Udeesha Tomar
AVP - Strategy and Solutions
Leading procurement research solutions across chemicals, materials, and food & beverages, with expertise in price forecasting and market analytics.
Polyisobutylene Price Trend Analysis 2026: Supply Demand Analysis, Latest News, Historical Prices, Price Drivers & Market Insights
Written ByUdeesha Tomar
Polyisobutylene Price Trend H1 2025
Asia
In Asia, especially China, the Polyisobutylene market faced bearish conditions through most of H1’25. January saw modest gains due to pre-Lunar New Year stocking and higher feedstock costs. However, from February onward, prices declined as isobutylene and crude oil costs dropped sharply.
Demand from downstream sectors like fuel additives and lubricants remained weak post-holiday, and trading stayed cautious. March brought slight improvement in exports, but not enough to shift sentiment. In Q2, April and May continued the soft tone with limited demand and stable inventories. By June, warmer weather supported lubricant demand slightly, helping stabilize prices, though overall sentiment remained muted.
Europe
The European PIB market started H1 on a strong note, with January prices rising due to high crude oil costs and port disruptions. Despite moderate downstream demand, supply constraints pushed prices up. This reversed in February and March as costs eased and inventories improved.
In Q2, demand stayed lukewarm, particularly from rubber and adhesive sectors. April and May saw suppliers lowering offers amid stable operations and weak procurement. June brought minor restocking, but the overall tone remained cautious due to subdued market activity and steady supply.
North America
North America showed more stability. January began firm, supported by cold-weather logistics issues and healthy demand from fuel additives. In February and March, prices softened slightly as production normalized and crude costs dipped. Q2 was marked by balanced supply and demand. April and May showed cautious buying, while June remained flat with steady procurement from lubricants and rubber sectors.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, the PIB market may see modest recovery if downstream demand improves, but macroeconomic concerns and cost-side pressures are likely to keep sentiment cautious in the near term.
Related Report
Need Latest Polyisobutylene Prices?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Our Clients
Procurement Resource Database
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
Asia
In Asia, the Polyisobutylene (PIB) market in Q4’24 was impacted by a combination of fluctuating feedstock prices and softer demand from key downstream industries. The Chinese market, a major consumer of PIB, faced a slower pace of demand, particularly from sectors like automotive and lubricants, which were affected by high inventory levels and cautious market sentiment.
Despite a slight recovery in some regions, supply remained stable as producers were adjusting operations based on demand forecasts. The propylene market, which is a crucial feedstock for PIB production, experienced volatility, influencing the overall PIB price trend. Industrial buyers in Asia adopted a conservative purchasing approach, further limiting price increases.
Europe
In Europe, the Polyisobutylene market showed a relatively stable but slightly bearish sentiment throughout Q4’24. The automotive sector, a key end-user of PIB, witnessed moderate growth, driven by seasonal factors, but demand from other sectors remained weak. The general industrial slowdown, exacerbated by rising energy costs and logistical disruptions, further pressured the PIB market.
Producers were focused on managing inventories efficiently while responding to fluctuations in propylene prices, which directly impacted PIB production costs. While the Butyl Rubber and lubricant sectors continued to use PIB in their formulations, the overall demand in Europe remained subdued, with only gradual price movements observed.
North America
In North America, the PIB market mirrored trends observed in other regions, with a downward pressure on prices driven by higher inventory levels and cautious demand. The U.S. automotive industry, although showing signs of growth in vehicle sales, did not see a corresponding increase in PIB consumption.
The lubricants and fuel additives industries, which are significant PIB consumers, were also slower in their procurement activities due to economic uncertainties and high stock levels. Propylene prices fluctuated, affecting PIB production costs, but overall, the market remained under pressure as suppliers reduced their production rates in response to the slower demand. The PIB market in North America was characterized by a cautious outlook heading into the end of the year.
