For the Quarter Ending September 2025
North America
• In the USA, the Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Index fell by 0.91% quarter-over-quarter, due to weak demand.
• The average Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate price for the quarter was approximately USD 2543.33/MT CFR-Texas, amid weakness.
• South Korean offers kept the Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Spot Price subdued, maintaining import pricing pressure.
• The Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Forecast indicates volatility as tariffs and inventory changes influence procurement.
• Declining styrene and acrylonitrile costs eased Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Production Cost Trend, aiding exporters' margins.
• Weak construction and mixed automotive signals shaped Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Demand Outlook, limiting near-term procurement.
• Inventory overhang and steady imports kept the Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Index under downward pressure.
• Logistics stability and selective restocking may tighten availability, providing modest upside for Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate.
Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate change in September 2025 in North America?
• Import competition from South Korea reduced U.S. bidding power despite port operations and shipments.
• Weak automotive and construction activity lowered procurement urgency, preserving inventories, suppressing spot ASA buying.
• Tariff timing spurred prebuying and created short term inventory swings, causing transient pricing pressure.
APAC
• In South Korea, the Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Index fell by 0.75% quarter-over-quarter, weaker exports.
• The average Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate price for the quarter was approximately USD 2418.33/MT, FOB Busan.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Spot Price eased as buyers favoured short-term contracts amid ample inventories regionally.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Forecast expects modest rebalancing, supported by seasonal restocking and automotive demand.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Production Cost Trend softened as acrylonitrile and styrene declines relieved cost pressure.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Demand Outlook constrained by weak construction, while automotive demand provides uneven support.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Index showed limited downside as exporters offered competitive FOB Busan terms.
• Producers maintained run rates with no major outages, keeping export flows intact but price restrained.
Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate change in September 2025 in APAC?
• Weaker export demand from key markets reduced offshore orders, softening FOB negotiations and limiting support.
• Declines in acrylonitrile and styrene feedstock costs lowered production expenses, permitting suppliers to trim offers.
• Adequate inventories and efficient port operations reduced urgency, encouraging short-term buying and pressuring near-term pricing.
Europe
• In Germany, the Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Index fell by 0.46% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting cheaper imports.
• The average Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate price for the quarter was approximately USD 2515.00/MT CFR-Hamburg, reported value.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Spot Price softened as exporters lowered offers amid weak regional demand conditions.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Forecast indicates modest volatility with a slight downward bias short-term ahead.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Production Cost Trend improved due to lower styrene and acrylonitrile input prices.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Demand Outlook remains muted as construction weakness offsets some automotive pickup seasonally.
• Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate Price Index reflects import economics, freight declines, and currency-driven landed cost benefits.
• Export demand, inventory strategies, and occasional logistics disruptions constrained promotional activity and spot liquidity in Germany.
Why did the price of Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate change in September 2025 in Europe?
• Lower feedstock costs in Korea reduced exporters' offers, easing landed ASA import prices in Germany.
• Euro appreciation and reduced freight rates improved import economics, pressuring domestic spot ASA offers downward.
• Weak construction activity and softer automotive output curtailed demand, prompting suppliers to adjust offers conservatively.
For the Quarter Ending June 2025
North America
• ASA prices rose 2.9% QoQ in Q2 2025, supported by increased import costs and firm demand from the automotive and construction sectors.
• Suppliers in South Korea raised export offers amid stable production margins and elevated freight charges.
• The appreciation of Asian currencies against the US Dollar increased landed costs for U.S. buyers.
• Domestic availability was constrained due to limited production flexibility, prompting greater reliance on imported material.
• Downstream demand remained steady, especially from automotive exterior applications and premium housing products.
Why did the price of ASA change in July 2025 in the U.S.?
• ASA prices moved slightly higher in July 2025.
• Asian exporters reduced discounts amid high demand from multiple regions.
• Construction activity picked up in key states, raising demand for durable plastics.
• Importers faced longer lead times and prioritized fulfilling existing contracts.
