Nylon Market

Nylon Market Growth Outlook for 2023 to 2033

Global demand for nylon is valued at US$ 34.1 billion in 2023 and is extrapolated to attain a market revenue of US$ 60.5 billion by 2033-end. The global nylon market is projected to exhibit expansion at a healthy 5.9% CAGR over the next ten years.

Nylon is used extensively in a multitude of applications across numerous industries owing to its characteristic properties of high elasticity, high abrasion resistance, and superior tensile strength. The aforementioned properties of nylon made it a highly preferred material to replace steel, brass, rubbers, etc., which is expected to drive shipments of nylon over the coming years as well.

Growing automotive production, surging use of nylon in automotive component manufacturing, growing use of PA 6 and PA 66 in 3D printing, advancements in material science, expanding textile industry, and rising adoption of nylon 6 as an affordable alternative to other materials are key prospects that could promulgate nylon sales in the future.

• In March 2023, Fortis3D, a 3D printing materials start-up based in Canada, announced the launch of new 3D printing materials for industrial applications. The engineers at the company have created reinforced polyketone (PK) and polyamide (PA)/nylon 3D printing filaments that are stronger than the ones currently available in the marketplace.

Products such as nylon spandex, nylon tubing, nylon hoses, and nylon fabrics are anticipated to lead sales growth in the global marketplace over the next ten years. The rising use of nylon in women’s clothing manufacturing is slated to uplift the demand for nylon silk, wooly nylon, nylon lace, and transparent nylon going forward.

On the flip side, the rising focus on sustainability and the growing availability of eco-friendly nylon alternatives are expected to impede nylon sales over the next ten years. Moreover, the implementation of stringent regulations to decrease the use of non-biodegradable materials such as nylon and engineering plastics is also expected to influentially constrain market development throughout the forecast period.

Increasing investments in research and development of nylon alternatives by leading nylon producers are anticipated to completely augment the future of nylon products and open up new frontiers of opportunity in the global marketplace.

• In October 2021, The Lycra Company, a leading name in the textile industry, revealed that it was partnering with HeiQ Materials AG, a Swiss company known for its textile innovations. The partnership was to utilize a sustainable fiber that could replace synthetic fabrics such as nylon and polyester.

Report Attributes	Details
Nylon Market Size in 2023	US$ 34.1 Billion
Projected Market Value (2033F)	US$ 60.5 Billion
Global Market Growth Rate (2023 to 2033)	5.9% CAGR
Market Share of Nylon 6 (2022)	>50%
Key Companies Profiled	Toyobo Co. Ltd. Domo Chemicals BASF SE INVISTA Toray Industries Inc. Goodfellow Group. Ashley Polymers Inc. Ube Industries Ltd. Huntsman Corporation AdvanSix Inc. Ascend Performance Materials LLC Lanxess AG

Which Market Trends Can Start-ups Capitalize On?

“Surging Popularity of Bio-based Polymers and High Focus on Sustainability”

Nylon is non-biodegradable in nature and has been linked to major pollution issues as awareness regarding plastic waste has increased in recent years. Upcoming nylon suppliers are focusing on capitalizing on the trend of plant-based textiles and bio-based polymers to gain a prominent share in the marketplace and advance their business potential.

• 4tify, a start-up based in the United States, is offering a customized fabric technology that utilizes artificial intelligence to design sustainable fabrics. The company makes fabrics using soybean, bamboo, hemp, and other natural raw materials. The company also works with its partners to recycle nylon, polyester, and cotton fabrics.

Increasing focus on sustainability and supportive government initiatives to find alternatives to nylon, plastic, and other pollutants are also expected to create an opportune scenario for incoming nylon manufacturers across the forecast period. Recycling nylon is another trend that aspiring nylon vendors could focus on since recycled nylon is considered more eco-friendly than conventional nylon.

• Natural Fiber Welding, a United States-based company focusing on revitalizing recycled fibers through its sustainable practices, announced that it has raised US$ 85 million in a Series B round in April 2022. The company was expected to use the funding to scale the production of its sustainable materials.

An all-inclusive assessment of market-augmenting aspects such as new developments, product standards, local supply, pricing trends, and safety regulations have been mentioned in this latest nylon market study by skilled analysts at Fact.MR, a market research and competitive intelligence provider.

What is the Major Obstruction to Nylon Market Development?

“Implementation of Stringent Mandates to Conserve Environment”

The world has witnessed the major ill effects of climate change and global warming in recent years and this has led to the implementation of strict regulations around the world to cushion the environmental impact and help the planet sustain itself in a better way.

Plastics have been a major contributor to pollution and are becoming an issue that is getting worse by the day owing to their non-biodegradable nature and the breaking down of macroscopic plastics into microscopic plastic fibers.

