July 20, 2025 –
PA66 Supply Chain Undergoes Radical Transformation as Alternative Technologies Emerge
The polyamide 66 industry is experiencing a fundamental shift as traditional production methods face unprecedented economic pressures, prompting manufacturers to explore alternative technological pathways.
Market dynamics reveal stark contrasts between conventional and emerging processes:
• Butadiene-based HCN method suffers under sustained high feedstock costs (¥10,824/ton average in H1 2025)
• Caprolactam route demonstrates growing cost advantage (¥9,838/ton average, ¥3,000/ton spread with benzene)
• Domestic PA66 capacity surged 114% since 2020 while consumption grew modestly at 7.83% CAGR
The industry’s financial health has deteriorated significantly:
→ Average losses reached ¥1,477/ton in H1 2025
→ Export volumes grew 12.84% annually as domestic demand lagged
→ Capacity utilization dipped to 77% during seasonal maintenance periods
“These market conditions are accelerating adoption of alternative technologies,” noted Dr. Liang Wei, polymers analyst at Asia Chemical Insights. “The caprolactam-to-HMDA process is gaining particular traction, with its market share expected to jump from 10% to 13% by year-end.”
Major industry players are making strategic moves:
✓ Fujian Yongrong advancing caprolactam-based HMDA projects
✓ Henan Shenma expanding diversified production lines
✓ International giants optimizing traditional processes
With 460,000 tons of new PA66 capacity planned through 2027, industry experts emphasize the need for:
• Product differentiation in high-value applications
• Sustainable production innovations
• Careful monitoring of global trade flows
• Technology portfolio diversification
This transformation presents both challenges and opportunities as the PA66 sector adapts to new market realities and prepares for the next phase of industry evolution.