.
As material availability improved, some buyers delayed fresh purchases while waiting for prices to stabilise. This softer procurement activity contributed to the correction in the Indian market.
The approximately 13% decline in June showed how quickly sentiment can change when supply risks begin to ease.
SBR Prices in India: Market Performance and Buyer Impact
The sharp rise in SBR prices during Q2 2026 created challenges for businesses that depend on synthetic rubber as a regular production input.
Tyre manufacturers, rubber product producers, footwear manufacturers, and industrial component suppliers all need to manage raw material costs carefully. When SBR prices increase by more than 55% over a quarter, the change can significantly affect purchasing budgets and product cost calculations.
For example, a manufacturer that regularly purchases SBR may find that its planned monthly procurement budget is no longer sufficient. The business may need to revise its purchase schedule, negotiate with suppliers, or reassess the pricing of finished products.
Smaller manufacturers can be particularly sensitive to sudden changes because they may have limited storage capacity and less flexibility in negotiating large-volume purchases.
At the same time, higher raw material costs do not always translate immediately into higher finished-product prices. Manufacturers may initially absorb part of the increase, depending on their existing contracts, inventory levels, and competitive position.
The June correction offered some relief to buyers. However, purchasing decisions still required careful attention because prices had risen considerably earlier in the quarter.
SBR Price Chart: Understanding the Q2 Movement
An SBR Price Chart helps buyers understand how market prices have changed over a specific period. It can be useful for identifying sharp increases, short-term corrections, and changes in market direction.
During Q2 2026, the Indian market followed a clear pattern. Prices moved sharply higher during the earlier part of the quarter as feedstock costs increased and international supply chains faced disruptions. The market remained firm as buyers dealt with limited availability and higher import expenses.
In June, prices corrected by around 13% as supply conditions improved and concerns surrounding international trade began to ease.
When reviewing an SBR Price Chart, buyers should consider the following factors:
- Quarterly price movement: The increase of more than 55% during Q2 highlights the scale of the market disruption.
- June correction: The decline of around 13% indicates that some of the earlier price pressure eased.
- Feedstock developments: Changes in naphtha and butadiene availability can help explain movements in SBR prices.
- Currency changes: Rupee depreciation can increase the landed cost of imported materials.
- Supply and demand conditions: Changes in producer availability and downstream purchasing activity can influence the direction of prices.
A chart should also be reviewed alongside the product grade, delivery location, and pricing basis. Comparing different grades or locations without considering these differences can lead to misleading conclusions.
SBR Price Index: What It Tells Buyers
The SBR Price Index provides a structured way to understand changes in market prices over time. Rather than looking at individual price movements in isolation, buyers can use an index to assess the broader direction of the market.
During Q2 2026, the Indian SBR market experienced a substantial upward movement, followed by a correction in June. The increase reflected higher feedstock costs, currency pressure, and supply uncertainty, while the subsequent decline indicated some improvement in market conditions.
For procurement teams, the SBR Price Index can support purchasing decisions by helping them recognise whether prices are moving higher, stabilising, or correcting.
It can also be useful when reviewing supplier quotations. If a quotation changes considerably from one month to the next, an index can provide additional context for understanding whether the movement is consistent with the wider market.
However, an index should not be treated as a guaranteed prediction of future prices. Actual purchase costs may differ according to grade, order volume, supplier terms, transportation, taxes, and delivery location.
Global SBR Market Trends and Their Effect on India
Developments in international markets also influenced the Indian SBR price movement during Q2 2026. Several major markets recorded significant price increases, although the scale of the movement differed by region.
In South Korea, export prices for Emulsion 1502, Non-Oil Grade, increased by around 28% during the quarter before correcting by approximately 10% in June. Higher feedstock costs and disruptions to naphtha flows contributed to the initial increase.
Japan recorded a price increase of more than 30%, followed by a correction of around 5% in June. Limited butadiene availability and production interruptions placed pressure on the market.
