合成橡胶维持震荡整理格局

Core Viewpoint - The geopolitical risk premium in crude oil has rapidly diminished due to the easing of the Israel-Iran conflict, leading to a collective decline in the prices of energy chemical products, including synthetic rubber [1][2]. Group 1: Cost Support Weakening - The main raw materials for synthetic rubber are butadiene and styrene, both derived from the oil refining process. Butadiene accounts for 95% of the cost structure of polybutadiene rubber, while it constitutes about 70% and styrene about 30% in styrene-butadiene rubber [2]. - Following the outbreak of the Israel-Iran conflict, crude oil prices experienced significant volatility, with domestic SC crude oil futures rising approximately 22% [2]. - The announcement of a temporary ceasefire between Iran and Israel has led to a rapid decline in the crude oil geopolitical risk premium, resulting in a significant weakening of cost support for synthetic rubber [2]. Group 2: Production and Supply Dynamics - Recent data indicates a slight recovery in the production of polybutadiene rubber, with upstream theoretical production profits rising to 2,101 yuan per ton, an increase of 167 yuan per ton month-on-month [3]. - The operating rate of domestic polybutadiene rubber facilities in East and South China has slightly increased, contributing to a rise in production and capacity utilization [3]. - As of the week ending June 27, the capacity utilization rate for the polybutadiene rubber industry in China was 68.54%, up by 2.22 percentage points, with weekly production reaching 27,500 tons, an increase of 3.34% [3]. Group 3: Demand from Tire Industry - The primary downstream application for polybutadiene rubber is the tire industry, with approximately 2.16 kg used per full steel tire and 0.9 kg per semi-steel tire [4]. - As summer approaches, the automotive market enters a consumption lull, leading to a slowdown in tire procurement by manufacturers. Consequently, the capacity utilization rate for semi-steel tire manufacturers decreased by 1.14 percentage points to 70.40%, while full steel tire manufacturers saw a slight increase of 0.84 percentage points to 62.23% [4]. - The increase in finished tire inventory and the decline in capacity utilization have negatively impacted the demand for polybutadiene rubber [4].