Nylon POY prices have returned to a mid-range after a year of wide fluctuations. As of July 17, 2026, the benchmark price stood at 13,600 CNY/ton, down 0.37% from the start of the month but up about 20% from the low of 11,300 CNY/ton a year ago. This level sits at a fragile equilibrium between average production costs and downstream affordability.
Price Range and Market Signals
Over the past 12 months, nylon POY prices swung 5,650 CNY/ton—from a low of 11,300 in July 2025 to a high of 16,950 in late Q1 2026. The median of 14,125 CNY/ton is 525 CNY above the current price, indicating that high inventory from earlier peaks has not been fully digested. A daily gain of 0.74% suggests short-term momentum, but overall demand remains soft.
Notably, the current price is 3,350 CNY below the high but only 2,300 CNY above the low, creating an asymmetric risk profile: downside pressure is greater than upside potential. If raw material costs ease or end-user orders contract, nylon POY could quickly approach the lower bound. For apparel and home textile companies relying on nylon fabrics, this is not yet a safe locking window.
Cost Pass-Through and Industrial Cluster Reactions
Nylon POY's main raw material is caprolactam, which is influenced by crude oil and benzene prices. In H1 2026, oil fluctuated between $70-85/barrel, and cost pass-through was uneven—some polymerization plants cut output due to margin compression, tightening nylon POY supply. This supported the rebound from 11,300 CNY/ton but failed to push prices above the median.
In key clusters like Changle (Fujian) and Yiwu (Zhejiang), weaving utilization rates in June-July averaged 60-70%, below last year. Downstream circular and warp knitting mills report that domestic summer orders are winding down, while export orders are short and urgent, prompting a "buy-as-needed" strategy. This destocking behavior directly caps any price rebound.
Procurement Strategy in a Mid-Range Market
At 13,600 CNY/ton, prices are at the midpoint, but average production costs are estimated at 12,800-13,200 CNY/ton, leaving mills with thin margins and little room to cut further. However, downstream tolerance is also limited—if prices breach 14,000, many small weavers may switch to polyester or recycled nylon.
Looking ahead to H2, three variables matter: (1) the pace of new caprolactam capacity; (2) the timing of autumn/winter fabric orders; and (3) RMB exchange rate effects on export orders. Until these become clear, nylon POY is likely to trade sideways in the 13,000-14,000 range.