The global caprolactam price trends demonstrated substantial downward pressure throughout the final quarter of 2024, as the U.S. market continued to face soft demand, macroeconomic uncertainty, and easing raw material costs. Caprolactam, a critical feedstock for producing nylon 6 fibers and resins, experienced notable year-on-year declines across October, November, and December, highlighting the shifting dynamics within the synthetic fibers and engineering plastics industries.In October 2024, caprolactam prices stood at 1635 USD/MT, dropping from 1815 USD/MT in October 2023—a 9.9% YoY decline. This decrease reflected reduced procurement activity from downstream nylon 6 producers, who maintained cautious inventory levels amid uncertain global demand for textiles, automotive components, and industrial plastics.
Market weakness deepened in November 2024, with prices falling sharply to 1515 USD/MT, compared with 1800 USD/MT in November 2023. The 15.8% YoY drop underscored persistent challenges across end-use industries, particularly those tied to consumer spending. High inflation in multiple world markets further constricted downstream production schedules, leading to reduced caprolactam consumption.
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The trend continued into December 2024, where caprolactam prices declined to 1535 USD/MT, down from 1865 USD/MT a year earlier—a steep 17.7% YoY reduction. This pronounced decline resulted from the combined impact of subdued year-end buying, oversupply conditions, and continued weakness in global nylon manufacturing.
Despite the bearish performance in Q4 2024, several stabilizing factors suggest a potential improvement in pricing outlook for 2025. Feedstock benzene costs have shown signs of upward momentum, driven by fluctuations in crude oil markets, which could contribute to cost-push support for caprolactam prices. Additionally, downstream demand for nylon products is expected to recover gradually, especially within the automotive and packaging sectors as production normalizes.
Expert Market Research predicts that caprolactam prices in 2025 are likely to remain stable to firm, supported by rising feedstock costs and a measured rebound in industrial consumption. While major price spikes are not anticipated, structural improvements in supply–demand balance may prevent further steep declines.
The Caprolactam Price Trends in 2024 show a market under significant pressure, characterized by double-digit YoY price drops throughout the final quarter. However, improving indicators for feedstock availability, energy markets, and downstream demand point toward a more balanced and potentially firmer pricing landscape in 2025.