What is Caprolactam
Analysts Sentiment
Bullish
53.2%
Neutral
26.1%
Bearish
20.7%
What's driving sentiment this week:
Past Week (2026-06-01 to 2026-06-07) — Sentiment: Mixed
China’s Fujian Shenyuan raising contract pre-sales prices on June 3 points to tightening supply conditions and upward pricing pressure domestically.
BASF’s announcement on June 2 of a $0.10/lb caprolactam price increase in North America signals strengthening downstream nylon demand and robust willingness to absorb higher costs.
The joint production adjustments by OPEC and non-OPEC members announced on June 7 support energy cost stability, limiting volatility risk for upstream petrochemical feedstocks including those used in caprolactam production.
This Week (2026-06-08 to 2026-06-14) — Outlook: Bullish
Upward pricing pressure from China’s tightening supply and firm North American demand combine to drive a bullish outlook for caprolactam through mid-June.
Monitoring China’s spot price trends and inventory levels, reported stable at 11,100 Yuan/mt on June 5, represent the key near-term catalyst to confirm supply-demand balance shifts.
A sharp surge in upstream energy costs or a sudden downstream demand contraction would pose the primary risk to this bullish stance.
Key Market Impact
Firm demand evidenced by BASF’s price increase and contract price hikes in China are currently the dominant forces pushing caprolactam prices and margins higher.
Traders are likely to tighten procurement and increase short-term buy volumes anticipating further price rises, while producers maintain disciplined output to support pricing.
How About the Price?
Price Trajectory 2020–2026 (Brief Recap)
Phase 1 — Early Pandemic Stability and Volatility (2020-01 to 2020-05): Prices started around $1089.0 in January 2020, showed mild fluctuations with a dip to $1065.0 in May 2020; no specific influence factors recorded in the events log.
Phase 2 — Recovery and Uptrend (2020-06 to 2021-05): Prices rose steadily from $1096.0 in June 2020 to $1299.0 in May 2021, reflecting a persistent upward trend despite no recorded influences in the log.
Phase 3 — Sideways with Minor Volatility (2021-06 to 2021-12): Price oscillated narrowly between $1289.0 in June 2021 and $1269.5 in December 2021, with small monthly changes and no logged external factors.
Phase 4 — Gradual Price Increase (2022-01 to 2022-12): Price climbed from $1282.5 in January 2022 to $1355.0 in December 2022, maintaining a slow upward trajectory without documented influence events.
Phase 5 — Sustained Growth into Mid-2026 (2023-01 to 2026-06-08): Prices advanced consistently from $1370.5 in January 2023, reaching $1760.0 by June 8, 2026, with no recorded events driving this rise.
Supply-side factors
- No documented supply-side influence factors recorded in the events log during this period.
Demand-side factors
- No documented demand-side influence factors recorded in the events log during this period.
Substitutes & Alternatives
| Substitute / Alternative | Replacement Scenario / How It Substitutes |
|---|---|
| Nylon-6,6 (from hexamethylenediamine + adipic acid) | The most direct functional substitute for Nylon-6 in fiber, engineering plastics, and film applications. Nylon-6,6 offers slightly higher melting point (265 °C vs 220 °C) and better heat resistance, making it preferred in automotive and high-temperature textiles. Substitution requires reformulation of polymer blends and adjustment of processing temperatures; not a drop-in replacement at the monomer level but competes directly at the polymer/end-product level. |
| Nylon-6,10 and Nylon-6,12 (from hexamethylenediamine + sebacic or dodecanedioic acid) | Used in engineering plastics and monofilaments where lower moisture absorption than Nylon-6 is required (e.g., precision gears, fuel lines, brush bristles). Partial substitution in specialty applications; requires different polymerization chemistry and is generally more expensive, limiting broad displacement of caprolactam-based Nylon-6. |
| Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) | Competes with Nylon-6 in textile fiber and packaging film applications. PET offers lower cost, better dimensional stability, and lower moisture uptake. In apparel and carpet fiber markets, PET (polyester) has displaced significant volumes of Nylon-6 where stretch-recovery and abrasion resistance are less critical. Drop-in substitution at the fiber level; requires different spinning and dyeing processes. |
| Polypropylene (PP) | Substitutes for Nylon-6 in carpet fiber (BCF carpet yarn), nonwovens, and some injection-molded parts where cost reduction is prioritized over performance. PP is significantly cheaper and lighter but has lower melting point, lower strength, and poorer dyeability. Partial substitution in commodity carpet and packaging; not suitable for high-performance engineering applications. |
| Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) | Competes with Nylon-6 in electrical/electronic connectors, automotive under-hood components, and precision injection-molded parts. PBT offers better dimensional stability in humid environments and faster crystallization. Substitution requires redesign of parts and tooling; used when moisture sensitivity of Nylon-6 is a concern. |
| Bio-based Nylon-11 (from castor oil / 11-aminoundecanoic acid) | Niche substitute in flexible tubing, automotive fuel lines, and powder coatings where bio-content and chemical resistance are valued. Nylon-11 has lower moisture absorption than Nylon-6 and is derived from renewable feedstock. Partial substitution in specialty markets; significantly more expensive than caprolactam-based Nylon-6. |
| Thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) | Substitutes for Nylon-6 in flexible film, hose, and elastic fiber (spandex-type) applications where elasticity and abrasion resistance are required. TPU can replace Nylon-6 in cast film and tubing; requires different processing equipment and formulation. Competes in sportswear, footwear, and industrial hose markets. |
Regulatory Status
| Region | Regulation / Policy Name | Issuing Authority | Year (enacted or latest revision) | Key Requirement / Threshold | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| European Union | REACH Regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) | European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) | 2006 | Substance registration required for manufacturers/importers placing >1 t/year on EU market; no specific authorisation, restriction or numerical emission/VOC/wastewater threshold for caprolactam (consortium-managed registration active) | ECHA Substance Information on 100.003.013 |
| United States | Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) | Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) | 1976 | Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) for substances manufactured/imported above 25,000 lb/year; no specific authorisation, restriction, VOC emission limit, wastewater discharge standard or numerical threshold for caprolactam (no action under TSCA) | EPA Chemicals under the TSCA (PubChem) |
| China | Anti-dumping Duties on Caprolactam Imports | Ministry of Commerce (MOFCOM) | 2011 | Anti-dumping duties levied on imports from US/EU (rates 2.2% to 4.9% for specified companies; 25.5%/24.2% uniform for others) – ongoing | MOFCOM Announcement [2011] No.68 (final determination) |
| China | Product Carbon Footprint Management System | Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) | 2024 | PCF management framework (labeling, certification, tiered oversight) for high-emission industries including caprolactam production | MEE 2025 Progress Report on Product Carbon Footprint Management System |
| International | Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labelling of Chemicals (GHS) | United Nations | 2011 | Hazard classification (Acute Tox. 4 oral/dermal; Skin Irrit. 2; Eye Irrit. 2A; STOT SE 3); no UN number or IMDG classification (not dangerous goods in transport) | SDS and ICSC 0118 for caprolactam |
Key Influence Events
Caprolactam (CAS 105-60-2) is a cyclic amide (lactam) with the molecular formula C6H11NO, appearing as a white crystalline solid or colorless melt with a faint amine-like odor. It is the monomer for Nylon-6 (polycaprolactam), produced by ring-opening polymerization. Commercially, it is manufactured almost exclusively via the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime in the presence of oleum or fuming sulfuric acid, with cyclohexanone derived from either benzene hydrogenation or cyclohexane oxidation. Caprolactam is one of the world's highest-volume chemical intermediates, with global production exceeding 5 million tonnes per year, and is consumed primarily in the production of Nylon-6 fibers, engineering plastics, and films.
Top Countries Production Capacity
Production Process of Caprolactam
Caprolactam (CAS 105-60-2) is a cyclic amide (lactam) with the molecular formula C6H11NO, appearing as a white crystalline solid or colorless melt with a faint amine-like odor. It is the monomer for Nylon-6 (polycaprolactam), produced by ring-opening polymerization. Commercially, it is manufactured almost exclusively via the Beckmann rearrangement of cyclohexanone oxime in the presence of oleum or fuming sulfuric acid, with cyclohexanone derived from either benzene hydrogenation or cyclohexane oxidation. Caprolactam is one of the world's highest-volume chemical intermediates, with global production exceeding 5 million tonnes per year, and is consumed primarily in the production of Nylon-6 fibers, engineering plastics, and films.
Specs & Grades
| Property | Typical Value / Range | Unit | Grade / Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Purity (Caprolactam content) | ≥ 99.9 | wt% | Fiber / Polymer Grade |
| Color (APHA / Hazen) | ≤ 5 | APHA | Fiber Grade |
| Water content | ≤ 0.05 | wt% | Fiber Grade |
| Permanganate absorption number (PAN) | ≥ 10 000 | s | Fiber Grade (ASTM D1003 analog) |
| Volatile bases (as NH3) | ≤ 0.5 | ppm | Fiber Grade |
| Iron content | ≤ 0.1 | ppm | Fiber Grade |
| Alkalinity (as NH3) | ≤ 1.0 | meq/kg | Polymer Grade |
| Acidity (as acetic acid) | ≤ 1.0 | meq/kg | Polymer Grade |
| Melting point | 68–70 | °C | All grades |
| Boiling point | 267–270 | °C at 1 atm | All grades |
| Cyclic oligomers (dimer + trimer) | ≤ 50 | ppm | High-purity Fiber Grade |
| Sulfate content | ≤ 1 | ppm | Fiber Grade |
| Purity | ≥ 99.5 | wt% | Technical / Industrial Grade |
| Color (APHA) | ≤ 20 | APHA | Technical Grade |
Who are the Top Players?
| Company | Headquarters | Key Facilities |
|---|---|---|
| BASF SE | Ludwigshafen, Germany | Freeport TX, Ludwigshafen Germany, Antwerp Belgium |
| UBE Corporation | Tokyo, Japan | Ube Japan, Map Ta Phut Thailand, Castellon Spain |
| AdvanSix Inc. | Parsippany, New Jersey, USA | Hopewell VA |
| Fibrant | Urmond, Netherlands | Geleen Netherlands, Fuzhou China, Nanjing China |
| DOMO Chemicals | Krefeld, Germany | Leuna Germany |
| Sinopec | Beijing, China | |
| Lanxess AG | Cologne, Germany | Antwerp Belgium |
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