Over the past year, nylon DTY prices have traced a wide-ranging trajectory: bottoming at 13,560 CNY/ton, peaking at 18,960 CNY/ton, with an amplitude of nearly 40%. As of September 1, 2026, the benchmark price settled at 16,740 CNY/ton, sitting near the midpoint of the annual range. Neither at a high nor a low, this level—combined with a 3.85% month-on-month gain from 16,120 CNY/ton—signals that the market is building fresh momentum.
Annual Volatility and Industrial Logic
Stretching from September 2025 to September 2026, the average price of nylon DTY stood at 15,311.20 CNY/ton, with a median of 16,260 CNY/ton. The current price is about 9.3% above the average but 2.9% below the median—a right-skewed distribution meaning high-price periods outnumbered low-price ones. For buyers, this implies a higher cost center and a narrowing window for bargain purchasing.
From a supply chain perspective, nylon DTY price movements are not isolated. Cost transmission from upstream caprolactam and nylon chips, combined with seasonal demand from downstream weaving and apparel orders, shapes the current price level. Notably, the gap to the top is 2,220 CNY, while the gap to the bottom is 3,180 CNY—an asymmetry that suggests divergent market expectations.
What the 3.85% Monthly Gain Means
A 3.85% monthly rise is not dramatic in nylon DTY's historical context, but its timing—early September, the traditional start of the peak textile season—amplifies its significance. Downstream fabric mills and apparel brands typically restock in this period for autumn/winter orders, and marginal demand improvements are easily magnified in price.
For upstream polymerization plants, the mid-range price means acceptable profit margins but no strong incentive for capacity expansion. For downstream weaving mills, raw material costs account for a significant share of production costs; a sustained 3.85% monthly increase would compress grey fabric margins, forcing adjustments in product mix or price hikes. This upstream-downstream tug-of-war is a classic feature of the textile cycle.
Drivers Behind the Rising Price Center
The annual statistics show a 3.85% increase from the same period last year (September 1, 2025), a moderate yet meaningful shift upward. Key drivers include: cost support from international crude oil fluctuations, recovering downstream demand, and enhanced pricing power of leading firms due to industry consolidation.
However, the mid-range position also signals risk. If peak-season demand disappoints, prices may revert toward the average; conversely, if costs push higher, prices could challenge 18,000 CNY/ton or beyond. For companies across the textile chain, rather than betting on a one-way market, it is wiser to establish flexible inventory management and hedging mechanisms.