- Global silicone rubber prices increased in Q2’26 as producers maintained firm offers due to controlled supply, higher production costs and reduced inventories.
- Feedstock pressure came from tighter silicone DMC availability, along with higher crude oil, naphtha, energy and logistics costs that supported price revisions.
- Demand remained stronger in EVs, electronics and speciality applications, while conventional automotive, construction and solar markets showed mixed performance.
Asia
Silicone rubber prices in China increased to ~RMB 14.95/kg and ~RMB 15.26/kg, respectively, in the first two months of second quarter if 2026, showing a ~2.1% increase during the said period. Prices were supported by controlled production, lower inventories and firm producer offers, with Chinese plants operating at around 60%–65% capacity. Industry inventories declined significantly, tightening silicone rubber and intermediate availability. Silicone DMC prices strengthened in April as producers limited output and temporarily restricted sales. Shin-Etsu Chemical revised silicone product prices from May 1 due to higher crude oil, naphtha, energy, packaging and logistics costs. Demand support came from rubber and plastic products, electronic equipment and new-energy vehicle production. However, lower solar-cell output and a slight decline in total motor vehicle production limited broader demand growth.
Europe
Silicone rubber prices in Germany increased to ~EUR 1.97/kg in April and ~EUR 2.01/kg in the subsequent month, showing a ~2.0% increase. European markets faced supplier-led price pressure as Elkem and Shin-Etsu announced silicone price revisions. Higher chemical intermediates, energy, transportation, labour and maintenance costs supported upward adjustments. Automotive demand remained supportive, with EU new-car registrations rising 4% during January–May 2026 and 950,521 battery-electric vehicles registered during the period. Construction demand remained uneven, with euro-area building construction declining 5.2% year over year in April, while civil engineering increased 4.4%.
North America
Silicone rubber prices in the United States increased to ~USD 2,276.10/MT in the first month of Q2’26 and ~USD 2,374.19/MT in the following month, showing a ~4.3% increase. Producer price revisions, driven by raw material, energy and logistics costs, supported the increase. U.S. vehicle assembly remained stable at 10.61 million units in April and 10.63 million units in May. Construction spending rose 0.4% month over month in April, while private non-residential construction declined 0.2%. Overall, the silicone rubber price curve showed a slight uptrend during Q2 pf 2026.