Tyre makers' fourth price rise this year trails raw-material cost increases
In short
More than 80 tyre companies have issued over 100 price-increase letters since September, with most rises at 2% to 5% and some specifications up 6%. The reports say raw-material cost increases have outpaced increases in related product prices.
Read the full story 1 min read
By an incomplete count, more than 80 companies have issued over 100 price-increase letters since September, according to a report published on 22 October by CLS (财联社), Jiemian (界面新闻) and 36Kr (36氪). All three carried the same text, which is credited to Securities Daily (证券日报). The adjustments cover all-steel tyres, semi-steel tyres and engineering tyres. Most increases fall between 2% and 5%, and some specifications are up 6%. The report calls this the fourth round of price rises in the tyre industry this year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Zhu Hong (朱红), deputy secretary-general of the China Rubber Industry Association (中国橡胶工业协会), said that raw-material price rises in 2026 have hit the rubber industry. Natural rubber, synthetic rubber and carbon black, the three main raw materials, have risen in price together. Combined they account for more than 60% of tyre cost, and raw materials as a whole account for more than 70% of production cost. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
By the end of September, the raw-material cost indices for semi-steel tyres and all-steel tyres were each up about 25% year on year. The report adds that the rise in raw-material costs now outpaces the rise in selling prices of related products. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The reports say raw materials make up more than 70% of production cost and that their cost has risen faster than selling prices. The documents give no company-level earnings figures.
Key facts
- Since September, more than 80 companies have issued over 100 price-increase letters, by an incomplete count. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The increases cover all-steel tyres, semi-steel tyres and engineering tyres. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Most increases are between 2% and 5%, and some specifications are up 6%. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- This is the fourth round of tyre price rises this year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Natural rubber, synthetic rubber and carbon black together account for more than 60% of tyre cost, and raw materials as a whole for more than 70% of production cost. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- By the end of September the raw-material cost indices for semi-steel and all-steel tyres were each up about 25% year on year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Full extent of the price rises across the industry The count of companies and letters is described as incomplete, and the documents name no companies.
- Effect on company profits The headline says profits are under pressure, but the documents give no earnings figures for any company.
- Independent confirmation of the figures All three outlets carry identical text credited to Securities Daily (证券日报), so the figures come from a single original report.
- By an incomplete count, more than 80 companies have issued over 100 price-increase letters since September, mostly raising prices 2% to 5%, with some specifications up 6%. Reported by a single source so far
- Zhu Hong, deputy secretary-general of the China Rubber Industry Association, said raw-material price rises in 2026 have hit the rubber industry. Reported by a single source so far
- By the end of September the raw-material cost indices for semi-steel and all-steel tyres were each up about 25% year on year. Reported by a single source so far