On June 26, 2026, the polyester staple fiber market presented a noteworthy price divergence: industrial fiber balls (30-50mm in diameter) held steady at 15,500 RMB/ton, while cotton-type staple fiber (1.56dtex×38mm) for spinning dropped to 7,250-7,330 RMB/ton, creating a spread exceeding 8,000 RMB/ton. This extreme polarization is no coincidence but a direct reflection of varying downstream industry health.
Industrial Fiber: Price Anchor on Rigid Demand
Industrial polyester staple fiber (fiber balls) is primarily used in water treatment and filtration. Its price has long stayed above 15,000 RMB/ton. Suppliers like Henan Kaijie quoted 15,500 RMB/ton uniformly for diameters of 30mm, 40mm, and 50mm, indicating balanced supply-demand dynamics. Procurement in water treatment and industrial filtration is rigid, driven by environmental policies, and less affected by textile market fluctuations.
From a value chain perspective, while both industrial and spinning fibers share the same polyester feedstock, their end-use differences create independent pricing logic. The water treatment sector's stable project investment cycle ensures steady demand, so suppliers have little incentive to cut prices for orders.
Spinning Staple Fiber: Squeezed by Costs and Demand
In stark contrast, the price of polyester staple fiber for spinning has fallen below 7,300 RMB/ton. The Yida brand 1.56dtex×38mm cotton-type fiber in Suqian, Jiangsu, dropped from 7,330 RMB/ton to 7,250 RMB/ton, a single-day decline of over 1%. This level is near the low point since late 2025, with no signs of stabilization.
- Apparel export orders saw seasonal declines at the end of Q2, especially weaker-than-expected restocking from European and U.S. markets, reducing yarn mills' buying appetite.
- Capacity utilization for melt direct spinning remains low, averaging around 65%, but inventory pressure continues to build.
- Recent slight declines in PTA prices have weakened cost support for staple fiber, with downstream buyers adopting a wait-and-see approach for lower prices.
Regional and Channel Insights: Suqian Quotes Reflect Real Industry Pressure
Notably, the quoted prices are concentrated in Suqian, Jiangsu, a key production and trading hub for polyester staple fiber. The drop from 7,330 to 7,250 RMB/ton signals two things: upstream factories are cutting prices to destock, and trader margins are squeezed, forcing supply chain firms to adjust procurement pace.
For weaving mills, current staple fiber prices are below the cash cost line for some small and medium enterprises, but large-scale production cuts have not yet occurred. This suggests prices may continue to test lower levels until inventory pressure triggers production cuts and price support.