For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
The North American automotive interior chemical sector in Q2 2025 faced cost pressures from declining polymer and elastomer prices alongside weak demand fundamentals. Key raw materials such as Polypropylene (鈥�7.71%), Polyurethane Resin (鈥�2.84%), Polycarbonate (鈥�2.48%), and Polyethylene Terephthalate (鈥�4.40%) all trended lower, reflecting subdued consumption from automotive interiors including dashboards, trims, seating foams, and upholstery components. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (鈥�10.94%) and EPDM Rubber (鈥�1.52%), widely used in seals, gaskets, and vibration-dampening applications, also weakened due to cautious automotive production schedules and sluggish tire offtake.
Procurement activity remained mostly on an as-needed basis, with OEMs and tier suppliers limiting stockpiling in light of fragile consumer demand and conservative financing conditions in the automotive sector. Although chip shortages eased, vehicle sales did not translate into stronger interior component demand, as buyers prioritized inventory drawdowns. Competitive imports, stable domestic output, and easing freight rates further pressured pricing.
Overall, the sector exhibited bearish sentiment, with declining feedstock costs and oversupply creating downward pressure on key polymers and elastomers. Near-term outlook suggests limited recovery unless automotive demand revives, particularly in passenger vehicles and EVs, where premium interior materials could offer a marginal uplift.
Europe
The European automotive interior chemicals sector in July 2025 showed a mixed pricing landscape, reflecting fragile demand fundamentals, seasonal slowdowns, and shifting feedstock dynamics. Polypropylene (PP) prices remained stable as suppliers cleared backlogged inventories at steady rates, though demand from automotive, construction, and packaging stayed weak amidst summer holidays. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) declined further on oversupply, sluggish auto-sector consumption, and lack of seasonal restocking momentum. Polyurethane Resin (鈥�4.45% QoQ) and Polycarbonate (鈥�4.67% QoQ) faced downward pressure from subdued construction and automotive activity, coupled with ample inventories and competitively priced Asian imports undercutting European offers.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) recorded a moderate rebound in July, supported by seasonal beverage packaging demand and increased preform procurement, despite structural headwinds from r-PET substitution. Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) gained 1.52% as post-summer demand recovery in Germany and Italy improved buying activity in tire and polymer compounding sectors. Polyamide held stable, cushioned by high inventories and muted automotive restocking, while EPDM Rubber remained steady under weak construction activity and cautious auto-sector offtake. Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) strengthened 4.06%, buoyed by tire-sector exports and tighter feedstock alignment, though medium-term fundamentals remain oversupplied.
Overall, the sector remained demand-constrained, with select polymers and elastomers showing resilience primarily from seasonal and tire-related consumption.
APAC
The APAC automotive interior chemicals market trended weaker through Q2 2025, reflecting broad downstream softness and oversupply across most product chains. The Polypropylene Price Index fell 1.67% QoQ as construction and packaging demand remained fragile, though supply cuts in South Korea and East Asia helped curb steeper declines. ABS prices dropped 9.12%, pressured by high Chinese inflows, muted electronics demand, and cautious procurement, with July stabilizing as reduced Korean output offset weak non-automotive consumption. Polyurethane Resin and Polycarbonate fell 6.04% and 5.69% respectively, both weighed down by weak construction and auto demand, despite selective EV-driven support in Thailand.
PET prices declined 4.96% on persistent oversupply and subdued packaging demand, with July extending weakness amid high inventories and weaker feedstock costs. TPE prices dropped 6.22% during Q2 on sluggish consumer goods demand but rebounded slightly in July as seasonal restocking in China and India revived activity. Polyamide slid 4.45% on poor automotive demand and rising Chinese EV competition, while EPDM Rubber fell 3.60%, reflecting weak China demand and discount-driven sales. SBR saw the sharpest drop at 15.95%, as tire-sector demand weakened alongside feedstock cost declines.
Overall, the sector faced bearish fundamentals, with isolated resilience from EV-related applications and seasonal restocking.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In Q1 2025, the North American automotive interior chemicals market displayed a mixed performance marked by varied price trends across key materials. Polypropylene (PP) saw a notable price increase of 3.99% driven by production disruptions, force majeures, and logistical bottlenecks, despite muted demand from the automotive sector.
