Caprolactam Price Trend and Forecast: Top 10 Leading Trading Countries and Regions - Latest Edition [2026]

The Expert Market Research pricing report on Caprolactam provides insights into the top 10 leading trading countries and regions.

During 2024, caprolactam price trends generally trended downward in global markets, primarily because of poor demand from the automotive and textile sectors and chronic oversupply. The declines were steepest in Asia and the Middle East, where consistent production outpaced weak buying. Prices in North America and Europe were also squeezed by weaker feedstock prices and uncertain economic environments. While there were isolated instances of transient recovery based on supply disruptions or restocking efforts, these were transitory. In Q1 2025, Caprolactam prices rose in North America and Europe due to strong benzene costs, supply disruptions, and resilient downstream demand. Asia-Pacific and MEA markets faced price declines, driven by weak demand, oversupply, and subdued exports.

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Caprolactam is a key monomer primarily used in the production of Nylon-6 polyamide, a versatile synthetic fiber known for its high strength-to-weight ratio, excellent chemical resistance, and thermal stability. Nylon-6 is extensively utilized across various industrial and textile applications, including fishing nets, tire cords, sewing threads, industrial drive belts, and in castings, as well as injection molding and extrusion processes.

Caprolactam Price Forecast

In 2024, Caprolactam prices were volatile due to swings in feedstock costs, seasonal trends in demand, and regional supply constraints, particularly in China and Europe. with 2025, the volatility slowed, and in China, prices trended down initially due to poor upstream benzene performance and stagnant demand from the automotive and textile industries showing a moderate upturn re-emerged, led by enhanced downstream buying, especially for textiles and increasing feedstock prices tied to firmer crude oil futures. In Germany, prices had a similar trend, with stability at lower levels fueled by declining benzene and cyclohexanone prices and poor industrial demand. The U.S. market replicated these trends, with prices easing slightly following an early-year bounce, hit by poor demand from nylon and engineering plastics markets.

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Global Trade and Supply Chain Implications

As of December 2024, international trade and supply chain dynamics for Caprolactam show mirror regionally divergent pressures, highlighting an increasingly fragmented market outlook. In China, low export orders and restrained downstream procurement—especially from the textile industry have reduced the overall trade activity, while resilient domestic automotive sales. Ongoing port congestion and weather-related disruptions in South China have further pushed logistics, impacting delivery schedules and contributing to build-ups in inventory.

In the United States, supply-side interruptions from Hurricane Helene caused delays and longer delivery times, contributed to inventory buildup, but the automotive industry experienced stabilization with holiday-influenced incentives. Export activity continued to be constrained by ongoing inflationary pressures and global economic uncertainty. Meanwhile, European supply chains are still in place but strained by overstock and chronically low end-user demand, particularly from the auto and textile industries. Reduced transportation expense has maintained supply efficiency, but profitability eludes manufacturers as they face tight competition and lack of cost passing ability.

Feedstock Analysis

Caprolactam, being an important raw material for the manufacture of Nylon 6, is dependent largely on cyclohexanone and ammonia as major feedstocks. Cyclohexanone is usually produced from phenol or cyclohexane, and its pricing and availability are closely related to the movements of crude oil markets and the downstream market requirements in the textile and engineering plastics industry. Ammonia, another critical feedstock, comes from the Haber-Bosch process, with natural gas being the key input. Natural gas supply disruption or crude oil price volatility can have a major influence on the economics of caprolactam production. Furthermore, dynamics of sourcing in the different regions vary, with China, which leads overall global caprolactam capacity, having an advantage due to integrated production facilities and access to feedstock supplies.

Demand and Supply Outlook for Caprolactam

The global Caprolactam market in 2025 is expected to face a cautiously steady outlook, shaped by a mix of supply adjustments and uneven demand recovery across regions. While some markets like North America have shown strength due to firmer downstream activity and policy-driven procurement, others, especially in Asia and the Middle East, continue to deal with weak demand and oversupply pressures. Europe has seen prices support largely due to plant shutdowns and logistics disruptions. Overall, the market remains influenced by key factors such as feedstock trends, energy prices, trade developments, and recovery from end-use sectors such as automotive and textiles. With these dynamics, Caprolactam pricing trends are expected to rangebound in the near term, with regional differences continuing to shape global trade flows.

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