Polyester Filament Prices Weaken: Changshu Market Signals Off-Season, Downstream Buyers Should Adjust Strategy

The polyester filament market is showing clear signs of weakening. According to the latest quotes from the Changshu market on June 28, prices for multiple conventional specifications, including FDY 100D/48F and DTY 75D/36F, dropped by 100 RMB/ton compared to June 25, while most specifications had remained stable in the previous two weeks. Trading volumes have simultaneously contracted, pushing the market into a typical off-season bargaining pattern.

Supply-Demand Logic Behind the Price Easing

The price adjustment is not across the board but concentrated in medium-to-coarse denier FDY (100D and above) and certain DTY varieties. Fine denier specifications such as FDY 68D/24F and 75D/36F remain steady at 9,200 RMB/ton and 9,000 RMB/ton, respectively. This divergence indicates structural weakness in downstream demand: weaving mills are reducing orders for medium-weight fabrics, while lightweight fabric orders still support fine denier yarn prices.

On the raw material side, polyester feedstock prices continue to trend weakly, with PTA and MEG markets lacking bullish catalysts. Lower feedstock costs directly undermine filament producers' willingness to hold prices firm. In Changshu, DTY 75D/36F fell from 10,300 to 10,200 RMB/ton, and DTY 100D/36F dropped by 100 RMB, reflecting compressed margins for texturing mills.

Notably, major producers like Rongsheng Petrochemical and Tongkun Group kept their FDY 68D/24F and 75D/36F quotes unchanged, while smaller mills such as Xiaoshan Shuangtu and Tiansheng Chemical have already cut prices on certain specifications. This suggests that large mills are still trying to stabilize the market early in the off-season, but smaller players are already offering discounts to maintain sales volumes.

Transmission Effects Upstream and Downstream

For weaving clusters around Changshu and neighboring areas, the price drop in polyester filaments means a temporary easing of fabric cost pressure. However, the key question is: how much further can prices fall? Historically, July and August are traditional off-months for textiles, as apparel brands slow down ordering, leading to gray fabric inventory buildup and lower loom utilization, which in turn reduces polyester filament purchases. With polyester feedstock showing no signs of reversal, filament prices are likely to decline further.

For chemical fiber plants, this price adjustment further squeezes processing margins for FDY and DTY. DTY mills are particularly pressured, as POY prices remain relatively firm while DTY selling prices drop. If the off-season lasts longer than expected, some small-to-medium texturing mills may be forced to cut production or shut down temporarily.

From a product mix perspective, bright yarn series prices remain flat overall, with FDY 75D/36F bright and 150D/84F bright holding at 8,700 RMB/ton and 8,400 RMB/ton, respectively. This indicates that demand from home textiles and lining applications is relatively stable, contrasting with the seasonal volatility of apparel fabrics.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Prioritize fine denier FDY varieties (e.g., 68D, 75D) for immediate procurement, as their price support is stronger and sharp declines are less likely in the near term. For medium-to-coarse denier specifications (100D and above), adopt a small-lot, multi-batch purchasing strategy to avoid bulk stocking during a downtrend. - Monitor PTA and MEG futures trends. If feedstock prices continue to fall, polyester filaments may have another 200-300 RMB/ton downside, allowing for better entry points. - For DTY varieties, especially 150D/144F, inventory is abundant and texturing mills are eager to sell. Leverage this to negotiate price discounts or longer payment terms.

For Foreign Trade Companies - The current price drop in polyester filaments helps reduce raw material costs for autumn/winter fabric export orders. However, keep an eye on currency fluctuations and shipping lead times to avoid quoting prices that lag behind market movements. - If export orders are mainly for fine-denier taffeta or pongee, lock in current fine denier FDY prices to prevent margin erosion from potential feedstock rebound. - Proactively offer optimized quotations based on current raw material costs to clients in the Middle East and Southeast Asia, using price advantages to secure new orders.