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Russia
China
India
Germany
BelgiumIn Q1 2025, the Russian Caprolactam Flakes market extended its bearish trajectory, with prices further declining to approximately 1375 USD/MT FOB Novorossiysk, marking a 6.34% drop from the previous quarter. The market remained weighed down by sluggish demand from key downstream sectors including Textile, Automotive, and Consumer Goods, all of which continued to experience slow recovery and conservative purchasing behaviour. Elevated inventory levels carried over from the previous quarter, while production remained largely uninterrupted, adding to the persistent oversupply. Moreover, the typical seasonal lull in industrial activity during the early part of the year contributed to reduced offtake volumes, reinforcing the downward pressure on prices across the Caprolactam market.
In Q4 2024, the Russian Caprolactam Flakes market sustained its bearish momentum, with prices falling to approximately 1468 USD/MT FOB Novorossiysk, reflecting a 3.10% decline from the previous quarter. Demand remained under pressure from core downstream sectors such as Textile, Automotive, and Consumer Goods, which continued to operate at reduced capacity or with cautious procurement strategies. High inventory levels persisted amid sluggish offtake, while producers maintained elevated operating rates, leading to a market. Additionally, seasonal demand from downstream industries softened further toward year-end, compounding the downward pressure on Caprolactam prices.
By Q3 2024, the Russian Caprolactam Flakes market remained in a bearish trend, with prices around 1515 USD/MT FOB Novorossiysk. Weak demand from key sectors such as Textile, Automotive and consumer goods led to reduced orders and high inventory levels, contributing to the downward trend. Additionally, an ample availability of product emerged as producers increased production, exerting further downward pressure on prices due to declining seasonal demand from the downstream industry.
In Q2 2024, the price of Caprolactam Flakes average was 1602 USD/MT FOB Novorossiysk Increased by 4% in the Russian market, reflected a bearish trend. This downturn resulted from lower feedstock Benzene, Cyclohexane, Ammonia costs, weak demand from key sectors like Textile, Automotive and consumer goods, and ample supply. Additionally, high financing costs and reduced consumer spending further suppressed demand, particularly impacting the German construction sector, which faced significant contractions.
In Q1 2024, the global Caprolactam Flakes market experienced a bullish trend, driven by rising feedstock Benzene, Cyclohexane, Ammonia prices and robust demand from key sectors such as textiles, automotive, and consumer goods. The Lunar New Year festivities further enhanced demand for consumer products, resulting in increased production and higher benzene usage. Additionally, supply chain disruptions due to factory closures and rising freight rates, coupled with increased global capacity utilization, added pressure to the market, propelling Caprolactam prices during this period.
Throughout Q1 2025, Caprolactam Flakes import prices dropped to 1502 USD/MT CIF Nhava Sheva, observed a 5.72% decline from Q4 2024. The subdued trend continued as downstream industries adopted a cautious stance, awaiting clarity on government fiscal policy and budget allocations before increasing procurement. Domestic Nylon 6 producers slowed production slightly due to reduced end-user demand and sufficient inventory levels. At the same time, improved availability from global suppliers, including Russian producers, maintained an ample supply pipeline, allowing Indian buyers to negotiate favourable pricing terms.
In Q4 2024, Caprolactam Flakes prices dropped even more, reaching 1593 USD /MT CIF Nhava Sheva, a quarter-over-quarter decrease of 4.51%. Overall market sentiment remained bearish. The arrival of competitively priced cargoes from other exporting countries put downward pressure on imports of Russian origin, and most manufacturers had already restocked after the monsoon. The soft pricing environment was also aided by a steady global supply of Caprolactam and low freight costs.
In Q3 2024, Caprolactam Flakes prices adjusted to 1668 USD/MT CIF Nhava Sheva, marking a decrease of 2.87% compared to the second quarter. This price reduction was primarily due to the seasonal slowdown caused by the monsoon in India, which impacted both production and transportation operations. Demand from major end-use industries, including automotive parts and textiles, diminished, resulting in more cautious purchasing practices. Furthermore, existing inventory levels enabled buyers to postpone new acquisitions.
By Q2 2024, Caprolactam Flakes prices rose more noticeably to 1718 USD/MT CIF Nhava Sheva, marking a 4.54% increase over Q1 2024 due to the expensive import of product from overseas such as Russia, as in Russia the price of product increased by around 4% during the same period which further reflected the trend over the Indian market. This upward movement was driven by a combination of higher raw material costs and rising procurement from domestic Nylon 6 producers. Pre-monsoon stocking activities also played a role, as buyers aimed to secure supply before potential logistical disruptions. Globally, tightening in Benzene and Cyclohexanone availability added pressure on Caprolactam prices. However, Indian buyers remained selective with bulk procurement, balancing inventory risks amid softening signals in the downstream market.
