ABS: Feedstocks
Three monomers, three sets of price swings
What this tab covers What it is made from and what it feeds: the raw materials and energy per tonne with their share of cost (linked to the commodity table), who is low-cost and why, and the chemicals made from it.ABS is made from three monomers, so it inherits the price swings of styrene, acrylonitrile and butadiene. Monomers are about 80% of cash cost. Producers that own all three monomer units, such as Chinese refinery complexes, and Korean producers with captive butadiene and acrylonitrile, sit low on the cost curve.
Inputs per tonne
| Input | Quantity per tonne | Role | Share of cost | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Styrene (chemical tile: styrene) | about 0.55-0.60 t (indicative) | rigid matrix, gloss and flow | about 50% of cash cost (indicative) | indicative; price $1,030/t Asia, 2 Mar 2026 (S&P Global via styrene tile) |
| Acrylonitrile (chemical tile: acrylonitrile) | about 0.20-0.25 t (indicative) | chemical and heat resistance | about 20% (indicative) | indicative; $1.01-1.04/kg FOB China and CFR South Asia, 18 Feb 2026 (Alchempro via acrylonitrile tile) |
| Butadiene (chemical tile: butadiene) | about 0.15-0.20 t (indicative) | rubber phase for impact strength | about 15-20% (indicative) | indicative; $1,095/t CFR China, 8 Sep 2025 (S&P Global Platts via butadiene tile) |
| Oil Crude oil | indirect | ultimate source of all three monomers | included above | indicative |
| Gas Natural gas | indirect | nitrogen source and energy | energy about 5% (indicative) | indicative |
Who is low-cost, and why
Integrated Chinese complexes (ZPC, Hengli-type refineries) and Korean producers with captive monomers are lowest cost. Non-integrated converters in Southeast Asia and India that buy all three monomers on the spot market are mid to high cost. European producers sit at the top because their monomers come from naphtha crackers.