Chinese Caprolactam prices remained stable, while U.S. prices declined throughout September 2025. Weak feedstock prices, soft nylon-6 demand segments, and stable supply chains kept market sentiment subdued, with limited upside expected heading into October.
Caprolactam prices in China remained stable throughout September 2025, supported by balanced supply and steady production economics. Domestic output continued uninterrupted, with no major outages, and most previously idled plants resumed operations by month-end, including Yangmei’s early-month production cuts. Feedstock benzene and cyclohexanone prices held flat, keeping conversion costs stable for Caprolactam manufacturers and removing any cost-push pressure. Inventory levels remained manageable, and producers showed little inclination to revise offers.
Despite macroeconomic forces signalling continued recovery of manufacturing, fundamentals for Caprolactam demand remained weak. Automotive market, a significant consumer via nylon 6 and engineering plastics, had growth in auto sales, but converters did not plunge into forward stocking. The textile industry saw initial-season orders for winter and autumn fabrics; however, they were small in quantity and too low to drive a more general improvement in demand for Caprolactam.
There was also inconsistent export order, with some resilience in India and Southeast Asia, and weaker pull from South Korea and Japan. Cautious sentiment, backed by uncertainty in international trade and low external demand, favoured prudent purchasing behaviour.
In the US, Caprolactam prices continued to hover around the lower end of the scale, smothered by poor feedstock dynamics and lacklustre demand. Feedstock Cyclohexanone prices fell, dampening the mid-month recovery in benzene prices and contributing to bearish pressure on Caprolactam valuations. Continued falls in Drewry's World Container Index further trimmed landed costs on imported tonnages, particularly from Asia.
Trade was sluggish with little reported to have transpired. Though vehicle sales in August rose 6.19% from the previous month at 1,456,805 units, the strength failed to translate into higher Caprolactam offtake from downstream application such as engine covers, door panels, and under-hood components. Technical textiles and other applications of nylon-6 continued at traditional levels of consumption, with buyers purchasing only to satisfy immediate requirements. Majority of converters showed little enthusiasm for holding inventories, as supply appeared comfortably long. The market was stagnant, with both the buyer and the seller taking a wait-and-see approach amidst general economic uncertainty.
Looking ahead, Caprolactam prices are expected to be rangebound into October. Seasonal Chinese textile production may offer some support, though oversupply and mixed export sentiment is anticipated to keep any rises limited.
In the U.S., Caprolactam prices are forecasted to be influenced by global feedstock trends and freight cost movements, particularly as container rates continue to soften. However, without a meaningful rebound in nylon-6 consumption—especially from automotive and technical textile sectors—buying interest is expected to stay subdued.
