Recently, the market price of chemical fiber can be said to fluctuate every day, among which nylon staple fiber is the leader. The price difference can be more than 1,000 yuan per ton. At present, the domestic price of 1.5D nylon staple fiber is around 15,800-17,000 yuan/ton, and the price difference between high and low is huge. It is understood that nylon staple fiber has been out of stock in many places, and it has become very popular for a while.
Market quotation
As of November 24, the domestic mainstream price of 1.5D nylon staple fiber was reported at 16,120 yuan/ton, an increase of 1.90% from yesterday and a year-on-year increase of 0.62%. At present, the nylon staple fiber market has been sorted out in a narrow range, with prices remaining high and continuing to rise. Manufacturers are under great cost pressure, and many have made price adjustments of 600-1,000 yuan/ton. Among them, a factory in Yueyang currently offers 1.5D nylon staple fiber at 17,000 yuan/ton, and a factory in Cixi currently offers 1.5D nylon staple fiber at 15,800 yuan/ton. The price difference between high and low prices is obvious, manufacturers are cautious in quoting prices, and have a strong wait-and-see attitude.
Market analysis
The upstream caprolactam spot market for nylon rose slightly, and the overall focus of transactions moved upward. Downstream polymerization started normally, demand was generally followed, and manufacturers were mainly actively shipping.
From early to mid-November, the operating rate of the domestic caprolactam industry has been stable at around 85%, and the operating rate of the downstream polymerization industry has remained at around 80%. The overall operating rate of the industry chain is at a historically high level.
However, from the perspective of supply flow, there is a partial gap in the supply of caprolactam in November, and the supply of caprolactam for downstream high-speed spinning chips is tight. In particular, most aggregation plants in Zhejiang increased their purchases from Jiangsu, Hebei, and Shandong in early November, causing the overall market supply in the north to become tight starting from mid-November, and it became difficult to find supply in many markets. In mid-November, the domestic Baling Petrochemical’s single caprolactam production line was overhauled, and the caprolactam supply became even more scarce in the later period. This is good news for the caprolactam market.
As of now, the listing price of Sinopec’s solid caprolactam on November 24 is 14,000-14,500 yuan/ton, an increase of 500/ton from the beginning of the week. The mainstream quotation in the caprolactam liquid market in East China is 13,000-13,500 yuan/ton upon delivery. The overall opening of the downstream terminal knitwear market is acceptable. The opening of the circular knitting machine lace wrapping yarn field is generally 40-60%, and the opening of warp knitting empty bags is no less than 70-80% to support demand.
Market outlook
Affected by upstream costs, the current nylon quotation is relatively strong. The current raw materials are still in the shock period of the year before. The focus of market transactions has shifted upward, and manufacturers are under greater pressure. Many areas in the south have begun to experience trading difficulties. Many customers have expressed difficulties in buying and selling, and there have even been supply interruptions in some places.
Generally speaking, upstream prices are strong, downstream demand continues to follow up, and actual trading volume is acceptable. It is expected that nylon staple fiber will continue its slight upward trend in the short term, and we need to pay close attention to upstream dynamics and downstream demand.