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) prices rose 1.31%, supported by tight feedstock supply, resilient automotive demand鈥攑articularly for SUVs and EVs鈥攁nd strong exports. Polyurethane (PU) resins experienced a marginal 0.20% increase, reflecting moderate improvements in demand and cost-side pressures. In contrast, Polycarbonate (PC) prices declined by 2.81% due to stable supply, weak construction and export demand, and growing import competition.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) prices edged up slightly by 0.03%, sustained by food packaging demand and evolving rPET policies, though automotive applications remained subdued. Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) recorded a 3.27% increase, propelled by early-quarter feedstock cost hikes and winter-related logistics issues, though later tempered by weak domestic automotive demand. Meanwhile, Polyamide prices fell by 0.45% amid trade policy uncertainty, stagflation concerns, and soft automotive sector demand. EPDM Rubber prices declined 3.54% due to improved feedstock availability, softened demand early in the quarter, and tariff concerns. Similarly, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) prices dropped 3.19%, influenced by reduced butadiene costs, weaker auto production, and increased inventory pressure.
Overall, the market reflected a cautious outlook, with demand fluctuations, trade policy shifts, and logistical variables significantly impacting pricing dynamics across automotive interior chemicals.
Europe
In Q1 2025, the automotive interior chemicals market in Europe and Asia exhibited a mixed performance, reflecting a combination of cost pressures, supply fluctuations, and subdued demand from the automotive sector. Polypropylene (PP) prices in APAC remained largely stable with a marginal dip of 1.12%, weighed down by ample Chinese supply, weak downstream demand, and conservative procurement behavior. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) experienced a modest price increase of 2.97%, supported by stable fundamentals in Japan, although Chinese prices declined due to persistent oversupply and sluggish automotive demand. Polyurethane (PU) resins fell by 1.18%, with feedstock cost-driven gains offset by poor automotive sector demand and weak construction activity. Polycarbonate (PC) prices dropped sharply by 6.72%, driven by high inventories and declining demand from automotive and electronics sectors, especially in Germany. Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) 聽declined 1.90%, amid steady supply and subdued packaging demand, with limited automotive relevance. Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE), used in flexible automotive parts, saw a 2.41% decline, pressured by weak automotive demand and elevated production costs. European Polyamide prices edged down by 0.98%, despite early-quarter strength, as subdued industrial consumption and rising Asian imports softened the market. EPDM rubber recorded a slight 0.90% decrease amid stable supply but weak demand from automotive and construction. In contrast, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) prices rose 1.81% due to modest tire sector activity and steady feedstock costs, despite headwinds in electric vehicle sales and overall automotive weakness. Overall, the sector reflected cautious buyer sentiment, high inventories, and uneven recovery across materials, with only ABS and SBR showing positive price movements.
APAC
In Q1 2025, the automotive interior chemicals market in the Asia-Pacific region experienced a broadly bearish pricing trend across key polymers and elastomers due to muted demand, oversupply, and fragile economic sentiment. Polypropylene (PP) prices declined by 3.80% amid stable but cautious market activity, weak demand from downstream sectors, and ample regional availability, especially from China. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS) witnessed a marginal price dip of 0.20%, reflecting regional divergence鈥攚hile China faced oversupply and weak electronics and automotive demand, Japan maintained pricing stability through balanced fundamentals. Polycarbonate (PC) fell sharply by 4.83%, driven by high domestic operating rates, sluggish procurement from automotive and electronics sectors, and weak feedstock support.
Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) also registered a 4.29% decline, affected by high Chinese inventories and conservative restocking behavior across APAC, though a modest 1.1% late-quarter rebound offered slight relief. Polyamide saw a 1.19% drop due to subdued procurement in the automotive sector and weak export interest, compounded by supply chain disruptions. Ethylene Propylene Diene Monomer (EPDM) prices in Japan slipped by 1.12% despite steady supply, as global demand pressures and limited construction activity overshadowed modest domestic automotive resilience.
Lastly, Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) declined by 4.46%, reflecting sluggish ICE vehicle sales, tight credit conditions, and soft regional demand, partially offset by a temporary lift from China鈥檚 expanding new energy vehicle segment. Collectively, these trends underscore a challenging quarter for automotive interior chemical markets, marked by cautious procurement, inventory overhang, and weak end-use sector performance.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The North American automotive interior chemical market in Q4 2024 presented a complex picture of price trends amid several key materials that experienced price declines, while others remained stable or saw modest increases.
