What this means: NBR pricing remains supported by butadiene and acrylonitrile costs despite muted buying. China finished September at approximately ¥8,400–9,000/MT, while Malaysia was about $1,200–1,300/MT and Thailand about $1,200–1,250/MT. Strong U.S. imports and longer rail dwell continue to create inland pressure, while fewer Cape diversions indicate more vessels are returning to the Suez route. U.S. diesel and LTL pricing remain significant transportation cost pressures.
China ended September at approximately ¥8,400–9,000/MT. Malaysia was approximately $1,200–1,300/MT and Thailand $1,200–1,250/MT.
Butadiene and acrylonitrile costs remain the core support for NBR latex quotations despite muted buying activity.
September U.S. container imports are forecast at 2.31 million TEU, up 9.6% year over year, while Los Angeles and Long Beach rail dwell reached 6.75 days in August.
U.S. average diesel is approximately $6.285/gal and the LTL Producer Price Index is up 19.6% year over year.
Market Signals to Monitor
The September 28 update shows firm NBR pricing supported by raw material costs despite muted buying, strong U.S. import demand, elevated inland rail dwell, fewer Cape diversions as routing shifts back toward the Suez, and continued U.S. transportation cost pressure.
China finished September at approximately ¥8,400–9,000/MT, Malaysia at $1,200–1,300/MT, and Thailand at $1,200–1,250/MT.
Butadiene and acrylonitrile costs remain the core support for NBR latex quotations.
September imports are forecast at 2.31 million TEU, up 9.6% year over year, while rail dwell at Los Angeles and Long Beach reached 6.75 days in August.
Higher diesel prices and tightening capacity continue to drive transportation cost pressure across both LTL and FTL.
NBR Latex Price Trend
July 13–September 28, 2026Latest Update Summary
September closes with firm NBR pricing, strong import demand, inland congestion pressure, fewer Cape diversions, and elevated U.S. transportation costs.
- NBR pricing: China ended September at approximately ¥8,400–9,000/MT; Malaysia at $1,200–1,300/MT; Thailand at $1,200–1,250/MT
- Feedstocks: Butadiene and acrylonitrile costs remain the core support for NBR latex quotations
- Buying activity: Buyers remain hesitant to place large forward orders amid an uncertain outlook
- Imports: September U.S. container imports are forecast at 2.31 million TEU, up 9.6% year over year
- Inland flow: Rail-destined container dwell at Los Angeles and Long Beach reached 6.75 days in August
- Routing: Cape diversions fell to a 30-month low as more vessels shifted back toward the Suez route
- U.S. transportation: U.S. average diesel is approximately $6.285/gal and the LTL Producer Price Index is up 19.6% year over year
Market Dynamics & Sea Freight
U.S. import demand remains strong. Inland rail congestion is creating pressure at Los Angeles and Long Beach, while a shift back toward the Suez route is reducing Cape of Good Hope diversions.
U.S. container ports are forecast to handle 2.31 million TEU in September, up 9.6% year over year. October is forecast at 2.11 million TEU, up 1.7%.
Rail-destined container dwell at Los Angeles and Long Beach reached 6.75 days in August, the longest level of the year.
Ships shifting back to the Suez route pushed Cape diversions to a 30-month low of 250 ships / 3.5 million TEU, versus 380 ships / 5.4 million TEU earlier this year.
Operational Outlook: Demand remains strong, inland congestion pressure persists, and routing normalization is reducing Cape diversions.
U.S. Transportation Market Update
Higher diesel prices and tightening capacity continue to drive transportation cost pressure across both LTL and FTL. Carrier comparison, shipment consolidation, and accurate shipment information remain important cost-control tools.
Diesel increased approximately $0.318 from the previous week and is up approximately $2.546 year over year.
West Coast diesel remains above the U.S. average, increasing transportation cost exposure for western lanes.
California diesel is the highest of the reported regional figures in the September update.
LTL prices increased 19.6% year over year in Q2 2026, the second-highest quarterly increase on record.
LTL Market
Higher fuel costs and tightening capacity continue to push LTL rates upward. Accurate weights, dimensions, and classifications remain important to avoid additional billing charges.
