Nylon FDY prices are stuck in a prolonged bottoming process. According to industry data, the benchmark price on July 13, 2026 stood at 16,250 CNY/ton, down just 0.31% from the start of the month. However, the annual price has fallen sharply from a peak of 19,950 CNY/ton to the current mid-to-low range. The gap to the yearly low of 14,175 CNY/ton is only 2,075 CNY, while the distance to the yearly high is 3,700 CNY—indicating limited downside risk but equally insufficient upside momentum.
The Price Trap: Imbalance Between Supply and Demand
Over the past year, nylon FDY prices have followed a classic 'peak-to-trough' trajectory. From July 2025 to July 2026, prices slid from 19,950 CNY/ton to the current level, with an annual average of 15,626.30 CNY/ton. This decline is driven by two forces: overcapacity in upstream caprolactam and weak downstream textile demand.
On the cost side, caprolactam prices weakened throughout H1 2026, eroding support for nylon FDY. Meanwhile, weaving mills—especially small and medium enterprises in Jiangsu and Zhejiang—operated at low utilization rates due to insufficient orders. Procurement remained strictly need-based, with little speculative buying. This 'upstream concession, downstream wait-and-see' dynamic has locked prices in a narrow range.
Notably, the current price of 16,250 CNY/ton offers a 2,075 CNY premium over the yearly low but a 3,700 CNY discount from the high. This structure suggests significant rebound potential if demand recovers, but also the risk of further declines toward 14,000 CNY/ton if weakness persists.
Industry Ripple Effects: From Raw Materials to Weaving
The prolonged price slump is reshaping profit distribution across the value chain. Upstream caprolactam and polymerization plants face overcapacity, with some cutting operating rates to stabilize prices. Midstream nylon spinning mills are squeezed between low feedstock costs and falling product prices, compressing processing margins.
Downstream weaving clusters—such as Shengze and Changxing—have shifted to small-batch, frequent-order procurement to avoid inventory risk. Traders report a 15%-20% year-on-year decline in nylon FDY transaction volumes in Q2 2026, with inventory turnover extending beyond 30 days. This cautious stance further suppresses price recovery.
On the end-use side, demand from apparel remains concentrated in sportswear and outdoor gear, but brands are prioritizing cost-cutting in 2026, limiting acceptance of high-priced raw materials. Home textile demand is stable but insufficient to drive a broad rally.