One market, two temperatures. The polyester staple fiber quotation sheet for July 7, 2026, draws a clear price dividing line: industrial-grade fiber balls (30-50mm diameter) remain stable at 15,500 RMB/ton, while cotton-type spinning-grade polyester staple fiber (1.56dtex*38mm) has fallen to 7,000 RMB/ton. The price gap, more than double, cannot be explained by simple "variety differences" but reflects fundamentally different supply-demand dynamics.
Industrial Segment: Rigid Demand Supports High Prices
Industrial-grade fiber balls are primarily used in water treatment and filtration. Data from Henan Kaijie Water Treatment Co., Ltd. shows a stable quotation of 15,500 RMB/ton since early 2026, more than double the price of cotton-type spinning-grade fiber.
The core reason is rigid downstream demand. Environmental protection sectors like water and air filtration are less affected by macroeconomic cycles, with growing demand for high-quality filter media. Additionally, production processes for industrial fiber balls require higher precision and raw material quality, and capacity expansion has been relatively cautious, avoiding oversupply.
For buyers of industrial fiber balls, while the current price is high, there is little downward pressure. Supply chain stability matters more than price—prioritize long-term contracts with specialized producers like Henan Kaijie.
Cotton-Type Spinning Grade: Squeezed by Overcapacity and Weak Demand
In stark contrast, cotton-type spinning-grade polyester staple fiber is experiencing a price winter. Huahong brand 1.56dtex*38mm product, produced in Wuxi, Jiangsu, is quoted at only 7,000 RMB/ton, approaching or even below production costs for some mills.
This fiber is mainly blended with cotton and viscose for apparel and home textile fabrics. In 2026, domestic apparel retail growth has slowed, and export orders are volatile due to overseas inventory cycles and trade frictions. Spinning mills are purchasing on a hand-to-mouth basis, reluctant to build inventory.
On the supply side, melt-direct spinning capacity has been expanding rapidly. Industry operating rates hover around 70%, but new capacity continues to ramp up. The supply-demand imbalance inevitably pressures prices. For spinners, the current 7,000 RMB/ton level is historically low. If downstream orders improve marginally, a rebound is possible, but a significant surge is unlikely.
Signals from the Price Gap: Category-Specific Procurement Strategies
The divergent price trends for different specifications of the same raw material demand a more nuanced approach—no longer can the market be judged by the broad "polyester staple fiber" category.
The stability of industrial fiber ball prices highlights that non-textile applications like environmental protection are becoming new growth drivers for chemical fibers. Conversely, the weakness of cotton-type spinning grade warns that the traditional textile downstream recovery still needs time.
For traders, the price gap creates arbitrage and inventory management opportunities: industrial-grade products suit stable long-term positions, while cotton-type spinning grade is better for short-term, quick-turn trades.