About Polyisobutylene
Polyisobutylene is produced using isobutylene as monomer and has high resistance to moisture, chemicals, and UV light. Due to its excellent properties, it is employed in various industrial applications. The polymer also has high thermal stability, low permeability of gas and good electrical insulation. These properties are then well exploited in the automotive, adhesives, sealants, and cosmetics industries.
Polyisobutylene Product Detail
HS Code
390220
Chemical Formula
(C4H8)n
CAS Number
9003-27-4
Industrial Uses
Tire industry, Cosmetics, Electronics, Food packaging, Fuel and lubricant additives
Synonyms
Isobutylene polymer
Supplier Database
BASF SE, Daelim Co Ltd, TPC Group, INEOS, Kothari Petrochemicals, Braskem, ENEOS Corporation, Zhejiang Shunda New Material Co Ltd
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
Polyisobutylene Production Processes
The polymerization of isobutylene monomer occurs in the presence of a catalyst at a specific temperature and pressure via cationic polymerization pathway to give polyisobutylene polymer as the final product.
Frequently Asked Questions
Crude oil and isobutylene feedstock costs are the primary price driver across key regions: higher costs push prices up, while sharp drops drive broad declines. Downstream demand from fuel additives, lubricants, rubber and adhesive sectors caps recovery when weak. Port disruptions can tighten spot supply and lift prices in Europe, while cold-weather logistics issues can support firmness in North America. Seasonal lubricant demand, such as warmer weather in Asia, can mildly lift demand and help stabilize prices.
Production is concentrated among BASF, Daelim Industrial, ExxonMobil, ENEOS, TPC Group, INEOS, and Shandong Hongrui New Material. Key consuming regions span Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America, where automotive, lubricant, and packaging sectors drive demand. This concentration among a limited set of producers underscores supply security considerations for procurement managers.
The polyisobutylene value chain begins with crude oil and natural gas derivatives processed in refineries and petrochemical plants to produce isobutylene, the primary feedstock. Isobutylene is then polymerized with a small proportion of isoprene via cationic polymerization at low temperature to yield polyisobutylene resin. The finished polymer serves automotive (tire inner liners, hoses), adhesives and sealants, lubricant and fuel additives, food packaging, chewing gum, cosmetics, and aerospace applications. Key market drivers include crude oil price movements, automotive production levels, and demand from the adhesives and lubricants sectors.
The tire and rubber sector drives demand through PIB's use as a blend modifier. Adhesives and sealants consume it for impermeability, while fuel additives and lubricants rely on it to prevent engine deposits. The food and confectionery industry uses PIB in chewing gum, and cosmetics incorporate it as a binder. Electronics and food packaging are smaller but notable consumers. When these sectors expand, procurement tightens and prices face upward pressure; when they soften, as with weak fuel additives and lubricants demand, bearish sentiment prevails.
Procurement Resource assesses polyisobutylene prices through a structured, data-driven methodology combining primary engagement with producers, suppliers and traders, secondary market data, monitoring of feedstock and input costs, trade-flow and inventory tracking, and exchange or spot benchmarks. These inputs are validated and translated into a transparent price assessment and outlook. The detailed methodology is available on the Procurement Resource website.
The polyisobutylene current outlook is cautious, with recovery possible if downstream demand improves. Macroeconomic concerns and cost-side pressures keep sentiment subdued across regions. In Asia, bearish conditions have prevailed as isobutylene and crude oil costs fell and fuel additive and lubricant demand remained weak, though warmer weather offers stabilization. Europe has shifted from strength to softness as costs eased and inventories rebuilt, with rubber and adhesive demand lukewarm. North America remains stable, supported by lubricant and fuel additive procurement. Sustained recovery depends on firmer downstream buying, feedstock costs, and inventory drawdowns.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
About the Author
Schedule A Demo
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply–demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Why Procurement Database
Commodity Market Intelligence
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Price Forecasts & Market Outlooks
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Cost & Procurement Optimization
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Global & Regional Market Insights
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
1/4