Nylon FDY Prices Fluctuate in Low Range: Over 5,700 Yuan/Ton Swing in a Year Intensifies Supply Chain Pressure

The benchmark price of nylon FDY stood at 16,250 yuan per ton on July 20, 2026, down 0.31% from the start of the month. While this figure may seem unremarkable, placing it within the context of the past year reveals the tug-of-war unfolding in the chemical fiber industry.

Price Coordinates: The Logic Behind Mid-to-Low Range Trading

From July 20, 2025, to July 20, 2026, nylon FDY prices traced a steep trajectory. The low touched 14,175 yuan per ton, while the high reached 19,950 yuan per ton—a spread of 5,775 yuan. The current quote of 16,250 yuan falls in the mid-to-low range of this price arc: about 603 yuan above the full-year average of 15,646.99 yuan, but still 3,700 yuan below the peak.

What does this price pattern mean? For chemical fiber traders, every inventory replenishment decision over the past year has felt like a gamble. The low-price zone near 14,175 yuan per ton in the second half of 2025 was a buying opportunity, but the rapid surge to nearly 20,000 yuan per ton caught hoarders off guard. Entering 2026, prices have gradually retreated to the mid-to-low range, shifting market sentiment from euphoria to caution.

More telling is the zero daily change—prices did not move on July 20. This is not a sign of market calm but rather a temporary standoff between buyers and sellers at the 16,250 yuan level. Upstream caprolactam suppliers are reluctant to concede further, while downstream weaving mills refuse to chase higher prices amid weak end-order demand.

Industry Impact: Caught Between Costs and Demand

Nylon FDY price fluctuations directly impact the fabric sector. For nylon fabric clusters in Shengze and Changxing, raw material costs account for 60%-70% of total production costs. A raw material swing of over 5,700 yuan per ton in one year means fabric mills can hardly lock in profits when taking orders.

During the price surge late last year, some mills were forced to sign floating-price contracts with customers, partially transferring raw material risk. But as nylon FDY prices fell in Q2 2026, those who purchased at above 18,000 yuan per ton now face inventory depreciation. A nylon fabric trader in Shaoxing reports that downstream brand buyers have shortened procurement cycles to 15-20 days, rarely keeping more than a month's worth of raw material stock.

From a broader perspective, the price center of gravity for nylon FDY is shifting downward. The full-year average of 15,646.99 yuan per ton represents a noticeable decline from 2024 levels. This correlates with upstream caprolactam capacity expansion and rising industry operating rates. Industry data shows that domestic caprolactam added approximately 400,000 tons of new capacity in the first half of 2026, loosening supply and weakening cost support for nylon.

Practical Recommendations

For Buyers - At 16,250 yuan per ton, the current level is in the mid-to-low range but not necessarily the bottom. Consider phased purchasing rather than large single orders, using the annual average of 15,600 yuan as a safety margin. - Negotiate short-term floating-price contracts (monthly or quarterly adjustments) with suppliers to keep price risk within acceptable limits. - Monitor caprolactam prices closely. If caprolactam falls below 11,000 yuan per ton, nylon FDY will likely drop below 15,000 yuan per ton.

For Exporters - When quoting export orders, limit the price lock-in period for nylon FDY to 30 days or less to avoid losses from raw material volatility. - Prioritize long-term orders (3+ months) and consider incorporating raw material price adjustment clauses in contracts, referencing public industry price indices. - Explore Southeast Asian markets. With current nylon FDY prices at a global mid-to-low level, there is a competitive advantage over textile-exporting countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh, making market expansion in these regions worthwhile.