Synthetic rubber markets received a fresh price signal from China during the first week of September. The company also increased the ex-factory price of styrene-butadiene rubber (SBR) by around RMB 400/tonne, with Qilu 1502/1502E quoted at approximately RMB 15,500/tonne on a tax-inclusive ex-factory basis. 

The development is relevant to India's non-tyre sector because synthetic rubber is widely used in industrial hoses, seals, gaskets, belts, footwear, automotive components, coated fabrics and engineered rubber products.

BR and SBR prices are influenced by upstream petrochemical feedstocks, particularly butadiene and styrene. Any sustained increase in Asian synthetic rubber prices can eventually affect import costs for Indian manufacturers.

For domestic processors, the movement reinforces the need to monitor international synthetic rubber quotations alongside natural rubber prices. A prolonged rise could increase the cost of finished non-tyre rubber products and put additional pressure on MSMEs already dealing with volatile raw material markets.