At the end of July, the spandex market sent a key signal: cost support is weakening, but prices have not yet shown a clear decline. Zhejiang's Xiaoshao area, as a core hub for spandex production and trade in China, often serves as a bellwether for market trends. According to publicly available industry data, on July 29, the local spandex market operated steadily, with price ranges for the three mainstream specifications—20D, 30D, and 40D—standing at 31,000-33,000 yuan/ton, 31,000-32,000 yuan/ton, and 28,000-30,000 yuan/ton, respectively.
The Tug-of-War Between Cost and Demand
The core contradiction in the current spandex market lies in the tug-of-war between cost and demand. Weakness in upstream raw material prices has directly eroded cost support for spandex, as evidenced by recent trends in PTMEG and pure MDI markets. However, downstream weaving and garment enterprises are maintaining a rigid-demand procurement strategy, with no signs of large-scale stockpiling. This pattern of "falling costs, stable demand" has locked spandex prices into narrow fluctuations, lacking upward momentum but also avoiding deep downside risks.
Regional Industrial Cluster Reactions
The steady operation of the spandex market in the Xiaoshao area has direct implications for surrounding textile clusters. In Shaoxing and Yiwu, key bases for knitted and elastic fabric production, raw material procurement costs remain stable. However, the weakening cost support means that if demand fluctuates, the potential for price declines will widen. For enterprises producing elastic fabrics such as yoga wear and sports bras, this presents both risk and opportunity—the procurement window may be approaching.
Industry Significance of Price Ranges
Looking at specific price data, 20D spandex is quoted at 31,000-33,000 yuan/ton, 30D at 31,000-32,000 yuan/ton, and 40D at 28,000-30,000 yuan/ton. This price structure reveals two insights: first, the narrowing gap between fine-denier (20D) and medium-denier (30D) prices suggests a weakening premium for high-count products; second, 40D, as a general specification, occupies a lower price band, making it a cost-effective choice for downstream buyers. This price stratification will guide downstream enterprises to favor 40D specifications in product development to control costs.
Transmission Effects Upstream and Downstream
The stable spandex market means rising inventory pressure for upstream chemical fiber enterprises. If costs continue to weaken without demand picking up, producers' profit margins will be further compressed. For downstream garment brands and traders, the current price environment is favorable for locking in short-term procurement costs, but they must guard against the risk of inventory devaluation if raw material prices suddenly dip.