Plastic, Silicone, Steel, and Others: Updated China Raw Materials Costs (late May ’26)

Sofeast’s team continues to monitor the cost evolution of key raw materials in China, helping importers and manufacturers stay informed.

This latest update from the market analysts we work with reflects changes (RMB costs and %) over the past year through May 27, 2026. (Click the charts to expand them)

Monthly China Raw Material Cost Changes – May 2026

Copper (电解铜) – Monthly Change: +1.45%

Copper prices increased slightly over the month, although the latest weekly movement was weaker.

• Drivers
  Copper prices moved up and then pulled back. Refined copper rod orders improved slightly, helped by limited recycled copper rod production and some recovery in downstream demand.
• Outlook (next week)
  Operating rates for refined copper rods are expected to remain broadly stable. Copper prices may still have room to fall, which could release more downstream demand.

ABS (AG-15E1 宁波台化) – Monthly Change: -8.55%

ABS prices fell sharply in May, and trading activity remained slow.

• Drivers
  Sellers faced pressure to move larger volumes, which pushed prices downward. Weak market transactions also reduced support for price stability.
• Outlook (next week)
  The supply and demand structure remains weak, so ABS prices may continue to face downward pressure.

Silicone (110) – Monthly Change: 0%

Silicone prices were flat month on month, but the market weakened during the latest week.

• Drivers
  The price of raw material DMC moved lower, reducing cost-side support for 110 synthetic rubber. Downstream buyers remained cautious and many delayed purchases while waiting for further raw material price declines.
• Outlook (next week)
  Both cost-side and demand-side support look weak, so silicone rubber prices may face further downside risk.

Zinc Alloy (Zamak 5) – Monthly Change: +2.93%

Zinc alloy prices rose in May, supported by firmer electrolytic zinc prices.

• Drivers
  Electrolytic zinc prices first fell and then recovered, lifting the average price. Supply-side disruptions continued to support higher price levels.
• Outlook (next week)
  Maintenance activity should be watched closely. Zinc prices look more likely to rise than fall in the near term.

Aluminum Alloy (ADC 12, Jiangsu) – Monthly Change: -0.65%

Aluminum alloy prices were slightly lower month on month, despite a small increase in the latest week.

• Drivers
  Aluminum prices dropped and then rebounded. Fundamentals continued to improve, but the macro environment remained cautious and sentiment was volatile.
• Outlook (next week)
  Fundamentals may continue to improve, but sentiment-driven volatility could increase. Aluminum prices may come under pressure before rebounding.

Paper for Color Box (157 g, Double-Coated) – Monthly Change: -2.06%

Double copper paper prices continued to trend downward in May.

• Drivers
  Large mills generally maintained normal production, keeping supply loose. Distributor sales were weak, and many reduced prices to stimulate orders. Downstream demand remained soft, while lower imported wood pulp prices weakened cost support.
• Outlook (next week)
  The supply-demand imbalance remains, so prices are expected to continue trending downward.

Stainless Steel (304/2B 0.4 mm, Taiyuan) – Monthly Change: +1.93%

Stainless steel prices increased moderately month on month, although the latest weekly change was almost flat.

• Drivers
  Spot prices fell and then rebounded, leaving the market weakly stable overall. Buyers became more cautious, and wait-and-see sentiment increased.
• Outlook (next week)
  Fundamentals remain under pressure, but market participants are still cautious. Prices may stay broadly stable unless demand or sentiment changes significantly.

Battery Materials (Lithium Cobalt Oxides) – Monthly Change: -0.17%

Battery material prices fell in May after several months of elevated levels.

• Drivers
  Cathode materials generally declined. Lithium iron phosphate precursor supply remained stable, while ternary precursor supply and demand were relatively loose. Demand for lithium iron phosphate picked up in energy storage and improved slightly in power batteries, but weaker cobalt salt prices and changing expectations in the recycling market weighed on prices.
• Outlook (next month’s orders)
  Prices may remain volatile. Demand in some battery segments has improved, but weaker cobalt-related inputs and looser supply in some precursor markets may continue to limit price support.

How to combat rising costs?

Explore cost-reducing tips in this post: Rising Raw Material Prices: What Strategy To Follow? (6 Approaches).

What to do if your Chinese supplier suddenly tells you that material costs have risen: How To Cooperate With Your Chinese Supplier, Part 16: Bad News from China, Raw Material Prices Just Increased!

If your supplier just isn’t working out, maybe sourcing a new supplier will help you find one who can offer you better prices and more. If so, there’s no need to fear switching from your current supplier to a new one if you’re prepared: How To Switch To A Newer, Better Chinese Manufacturer? [eBook].

We hope this is helpful. Our mission at Sofeast is to provide importers with transparency in their supply chain and to give them greater control. And this information is crucial for gaining visibility into your manufacturer’s costing.

By the way, you can always contact us if you have any questions about whether a manufacturer’s quote is reasonable or not.