Europe
• ASA prices increased by approximately 3.0% QoQ in Q2 2025, driven by tighter supply and rising cost support.
• Imports from South Korea faced delays and higher freight surcharges, elevating landed costs.
• Producers in Western Europe operated at reduced rates due to maintenance schedules, further tightening supply.
• Buying interest remained stable from the automotive aftermarket and high-end consumer goods segments.
Why did the price of ASA change in July 2025 in Europe?
• ASA prices moved upward in July 2025.
• Feedstock cost pressure continued, particularly from Styrene.
• Buyers showed more urgency amid tight spot availability.
• South Korean exporters offered less volume under pre-agreed contracts.
• Distributors reported limited inventory turnover and long replacement lead times.
Asia Pacific
• ASA prices rose 3.0% QoQ in Q2 2025, amid higher domestic and regional demand and firm feedstock trends.
• Chinese producers saw consistent demand from the appliance and construction plastics industries.
• South Korea diverted some volumes to Europe and the U.S., tightening supply in Southeast Asia.
• Export momentum was strong, especially for high-gloss grades used in premium electronics and car parts.
Why did the price of ASA change in July 2025 in APAC?
• ASA prices trended higher in July 2025.
• Feedstock markets remained resilient, supporting producer offers.
• Domestic offtake in China and Vietnam improved with seasonal pickup in construction activity.
• Exporters to Western markets held back some volumes, boosting local market competitiveness.
• Supply tightness for specialty ASA grades further supported price sentiment.
For the Quarter Ending March 2025
North America
In the first quarter of 2025, the U.S. Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) market experienced a quarter-over-quarter decline of 6.62%, driven by a combination of supply and demand factors. Import prices from South Korean exporters fell significantly, benefiting U.S. buyers who capitalized on lower costs. Supply levels remained stable, supported by a recovery from earlier production setbacks and increased imports, though logistical challenges like port congestion and delivery delays at West Coast ports continued to pressure supply chains.
Demand in key sectors, including automotive and construction, was relatively stable, but not strong enough to counteract the price reduction. The automobile sector saw moderate demand, while the construction sector experienced steady growth, primarily due to inventory accumulation. However, the overall market sentiment remained cautious, with manufacturers facing rising input costs, inflation, and tariff-related concerns. Additionally, with cost pressures easing due to lower raw material prices, suppliers adjusted their pricing strategies to remain competitive.
While the market was not without positive indicators, such as steady demand and improved manufacturing optimism, the overall cautious approach of buyers, coupled with logistical bottlenecks and a slowdown in export activity, contributed to the observed price decline. The result was a 6.62% fall in ASA prices in the U.S. market for the quarter.
APAC
In the first quarter, Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) prices in South Korea experienced a consistent decline, reflecting the persistent market challenges faced across multiple sectors. The price dropped by 5.38% quarter-on-quarter, driven primarily by subdued demand in key sectors such as automotive and construction. The first month saw a 3.3% drop, influenced by weak sector activity and challenges from domestic and international markets. February's further price decline can be attributed to disruptions caused by a major power outage at the Daesan Petrochemical Complex, which raised concerns over potential financial losses. This, coupled with a weak construction sector, further suppressed ASA demand. The downturn was compounded by sluggish demand from European and Asian markets, leading to reduced export volumes. In March, while stable domestic production and low feedstock costs offered some relief, ASA prices continued to soften. The decline was supported by ongoing oversupply in key markets like China, which continued to put pressure on South Korean exporters. Although the automotive sector showed signs of recovery, it wasn't enough to counterbalance the broader market softness. With manufacturing production expanding slightly and the construction sector facing liquidity challenges, ASA prices remained under downward pressure as both domestic and export demand failed to show significant improvement.
