Chemicals Updates

Asian ABS: Prices fall as demand softens / Asian ABS prices drop $30/mt amid weak demand / Upstream styrene decline pressures ABS market

May 20, 2026

The Asian acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene CFR China marker at $1,810/metric ton on May 13, down $30/mt week over week. "The demand situation is indeed bad," a Northeast Asia-based producer said. Moreover, ABS prices have been dropping domestically in China, intensifying competition, he added. Upstream, styrene prices have sharply declined following crude oil, a separate Northeast Asia producer said. "The market has stabilized somewhat this week, but buyers are still on the sidelines," he added. "In particular, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene plants in China have been severely affected by poor end-user demand," a Chinabased styrene trader said. Domestic operating rates of ABS facilities were at 57.28% on May 7, falling 1.71% week over week, according to estimates from a China-based analyst. ABS CFR Southeast Asia at $1,860/mt on May 13, down $30/mt week over...

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