15,800 yuan per ton—that's the benchmark price of Nylon DTY on July 20, 2026. In the context of the past year's price trajectory, this figure neither surprises nor disappoints, yet it perfectly captures the true nature of the chemical fiber market: mid-range oscillation with resilience but limited volatility.
Price Coordinates: What the Mid-Range Signals
According to China Customs data and industry monitoring platforms, Nylon DTY prices over the past 12 months have ranged between 13,560 and 18,960 yuan per ton, with a median of 16,260 yuan. The current price of 15,800 yuan sits about 2.8% below the median. For buyers, this is neither a historic low nor a warning signal—the gap to the year's high is 3,160 yuan, while the gap to the low is only 2,240 yuan, suggesting limited downside risk and more notable upside potential.
Within the month, the price has slipped only 40 yuan from 15,840 to 15,800 yuan, a decline of 0.25%. Such micro-fluctuations have become the norm in recent months, with daily volatility typically under 0.5%. This reflects a collective consensus across the supply chain that current price levels are reasonable—caprolactam supply is stable, spinning capacity utilization hovers around 70%, and downstream weaving and garment orders show no signs of a surge.
Industry Transmission: Demand Validation from Raw Materials to End-Users
The sideways movement of Nylon DTY prices essentially reflects compressed margins in the midstream of the chemical fiber chain. Upstream caprolactam prices have been stuck in a narrow range of 11,000-12,000 yuan per ton in the first half of 2026, offering no directional guidance on costs. Downstream—especially nylon weaving clusters in Jiangsu and Zhejiang—remains cautious about accepting higher raw material prices. Water-jet loom utilization in Shengze and Changxing stayed around 65% during the traditional June-July off-season, with no significant restocking activity.
This "neither high nor low" state is the most challenging for traders and mills: hoarding risks losses, while clearing risks missing a rally. But from another perspective, a mid-range oscillation provides stable cost expectations for long-term contract customers. For brands and large apparel companies, now is the window to lock in costs for second-half autumn/winter fabric procurement.