Styrene-Butadiene Rubber (SBR) prices, after a period of stagnation in early Q4 due to lower feedstock costs and steady demand, ultimately declined, although limited SBR production and consistent demand from the automotive tire sector helped to mitigate steeper drops.聽 The EPDM rubber market saw a slight price increase, reflecting stable supply, gradual demand recovery from the automotive sector, and balanced feedstock availability. Moreover, the polycarbonate (PC) market remained stable throughout Q4. Despite potential logistical disruptions, ample port inventories and adjusted production levels ensured sufficient supply.聽
A significant bearish trend was observed in the polyurethane resin market, with prices falling by approximately 8%. Ample inventories, weak domestic demand from the construction sector (evidenced by low homebuilding confidence), and unfavorable export conditions due to port congestion and labor disputes contributed to this decline.聽 Polypropylene prices also mirrored this trend, dropping by around 8% due to depreciating propylene feedstock costs and weak demand from the construction and automotive sectors. The PVC market experienced a declining trend, impacted by weak demand from the automotive and construction sectors, ample inventories, and stagnant upstream costs.聽
The ABS market saw a complex interplay of factors.聽 Lower feedstock and production costs led to price declines early in the quarter.聽 However, stable automotive demand and tighter supply conditions, exacerbated by port disruptions and holiday-related delays, prevented further price erosion, leading to relative stability.聽
APAC
The APAC automotive interior chemical market in Q4 2024 presented a mixed performance, with price trends varying across different products. Polypropylene saw a stable to bearish trend, with prices declining slightly. Continued capacity expansion in China, coupled with aggressive exports from South Korea, led to increased price competition. Muted demand from the automotive and construction sectors, along with inventory liquidation, further pressured prices despite some production turnarounds.
Polyurethane resin prices depreciated due to unfavorable demand from the domestic construction sector, even with rising feedstock TDI prices. Increased production in Japan added downward pressure, offsetting the impact of slightly reduced inventories. The holiday shutdown in the US further dampened market activity.
Polycarbonate prices experienced a marginal decline due to persistent supply-demand imbalances. Oversupply, particularly in China, and weak procurement from downstream sectors like automotive and electronics limited price recovery despite stable raw material costs. Finally, SBR prices declined due to weaker demand and lower feedstock costs. Reduced all-steel tire production and sluggish demand from the automotive and tire industries contributed to this downward trend, which is expected to continue.聽
PVC prices, conversely, trended upwards, driven by increased construction sector demand following Chinese stimulus measures and the imposition of anti-dumping duties on imports by India. However, high inventory levels in China and weak downstream procurement limited further price increases later in the quarter. Moreover, EPDM rubber in China saw a modest price increase, supported by steady pricing from exporters, balanced inventory management, and recovering downstream demand from the automotive and construction sectors.聽
Europe
The European automotive interior chemical market in Q4 2024 presented a mixed picture, with some materials experiencing price increases while others faced declines. The ABS market saw a marginally decreasing trend due to oversupply and subdued demand, particularly in the struggling automotive sector.聽 Logistical challenges and fluctuating upstream costs further pressured prices, though stable demand from the appliance and electronics sectors provided some support.
PVC prices, conversely, trended upwards, driven by balanced supply, inflationary pressures, and steady construction demand, although the latter faced headwinds.聽 Production cuts and logistical issues also contributed to the price increase. EPDM rubber saw a marginal price increase amidst an improved vendor performance was offset by cautious buyer sentiment due to underwhelming performance in the construction and automotive sectors. Moreover, SBR prices trended upwards due to rising feedstock costs and recovering demand from the automotive sector, particularly related to EVs and tire manufacturing. Despite some supply constraints, the increased raw material costs and tight supply chain contributed to the upward price pressure.
However, Polypropylene prices experienced a bearish trend, falling significantly.聽 Increased production after summer maintenance, coupled with weak demand from the construction and automotive sectors, created an oversupply situation. Polyurethane resin also faced bearish conditions, despite improved supply. Weak demand from the construction sector and subsequent inventory liquidation dominated the market, with producers attempting to stabilize prices through production cuts. The polycarbonate market experienced a declining price trend due to subdued demand, particularly from the struggling automotive sector.聽
Overall, Q4 2024 in Europe was characterized by varied price movements, reflecting the interplay of supply and demand dynamics, sector-specific challenges, and broader economic conditions.
