In the second week of July 2026, the textile commodity price index revealed a clear divergence: upstream raw materials strengthened while downstream products faced pressure. PTA led the rally with a 2.25% weekly gain and a 21.80% year-on-year increase, while acrylonitrile plunged 4.20%, the biggest loser. This divergence reflects a deeper shift in profit distribution along the textile industrial chain.
PTA Strength: Cost Push and Supply-Demand Dynamics
PTA prices rose from 5,780.66 yuan/ton to 5,910.50 yuan/ton, up 2.25%. Industry data shows PTA's year-on-year gain reached 21.80%, far exceeding other chemical fiber varieties. This is driven by persistently high PX prices and supply tightening due to maintenance at some PTA plants. For downstream polyester producers, rising PTA costs directly erode margins, as polyester filament varieties—FDY, DTY, and POY—fell 1.68%, 1.28%, and 0.77% respectively. This creates a 'raw material up, finished product down' scissors effect, squeezing polyester sector profits.
Acrylonitrile Plunge: Capacity Release Meets Weak Demand
Acrylonitrile dropped from 9,533.33 yuan/ton to 9,133.33 yuan/ton, a 4.20% decline, the largest in the sector. Despite a 15.61% year-on-year increase, the sharp weekly drop signals oversupply. Acrylonitrile is mainly used in acrylic fiber, ABS resin, and carbon fiber. Downstream demand, especially from the acrylic fiber industry, is weak due to low operating rates, while new capacity has come online. This imbalance is unlikely to reverse soon, suggesting further downside for acrylonitrile prices.
Cotton Yarn and Polyester Staple Fiber: Modest Recovery with Structural Opportunities
Cotton yarn 32S and 21S rose 0.61% and 0.28% respectively, while polyester staple fiber gained 0.95%. Although modest, these gains align with PTA's upward trend. Cotton yarn prices are supported by high cotton costs (down 0.92% weekly but up 16.48% year-on-year) and slightly improved restocking by weaving mills. However, demand is not booming; the rise is cost-push rather than demand-pull. Polyester staple fiber, as a direct PTA derivative, lags in price appreciation, indicating limited bargaining power.
Nylon and Polyester Filament: Inventory Pressure Drives Price Correction
Nylon FDY, DTY, and POY fell 0.31%, 0.38%, and 0.92% respectively, while polyester FDY and DTY dropped 1.68% and 1.28%. These declines contrast with rising upstream raw material costs, primarily due to cautious buying by downstream fabric and apparel manufacturers and slow inventory digestion. Polyester filament, in particular, faces overcapacity, and terminal demand has been dampened by volatile overseas orders. Short-term pressure on polyester filament prices is expected to persist.
Viscose and Spandex: High-Level Stalemate Awaiting Direction
Viscose staple fiber and spandex prices were flat this week, but year-on-year gains stand at 9.06% and 21.09% respectively. Spandex remains at historical highs, supported by MDI and PTMEG costs and stable demand for stretch fabrics. Viscose is in a supply-demand equilibrium. Future trends will depend on substitution effects with cotton and the recovery of textile and apparel consumption.