In mid-June 2026, the Haian nylon filament yarn market sent a clear signal of price weakness. POY 86D/24F was quoted at 13,700 CNY/ton, and DTY 70D/24F at 15,600 CNY/ton, both down from earlier levels, with actual transactions open to negotiation. This price movement is not an isolated case but the result of multiple factors resonating across the industrial chain.
The Underlying Logic of Price Weakness
From the cost side, the key raw material caprolactam has recently seen price declines, directly weakening cost support for POY and DTY. According to industry public data, the caprolactam spot market has fallen by about 2%-3% since early June, creating room for nylon filament yarn price reductions.
More critical is the demand-side shift. Haian, as a major production base for nylon filament yarn in China, often serves as a barometer for weaving activity in the East China region. Since the second quarter of 2026, operating rates of downstream water-jet looms and circular knitting machines have generally been lower than the same period last year, with grey fabric inventories accumulating. Weaving mills have become conservative in purchasing, adopting a "buy-as-needed" strategy and avoiding large stockpiles.
Industrial Belt Reactions and Inventory Cycles
The price adjustment by Haian Jiahe Chemical Fiber is essentially a proactive concession in response to insufficient orders. In the nylon filament yarn supply chain, POY, as an intermediate product, transmits price fluctuations quickly to DTY and FDY. The current spread between POY and DTY remains around 1,900 CNY/ton, within a reasonable range, but if POY weakens further, DTY processing margins will face compression.
Notably, FDY prices remained unchanged, with a neutral rating. This reflects divergent supply-demand structures across product specifications: FDY is mainly used in warp knitting and circular knitting, where downstream orders are relatively stable, while POY and DTY are more tied to water-jet weaving, which is more sensitive to fluctuations in apparel fabric orders.
From an inventory cycle perspective, finished product inventories at Haian nylon filament yarn companies have climbed to 20-25 days, an increase of about 5 days from the first quarter. To ease cash flow pressure, companies tend to cut prices to destock, further fueling bearish market sentiment.
Implications for Buyers and Exporters
The current weak price environment presents a phased opportunity for buyers, but they should be wary of the "buy on rising, not on falling" mentality. It is recommended to replenish stocks moderately after prices stabilize, based on their own order cycles, to avoid missing the low-price window due to continuous waiting.
For Buyers - Monitor caprolactam futures and spot price trends. If raw material prices show signs of a rebound, nylon filament yarn prices may follow suit, so consider locking in some orders in advance. - Prioritize suppliers from industrial clusters like Haian and Changle, leveraging intense regional competition to negotiate better terms. - Be cautious with DTY varieties, as their processing fees are already low; if POY rebounds, DTY prices may rise more sharply.
For Exporters - When quoting for export orders, reference current low prices to lower FOB offers for enhanced competitiveness, but include price adjustment clauses in contracts to hedge against raw material rebound risks. - Monitor the recovery of weaving capacity in Southeast Asia; if local operating rates pick up, it may divert demand for domestic nylon filament yarn, further suppressing prices. - Use the current window to sign quarterly framework agreements with suppliers, locking in relatively low price ranges in preparation for peak season inventory building in the second half of the year.
Short-term Outlook
Overall, nylon filament yarn prices are expected to remain under pressure in the short term. Unless caprolactam sees an unexpected production cut or downstream weaving orders experience an off-season rebound in summer, POY and DTY prices are likely to fluctuate narrowly around current levels. Industry participants are advised to maintain healthy cash flow to cope with potential further adjustments.