Caprolactam Market Size, Share, Opportunities, And Trends By End-Product (Nylon 6 Resin, Nylon 6 Fibre, Others), By Application (Textile Yarn, Industrial Yarn, Engineering Plastics, Others), By End-User (Automotive, Film & Coatings, Industrial, Electronics & Electrical, Consumer Goods, Textile & Carpet, Others), And By Geography - Forecasts From 2025 To 2030

The caprolactam market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 4.06%, reaching a market size of US$8,736.9 million in 2030 from US$7,159.5 million in 2025.

Caprolactam is an organic compound with a chemical formula of (CH2)5C(O)NH. The caprolactam market is expected to grow owing to its rising use in the construction, electronics, electrical, and automotive sectors. Additionally, caprolactam is a cyclic amide referred to as lactam. It serves as the primary material for Nylon-6, a synthetic polymer that is widely used globally. Caprolactam is colorless, crystalline, and very soluble in water and other solvents. Hence, with the rising use of nylon 6, the caprolactam market is anticipated to propel in the projected period. 

Caprolactam serves as a very crucial component for the automobile and construction industries. It is used as a raw material for producing nylon 6, which is used in the automotive industry for its different applications, such as structural components, fuel system parts, and electronic/electrical parts. In the construction industry, nylon 6 is applied for reinforcement materials, cable management and insulation, and plastic engineering. Increased investment in the construction and automotive industries will fuel the demand for caprolactam during the forecast period. For example, the total value added of the industrial sector reached 39,910.3 billion yuan in 2023, up by 4.2% over last year; the value added of construction enterprises reached 8,569.1 billion yuan, up by 7.2% over last year.

Similarly, according to the U.S. Department of Commerce, the total construction spending in the United States during July 2024 was at US$2,162.7 billion, 6.7% higher than that of 2023, where the construction spending was at US$2,027.4 billion. Hence, with increasing demand for caprolactam in various industries of end use, this market is expected to develop significantly in the forecasted period.

What are the caprolactam market drivers?

• The growing demand for caprolactam in the healthcare industry is boosting its market growth in the projected period. Due to its versatility, the product has gained popularity in the medical sector for engineered plastic, films, and fibers. Additionally, the nylon 6 obtained from caprolactam has applications in medical textiles, including surgical mesh and sutures, as it is biocompatible and has higher tensile strength. Governments worldwide are investing heavily in increasing medical sector production, which is expected to positively impact the market growth in the coming years. For instance, the Ministry of Textile, the medical textile sector, saw significant growth in 2023 due to increasing cutting-edge advancements from various institutes and universities. Additionally, in 2023, the Ministry of Textile approved 33 research and development projects worth INR78.99 crores across strategic key areas, including medical textiles, high-performance textiles, specialty fiber, and geotextiles, among others. 
• The increasing use of nylon 6 in the automotive sector is one of the major reasons propelling the demand for caprolactam in the projected period. The use of nylon 6 for applications in engine components such as bearing oil, containers, and wire harness connectors is expected to increase the demand for nylon 6 in the automotive sector, which is anticipated to fuel the market for caprolactam in the projected period. For instance, according to the International Organization of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers, the number of manufactured in 2022 was 6,15,98,650 by all major countries combined, which increased by 10%, reaching 6,71,33,570 in 2023.
• The growing use of caprolactam in the packaging industry for food packaging, industrial packaging, and the pharmaceutical industry is expected to propel the market growth in the projected period. Nylon 6 is the key component derived from caprolactam, which is then processed into thin films, and these thin films have durability, high tensile strength, and excellent barrier. The feature of the nylon 6 films helps prevent moisture, oxygen, and contamination from entering, which helps keep the content fresh. Hence, these properties of nylon 6 are expected to boost the market for caprolactam in the projected period.  

Segment analysis of the caprolactam market:

• By application, the textile segment is expected to hold a significant share of the caprolactam market.

By application, the caprolactam market is segmented into textile yarn, engineering plastic, industrial yarn, and others. Caprolactam is used as a monomer in the textile sector, which helps in producing polyamide called nylon 6. This nylon 6 has a high strength-to-weight ratio and exceptional chemical and thermal resistance. With increasing product launches and rising demand for home furnishing products such as carpets, curtains, and bedsheets, the growing textile industry is anticipated to propel the demand for caprolactam in the projected period. 

• By end-user segment, the automotive industry is anticipated to hold a significant share of the caprolactam market.

The automotive industry is expected to grow substantially in the forecasted period, owing to the increasing use of nylon 6 in the automotive sector. Nylon 6 has major properties, including strength and durability, and is lightweight compared to other materials. Additionally, the increased use of nylon 6 as a sustainable alternative is expected to further boost market growth in the forecasted period. 

• The Asia Pacific region is anticipated to hold a significant share in the coming years. 

