Russia Ukraine War & Global Energy Crisis (2022–2023) 
The outbreak of the Russia Ukraine conflict in early 2022 triggered a surge in natural gas and Naphtha prices, both critical for upstream production of Caprolactam and Adipic Acid. These inputs saw production costs rise by 30 to 50 percent, affecting Nylon chip and ultimately Nylon Filament Yarn prices. Major producers in Europe, including BASF’s Ludwigshafen site, either reduced operating rates or shut down plants during winter gas shortages. Spot Caprolactam prices reached multi year highs, and Nylon Filament Yarn prices rose by over 25 percent by the third quarter of 2022. Although partial relief came in early 2023 with redirected Ammonia and Caprolactam flows from the United States and the Middle East, continued freight issues and elevated energy surcharges kept prices well above pre conflict levels. 
US China Trade War & Section 301 Tariffs (2018–2020) 
In 2018, the United States imposed Section 301 tariffs ranging from 10 to 25 percent on Chinese imports, including key Nylon intermediates such as Adipic Acid and Hexamethylene Diamine. Anticipating cost increases, importers in North America and Europe front loaded purchases, driving up feedstock prices by around 15 percent. Chinese Nylon chip exporters subsequently diverted surplus to Southeast Asia, resulting in regional oversupply and a 5 to 10 percent drop in Nylon Filament Yarn prices in early 2019. Though tariffs eventually relaxed and alternate sources emerged, the event reshaped global sourcing and logistics strategies and introduced a period of price instability through mid-2020. 
China’s Environmental Crackdowns & Dual Control Energy Policy (2016–2018) 
Between 2016 and 2018, the Chinese government intensified environmental audits and implemented dual control policies aimed at limiting energy consumption and emissions, particularly in high polluting industries including Nylon intermediates such as Caprolactam and Adipic Acid. These measures led to the temporary shutdown of several Nylon chip and upstream chemical plants, especially in provinces like Jiangsu and Shandong. The resulting supply tightness pushed raw material prices higher, leading to a 10 to 15 percent increase in Nylon Filament Yarn prices across Asia during key audit phases. At the same time, downstream converters faced delivery delays and increased conversion costs due to limited polymer availability. Although supply stabilized over time, these controls ushered in a new norm of stricter compliance costs and occasional production constraints that continued to influence pricing and plant operations in subsequent years.Â