Polyester POY Prices Soften: Regional Spread Widens for 150D/48F Semi-Dull, Downstream Procurement Window May Open

Polyester POY (150D/48F semi-dull) spot prices showed divergence in early July 2026. Rongsheng Petrochemical quoted 8,200 RMB/ton in Hangzhou, while Zhejiang Juxing Chemical Fiber offered 8,050 RMB/ton in Shaoxing—a spread of 150 RMB/ton, rare in the past two months. For downstream weaving mills closely tracking raw material costs, this signals a potential pricing inflection.

Regional Spread: Supply-Demand Dynamics

The 150 RMB/ton gap is not a simple case of one producer raising prices while another cuts. Rongsheng, an integrated PTA-polyester leader, anchors its quote to upstream cost—with PTA prices still firm, 8,200 RMB/ton reflects cost support. In contrast, Juxing, a mid-sized regional player, prices closer to Shaoxing’s market reality. Shaoxing, one of China’s largest chemical fiber weaving clusters, has seen some mills reduce operating rates recently, dampening POY buying appetite and forcing sellers to offer discounts to maintain cash flow.

This spread reveals a mismatch: large mills price based on cost logic, while downstream clusters negotiate based on order reality. When the gap exceeds 100 RMB/ton, history suggests POY prices typically converge downward by 100-300 RMB/ton over the following 2-4 weeks.

Impact on Weaving and Trading

For weaving mills in Jiangsu-Zhejiang, the 8,050 RMB/ton Shaoxing quote approaches a psychological buying threshold. If sustained or dipping below 8,000 RMB/ton, restocking may be triggered. However, export orders remain small-batch and multi-lot, limiting bulk buying. Traders have grown cautious, shifting from proprietary to agent procurement to avoid inventory risk.

Downstream, the 150D/48F grade feeds regular polyester taffeta and pongee fabrics, where processing margins have shrunk to 0.5-1.0 RMB/meter. Any POY price move directly erodes fabric profits, making mills prefer destocking over immediate replenishment, which in turn delays POY price recovery.

Window for Export Orders

For polyester fabric exporters, current POY weakness may lower greige fabric costs in 1-2 months. Yet overseas clients are equally quick to react to price data. If POY continues to fall, clients may demand renegotiation or delay orders. It is advisable to include raw material price fluctuation clauses in contracts or use monthly average pricing to lock in reasonable margins.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - Prioritize Shaoxing POY at 8,050 RMB/ton or below; if spread widens to over 200 RMB/ton, consider increasing purchase volumes. - Monitor major mills like Rongsheng; a drop below 8,100 RMB/ton signals a market bottom, triggering concentrated restocking. - Switch from weekly to ten-day procurement cycles to capture short-term price lows.

For Exporters - Use current POY prices as a cost baseline and negotiate floating price clauses with clients to protect margins if raw materials rebound. - Watch for anti-dumping investigations in target markets, as sustained low POY prices may provoke trade remedy actions. - Hedge POY price exposure via futures, especially for export orders covering more than three months.