Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (RABS) Price Trend and Forecast

RABS Regional Price Overview

Get the latest insights on price movement and trend analysis of Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS) in different regions across the world (Asia, Europe, North America, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa).

Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS) Price Trend for the First Half of 2025

In the first half of 2025, the price trend for recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS) followed a mixed pattern across global markets, reflecting the interplay between upstream cost movements, regional demand variations, and sustainability-driven procurement. In North America, rABS prices held firm throughout H1, supported by healthy downstream demand from the automotive and electronics sectors. A relatively balanced supply chain, along with stable virgin ABS pricing and consistent feedstock availability, helped maintain steady price levels for recycled variants.
 

Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (RABS) Price Chart

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In contrast, the Asia-Pacific region saw noticeable price pressure on rABS during H1, particularly in China. The region faced an oversupplied market due to high operating rates at production units and weak demand from key end-use sectors. Poor buying sentiment and high inventory levels further weighed down prices. Additionally, declining prices of virgin ABS—driven by falling feedstock costs and excess availability—narrowed the cost advantage of recycled grades, making price competition tougher for recyclers.

Europe experienced a short-term lift in rABS prices in early Q1, triggered by tight supply and feedstock constraints following force majeure events. However, by late Q2, prices began to level out as supply improved and virgin ABS prices adjusted downward. Still, steady procurement from electronics and household appliance manufacturers, coupled with growing sustainability mandates, helped cushion any major declines.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, rABS prices are expected to remain under moderate pressure, but demand for recycled materials is likely to improve, driven by tightening environmental regulations and corporate sustainability goals.
 

Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS) Price Trend for the Year 2024

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.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the rABS market may face continued pricing pressure in early 2025 unless demand rebounds meaningfully and supply constraints tighten. Environmental policies and circular economy goals could offer moderate long-term support.
 

Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (RABS) Price Trend for the Second Half of 2023

Just like its virgin counterpart the Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (RABS) is also very versatile in its application and possesses a good shelf life. It is one of the most commonly used plastics in a wide array of industries.  So, their price trend is usually dependent on the consumption patterns of the end-user industries. However, during the given period, since the consumption was rather lukewarm, the supplies drove the market sentiments.

A carefree approach regarding supplies cost the suppliers a little during this time. Since the demands wavered at the lower than usual levels, the prices also followed along. Even when the orders came in, the inventory levels easily catered to the demands and kept the prices low; further, the suppliers also cut down prices in hopes of positive product movement. Overall, an underwhelming market situation was witnessed for rABS in H2’23.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS) price trends are likely to stabilize going forward since the demand is expected to rise again.
 

Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene Price Trend for the First Half of 2023

Recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene is used in the production of several automotive parts, toys, sheets, and related products that require high resistance to impact. The price trend of recycled acrylonitrile butadiene styrene in Europe continued to fall in the first two quarters of 2023. Due to the persistently weak demand for recycled plastics brought on by the European economy's stagnation, as well as competition from cheaper off-spec virgin polymers and imported products, prices for recycled plastics are under significant pressure.

At the same time, despite many recyclers reducing output to prevent an accumulation of stockpiles, sluggish demand resulted in a surplus supply situation. This led to overall weak market sentiments, which affected not only the demand but also the related production activities, where investors seemed reluctant to invest in this sector.

Analyst Insight

According to Procurement Resource, the price of Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is expected to fluctuate amid weak market sentiments and high uncertainties in the economic sectors.

Procurement Resource provides latest prices of Recycled Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (rABS). Each price database is tied to a user-friendly graphing tool dating back to 2014, which provides a range of functionalities: configuration of price series over user defined time period; comparison of product movements across countries; customisation of price currencies and unit; extraction of price data as excel files to be used offline.