Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin enters H2 2026 at approximately $1,750/tonne, up 4% year-over-year, as automotive and electronics demand grows 3.5%. Global ABS consumption is forecast at 8.5 Mt in 2026.
Automotive applications consume 35% of ABS production (interior trim, dashboards, consoles), electronics 30% (housings, enclosures), and appliances 20% (refrigerator liners, washing machine drums).
Styrene feedstock at $1,200/t and acrylonitrile at $1,400/t represent 75% of ABS production costs. The butadiene component (rubber phase) adds impact resistance and is priced at a premium to butadiene spot.
Chinese ABS imports are declining 5% as domestic capacity expands. LG Chem, Chi Mei, and Trinseo are the dominant global producers, with China-based capacity growing at 6% annually.
Price projections for H2 2026 cluster at $1,600-1,900/t.
ABS buyers should secure H2 requirements at $1,700-1,850/t through fixed contracts. Automotive and electronics demand provides structural support. For molders, consider ABS-PC blends for higher-performance applications. Budget $1,650-1,950/t for 2027.