1,1,3,5-Tetramethyl-3-P-Tolylindan

Nitrile Market Intelligence, Analysis, and Forecast

I. Market Intelligence

1. Price Trends
- Nitrile Rubber: Nitrile rubber prices have recently exhibited a high-to-low correction trend. On June 1, the reference price stood at RMB 19,000.00/ton; by June 22, it had declined to RMB 16,950.00/ton—a decrease of 10.79%. Between June 1 and June 22, nitrile rubber prices underwent multiple downward adjustments, reflecting mounting market pressure.
- Nitrile Gloves: Nitrile glove prices surged rapidly in early 2026, rebounding from year-start lows. By end-May, the mainstream export price for standard medical-grade nitrile gloves had risen from USD 12–14 per thousand pieces at the beginning of the year to USD 23–27 per thousand pieces—an increase approaching 100%. However, entering June, nitrile glove prices faced downward pressure amid falling raw material costs and softening demand.

2. Raw Material Costs
- Butadiene and Acrylonitrile: As primary feedstocks for both nitrile rubber and nitrile gloves, butadiene and acrylonitrile prices have recently declined. Butadiene prices retreated from their April highs, weakening cost support for both nitrile rubber and nitrile gloves.
- Nitrile Latex: As the direct raw material for nitrile gloves, nitrile latex prices have also trended downward. Since June, nitrile latex market quotations have continued to decline, offering limited cost support for nitrile glove pricing.

3. Supply-Demand Dynamics
- Supply Side: Domestic production capacity utilization for nitrile rubber and nitrile gloves has increased moderately; however, overall supply remains constrained by raw material costs and demand conditions. Some nitrile rubber producers—e.g., Ningbo Shunze—adjusted their ex-factory prices downward in June to respond to evolving market conditions.
- Demand Side: Downstream glove traders hold bearish sentiment, adopting cautious purchasing behavior and slowing order placement, thereby exerting downward pressure on nitrile glove transaction prices. Meanwhile, overseas markets—including healthcare and food processing sectors in Europe and North America—are entering their traditional procurement peak season; coupled with persistently low inventories abroad, this provides moderate demand support for nitrile gloves.

4. Industry Developments
- Capacity Expansion: Leading domestic nitrile glove manufacturers are accelerating overseas expansion, commissioning new nitrile glove production lines in Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Thailand, and other countries—creating fresh growth opportunities for the nitrile latex market.
- Export Performance: From January to August 2025, China’s total nitrile latex supply reached 598,900 tons, while exports totaled 43,100 tons—a significant year-on-year increase. Going forward, China’s nitrile latex export volume is expected to maintain an upward trajectory.

II. Analysis and Assessment

1. Intensifying Downward Price Pressure
- With declining raw material costs and moderating demand, both nitrile rubber and nitrile glove prices face substantial downward pressure. In particular, the nitrile glove market—having just experienced a sharp price surge—requires time to absorb high-priced inventory and rebalance supply-demand dynamics.

2. Supply-Demand Equilibrium Emerging
- Although supply of nitrile rubber and nitrile gloves has increased, downstream demand recovery remains sluggish, resulting in a gradual convergence toward supply-demand equilibrium. Over the near term, market prices are likely to fluctuate around the cost floor.

3. Overseas Demand Provides Support
- Robust overseas demand—especially from European and U.S. healthcare and food-processing industries—continues to underpin nitrile glove pricing. With low overseas inventory levels, end customers may increase procurement to replenish stock.

III. Forecast

1. Short-Term Outlook (June–August)
- Price Trend: Nitrile rubber and nitrile glove prices are expected to remain volatile at relatively high levels, though downward pressure will prevail. Prices are likely to oscillate near the cost floor, with little prospect of substantial upside movement.
- Supply-Demand Balance: The market will trend toward equilibrium: supply-side capacity utilization remains stable, while demand recovers slowly yet steadily.

2. Medium- to Long-Term Outlook (Q4 2026–early 2027)
- Price Trend: As newly commissioned domestic petrochemical facilities come online and raw material costs continue easing gradually, nitrile rubber and nitrile glove prices are projected to stabilize from current elevated levels and ease modestly. Nevertheless, prices will remain above historical mid-levels compared to 2025.
- Supply-Demand Balance: Supply-demand conditions are expected to remain relatively stable: supply-side capacity will expand incrementally but at a restrained pace, while demand sustains steady growth, supported by resilient overseas markets.