The benchmark price of nylon FDY settled at 17,000 CNY/ton in early September 2026, a 3.03% increase from the previous month. While the gain appears modest, it has pushed the price to the midpoint of the yearly range, with a 2,950 CNY gap to the peak and a 2,825 CNY cushion above the trough. This upward shift in the price center indicates structural changes in the supply-demand balance over the past year, not merely seasonal fluctuations.
Market Context
Over the past 12 months (September 2025 to September 2026), nylon FDY prices ranged from a low of 14,175 CNY/ton to a high of 19,950 CNY/ton, with an annual average of 15,845.56 CNY/ton. The current price sits about 7.3% above that average, signaling a departure from the low-end trading zone. Notably, the daily change was zero, suggesting short-term stability, but the long-term trend line is clearly pointing upward.
This price level reflects the pass-through of raw material costs, particularly caprolactam, which has strengthened over the same period, squeezing margins in the polymerization segment and prompting upstream producers to raise offers. Meanwhile, downstream demand from weaving and warp knitting has proven resilient, especially in sportswear, outdoor gear, and underwear, providing solid support for nylon filament prices.
Industry Impact
The upward shift has different implications across the value chain. For upstream polymerization plants, the 17,000 CNY/ton FDY price offers an opportunity to repair margins, but they must guard against inventory devaluation if raw material costs fluctuate. Downstream weavers face higher input costs, and if they cannot pass these on to end customers, their processing margins may compress.
In key industrial clusters such as Changle in Fujian and Yiwu in Zhejiang, operating rates remain high, but new capacity additions are limited, reflecting supply-side discipline. This 'tight balance' makes prices prone to rise but limits upside potential. Given the 19% amplitude over the year (14,175-19,950), the current midpoint price is more likely to act as a fluctuation center in the coming months rather than a trend reversal point.
For foreign trade companies, stable FDY prices facilitate quotation calculations, but exchange rate movements and shipping costs remain variables. If the RMB appreciates, export profits in USD terms will be diluted; conversely, depreciation aids exports. Additionally, the recovery of Southeast Asian textile capacity may divert some orders, but domestic nylon products' differentiation advantages (e.g., high-tenacity, fine-denier) remain competitive.