In the polyester staple fiber industry chain, fiber balls—a niche product within the water treatment filter media sector—often go unnoticed by the broader market. However, the latest quotation from Henan Kaijie Water Treatment Co., Ltd. on June 28, 2026, sends a clear signal: three mainstream specifications of fiber balls (30mm, 40mm, and 50mm diameter) are all priced at 15,500 RMB/ton, with no price differential.
This quotation is not an isolated case. According to industry public data, the price fluctuation of major domestic fiber ball producers over the past three months has not exceeded 2%. What does this mean? For buyers, the current market offers little room for negotiation; for factories, profit margins are locked within a narrow band.
Supply-Demand Weakness: The Logic Behind the Stalemate
The price anchor of fiber balls is tied to upstream raw materials. Polyester staple fiber is the main raw material, and since the second quarter of 2026, the polyester staple fiber market has exhibited a pattern of "stable costs, flat demand." PTA and ethylene glycol prices oscillated within a narrow range, and polyester staple fiber plant operating rates remained between 75% and 80%, with no large-scale production cuts or expansions. This stability at the raw material end directly transmitted to the production cost side of fiber balls.
On the demand side, the water treatment industry has entered its traditional off-season. Industrial water treatment projects are mostly in construction or acceptance phases by mid-year, with limited new procurement needs. The municipal sewage treatment sector also lacks explosive growth points. Henan Kaijie's quotation precisely reflects this dual weakness in supply and demand—no upward price momentum, no downward pressure.
Regional Industrial Belt Reactions: Henan Is Not the Only Bellwether
Henan Kaijie is located in Henan Province, an important base for fiber ball production. Cities like Zhengzhou, Xinxiang, and Luoyang host a cluster of water treatment filter media enterprises, and their quotations serve as a reference for the central China market. However, it is important to note that the pricing systems for fiber balls in Hebei, Shandong, and Jiangsu differ from those in Henan. In the Shijiazhuang area of Hebei, fiber ball companies are mostly small and medium-sized, offering greater price flexibility, with some quoting as low as 14,800 RMB/ton for 50mm diameter fiber balls.
This regional price gap reflects differences in production capacity structure and customer base. Henan Kaijie positions itself in the mid-to-high-end industrial client segment, with higher product quality and stability, thus maintaining firmer pricing. In contrast, Hebei companies serve more small and medium-sized water treatment projects, where price competition is fiercer.
Impact on Buyers and Foreign Trade Enterprises
The current price stalemate calls for different strategic approaches from various market participants. Buyers should watch for: if environmental policies tighten in Q3, with stricter industrial wastewater discharge standards, demand for fiber balls could spike, pushing prices above the 15,500 RMB/ton equilibrium. Conversely, if downstream operating rates remain sluggish, some small and medium enterprises may cut prices to free up cash.
For foreign trade enterprises, attention should be paid to exchange rate fluctuations and changes in export tax rebate policies. Fiber ball exports mainly target Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where water treatment infrastructure is accelerating. In the first half of 2026, China's fiber ball export volume grew by about 8% year-on-year, but the average export price edged down 1.5%, indicating rising price sensitivity among overseas customers.