Renewed fighting between US and Iran has slowed shipping through the Gulf of Hormuz, disrupting supply routes. Benchmark crude prices have climbed sharply from pre-conflict levels, reflecting heightened geopolitical risk. The upward price pressure is likely to continue while tensions persist.
PA6 (Nylon 6) Price Trend Analysis 2026: Price Drivers, Historical Prices, Market Insights, Latest News & Supply Demand Analysis
Written ByShriya Singh
PA6 (Nylon 6) Price Trend Q1 2026
- Global PA6 prices moved upward during Q1’26, with the strongest gains recorded in Asia, while North America also witnessed notable increases.
- Rising feedstock values remained the primary factor behind the market trend as escalating geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the temporary closure of the Strait of Hormuz disrupted crude and naphtha supply chains.
- Demand fundamentals remained relatively subdued. Procurement activity from automotive, textile, packaging, and engineering plastics sectors remained largely need-based.
Asia
During Q1’26, PA6 prices in Asia registered noticeable increases, with China emerging as the key contributor to the regional uptrend. The closure of the Strait of Hormuz had a significant impact on Asian petrochemical markets, given the region's heavy reliance on crude shipments passing through the route. Higher crude and naphtha values consequently lifted benzene and caprolactam costs, increasing manufacturing expenses for PA6 producers. At the same time, constrained operating rates and reduced import availability tightened regional supply conditions. Lower spot availability and cautious inventory management by producers further supported the upward price trajectory through the end of the quarter.
Europe
In Europe, PA6 prices experienced moderate gains during the first quarter of 2026, primarily due to higher upstream costs. The increase in benzene prices following supply concerns linked to the Strait of Hormuz pushed caprolactam production costs upward, placing pressure on nylon producers. However, buying interest from the automotive, industrial, and textile sectors remained restrained, preventing stronger price increases and keeping market sentiment relatively balanced.
North America
The North American PA6 market also moved higher during Q1’26 as rising feedstock costs filtered through the nylon value chain. Increased benzene and caprolactam prices, supported by the rally in crude-linked raw materials, elevated manufacturing expenses across the region. Demand from automotive, electrical, consumer goods, and packaging applications remained mixed, but relatively limited supply flexibility and firm producer pricing helped maintain an upward trend in the market.
Analyst Insight
According to Procurement Resource, PA6 prices are likely to remain supported in the near term, provided feedstock markets continue to experience volatility and supply remains constrained.
Related Report
Need latest PA6 (Nylon 6) price?
Get real-time price assessments, periodic trends, forecasts and price driver insights across key global markets.
Unlock Price Insights NowLatest Developments
Intensified US-Iran military actions disrupt oil shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, causing a sharp spike in crude oil prices. The price jump leads to severe depreciation of the Indian rupee, raising import costs and inflationary concerns.
The IEA expects world oil demand to decline year-on-year for the first time since 2020, driven by the Iran war and Strait of Hormuz closure. Prices have eased on prospects of a surplus late in 2026, but renewed hostilities threaten supplies and introduce volatility.
U.S. and Iran reach agreement to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ending the biggest oil supply shock in history. Crude oil futures dropped nearly 5% on the news, with U.S. crude settling at $80.75 and Brent at $83.17. Uncertainty over the timing and demining efforts may temper further price declines.
Our Clients
Procurement Resource Database
Turn price intelligence into action with the Procurement Resource Database. Log in or subscribe to unlock live price trends, historical charts, supplier databases, cost curves, and analyst-backed insights across chemicals, agriculture, energy, packaging, and more. Use these tools to benchmark your contracts, plan budgets with confidence, and stay ahead of market moves on every product you buy.
PA6 (Nylon 6) Dashboard Inclusions
0
+Products
0
+Regions
0
+Subscriptions
Asia
In Asia, PA6 prices kept moving downward through the second half of 2025. China showed the clearest drop, as benchmark indicators reported steady month-to-month declines. Supply stayed more than enough, and demand from key sectors like textiles, packaging, and engineering equipment remained soft.
Competition from imports and local producers continued, and buyers focused only on essential purchases. Even ongoing anti-dumping discussions in other regions did not lift sentiment in Asia. Overall, the Asian PA6 market stayed weak and heavily driven by oversupply during H2.
Europe
In Europe, PA6 stayed under pressure during H2’25. Industrial activity remained mixed, and demand from automotive and consumer goods did not fully recover. European converters also faced rising uncertainty from global shifts such as new resin capacity growth in Asia and changing energy-market conditions.
Imports remained an important factor and made it difficult for European suppliers to hold margins. As a result, PA6 in Europe mostly followed the global softening trend, with limited support from downstream markets.
North America
In North America, PA6 prices continued to ease through the second half of the year. Demand related to construction stayed limited because high interest rates slowed building activity. Although automotive output improved, it was not strong enough to create real upward momentum for PA6.
Trade policy changes and tariff discussions between the U.S., Mexico, and China created some short-term uncertainty, but they did not tighten supply enough to stop the downward movement. Overall, the North American market saw steady but moderate price declines.
