Over 60 Tire Enterprises Raise Prices as Rubber Hits 9-Year High(Oct 10)

Over 60 Tire Enterprises Raise Prices as Rubber Hits 9-Year High

Since the beginning of 2026, rubber prices have continued to rise. As of the close of trading on October 8, the Shanghai Futures Exchange rubber main contract price stood at RMB 20,145/ton, with a cumulative year-to-date increase of over 28%, reaching a nine-year high. Tires are the largest downstream product of natural rubber, and the rise in raw material prices directly affects the cost and profitability of the tire industry.

60+ Enterprises Issue 70+ Price Increase Notices

According to statistics, since September, over 60 tire enterprises have collectively issued more than 70 price increase notices, covering all categories including all-steel tires, semi-steel tires, and engineering tires, with adjustment ranges generally between 2% and 5%. During the National Day holiday alone, over 20 enterprises adjusted prices, with 9 companies implementing second-round increases within a short period.

This Year's Fourth Round of Collective Price Increases

This is already the fourth round of collective price increases this year. The first round was announced in March and effective from April 1, with increases of 2% to 5%. In mid-to-late April, Zhongce Rubber Group issued notices for a second round. The third round came in the summer, and now the fourth round has arrived in the fall season.

Raw Material Costs Drive Price Hikes

Raw materials account for over 70% of tire production costs, with natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and carbon black as the three core raw materials collectively accounting for over 60%. According to Longzhong Information data, as of the end of September, the raw material cost indices for semi-steel and all-steel tires both showed year-on-year increases of approximately 25%. Business community data shows that on October 1, the carbon black benchmark price reached RMB 11,692.86/ton, up 59.74% year-on-year and hitting a six-year high. Butadiene rubber and styrene-butadiene rubber increased by 39% and 36% year-on-year respectively.

Companies Respond

Jiangsu General Technology stated in its price adjustment letter: "The prices of main raw materials including natural rubber, synthetic rubber, and carbon black have continued to rise sharply, leading to a dramatic increase in tire manufacturing costs." Guizhou Tire raised prices across its entire product range by 3% to 5% effective September 17. Shandong Linglong Tire issued two notices, raising domestic retail prices for all-steel and semi-steel tires by 3% to 5%.

Industry Outlook

Thanks to the continued expansion of domestic new energy vehicles in overseas markets, the tire industry is focusing on the high-end supporting market, offsetting raw material cost uncertainties by enhancing product value and building technology barriers. With both cost and demand pressures, "going overseas" has become the common choice for industry chain enterprises. Leading tire companies with overseas bases and capacity additions are showing stronger operational resilience.

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