1、 Price trend

According to the Commodity Market Analysis System of the Business Society, the reference average price of domestic caprolactam on August 1st was 12725 yuan/ton. On August 31st, the reference average price of domestic caprolactam was 12912 yuan/ton. This month, the market price of domestic caprolactam increased by 1.47%.

2、 Market analysis

The domestic market price of caprolactam rose first and then fell this month. In early August, the market price of caprolactam increased. The price of raw material pure benzene continues to rise, and cost support is strengthened. Under cost pressure, the spot price of caprolactam is pushing up with the raw material market. Partial equipment maintenance of caprolactam has resulted in a decrease in market availability, and downstream follow-up is required. In mid to late August, some maintenance devices for caprolactam were restored, and market supply increased. Downstream follow-up is slow, and demand performance is poor. Under loose supply conditions, the spot price of caprolactam began to decline. The price of raw material pure benzene has been lowered, resulting in poor cost support. The downstream PA6 slicing market is weakening, and the enthusiasm for raw material procurement has decreased. Caprolactam is operating under pressure. At the end of the month, the market supply decreased and the price of caprolactam slightly rebounded.

Raw material pure benzene market. The price of pure benzene has slightly increased this month, with prices gradually increasing. On August 1st, the price was 7447 yuan/ton; On August 31st, the price was at 7780 yuan/ton, an increase of 4.47% compared to the beginning of the month. This month, the price of Sinopec pure benzene increased by 650 yuan/ton to 7850 yuan/ton. The fundamentals are showing an upward trend in the short term, with sufficient supply on the market, and pure benzene may continue to rise in the short term.

Downstream PA6 market. This month, the domestic PA6 market has been fluctuating, with prices rising in a narrow range. The overall monthly operating rate remains stable, with an average monthly load of around 77%, and the supply remains at an adequate level. At the end of the month, there is a wait-and-see atmosphere for terminal stocking, but the demand side is not positive enough. It is expected that the PA6 market will continue to consolidate and operate in the short term. As of August 31st, the average factory price of PA6 in China is 14050 yuan/ton.

3、 Future Market Forecast

Business Society Caprolactam analysts believe that some caprolactam units have undergone maintenance recently, resulting in a decrease in market supply. The price of raw material pure benzene has slightly increased, with cost support. Downstream follow-up is slow, with procurement being the main focus. It is expected that the price of caprolactam will stabilize and improve in the short term.