About PA6 (Nylon 6)
PA6 (Nylon 6) is a polymer that was developed to reproduce the properties of nylon 6,6 without violating its production patent. PA6 (Nylon 6), a semicrystalline polyamide, is not a condensation polymer unlike most other nylons. It is widely used in plastic and textile industry. It is produced using ring-opening polymerization. Owing to its unique properties like high tensile strength, excellent resistance to abrasion and high elasticity and lustre, demand for Nylon 6 has been growing in packaging and engineering plastics sector.
PA6 (Nylon 6) Product Detail
Chemical Formula
(C6H11NO)n
Cas Number
25038-54-4
Industrial Uses
Carpets, Tire cords, Apparel, Hosiery and upholstery, Seat belts, Parachutes, Ropes and industrial cords, Extrusion, injection and blow moulding, Engineering materials, Moulded parts
Synonyms
Polyamide 6 (PA6), Poly(azepan-2-one); poly(hexano-6-lactam), Poly[azanediyl(1-oxohexane-1,6-diyl)], Polycaprolactam
Supplier Database
BASF SE, Koninklijke DSM N.V., Ter Hell Plastic GmbH, Formosa Group , Radici Partecipazioni SpA , Rabigh Refining and Petrochemical Co SJSC or Petro Rabigh, Lanxess AG, Evonik Industries AG
Regional Coverage
Asia Pacific
China, India, Indonesia, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Japan, Philippines, Vietnam, Iran, Thailand, South Korea, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Nepal, Taiwan, Sri Lanka, UAE, Israel, Hongkong, Singapore, Oman, Kuwait, Qatar, Australia, and New Zealand
Europe
Germany, France, United Kingdom, Italy,Spain, Russia, Turkey, Netherlands, Poland, Sweden, Belgium, Austria, Ireland Switzerland, Norway, Denmark, Romania, Finland, Czech Republic, Portugal and Greece
North America
United States and Canada
Latin America
Brazil, Mexico, Argentina, Columbia, Chile, Ecuador, and Peru
Africa
South Africa, Nigeria, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco
CurrencyUS$ (Data can also be provided in local currency)
Supplier Database AvailabilityYes
Customization ScopeThe report can be customized as per the requirements of the customer
Post-Sale Analyst Support360-degree analyst support after report delivery
Note: Our supplier search experts can assist your procurement teams in compiling and validating a list of suppliers indicating they have products, services, and capabilities that meet your company's needs.
PA6 (Nylon 6) Production Processes
- Production of PA6 (Nylon 6) via Ring-Opening Polymerisation; and via Two Step Polymerisation
In order to produce PA6 (Nylon 6), the ring opening polymerisation process is utilised. In this process, caprolactam is used as a monomer, which undergoes hydrolytic mechanism to finally give PA6 (Nylon 6).
About the Author
Shriya Singh
Business Insights Analyst
Helping procurement and sourcing teams navigate complex markets through data-driven research, category intelligence, and actionable insights - with a focus on identifying market trends, analyzing supply-side developments, and delivering clear intelligence that supports informed business decisions.
Our Price Analysis Methodology
Schedule a demo
Experience how Procurement Resource transforms raw material price data into clear, decision ready intelligence. Optimise your performance with reliable, expert market data and analysis. Schedule your demo today to experience a live walk-through where our experts will showcase interactive price charts, forecasted prices, and insights driving the prices for your key commodities, tailored to your workflows. Contact us now!
Our Team will be happy to assist you
We are just a text away
Still Need Help?
Other Related Reports
Nylon-6,6 Production via mass polymerization process
This report comprises thorough cost economics of Nylon-6,6 production via mass polymerization process.
Unlock full access to Procurement Resource's price databases, interactive charts, and short-term forecasts for thousands of commodities. Elevate your sourcing decisions by comparing prices across regions, downloading historical data, and layering in analyst-backed insights, all with our flexible plans that scale as your portfolio grows.
Still have any Questions
Contact Us
Price Trend Dashboard - What's Included
Price trends across a diverse portfolio of categories and products, spanning board to niche chemicals
Coverage extendable to grade-specific chemicals based on procurement requirements
Regular price tracking supported by robust historical datasets
News, policy updates, and key market drivers impacting price movements
Short-term and long-term price outlooks and forecasts
Supply-demand dynamics and capacity-driven market analysis
Related News
View All
Why Procurement Database
Commodity Market Intelligence
Track prices, market movements, supply-demand dynamics, and industry developments across hundreds of commodities through a centralized intelligence platform built for informed procurement decisions.
Price Forecasts & Market Outlooks
Understand market fluctuations using analyst-backed forecasts, historical pricing patterns, and evolving industry trends to strengthen sourcing strategies and budget planning.
Cost & Procurement Optimization
Leverage cost models, pricing benchmarks, and procurement insights to evaluate purchasing opportunities, improve negotiations, and enhance operational efficiency.
Global & Regional Market Insights
Access region-specific price trends, trade activities, capacity changes, and supply chain developments influencing commodity markets worldwide.
1/4