Chemical Market Associates, Inc. (CMAI) has announced the completion of the 2009 World Nylon Fibers & Feedstocks Analysis, an annual global study that covers the future outlook and historical perspective for nylon intermediates, nylon textile, industrial fibers, carpet fibers and engineering thermoplastics markets (ETP) from 2003 to 2013. In-depth insight regarding the following key market influences is included: capacity, supply, demand, trade, prices, production costs and profitability.

This analysis examines major issues and trends that will have a significant impact on global nylon markets during this timeframe. The recent volatility in global economies, and the dramatic fluctuations in energy prices have had a significant impact on the nylon petrochemical value chain. One example of this has been the roller coaster ride for benzene prices recently. This has created new dimensions to the relative cost competitiveness of nylon 6 and nylon 6,6, as nylon 6 uses a greater percentage of benzene as a feedstock than nylon 6,6. These uncertainties make this analysis a necessary resource for business planning professionals and strategic decision makers.

CMAI market industry advisors forecast that one of the timeliest issues for the nylon industry is the slow growth in global nylon demand, especially outside Asia. Downstream demand growth for both fibers and resins is increasingly concentrated in Asia. Mill demand moving to Asia from the U.S. and Europe is nearly complete in many yarn types with only a small percentage of production remaining in the West in specialist areas such as hosiery and warp knitting. However, as downstream nylon mill demand increasingly shifts to Asia, assets in North America and West Europe will face growing competitive difficulty. Asia will be the only location where any meaningful capacity additions are likely to occur.

Globally, nylon profitability is suffering from rising costs and competition from other materials, especially polyester. Although the process is largely complete, polyester continues to substitute for nylon in finished goods applications where price outweighs performance and although nylon and polyester offer subtle differences in the end garment, nylon textile filament will continue to struggle against lower priced, high quality polyester textile filament in many end uses. Nylon carpet yarns will also come under increased pressure from polyester fibers in various forms.

Engineering thermoplastics and industrial filament are the fastest growing nylon market segments. Nylon resin is used as a compounding feedstock for engineering thermoplastics and will see its strongest growth in automotive engineering thermoplastics applications as nylon's uniquely high physical properties continue to provide value relative to metal and other polymer types. However, growth in the forecast period will be lower than in recent years due to advancements in competing materials, high nylon feedstock costs and the downturn in 2008 in the global economy.

CMAI's 2009 World Nylon Fibers & Feedstocks Analysis, comprises eleven years (2003-2013) of study: five years of history, the current year, and five years of forecast and is available in book and CD-ROM format, with access to CMAI's Online Capacity and Supply/Demand databases. With updates to the Capacity database as changes in the market place occur and annual mid-year update to the Supply/Demand database, clients find these necessary tools for their strategic business decisions.

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