Nylon DTY prices are undergoing their second notable correction of the year. According to industry public data as of June 5, the benchmark price of nylon DTY stood at 16,040 RMB/ton, down 3.61% from the beginning of the month and 1.11% on a single-day basis. This price has fallen below the mid-point of the one-year range, dropping nearly 3,000 RMB/ton from the annual high of 18,960 RMB/ton, a decline of over 15%.
Price Trends and Cyclical Characteristics
Looking at the annual statistical interval (June 5, 2025, to June 5, 2026), the price range for nylon DTY is 13,560-18,960 RMB/ton, with a median of 16,260 RMB/ton. The current price of 16,040 RMB/ton is already below the median, indicating that the market has shifted from a relatively strong pattern in the first half of the year to a weak range. Notably, the current price still carries an 18% premium over the annual low of 13,560 RMB/ton, suggesting the industry has not yet entered an absolute low-price zone, but the downward channel is open.
The pace of the price decline is noteworthy. Since the beginning of 2026, nylon DTY prices have gradually declined from 16,640 RMB/ton at the start of the year, accelerating below the 16,000 mark in early June. This stepwise decline, rather than a sharp sell-off, reflects a slowdown in downstream purchasing and passive inventory accumulation, rather than panic selling.
Industry Transmission and Supply-Demand Logic
The weakening of nylon DTY prices is driven by simultaneous pressure upstream and downstream. Upstream caprolactam and chip prices have been declining steadily in Q2, significantly weakening cost support. More critically, downstream demand—weaving cluster capacity utilization in Jiangsu and Zhejiang has fallen below 65% since May, about 5 percentage points lower year-on-year. Gray fabric inventory days generally exceed 35 days, with terminal apparel brand orders dominated by short-run, small-lot orders, lacking sustained restocking momentum.
This means buyers of nylon DTY—weaving mills and texturizing plants—currently have no intention to build inventory. They prefer just-in-time purchasing, maintaining raw material inventory at 7-10 days of safety stock, rather than the traditional 15-20 days. This shift in procurement strategy directly reduces the circulation of nylon DTY, transferring inventory pressure from traders to factories.
Price Expectations and Operational Window
From the annual statistics, the current price has a top-end gap of -2,920 RMB/ton and a bottom-end gap of 2,480 RMB/ton, indicating ample price elasticity. If downstream demand weakens further during the traditional off-season in July-August, prices may test the 15,000-15,500 RMB/ton range. However, given the upcoming caprolactam plant maintenance season, there is potential for a short-term rebound in raw materials, limiting the scope for further deep declines in nylon DTY.
For buyers, the current price is in the lower mid-range but not an absolute bottom. A phased procurement strategy is recommended, with increased purchasing near the 15,000 RMB/ton level. For foreign trade companies, the combination of RMB exchange rate volatility and overseas order uncertainty necessitates vigilance against the risk of forward contracts if nylon DTY prices rebound.