US and German polyamide prices remained stable in the second week of May 2025, as the market was supported by balanced supply conditions and recurrently low demand from major downstream industries. Cost-effective feedstock availability and lower global freight costs maintained steady production and imports in both markets, while subdued activity from the automobile industry—a major polyamide consumer—kept procurement volumes under pressure.

Polyamide prices in the German market remained stable amid balanced supply and demand conditions. On the supply side, stable domestic production and regular imports kept inventories at comfortable levels. Local manufacturers enjoyed low feedstock costs and stable production economics, while reduced shipping rates enhanced the affordability of imports. Meanwhile, logistical inefficiencies at the Port of Hamburg — resulting from MSC's terminal relocation and automation activities— brought in moderate delays, although these had a limited effect on overall supply.

Polyamide demand continued to be poor, particularly in the automotive industry, where a reported 4.2% month-to-month decline in new car registrations during April indicated a deceleration in automobile production. Oversupply of Chinese-sourced polyamide also muted buying activity, with purchasers taking a wait-and-see stance in expectation of sustained softness in prices. With the downstream industries yielding few indications of an imminent turnaround, the German polyamide market continued to be stable.

Meanwhile, the US polyamide market also experienced price stability. While Chinese imports declined sharply with the imposition of new tariffs, businesses had advanced stocked up earlier. Supplemental supply from Southeast Asia, Mexico, and Canada ensured market balance. Feedstock adipic acid prices remained low, with reduced freight rates also augmenting supply chain flexibility.

On the demand side, downstream automotive industry carried on underperforming with April vehicle sales down 8%, prompting automakers to cut production schedules and postpone polyamide procurement. Elevated vehicle inventory levels at more than 50 days of supply also dissuaded new buying action, placing the market in balance.

In the near term, Germany's polyamide market is likely to remain subdued unless there is a pickup in automotive manufacturing or consumer confidence. Import competition, particularly from China, will probably continue to exert downward pressure unless logistics improve and local demand increases. In the US, although tariff-related adjustments and localization efforts by automakers can reinforce domestic supply chains in the long run, near-term demand is most likely to remain weak.

Unless car sales recover and OEMs return to restocking, polyamide prices in both regions are likely to fluctuate within a small range, driven mainly by cost savings and risk-averse buying patterns.