European Market Sees Modest Rise in EPDM Rubber Prices Amid Depleting Inventories and Positive Automotive Demand

In the European market the price of the EPDM Rubber witnessed a modest rise as of mid-week of Oct. This rise in the EPDM Rubber price is primarily due to ongoing depleting inventories among the market participants due to which the surplus in the demand and supply resulted into the current price fluctuations this week. In addition to this the downstream Automobile sector witnessed a positive sales in Sept thereby influencing the demand of the EPDM Rubber. These factors have played a vital role in influencing the pricing dynamics of the EPDM Rubber in the European market.

In the European market, particularly in Germany, EPDM Rubber prices experienced a modest rise this week, alongside a continued decline in Ethylene and Propylene prices during the same period. From the industrial front, GEZOLAN AG introduced GEZOFLEX eco, the world’s first sustainable EPDM Rubber granules, designed for sports and leisure flooring. Composed of over 90% sustainable raw materials, these granules provide the same performance, look, and feel as conventional EPDM Rubber while emphasizing environmental responsibility. Additionally, the price rise was also influenced by increasing import costs from key manufacturers in South Korea. In the downstream automotive sector, vehicle sales reached 208,848 units in September, marking a 5.8% increase compared to August, though there was a 7.0% decrease year-on-year according to data from the KBA federal transport authority. On the other hand, Germany’s construction sector continues to face significant challenges, with a sharp drop-in activity and new orders, adding to growing concerns about future output, leading to accelerated job cuts. Meanwhile, declining inventories have led market participants to increase export prices, driving traders to engage in long build-up activities, which has further contributed to the slight increase in EPDM Rubber prices this week.

In the German market, the supply of EPDM Rubber remains constrained, with inventory levels depleting. However, the supply of Ethylene and Propylene is observed at higher levels. According to the Federal Statistical Office of Germany, imports of EPDM Rubber, non-conjugated, in primary forms or plates and sheets, amounted to 847 MT in July, reflecting a 3.1% decrease from the previous month. On the other hand, exports reached 4,815 MT, marking a 1.2% increase compared to the previous month.

According to ChemAnalyst's anticipation, EPDM Rubber prices are expected to exhibit a bullish trend in the upcoming sessions. This forecast in the EPDM Rubber price is primarily driven by the ongoing long buildup activities among market participants as they focus on inventory management to ensure stability in supply. Furthermore, the decrease in feedstock prices is not anticipated to significantly affect EPDM rubber prices. The anticipated supply deficits are expected to play a critical role in the projected price rise for EPDM Rubber in the near future.