The multi-dimensional motivations behind the breakthrough of natural rubber prices and the transmission effect of the industrial chain
1. Supply and demand mismatch: the core logic of high natural rubber prices
(1) Seasonal supply contraction exacerbates market tension
Affected by the seasonal harvesting period in the main production areas of Southeast Asia, the natural rubber market generally faced inventory consumption pressure in the first quarter. Data show that global natural rubber production in January-March 2024 fell by 12.7% year-on-year, and the inventory turnover days in major production areas were shortened by 15-20 days compared with previous years. This cyclical supply gap was significantly amplified against the backdrop of continued expansion on the demand side, forming a typical seller's market pattern.
(2) The global manufacturing recovery has led to demand resonance
The global supply chain reconstruction process has accelerated in the post-epidemic era, coupled with the explosive growth of the new energy vehicle industry, driving the continued rise in demand for rubber products. According to statistics from the International Rubber Research Group (IRSG), global natural rubber consumption in Q1 2024 increased by 8.3% year-on-year, of which the Chinese market contributed 62% to the incremental demand. In particular, in the commercial vehicle tire market, driven by the recovery of the logistics industry, the full steel tire operating rate continued to remain at a high level of more than 78%.
2. Fluctuations in the industrial chain under the cost transmission mechanism
(1) The linkage effect of synthetic rubber prices is evident
As substitutes for each other, the price trend of synthetic rubber shows a significant positive correlation with natural rubber (the correlation coefficient is 0.89). The current price of styrene-butadiene rubber has exceeded 14,500 yuan/ton, and the price of butyl rubber has exceeded 15,000 yuan/ton. The cumulative increase of both in the year has exceeded 18%. Rubber product companies are facing double cost pressures, and the comprehensive cost of raw materials has increased by 23.6% compared with the same period last year.
(2) Transmission path of cost pressure in the tire industry
For typical passenger car tire manufacturers, natural rubber and synthetic rubber together account for 49% of production costs, and energy and labor costs account for 18% and 15% respectively. The current raw material price level has exceeded the peak in Q3 2023, forcing companies to launch a new round of price adjustment mechanisms. It is worth noting that leading companies have controlled the cost increase to 7-8% through long-term procurement and futures hedging, but small and medium-sized enterprises generally face a cost increase of 12-15%.
3. Structural changes in the tire market in 2025
(1) Alienation of consumer behavior in price transmission
The terminal market shows obvious K-shaped differentiation characteristics: high-end market consumers are less sensitive to the 3-5% moderate price adjustment of brands such as Michelin and Bridgestone, while the mid- and low-end markets show a super-elastic response to price fluctuations (the price elasticity coefficient reaches -1.2). JD platform data shows that the search volume of tire products in the price range of 200-500 yuan increased by 47% month-on-month, and cost performance has become the core decision-making factor.
(2) Industrial upgrading forces service innovation
Leading companies are using the combination of "product + service" to resolve the pressure of price increases: Michelin launched the "tread depth monitoring + safe driving training" value-added service, and Bridgestone developed a tire life cycle management system. This value creation model not only improves customer stickiness (NPS increased by 22 percentage points), but also shifts pure price competition to full life cycle service competition.
4. Market evolution trend and response strategies
(1) Analysis of short-term price support factors
Although the main production areas have started harvesting rubber since April, considering the maintenance cycle of rubber trees and climate uncertainty, there is a lag period of 3-6 months for supply recovery. Combined with the strengthening of commodity financial attributes brought about by the expectation of the Fed's interest rate cut, it is expected that the price of natural rubber in Q2 will remain in a high range of 16,500-18,500 yuan/ton.
(2) Suggestions for building resilience in the industrial chain
It is recommended that downstream companies adopt a dynamic procurement strategy, control the proportion of spot procurement to 40%-50%, and use option combination tools to hedge price risks. At the same time, accelerate the research and development of new material applications. The dandelion rubber tire launched by Linglong Tire has achieved a natural rubber substitution rate of 15%, providing a feasible technical path for the industry.
This paper reveals the complex impact mechanism of commodity price fluctuations on the real economy by constructing a three-dimensional analysis framework of "raw material fluctuations-industry transmission-market response". Against the dual background of global fossil energy transformation and manufacturing upgrading, the adaptive evolution of the rubber industry chain will become a key indicator for measuring industrial competitiveness.