Q1 2024, The market began 2024 on a mildly optimistic note, with prices inching up to 1643 USD/MT, a 0.72% quarter-on-quarter increase. This modest gain was underpinned by a gradual recovery in downstream demand and relatively stable upstream costs. Indian buyers showed increased interest in forward bookings, anticipating potential cost push from crude-linked derivatives.
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Molecular Weight[g/mol]
CAS No
HS Code
Molecular Formula
Caprolactam is a colourless, viscous liquid primarily used as a key intermediate in the production of Nylon 6, a versatile synthetic polymer. Known for its excellent thermal and mechanical properties, Caprolactam is essential in various applications, including textiles, automotive components, and engineering plastics.
Packaging Type
Grades Covered
Incoterms Used
Synonym
PriceWatch Quotation Terms:
Ex-Location: This incoterm refers to a shipping agreement where the seller makes the goods available at their premises, and the buyer is responsible for all transportation costs, including shipping, insurance, and any other fees.
CIF: CIF refers to the Cost, Insurance, and Freight (CIF) terms for goods. Under CIF terms, the seller is responsible for the cost of goods, insurance, and freight charges until the goods reach the port of destination.
FD: FD stands for Free Delivered where the seller takes full responsibility for delivering goods to the location/port. This ensures the buyer receives the goods at the designated port with all necessary costs, except import duties, covered.
FOB: FOB refers to the Free On-Board shipping term, where the seller is responsible for the cost and risk of delivering the goods to the port. Once the goods are on board the vessel, the responsibility shifts to the buyer for all costs, including shipping and insurance.
| Property | Specification |
| Crystallization point | ≥ 69
℃℃
|
| Moisture content | ≤0.01%(m/m) |
| Volatile bases | ≤0.5 meq/kg |
| Permanganate number | ≥ 10000 s |
| Colour of a 50% (by wt.) aqueous solution | ≤5 APHA |
| Content of free acids | ≤0.05 meq/kg |
| Absorbance at 290nm | ≤0.05 |
| Cyclohexanone oxime content | ≤5 meq/kg |
| Iron content | ≤0.5 meq/kg |
| Ash content | ≤5 meq/kg |
Applications
Caprolactam is primarily used to produce nylon-6, a synthetic polymer with diverse applications. It plays a key role in the textile industry, where it is used to create strong and durable nylon fibres for clothing and carpets. In the automotive sector, Caprolactam is utilized to manufacture lightweight components that enhance performance and fuel efficiency. Additionally, it serves as a base for high-strength, chemical-resistant engineering plastics. In coatings and adhesives, Caprolactam improves flexibility and adhesion properties. Its versatility extends to consumer goods, where it is found in various household products and packaging. Overall, Caprolactam is essential across multiple industries due to its wide-ranging applications.
Caprolactam prices are influenced by a complex interplay of factors, including:
Caprolactam prices are influenced by a variety of factors, with feedstock prices being one of the most significant. Feedstocks such as cyclohexane, benzene, and crude oil play a crucial role in the production of Caprolactam. These raw materials are derived from petrochemical sources, so fluctuations in their prices have a direct impact on Caprolactam production costs. For example, if the price of crude oil rises, it typically leads to higher costs for the petrochemical intermediates like benzene and cyclohexane. Consequently, these price hikes are passed on to Caprolactam producers, who may increase their prices to maintain profitability. Other factors, such as supply chain disruptions or geopolitical tensions, can also affect feedstock availability, which further influences Caprolactam pricing.
The relationship between Caprolactam prices and feedstock prices is a complex and interconnected one. Feedstocks are the foundation of Caprolactam production, and when the prices of these essential raw materials rise, production costs inevitably increase. This relationship can be seen in times of rising crude oil prices, where the increased costs of cyclohexane and benzene trickle down the supply chain. Additionally, other factors such as the global demand for petrochemicals and energy, as well as fluctuations in currency exchange rates, play a role in determining feedstock prices, and in turn, Caprolactam prices. Thus, any volatility in the cost of crude oil or its derivatives can directly affect the final price of Caprolactam in the market.
Inflation is another critical factor that influences Caprolactam prices. When inflation rises, the overall cost of goods and services increases across the economy, which impacts the production costs for Caprolactam manufacturers. Higher energy prices, labor costs, and raw material expenses are typical outcomes of inflation, which then leads to an increase in the cost of producing Caprolactam. As a result, producers often raise the price of Caprolactam to maintain their margins. However, inflation can also reduce consumer spending and industrial demand for products made from Caprolactam, such as nylon. In such cases, weaker demand may put downward pressure on Caprolactam prices, but the cost-push effects of inflation are often powerful enough to maintain or increase prices even in a softer demand environment. Thus, the relationship between Caprolactam prices and inflation is shaped by both cost pressures and demand-side factors, creating a dynamic market environment.
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