Nylon DTY prices have been hovering around 15,800 CNY/ton for over a month, with both upstream and downstream players waiting for a clear directional signal.
Current Price Status: Mid-Range Stalemate
According to industry data from July 17, 2026, the benchmark price of nylon DTY stood at 15,800 CNY/ton, down just 40 CNY or 0.25% from the start of the month. This price sits squarely in the middle of the past year's trading range—the median value is 16,260 CNY/ton, with the current price deviating by only 2.8%.
Over the past 12 months, nylon DTY prices have fluctuated between 13,560 and 18,960 CNY/ton, representing an amplitude of 5,400 CNY. The current price is 3,160 CNY below the year's high and 2,240 CNY above the low. This indicates that the market is neither poised for a rebound nor under pressure to approach previous highs—a classic equilibrium state.
For buyers, this sideways pattern means ample procurement windows without the urgency of a rapid price surge, but also without the incentive to stockpile at low prices.
Industrial Transmission: Cost-Side as Key Variable
The cost transmission chain for nylon DTY is clear: caprolactam → nylon chips → nylon POY → nylon DTY. Currently, caprolactam operating rates remain above 80%, with ample market supply and persistently weak pricing, directly capping the pricing space across the nylon chain.
Downstream feedback indicates that weaving mills in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang region are operating at around 60% capacity, with end-use garment orders dominated by just-in-time replenishment rather than large-scale orders. Fabric traders report that customers are highly price-sensitive, and nylon products' price advantage over polyester and cotton is not pronounced, with substitution effects marginally increasing.
A noteworthy signal: the annual average price of nylon DTY is 15,076.94 CNY/ton, meaning the current price of 15,800 CNY/ton sits about 4.8% above the average. This suggests the market is not universally weak but rather has structural support—mainly from niche demand in outdoor sportswear and yoga apparel.
Supply-Demand Dynamics: Short-Term Range-Bound
The core contradiction in the current nylon DTY market is: insufficient cost support on the supply side, but resilience in specific demand segments. This contradiction makes it difficult for prices to fall further or rise significantly.
From an inventory cycle perspective, visible industry inventory is at moderate levels, but invisible inventory—especially speculative holdings by traders—is low. This means that if cost-side fluctuations occur, price elasticity could be significant. The biggest uncertainties come from international crude oil price volatility's impact on caprolactam costs and the pace of end-consumer confidence recovery.