Polyester POY Prices Dip to 8,200 Yuan/Ton, Signaling Pressure on Chemical Fiber Chain

On July 3, 2026, polyester POY (150D/48F semi-dull) prices showed notable regional and brand divergence. Rongsheng Petrochemical quoted 8,200 yuan/ton, while Zhejiang Juxing Chemical Fiber quoted 8,050 yuan/ton, a spread of 150 yuan/ton. This gap directly reflects supply-demand imbalance—companies with different scales and cost control are using pricing strategies to compete for limited orders.

Behind the Price Divergence

From public industry data, 8,200 yuan/ton is near the lower end of POY's price range this year. In Q2, POY briefly rose to 8,500 yuan/ton on PTA price spikes but quickly retreated. The current decline is driven by two factors: first, continued capacity expansion in upstream PX and PTA has weakened cost support; second, downstream weaving mills are operating at reduced rates during the traditional off-season, purchasing only for immediate needs with little stocking intent.

Shaoxing and Hangzhou, core chemical fiber hubs in Zhejiang, often serve as bellwethers. Juxing's 8,050 yuan/ton quote likely reflects local small and medium mills' order shortages and price pressure. Rongsheng's 8,200 yuan/ton quote aims to maintain market price discipline, but buyers should watch for potential hidden discounts in actual transactions.

Transmission Effects Along the Chain

Weaker POY prices will directly compress profit margins for draw-texturing mills that convert POY to DTY. If POY stays low but DTY demand doesn't pick up, processing spreads will narrow. For weaving mills, lower POY costs seem beneficial, but if end-user apparel orders remain weak, lower input costs won't translate into profits—gray fabric prices may fall even faster.

Public data shows POY social inventories at medium-to-high levels. If downstream demand weakens further in July-August, some factories may cut prices to free up cash, pressuring the entire chemical fiber industry's profitability, especially for small producers with high financing costs and narrow product ranges.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Current POY prices are relatively low but still face downside risk. Adopt a 'small batch, frequent order' strategy to hedge against volatility. Avoid large stockpiles. - Monitor price moves of leading players like Rongsheng as trend indicators. Diversify sources by also considering smaller mills like Juxing to exploit regional price spreads. - Include price adjustment clauses in long-term contracts, such as linking to PTA futures, to mitigate raw material cost fluctuations.

For Exporters - When exporting POY or downstream products, watch RMB exchange rate impacts on price competitiveness. With weak domestic demand, boost exports to Southeast Asian and South Asian markets. - Use futures instruments for hedging to lock in processing margins, especially for forward orders, via POY or PTA futures. - When negotiating with overseas clients, emphasize that current POY prices are at yearly lows—an opportune time for long-term supply contracts with favorable terms.