Nylon POY prices are caught in a typical 'sandwich' tug-of-war. As of July 7, 2026, public industry data showed the benchmark price at 13,625 yuan/ton, down just 0.18% from the start of the month at 13,650 yuan/ton. This marginal move belies a volatile 12-month range of 11,300 to 16,950 yuan/ton, with the current price sitting near the midpoint, lacking both downside support and upside momentum.
Price Characteristics: Mid-Range Drift, No Clear Direction
Annual statistics from July 2025 to July 2026 reveal a full cycle from a low of 11,300 yuan/ton to a high of 16,950 yuan/ton, with an average of 12,803.42 yuan/ton. At 13,625 yuan/ton, the current price is about 6.4% above the average but remains 3,325 yuan/ton below the peak and 2,325 yuan/ton above the trough. This 'neither here nor there' pattern directly reflects the stalemate between upstream and downstream players.
Notably, the daily price change was zero, indicating a lack of near-term catalysts. The typical nylon chain transmission—caprolactam price moves to chip costs to POY quotes—has stalled as caprolactam itself trades in a narrow range, offering no clear signal to POY.
Cost vs. Demand: Who Breaks First?
On the cost side, caprolactam, the main raw material for nylon POY, remains relatively high, providing rigid support. However, downstream weaving and garment factories are cautious with procurement, especially during the traditional summer low season. Orders are mostly samples and small lots; bulk restocking has yet to materialize. This 'cost can't push, demand can't pull' dynamic keeps POY prices oscillating in a tight band.
Feedback from industrial clusters in Changle (Fujian) and Xiaoshan (Zhejiang) shows operating rates at 60%-70%, with mills adopting a 'produce-to-order' strategy to avoid inventory buildup. Some producers have tried minor price cuts to stimulate sales, but traders and weavers remain on the sidelines, awaiting clearer signals—either a cost reduction that opens a restocking window or a surge in autumn/winter orders.
Outlook: Short-Term Churn, Two Key Variables
Over the next one to two months, nylon POY prices are likely to stay within a 13,300-14,000 yuan/ton range. Breaking this deadlock requires two variables: first, the impact of international crude oil fluctuations on caprolactam costs; second, the actual order placement during the traditional peak season starting late August.
Historically, the annual price bottom for nylon POY occurs in summer, while the top falls in the year-end stocking period. At the current mid-level, downside risk is limited unless raw material costs collapse, but upside is also capped without a demand recovery. For buyers, the price is acceptable but not yet a 'bottom-fishing' opportunity.