The Asia Pacific region is expected to grow at a noteworthy rate due to the increasing growth of the textile sector in countries such as India and China, which is expected to boost the market demand for caprolactam in the coming years. Additionally, China is one of the major producers of nylon 6 compound, and according to the United States International Trade Commission, India is the fifth-largest producer of polyester fibers and filament yarns and is the third-largest producer of cellulosic fiber. Hence, these developments are expected to propel the market for caprolactam in the Asia Pacific region in the forecasted period. 

Key developments in the caprolactam market:

• In October 2022, the second phase of the 3,00,000 tons/year caprolactam production project of the Xuyang Group Cangzhou Park reached its production capacity. By 2022, the production capacity of Xuyang Group reached 7,50,000 tons/year, the highest production of caprolactam in China. 

The Caprolactam Market is analyzed into the following segments:

• By End-Product:
  • Nylon 6 Resin
  • Nylon 6 Fibre 
  • Others 
• By Application:
  • Textile Yarn
  • Industrial Yarn
  • Engineering Plastics
  • Others
•  By End-User:
  • Automotive
  • Film & Coatings
  • Industrial
  • Electronics & Electrical
  • Consumer Goods
  • Textile & Carpet
  • Others
• By Geography: 
  • North America
    • USA
    • Canada
    • Mexico
  • South America
    • Brazil
    • Argentina
    • Others
  • Europe
    • UK
    • Germany
    • France
    • Italy
    • Others
  • Middle East and Africa
    • Saudi Arabia
    • Israel
    • Others 
  • Asia Pacific
    • Japan
    • China
    • India
    • South Korea
    • Indonesia
    • Thailand
    • Others

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Market Overview

1.2. Market Definition

1.3. Scope of the Study

1.4. Market Segmentation

1.5. Currency

1.6. Assumptions

1.7. Base and Forecast Years Timeline

1.8. Key Benefits for the Stakeholders

2. RESEARCH METHODOLOGY  

2.1. Research Design

2.2. Research Process

3. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

3.1. Key Findings

3.2. Analyst View

4. MARKET DYNAMICS

4.1. Market Drivers

4.2. Market Restraints

4.3. Porter’s Five Forces Analysis

4.3.1. Bargaining Power of Supplier

4.3.2. Bargaining Power of Buyers

4.3.3. The Threat of New Entrants

4.3.4. Threat of Substitutes

4.3.5. Competitive Rivalry in the Industry

4.4. Industry Value Chain Analysis

5. CAPROLACTAM MARKET BY END-PRODUCT 

5.1. Introduction

5.2. Nylon 6 Resin

5.3. Nylon 6 Fibre 

5.4. Others 

6. CAPROLACTAM MARKET BY APPLICATION 

6.1. Introduction

6.2. Textile Yarn

6.3. Industrial Yarn

6.4. Engineering Plastics

6.5. Others

7. CAPROLACTAM MARKET BY END-USERS

7.1. Introduction

7.2. Automotive

7.3. Film & Coatings

7.4. Industrial

7.5. Electronics & Electrical

7.6. Consumer Goods

7.7. Textile & Carpet

7.8. Others

8. CAPROLACTAM MARKET BY GEOGRAPHY

8.1. Introduction

8.2. North America

8.2.1. USA

8.2.2. Canada

8.2.3. Mexico

8.3. South America

8.3.1. Brazil

8.3.2. Argentina

8.3.3. Others

8.4. Europe

8.4.1. UK

8.4.2. Germany

8.4.3. France

8.4.4. Italy

8.4.5. Others

8.5. Middle East and Africa

8.5.1. Saudi Arabia

8.5.2. Israel

8.5.3. Others 

8.6. Asia Pacific

8.6.1. Japan

8.6.2. China

8.6.3. India

8.6.4. South Korea

8.6.5. Indonesia

8.6.6. Thailand

8.6.7. Others

9. COMPETITIVE ENVIRONMENT AND ANALYSIS

9.1. Major Players and Strategy Analysis

9.2. Market Share Analysis

9.3. Mergers, Acquisitions, Agreements, and Collaborations

9.4. Competitive Dashboard

10. COMPANY PROFILES

10.1. Fibrant

10.2. BASF SE

10.3. China Petrochemical Development Corporation

10.4. UBE Corporation

10.5. Alpek S.A.B. de C.V.

10.6. AdvanSix

10.7. Domo Chemicals

10.8. Lanxess

10.9. TORAY INDUSTRIES INC.

10.10. Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)

Fibrant

BASF SE

China Petrochemical Development Corporation

UBE Corporation

Alpek S.A.B. de C.V.

AdvanSix

Domo Chemicals

Lanxess

TORAY INDUSTRIES INC.

Gujarat State Fertilizers & Chemicals Limited (GSFC)