Caprolactam Prices, Chart, Index, Trends, Demand and Forecast | Q3 2025

Caprolactam Prices: Global Market Analysis and Regional Trends

The global Caprolactam market experienced substantial volatility over the recent quarter as supply–demand imbalances, feedstock fluctuations, and muted downstream consumption shaped regional price movements. Caprolactam, a critical precursor for Nylon 6 production, is deeply tied to conditions in the textiles, engineering plastics, and automotive sectors. During the latest quarter, major regions—North America, Asia-Pacific (APAC), Europe, and the Middle East & Africa (MEA)—registered mixed pricing trends influenced by overcapacity, subdued polymer demand, and varying cost pressures.

This comprehensive analysis explores the Caprolactam Price Index movements across key regions, providing insights into average pricing, driving factors, and implications for market participants.

North America Caprolactam Prices

U.S. Caprolactam Market Sees Deep Correction Amid Strong Oversupply

The United States Caprolactam market recorded a sharp downturn during the quarter, driven primarily by significant domestic oversupply and a slowdown in consumption from the downstream Nylon 6 and engineering plastics industries. The Caprolactam Price Index fell by 21.4% quarter-over-quarter, marking one of the steepest declines among global regions.

Get Real time Prices for Caprolactam: https://www.chemanalyst.com/Pricing-data/caprolactam-67

With producers maintaining high operating rates earlier in the year and import inflows remaining relatively stable, inventories expanded beyond workable capacities. This supply pressure was compounded by weak buying interest from sectors such as:

• Automotive components
• Electrical & electronics
• Industrial fibers and yarns

The oversupply environment kept buyers resistant to new purchases, contributing further to downward price pressure.

Average U.S. Caprolactam Prices

The average Caprolactam price in the U.S. during the quarter was USD 1492.67/MT, based on assessed spot levels across Houston and the U.S. Gulf Coast. Competitive spot offers and destocking initiatives by traders reinforced softer pricing.

Key Drivers in North America

1. Excess Supply:
   Producers faced limited export opportunities due to global oversupply, forcing more material into domestic markets.
2. Downstream Weakness:
   Nylon 6 polymer production dipped as global textile and plastics demand remained constrained.
3. Stable Feedstock Benzene/Cyclohexane Costs:
   The absence of major feedstock cost spikes limited upward cost-push support.

Outlook for North America

Unless production cuts materialize or downstream demand revives, Caprolactam prices in North America may continue facing headwinds. Margins remain compressed, incentivizing producers to review output strategies in upcoming quarters.

APAC Caprolactam Prices

Japan Market Records Significant Decline on Oversupply and Weak Demand

The Asia-Pacific region, a major global hub for Caprolactam production, witnessed pronounced pricing pressure, with Japan showing a steep quarter-over-quarter decline. The Japanese Caprolactam Price Index dropped by 20.13%, driven by:

• Oversupply conditions
• High inventory levels
• Weak performance in downstream Nylon 6 and textile sectors

The market environment in APAC remained saturated as both China and South Korea maintained ample inventories, and export competitiveness weakened due to currency fluctuations and weak global demand.

Average Caprolactam Prices in Japan

The average Caprolactam price in Japan during the quarter stood at USD 1068.67/MT, reflecting:

• Ample inventories
• Competitive domestic and regional trading levels
• A muted export environment

This pricing trend positioned Japan among the lowest-priced Caprolactam markets globally during the quarter.

Key Drivers in APAC

1. Regional Overcapacity:
   Producers in China and South Korea continued to operate at high rates despite lackluster consumption, pushing excess volume into the market.
2. Weak Downstream Nylon 6 Demand:
   The textile and functional fiber sectors faced slow export orders, reducing polymer producers’ purchasing appetite.
3. Limited Export Arbitrage Opportunities:
   Global markets, especially Europe and North America, were already oversupplied, restricting APAC’s export potential.

Outlook for APAC

Unless manufacturers reduce run rates, the APAC region is likely to remain under pressure. A potential recovery in industrial output and textile production could provide price support in upcoming quarters.

