Caprolactam prices fell in 2008, but rapidly rose in 2009. The price increased to US $2,200 per ton in September 2009, about 100 percent higher compared with the level in the early time of the year.
Later the price fell to $1,850 per ton following benzene market trends. But in late 2009, Caprolactam prices once again surged to $2,280 per ton.
Following the trends in global market, Caprolactam price in Chinese spot market reached 17,800 Yuan / ton in September 2009, then the price fell to 15,200 Yuan / ton and by the end of the year, the price rapidly rose to 18,600 Yuan / tons.
As of early May, Caprolactam was traded at about between $2550-2570 per ton, while in the Chinese spot market; price soared to 23,000 Yuan / ton
Since 2009, Caprolactam price has increased by 80 percent, although nylon chip prices have risen by only 46-50 percent, far lower than the Caprolactam, which means business profits of the value-chain are concentrated in Caprolactam enterprises.