Europe
During the first quarter, the European market for Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) experienced a steady decline, registering a 6.36% fall on a quarter-over-quarter basis. The overall downtrend was shaped by a combination of weakening demand and favorable import conditions. On the demand side, continued sluggishness in the automotive and construction sectors weighed heavily on ASA consumption, with both industries failing to gain momentum despite marginal improvements in business sentiment indicators such as Germany’s Ifo Business Climate Index. Meanwhile, the supply side remained stable throughout the quarter, with consistent output from domestic manufacturers and uninterrupted imports from South Korea. Although brief port disruptions and labor-related issues posed logistical challenges, their impact on material availability was minimal. A key contributor to the price drop was the persistent decline in freight charges from Asia, which significantly reduced landed costs for European buyers. Additionally, a stronger Euro improved the region’s purchasing power, further easing import expenses. Macroeconomic measures, including the European Central Bank's decision to lower interest rates, were introduced in an attempt to spur industrial activity, yet downstream demand remained lackluster. The combined effect of steady supply, reduced logistics costs, currency strength, and weak end-user demand resulted in a noticeable price correction over the quarter.
For the Quarter Ending December 2024
North America
The Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) market in the United States exhibited a modest 1.91% quarterly growth, supported by a dynamic interplay of supply, demand, and sectoral performance. Despite fluctuations in feedstock costs and regional supply chain conditions, manufacturers successfully maintained production levels to address steady market requirements. Freight rates from Asia declined, easing logistical costs and improving supply conditions, while port operations remained stable, minimizing disruptions.
The automotive sector was a primary driver of ASA demand, consistently showing robust performance throughout the quarter. Vehicle sales rose steadily, reflecting growing consumer confidence and sustained production activity among major automakers. Conversely, the construction sector faced ongoing challenges, including labor shortages, elevated borrowing costs, and seasonal slowdowns, which restrained ASA consumption in this segment.
Supplier strategies, including inventory optimization and pricing adjustments, balanced market pressures, ensuring supply stability amid varying downstream demand. The U.S. manufacturing sector closed the year on a weaker note, with reduced new orders and production in December, yet consumer sentiment reached its highest level since April, fostering cautious optimism.
APAC
In Q4 2024, the South Korean ASA market saw a modest 2.34% increase from the previous quarter, supported by a balanced interplay of supply and demand factors. While the automotive and construction sectors faced challenges, demand from overseas markets, particularly the U.S., provided some positive momentum. Domestic demand, however, remained subdued due to weaker performances in key sectors, notably automotive and construction. The automotive sector saw lower sales compared to earlier months, with a 17.4% drop in October and a slight decline in November, signaling cautious consumer sentiment. Despite challenges in the construction sector, which reported a downturn in Q3 and continued to face cost pressures and project delays, the manufacturing and supply dynamics showed improvement. Supply chain efficiency improved with marginal increases in delivery times, marking the smallest delays in six months. Manufacturing activity in the sector showed slight improvements with an uptick in international demand, though domestic demand remained restrained. Export data also reflected a slower pace, with a decline in Acrylonitrile-based resin exports in October and a modest dip in the overall market. However, suppliers managed to maintain steady stock levels while mitigating disruptions. The overall stability in supply coupled with improvements in sectoral performance helped offset the pressures, maintaining a positive, though cautious, outlook for the market.
Europe
The Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA) market in Germany demonstrated a modest growth in the final quarter of 2024, with prices reflecting a slight upward movement compared to the previous quarter. This increase aligns with evolving dynamics in the downstream and feedstock markets, despite persistent challenges in key sectors. Throughout the quarter, the automotive sector showed mixed performance, with an initial rise in passenger car registrations during October and November, followed by a decline in December. While export demand for automotive parts provided some stability, domestic production volumes remained subdued. Conversely, the construction sector continued to struggle, marked by declining activity, political uncertainties, and reduced new orders, which curbed ASA demand. However, easing cost pressures and improved inventory management by suppliers supported market stability. Supply conditions remained consistent, with manufacturers leveraging stable raw material availability and adjusting production schedules to align with demand. Logistical improvements, particularly in port operations, further streamlined delivery processes. Despite economic headwinds, supplier actions, including enhanced inventory strategies and cost optimization measures, contributed to the slight quarterly growth.Â