16,120 RMB/ton—that is the benchmark price of nylon DTY as of July 27, 2026, up 1.77% from the beginning of the month. At first glance, this increase seems modest, but when placed within the full-year price range of 13,560 RMB/ton to 18,960 RMB/ton, it sits at the middle-lower level. This positioning suggests that nylon DTY has entered a box-trading phase with clear upper and lower boundaries, rather than trending in either direction decisively.
Cost Side: The Anchoring Effect of Caprolactam
The primary driver behind the recent price uptick in nylon DTY is the sustained strength of caprolactam, its key upstream raw material. Since the second quarter of 2026, caprolactam prices have been rising, fueled by high benzene costs and planned maintenance shutdowns at several plants. The cost pass-through to DTY typically takes two to three weeks, so the early-July price hike reflects a concentrated release of earlier cost pressures. Notably, the spread between DTY and caprolactam has narrowed to multi-year lows, severely compressing margins in the spinning segment and strengthening mills' willingness to support prices.
Demand Side: The Resonance of Weaving Operating Rates and Restocking
Looking downstream, July is not traditionally a peak season for weaving, but this year saw a wave of phased restocking. Three factors drove this: first, some autumn/winter fabric orders were placed earlier than usual; second, companies with low raw material inventories were forced to replenish; third, export demand for differentiated nylon products remained stable. However, the sustainability of this restocking is questionable—final apparel consumption has not shown a substantive recovery, and brand orders remain characterized by small batches and multiple releases, which cannot sustain a unilateral price rally.
Price Outlook: Mid-Range Volatility, Direction Depends on Inventory Destocking
Balancing supply and demand, the TexCircle editorial team believes nylon DTY prices are likely to oscillate within the 16,000-16,500 RMB/ton range. An upward breakout requires two conditions to be met simultaneously: further increases in caprolactam prices and a significant expansion in downstream orders. Downward pressure would depend on the accumulation of industry inventories—currently at moderate levels. If weavers shift from restocking to destocking after completing their replenishment, prices will face headwinds. The August-September period, when autumn/winter fabric preparation typically occurs, will be a key observation window.
Signals from Annual Data
Over the past year, nylon DTY prices have rebounded from a low of 13,560 RMB/ton to the current 16,120 RMB/ton, representing an amplitude of 18.9%. While this is less dramatic than the volatility seen in 2021-2022, it is significantly higher than the narrow range of 2023-2024. Expanding amplitude often signals intensified competition across the supply chain: upstream raw material suppliers try to pass on costs, midstream spinning mills struggle between protecting margins and market share, and downstream weavers hedge risks by adjusting their purchasing rhythm.