FTL Market
FTL pricing remains sensitive to fuel costs, lane conditions, and available capacity. Tightening truckload capacity continues to create upward pressure on linehaul rates.
Key Takeaway: Higher diesel prices and tightening capacity continue to drive transportation cost pressure across both LTL and FTL. Comparing carriers, consolidating shipments, and providing accurate shipment information can help manage freight costs.
Why Upstream Cost Signals Matter to Gloves
Nitrile gloves are connected to the petrochemical supply chain. Changes in crude oil, butadiene, acrylonitrile, and upstream petrochemical availability can move downstream into NBR pricing, glove manufacturing costs, and finished-product supply conditions.
Feedstocks support the pricing floor
Butadiene and acrylonitrile costs remain the core support for current NBR latex quotations.
Buying remains cautious
Buyers remain hesitant to place large forward orders amid an uncertain market outlook.
NBR remains firm
September NBR pricing remains supported by raw material costs despite muted buying activity.
Bottom line: NBR pricing remains supported by feedstock costs, while strong imports, inland congestion, routing changes, and elevated U.S. transportation costs mean buyers should continue monitoring the full supply chain rather than raw material pricing alone.
How Pressure Reaches Glove Users
Glove supply depends on more than finished goods inventory. Pressure can begin upstream and move through feedstocks, NBR production, manufacturing, ocean freight, inland transportation, and distribution before affecting end users.
Current Impact on Glove Planning
The September 28 update does not point to one isolated constraint. Buyers should consider how firm NBR pricing, feedstock support, strong import demand, inland congestion, routing changes, and elevated U.S. transportation costs work together.
NBR pricing remains firm
China finished September at approximately ¥8,400–9,000/MT, while Malaysia and Thailand remain above earlier summer levels.
Feedstock costs continue to support NBR
Butadiene and acrylonitrile remain important cost supports even while buyers remain cautious about large forward orders.
Import volume is creating inland pressure
Strong U.S. container volumes and longer rail dwell at Los Angeles and Long Beach can affect inland flow and timing.
U.S. transportation costs remain elevated
Higher diesel prices, tightening capacity, and increased LTL pricing continue to affect landed transportation costs.
Recommended Planning Actions
Use these actions to support glove continuity while NBR remains firm, imports stay strong, inland congestion persists, and U.S. transportation costs remain elevated.
Update forecasts
Review usage by SKU, site, department, and critical application so purchasing decisions reflect current demand and logistics conditions.
Review safety stock
Identify critical products where inland congestion, transportation costs, or changing transit conditions could create additional exposure.
Pre-approve alternatives
Validate acceptable backup gloves before availability, transit timing, or landed costs limit sourcing flexibility.
Talk to suppliers early
Ask about current NBR exposure, routing conditions, lead times, inventory planning, and landed transportation cost pressure.
Questions to Ask Your Glove Supplier
These questions help buyers translate current market signals into better sourcing and continuity decisions.
What is your current supply outlook?
Ask by product family and critical SKU, not only overall inventory.
Which costs are most exposed?
Understand NBR pricing, feedstock support, ocean freight, diesel, capacity, and inland transportation exposure.
What alternatives should we approve now?
Identify equivalent gloves before availability, transit timing, or landed costs become more restrictive.
Are lead times or routing options changing?
Confirm current ocean routing, inland congestion exposure, delivery windows, and any implications for your destinations.
Can you support allocation planning?
Ask whether critical products can be prioritized, scheduled, or forecasted in advance.
What should we decide this month?
Turn current raw material, freight, import, and transportation signals into specific sourcing and inventory actions.
How SW Helps Customers Stay Prepared
SW supports more resilient glove programs by helping customers evaluate products, plan ahead, and reduce reactive decision-making as market conditions change.
Assurance
Product quality, documentation, and reliable standards that support confident glove decisions.
Assistance
Guidance, product comparison, and support for evaluating acceptable alternatives and supply options.
Advantage
Market visibility, innovation, sustainability, and long-term value for stronger glove programs.
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