The Polyamide Filament Market Was Experiencing a Continuous Upward Price Trend

Price monitoring data from SunSirs indicates that the price trends to three mainstream types of polyamide filament items were highly consistent, with quotes raised in stages:

1. Polyamide DTY (Jiangsu, 70D/24F semi-dull, premium grade): The benchmark price was 16,740 RMB/ton on September 1. It was raised to 17,000 RMB/ton in the first round on September 5; rose again to 17,520 RMB/ton on September 9 (a level maintained until September 15); increased to 17,840 RMB/ton on September 17; and rose to 18,020 RMB/ton on September 18. As of September 18, the cumulative increase since the beginning of the month stood at 7.65%.

2. Polyamide POY (Jiangsu, 86D/24F, semi-dull, premium grade): The benchmark price was 14,625 RMB/ton on September 1 and rose to 14,875 RMB/ton on September 5; it surged to 15,525 RMB/ton on September 9 and remained stable until the 15th; it was raised to 15,900 RMB/ton on the 17th and reached 16,075 RMB/ton on the 18th, marking a cumulative increase of 9.91% since the beginning of the month—the largest gain among the three product categories.

3. Polyamide FDY (Fujian, 40D/12F, semi-dull, premium grade): The benchmark price was 17,000 RMB/ton on September 1 and was raised to 17,275 RMB/ton on September 5; it rose to 17,825 RMB/ton on September 9 and remained at that level until the 15th; it increased to 18,150 RMB/ton on the 17th and to 18,350 RMB/ton on the 18th, marking a cumulative increase of 7.94% to the month to date.

Overall, polyamide filament prices in September exhibited a three-stage upward direction: the first round of increases occurred on September 5, followed by a second round of concentrated hikes on September 9, and a third round beginning on September 17. After each round, prices stabilized briefly before another wave of increases was initiated, demonstrating a clear market tendency to support price levels.

Upstream raw materials: Caprolactam and PA6 provided clear cost-side support.

The recent surge in polyamide filament prices is primarily driven by the strengthening market to upstream raw materials—specifically caprolactam and polyamide PA6—with cost-side factors playing a dominant role. As the foundational raw material in the polyamide value chain, rising caprolactam prices have pushed up the cost of PA6 chips.

Polyamide PA6 chips serve as the direct feedstock to polyamide filament production; consequently, rising chip prices have increased production costs to filament manufacturers, prompting them to proactively raise quotes to pass on the cost pressure. Amid expectations of further raw material price hikes, filament producers face manageable inventory levels. Coupled with low sector-wide operating rates and limited spot market availability, companies possess the confidence to maintain firm pricing and continue raising ex-factory prices.

Downstream demand side: follow-through on transactions was sluggish, and demand support remained weak.

In contrast to the strong price support from raw material suppliers and manufacturers, downstream weaving companies have shown insufficient follow-through, resulting in lackluster trading activity. Downstream textile and weaving firms are largely purchasing on an as-needed basis—replenishing stocks in small batches when prices dip—rather than engaging in extensive stockpiling. while filament prices continue to rise, the cost pass-through to downstream sectors remains sluggish, and end-market demand has not strengthened in tandem.

The market exhibits a pattern of "rising prices however weak volume": while prices keep climbing, trading volume remains insufficient, and market activity appears somewhat subdued. Downstream weavers show limited acceptance of high-priced raw materials; most are adopting a cautious "wait-and-see" approach and slowing their pace of procurement. This has somewhat constrained the upside possible to polyamide filament prices, as the market is slow to absorb the cost increases.

Market outlook

In the short term, cost support from upstream caprolactam and PA6 remains, and with low sector operating rates keeping spot supply pressure manageable, polyamide filament producers continue to show a strong willingness to maintain prices. However, the core issue lies in sluggish downstream demand; resistance to high prices is gradually emerging among downstream buyers. Future market trends will depend on whether raw material prices remain strong and, crucially, on the volume of downstream weaving orders. If terminal demand fails to show significant improvement, the momentum to further price hikes in polyamide filament might wane, possibly leading the market into a phase of high-level evaporative environment and price contention.