China butadiene market to face supply shortage

Source: Mysteel May 18, 2026 14:44

As of May 15, China butadiene prices stabilized near Yuan 12,650/t (OilChem). Upcoming maintenance at multiple domestic plants from late May to June and constrained naphtha supply due to Middle East talks breakdown are expected to tighten supply. Rigid demand is slowly rising, but downstream buyers resist high prices amid synthetic rubber market uncertainty, so OilChem forecasts slight near-term price increases with possible significant volatility.

According to OilChem data, as of May 15, China butadiene market prices stopped falling and moved in a volatile range during the week, gradually trading near Yuan 12,650/t. With the breakdown of current Middle East peace talks and a recent rise in domestic butadiene plant maintenance, the market's focus