Nylon chain on uptrend in Asia amid tight supply, healthy demand

Caprolactum prices in Asia were stable to up in June as supply constraint was easing somewhat. Demand remained modest as run rates at polymerization units and yarn makers were at 75%, with no change in inventory levels. In Europe, June price talks continued into last days of the month, with decreases of up to Euro 40 a ton targeted depending on starting point. Asian caprolactam spot prices were up 0.2% from last month. Sinopec nominated July contract at a hike of US$35 a ton from June settlement while Fibrant raised July nomination by US$30 a ton for liquid goods.

Nylon chip markets in Asia fluctuated upward in June on back of rising caprolactum cost. However, mixed views were reported on future trend as producers kept stable operation while downstream converters made marginal replenishment. In non‐textile yarn sectors, cord fabric makers saw decent liquidity while staple fiber market saw flat demand and monofilament market was covered by favorable trading atmosphere. Offers for Taiwan-origin chips rose 2.9% from last month. In China, bright conventional spinning nylon-6 chips climbed 10.3% from May while semi-dull chips were up 12.6% on the month.

Nylon filament yarn prices in Asia marched higher in June and downstream converters maintained stable operation while demand was moderate with off season drawing near. Warp knitting, weaving and AJ covering sectors operated stably while circular‐knitting mills and lacing mills were still operating at half their capacities, implying modest demand for nylon yarn. In China, semi-dull FDY70D/24F was surged US cents 22 a kg from previous month while FDY40D were up US cents 23 a kg on the month.

Courtesy: Weekly PriceWatch Report