The price of polyester FDY (150D/96F) on June 26, 2026, ranged from 8,500 to 8,750 RMB/ton, with a spread of 250 RMB/ton among different producers. This narrow fluctuation, under the low-profit norm in the chemical fiber industry, reflects the direct projection of profit distribution and regional competition dynamics along the supply chain.
Regional Competition Behind the Quotes
The daily price data clearly outlines the pricing differences between two major Zhejiang chemical fiber clusters. Companies in Hangzhou's Xiaoshan and Tongxiang areas, such as Rongsheng Petrochemical and Tongkun Group, quoted between 8,500 and 8,750 RMB/ton. In contrast, Shaoxing-based firms like Juxing Chemical Fiber, Tiansheng Chemical Fiber, and Jiabao New Fiber offered prices between 8,510 and 8,710 RMB/ton. Hangzhou's leading enterprises typically quoted 50-100 RMB/ton higher than their Shaoxing counterparts, reflecting differences in raw material procurement costs, energy prices, and customer structures.
What does this regional price gap mean for buyers? Focusing solely on the average price while ignoring geographic differences can lead to lost leverage in negotiations. Small and medium-sized chemical fiber plants in Shaoxing often offer more flexible pricing to secure orders, while large factories in Hangzhou maintain price rigidity through scale advantages and long-term contracts. Buyers should flexibly choose procurement regions based on their logistics costs and payment terms.
Dual Pressure from Costs and Demand
Current FDY prices are in the mid-to-low range of the past three years. On the cost side, PTA and MEG prices remained low in June, compressing polyester mills' cash flow profits to near breakeven. At an FDY selling price of 8,500 RMB/ton, after deducting raw material costs and processing fees, the per-ton profit for some small and medium enterprises is less than 200 RMB. This micro-profit status forces companies to reduce operating rates or shift to differentiated products.
Demand is also under pressure. Weaving mills' operating rates in June, a traditional off-season, generally fell to around 60%, especially in Xiaoshan-Shaoxing areas where plain grey fabric inventory is high. The front-loading effect of orders from apparel brands weakened in Q2, making intermediaries cautious about restocking, with a preference for small batches and multiple orders, further dampening FDY price momentum.
Structural Opportunities in Price Divergence
Notably, price divergence among FDY products of different specifications and qualities is intensifying. While this quote only covers 150D/96F semi-dull AA grade, the price spread between fine-denier FDY (e.g., 50D, 75D) and coarse-denier FDY (e.g., 300D, 600D) has widened from 500 RMB/ton at the start of the year to 800 RMB/ton. Fine-denier yarns, used in high-density fabrics and silk-like products, have relatively firm demand; coarse-denier yarns, mainly for bag fabrics and industrial base fabrics, are more affected by export order volatility.
This divergence suggests that when conventional product prices are stagnant, buyers should focus on the premium space for differentiated products. For instance, cationic dyeable FDY and flame-retardant FDY often have price movements independent of the conventional market and offer more stable profits.