Throughout 2024, the Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS) market experienced a mix of price fluctuations shaped by regional dynamics, shifting demand patterns, and supply-side challenges. In the first half of the year, prices generally moved upward, driven by higher costs of raw materials and logistics.
Tight availability of recycled feedstock and rising crude oil prices added pressure. Demand from the automotive and appliance sectors, especially in Asia and South America, supported this upward trend, while Europe saw slow but steady gains amid stable downstream activity.
By the third quarter, pricing stabilized in North America and Europe as production costs eased and supply-demand balances leveled out. Meanwhile, South America began to feel the impact of oversupply and weaker demand, which slightly pulled rABS prices downward. Asia faced similar challenges with subdued export orders and high inventory levels, leading to price corrections in several regions.
In the final quarter, rABS prices trended downward across most regions. Falling feedstock costs, ongoing supply surpluses, and weaker end-of-year demand weighed on the market. Holiday season slowdowns, logistical issues at ports, and caution among buyers contributed to reduced purchasing activity. However, the automotive sector continued to offer some level of demand stability, especially in North America and South America.