Europe Caprolactam Prices

Germany Registers Moderate Decline Amid Weak Demand and Sufficient Supply

The European Caprolactam market showed a relatively moderate downward trend compared to other global regions. In Germany, the Caprolactam Price Index fell by 8.69% quarter-over-quarter, attributed to:

• Marginally weak downstream demand
• Adequate supply levels across the region
• Subdued consumption from the automotive and industrial plastics sectors

The Nylon 6 value chain in Europe remained under pressure as macroeconomic uncertainties and energy cost fluctuations kept buyers cautious.

Average Caprolactam Prices in Germany

The average Caprolactam price in Germany during the quarter settled at USD 1849.33/MT, based on weighted FD Hamburg (Free Delivered) assessments. Europe maintained the highest average Caprolactam pricing among the surveyed regions, despite the decline.

Key Drivers in Europe

1. Weaker End-User Demand:
   Consumer goods, automotive parts, and textile applications witnessed lower production volumes.
2. Sufficient Regional Supply:
   Imports from Asia supplemented an already stable domestic supply scenario.
3. Feedstock Market Stability:
   Benzene and cyclohexanone costs showed limited volatility, reducing the likelihood of cost-driven price increases.

Outlook for Europe

European Caprolactam prices may stabilize if inventory levels normalize and automotive production improves. However, the region remains vulnerable to economic downturn risks and fluctuating energy prices.

MEA Caprolactam Prices

UAE Market Shows an Uptrend Contrary to Global Declines

Unlike the bearish sentiment across most regions, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Caprolactam market recorded a price increase. The Caprolactam Price Index rose by 4.71% quarter-over-quarter, reflecting:

• Cost-push pressure from feedstocks
• Stable downstream demand
• Regional supply constraints

With the MEA region having limited local Caprolactam production, import dependency combined with higher logistics and freight contributed to the upward movement.

🌐 🔗 Track real time Caprolactam Prices and market trends on ChemAnalyst: https://www.chemanalyst.com/ChemAnalyst/PricingForm?Product=Caprolactam

Average Caprolactam Prices in UAE

The average Caprolactam price in the UAE stood at USD 1548.33/MT, based on regional port averages. Trading activity remained healthy, especially in the polymer and industrial fiber segments.

Key Drivers in MEA

1. Cost-Push Escalation:
   Higher import and freight costs supported elevated Caprolactam prices.
2. Balanced Supply–Demand Dynamics:
   Limited inventory availability helped MEA markets avoid the oversupply pressures seen in Asia and North America.
3. Downstream Industry Stability:
   Regional Nylon 6 and engineering plastics demand remained stable in key sectors such as:

• Packaging
• Industrial components
• Consumer goods

Outlook for MEA

The MEA region may continue to witness price firmness if global freight rates rise or if APAC supply tightens. Cost-push inflation remains the primary driver to monitor.

Global Caprolactam Price Trends and Market Insights

Oversupply Dominates Global Sentiment

A common theme across North America, APAC, and Europe was oversupply, driven by high operating rates and weak downstream pull. This imbalance heavily pressured global Caprolactam prices, resulting in wide-ranging declines.

Downstream Nylon 6 Market Weakness

Soft demand from Nylon 6 producers was influenced by:

• Lower textile production
• Fewer automotive orders
• Slowdown in engineering plastics demand

This limited procurement activity across key markets.

Regional Divergence Driven by Costs and Import Reliance

While most regions saw falling prices, MEA diverged due to:

• Higher import costs
• Lower local supply
• Stable regional demand

This created a distinct upward trend in UAE markets.

Conclusion: Caprolactam Prices Poised for Continued Adjustment

The latest quarter underscored a globally bearish Caprolactam market, with three of the four major regions witnessing price declines, some of them substantial. The U.S. and Japan faced the sharpest corrections due to pronounced oversupply and sluggish demand, while Europe saw moderate easing. In contrast, the UAE experienced a cost-driven uplift.

Looking ahead, Caprolactam prices will likely remain sensitive to:

• Inventory management strategies
• Downstream Nylon 6 production levels
• Feedstock benzene and cyclohexanone price movements
• Global economic conditions

Contact Us:

ChemAnalyst

GmbH - S-01, 2.floor, Subbelrather Straße,

15a Cologne, 50823, GermanyH

Call: +49-221-6505-8833

Email: [email protected]

Website: https://www.chemanalyst.com/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/chemanalyst/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChemAnalysts/

Twitter: https://x.com/chemanalysts

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@chemanalyst

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chemanalyst_