The benchmark price of nylon POY settled at 13,600 CNY per ton on July 17, 2026. This figure, while seemingly unremarkable, reflects a volatile trajectory over the past year, swinging from a low of 11,300 CNY to a high of 16,950 CNY. For the textile industry, this price is more than a label—it mirrors complex interplay among raw material costs, capacity dynamics, and final demand.
Mid-Level Price Signals Supply-Demand Tug-of-War
The current price sits at the median of the annual range, neither near the bottom nor the top. The annual statistics reveal a peak-to-trough difference of 3,350 CNY and a trough-to-peak of 2,300 CNY, meaning a fluctuation of over 5,600 CNY in 12 months. For weaving mills reliant on nylon POY, such volatility disrupts cost budgeting and order planning.
Notably, while the price on July 17 was 0.37% lower than at the start of the month, the daily increase was 0.74%. This short-term contradiction suggests a tug-of-war in the market. On one hand, caprolactam, the main raw material, has seen slight corrections due to fluctuations in international crude oil and benzene prices. On the other, operating rates in downstream nylon yarn and gray fabric sectors have not kept pace, slowing POY consumption.
Disruption in Cost Transmission and Downstream Caution
Moving beyond the price itself, the cost transmission mechanism along the supply chain is the more critical signal. Nylon POY prices are essentially determined by the pricing power of caprolactam upstream and the acceptance level of weaving mills downstream. Current data shows the POY price is in the mid-range, but end-product fabric prices have not adjusted proportionally, squeezing margins in the weaving segment.
For small and medium-sized weaving mills in clusters like Shengze and Changle, the current price level is neither an ideal time to stock up nor a point to stop purchasing entirely. Industry insiders note that when POY prices fluctuate within the 13,000-14,000 CNY range, procurement decisions hinge on order certainty and delivery timelines. The current trend of small-batch, frequent foreign orders encourages just-in-time buying rather than building inventory.
Key Variables for Future Trends
Looking ahead, nylon POY price direction will depend on three core factors. First, whether international oil prices continue to support the cost of benzene and caprolactam. Second, the pace of new nylon spinning capacity additions in China—planned capacity for 2026 is about 150,000-200,000 tons, which could pressure prices if concentrated. Third, the strength of consumer recovery in end-use apparel and home textiles, especially the pull from e-commerce promotional seasons.
Historical data shows the average price of 12,833.61 CNY is about 6% above the annual mean, indicating an upward shift in the first half. However, considering inventory cycles, prices are likely to oscillate within the 13,000-14,000 CNY range in the coming three months, requiring strong external drivers to break out.