The water treatment filter media market is experiencing a rare period of calm. On June 28, 2026, the price of ordinary-grade fiber balls (diameters 30mm, 40mm, and 50mm) remained unchanged at 15,500 CNY/ton for several consecutive days, all delivered by Henan Kaijie Water Treatment Co., Ltd. in Zhengzhou. This price level has been stable since mid-June, reflecting a typical sideways pattern.
The Logic Behind Price Stagnation
The pricing of fiber balls is straightforward: raw material costs dominate, while processing fees are relatively fixed. The upstream polyester staple fiber (PSF) market has seen narrow fluctuations recently, with the PX-PTA-PSF chain lacking directional momentum. This has prevented any significant upward or downward shift in production costs. Meanwhile, the downstream water treatment sector has entered a traditional off-season, with municipal wastewater upgrade projects mostly in early design phases and industrial circulating water treatment orders scattered. Weak demand on both sides has naturally led to a price standoff.
Notably, the current price of 15,500 CNY/ton sits in the mid-to-low range of the past six months. In Q1 2026, post-holiday restocking briefly pushed fiber ball prices to 16,500 CNY/ton, but they have since retreated. Although this level is below the year's peak, it remains about 5% higher than the same period in 2025, indicating that cost support has not entirely vanished.
Regional Clusters and Competitive Dynamics
On the supply side, fiber ball production is heavily concentrated in Henan, Shandong, and Hebei provinces, with Gongyi and Zhengzhou in Henan being the largest clusters. Henan Kaijie, as a representative player, often sets the market tone. However, industry concentration is extremely low, with numerous small workshops scattered across regions that are highly sensitive to raw material prices. This fragmented supply structure means the current price stalemate is a game of "big players unwilling to cut, small players afraid to raise."
On the demand side, key applications include municipal wastewater treatment, industrial wastewater purification, and swimming pool circulation systems. Municipal projects have long procurement cycles and strict payment terms, while industrial clients prioritize cost-effectiveness and delivery speed. Currently, both segments are adopting a wait-and-see approach, placing only sporadic replenishment orders rather than bulk purchases.
Practical Implications for Buyers and Exporters
For domestic buyers, this sideways window offers a rare bargaining opportunity. Supplier inventories are accumulating, and some smaller factories have begun offering covert discounts without adjusting public quotes. It is advisable to adopt a "small batches, high frequency" strategy to test suppliers' bottom prices while monitoring PSF futures—if the raw material breaks down, fiber ball prices could drop by 200-300 CNY/ton.
For exporters, fiber ball sales face dual pressures. On one hand, local filter media capacity in Southeast Asia and South Asia is expanding, with Indian and Vietnamese products now priced 10%-15% below Chinese goods. On the other hand, volatile ocean freight and customs clearance delays further compress export margins. The current domestic price of 15,500 CNY/ton translates to approximately 1,950-2,000 USD/ton FOB, only about 5% lower than Southeast Asian competitors, narrowing China's competitive edge.