Nylon is a polymer made up of polyamides, which are non-biodegradable and stay in the environment for a long time and adding up to the plastic pollution that disrupts natural processes. Companies manufacturing and utilizing nylon 6 and nylon 66 for their products are expected to shift towards using eco-friendly alternatives as governments implement stricter laws to control pollution.

• Nyltec Polymers, a start-up based in the United States, is making pellets from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) that are very similar to nylon in terms of durability and heat resistance. The new alternative was named NyLester and was claimed to be 100% recyclable while having a lower manufacturing cost as compared to nylon.

All of the aforementioned factors are expected to hinder sales of nylon fabrics and other nylon products across the forecast period and beyond.

Country-wise Insights

Why Should Nylon Manufacturers Target Asian Countries?

“Low Cost of Labor and Raw Materials”

Countries such as India and China in the Asia Pacific region have emerged as major manufacturing hubs for almost everything in recent years owing to supportive government initiatives that provide incentives for manufacturing activities and high availability of low-cost raw materials and labor. Nylon manufacturers are anticipated to set up new production facilities in the aforementioned countries to improve profitability and satisfy rising demand in the APAC region.

Increasing automotive manufacturing activity, rapid urbanization and industrialization, and rising use of nylon in the electrical and electronics industry are other factors that could potentially offer remunerative business opportunities for nylon suppliers. Expanding working women population in Asian countries is also expected to uplift sales of spandex leggings and nylon stockings across the forecast period. Japan, Korea, and Indonesia are also expected to emerge as moneymaking markets in APAC over the coming years.

How Will Nylon Sales Fare in the United States?

“Surging Demand for Engineering Plastics in Aerospace and Automotive Industries”

The widening scope of application of polyamides in industry verticals such as automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing is anticipated to bolster nylon demand in the United States over the next ten years. Increasing focus on sustainability and implementation of strict laws to regulate the use of polyesters and plastics is expected to boost demand for bio-based nylon in the country over the coming years.

The presence of key aerospace companies, surging demand for nylon films, and growing use of nylon-based components in electric vehicle manufacturing to reduce weight are other aspects that could alter nylon shipments in the United States across the forecast period.

Will European Countries Be Lucrative Markets for Nylon Vendors?

“Strong Demand, Moderate Growth – Predictions for Europe”

Demand for nylon in the European region is expected to primarily be from the automotive industry where the use of nylon to manufacture components for electric vehicles is increasing at a rapid pace. Germany, France, and the United Kingdom are expected to be the leading markets in this region throughout the forecast period and beyond.

Implementation of stringent norms to regulate the use of non-biodegradable materials and a growing focus on sustainability are anticipated to promote the demand for bio-based nylon in Europe going forward. The presence of a highly lucrative fashion industry and the rising adoption of sustainable textiles are also predicted to foster market growth in the future.

• Ghillied, a clothing company based in the United Kingdom, is developing and offering products made from sustainable materials and fabrics that have been manufactured using recycled fishing nets and nylon waste.

Category-wise Insights

Which Type of Nylon is Spearheading Market Growth?

“Nylon 6 Accounts for Authoritative Market Share”

Based on product type, the nylon market is segmented into nylon 6 and nylon 66.

Nylon 6 has witnessed a hike in popularity as a low-cost alternative to steel, brass, plastics, and rubbers. Nylon 6 is also known as PA 6. The electrical protection characteristics of nylon 6 are promoting its popularity amongst electrical protection device manufacturers and contributing to a high market share.

• In 2022, nylon 6 accounted for more than 1/2 of the global nylon industry landscape.

Surging use of nylon 6 fibers in the clothing and apparel industry owing to the smooth nature of nylon and quick drying properties of nylon 6-based fabrics is also projected to bolster demand for PA 6 throughout the forecast period and beyond. Meanwhile, nylon 66 or PA 66 shipments for packaging applications are also predicted to witness a bright outlook through 2033.

Competitive Landscape

Prime nylon companies are focusing on expanding their production capacity to meet increasing demand and improve their share in the global landscape.

• In July 2022, Invista, a renowned fiber and intermediates manufacturer, announced new investments for its production facility in South Carolina, United States. The new funds were estimated to be used to expand the polyamide production and logistics capability of the plant, which was estimated to be completed by the year 2024.

Key Segments Covered in Nylon Industry Research

• By Product Type :

  • Nylon 6
  • Nylon 66

• By Application :

  • Automobile
  • Engineering Plastics
  • Textiles
  • Electrical & Electronics
  • Others

• By Region :

  • North America
  • Latin America
  • Europe
  • APAC
  • MEA