In the second quarter of 2026, the bulk textile raw material market experienced a rare 'fire and ice' scenario. According to industry public monitoring data, among 17 major bulk textile raw materials, only six recorded price increases. Spandex and viscose staple fiber led the gains with 12.66% and 7.74% respectively, while the remaining 11 all declined, each by more than 5%, dragging the sector's average change to -5.15%. This divergence is no coincidence but the result of capacity cycles, demand shifts, and cost transmission mechanisms working together.
Spandex and Viscose: Supply Contraction Meets Resilient Demand
Spandex prices rose 12.66% quarter-on-quarter and 21.09% year-on-year. This strength stems from a slowdown in new capacity expansion, the phase-out of older production lines, and sustained demand for stretch fabrics in sportswear, underwear, and seamless garments. Viscose staple fiber also performed well, up 7.74% QoQ and 9.06% YoY, driven by cost support from dissolving pulp and temporary supply tightness due to plant maintenance. Cotton yarn 21S and 32S posted modest gains of 2.33% and 1.44%, reflecting substitution effects as cotton prices rose 15.88% YoY.
Nylon and Polyester: Overcapacity and Weak Demand
In stark contrast, the nylon chain was the worst-performing segment. Nylon POY plunged 13.20%, nylon FDY fell 12.72%, and nylon DTY dropped 12.49%. Acrylonitrile, a key upstream feedstock, fell 12.89%. The core logic: massive capacity expansion in previous years has led to oversupply, while downstream demand from apparel and home textiles failed to keep pace. The polyester chain also suffered, with DTY, POY, FDY, and staple fiber all falling 10-12%. PTA, the main raw material for polyester, dropped 11.79%, confirming the linkage between feedstock and product prices.
Industry Impact: Profit Redistribution and Procurement Windows
This price divergence is reshaping profit distribution across the supply chain. Producers of spandex and viscose enjoy improved margins, while downstream weavers and garment makers face cost pressure. Conversely, falling nylon and polyester prices benefit buyers, but the expectation of further declines discourages inventory building, exacerbating upstream inventory woes. In key industrial clusters, Zhejiang spandex hubs see active procurement, while Shengze and Changxing polyester zones struggle with weak orders and high stocks.