Nylon Trade Analysis 2015-2024 (Full Report)
This report offers clients a comprehensive analysis of the global and regional trade of nylon. Nylon is a synthetic polymer belonging to the family of polyamides, typically produced either by the polymerization of diamines and dicarboxylic acids or by the ring-opening polymerization of lactams, depending on the specific type. Its primary applications include textiles for clothing and carpets, industrial yarns, engineering plastics for automotive and electrical components, and packaging materials. The analysis in this report is based exclusively on statistical data and covers the period from 2015 to 2024.
The raw statistical data has been systematically transformed into clear and reliable insights, encompassing the net trade balance, trade flows, transaction prices, means of transportation, and transportation cost analyses. Furthermore, key transit hubs have been identified and highlighted under the trade flow analysis section. Given the consistency of data across years, trade flow and transportation analyses are limited to 2024 to best represent current conditions and reduce analytical complexity. However, the transportation cost analysis may incorporate up to five years of data if a single year does not provide adequate information.
The transformed trade data is provided separately in accompanying MS Excel file.
SUMMARY
DELIVERABLES
DATA IN EXCEL FILE
METHODOLOGY
North America and Western Europe were the dominant net exporters of nylon for much of the period, though both regions saw a gradual reduction in their net export volumes. Northeast Asia underwent a major transformation from the top net importer to a net exporter, while the Indian Subcontinent and Southeast Asia reinforced their positions as primary net importers.
Inter-regional trade dominated the global nylon market in 2024, with Northeast Asia, Western Europe, and North America as the central hubs. Intra-regional trade was most prominent within North America and Western Europe, driven by large flows among neighboring countries. The data underscored the ongoing significance of established trade corridors, particularly those linking Northeast Asia with India, South Korea, and Southeast Asia, as well as strong cross-regional ties between Europe and its neighbors.
In 2024, the nylon trade network was shaped by a few central countries acting as major transit hubs that connected origins to a broad spectrum of destinations. The United States, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Netherlands supplied nylon into the network, sending their exports through hubs such as Thailand, Belgium, Germany, and China.
Global nylon prices exhibited a fluctuating pattern from 2015 to 2024, with the price range spanning from a low of two thousand one hundred twenty six USD per metric ton to a high of four thousand four hundred six USD per metric ton. The overall trend showed a moderate decline in the early years, followed by periods of recovery and rapid increases, especially in 2021 and 2022. The highest prices were reached during this mid-period, before easing somewhat in 2023 and 2024.
Overall, the 2024 data highlighted that sea transport was the principal means for global nylon trade across all regions with significant trade volumes, while road and railway played supporting roles, and air transport was generally negligible.
The global weighted average transportation cost for nylon during 2020-2024 was 132 USD per metric ton. The average cost was based on weighted average CIF-FOB price differences, which reflects the costs of freight, insurance, port handling, and other ancillary fees associated with bilateral trades between exporting and importing countries.