In Germany and Poland, prices rose by more than 50% during Q2. Higher energy costs, limited butadiene availability, and strong demand for spot cargoes contributed to the increases. Both markets recorded corrections of around 7% in June.
The United States experienced an increase of around 28%, followed by an approximately 8% correction in June. Higher freight and marine insurance costs contributed to the initial pressure.
These international developments are relevant to India because global feedstock costs, export availability, and shipping conditions can influence domestic procurement expenses. Nevertheless, price changes in other countries should not be directly applied to India because local currency movements, supply arrangements, and market conditions differ.
SBR Price Forecast: What Could Influence the Market Ahead?
The outlook for SBR prices in India will depend on several important factors. The June correction suggests that prices can ease when feedstock availability improves and transportation disruptions become less severe. However, future price movements will depend on how these conditions develop.
Crude oil and petrochemical feedstocks will remain important factors. Any renewed increase in crude oil prices or restrictions on naphtha supply could raise the cost of producing styrene and butadiene, creating fresh pressure on SBR prices.
Currency movements will also matter. If the rupee remains weak, imported material may continue to be expensive even when international prices soften. A more favourable exchange rate could provide some relief to importers.
Shipping costs and trade routes will influence the landed cost of imported rubber. Stable transportation conditions can improve supply planning, while renewed disruptions could create delays and higher logistics expenses.
Demand from tyre and rubber product manufacturers will be another important consideration. Stronger industrial demand can support prices, while slower purchasing activity may limit the ability of suppliers to maintain elevated price levels.
Inventory and procurement decisions can also influence short-term market movements. Buyers that hold sufficient inventory may delay purchases during periods of uncertainty, while businesses with urgent requirements may need to buy despite higher prices.
Given these variables, a cautious approach is appropriate. The correction seen in June 2026 provides evidence of easing pressure during that month, but it does not guarantee that prices will continue to decline. Buyers should monitor feedstock availability, currency movements, freight expenses, and supplier offers before making major purchasing commitments.
Practical Suggestions for SBR Buyers in India
Businesses purchasing SBR can take several practical steps to manage price volatility.
First, they should review their procurement requirements regularly. Understanding how much material is needed for current production can help avoid unnecessary purchases during periods of high prices.
Second, buyers should compare quotations carefully. Price comparisons are most useful when the grade, quantity, delivery terms, and pricing basis are similar.
Third, maintaining communication with suppliers can help businesses receive timely updates about availability and expected delivery schedules. This is particularly important when international logistics are changing quickly.
Fourth, manufacturers should evaluate their inventory policies. Keeping a reasonable stock of essential raw materials can reduce the risk of production interruptions, although excessive inventory may increase working capital requirements.
Finally, buyers should monitor market indicators rather than relying on a single price quotation. Following feedstock costs, exchange rates, shipping conditions, and broader market trends can provide a more complete picture of the SBR market.
Conclusion
The SBR Price Trend in India during Q2 2026 reflected the combined impact of rising crude oil costs, limited naphtha availability, higher butadiene costs, rupee depreciation, and international shipping disruptions. Domestic prices for Emulsion 1502, Non-Oil Grade, increased by more than 55% during the quarter, demonstrating how quickly external supply problems can affect the Indian synthetic rubber market.
The approximately 13% correction in June showed that prices can ease when feedstock availability improves and geopolitical pressures begin to decline. However, the broader market outlook remains dependent on international energy prices, currency movements, logistics, and demand from downstream industries.
For Indian manufacturers, regularly reviewing the SBR Price Chart and SBR Price Index can help them understand price movements and plan purchases more effectively. Monitoring SBR Prices in India, comparing supplier quotations, and maintaining a flexible procurement strategy can also help businesses respond to sudden changes.
Overall, the Q2 2026 experience highlights the importance of understanding both domestic conditions and global supply chain developments when evaluating SBR prices. A balanced approach based on market information, inventory planning, and careful cost management can help buyers make more informed decisions in a changing market.
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About Price Watch™
Price Watch™ is an 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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