Northeast Asia – Polyester (POY) Prices February 2026

In Feb 2026, Polyester (POY) Prices in Northeast Asia reached USD 1.32/Kg, marking a 3.1% increase from the previous period. The upward movement reflected firmer polyester feedstock costs, improved downstream textile demand, and changing regional supply conditions. Market sentiment strengthened as producers adjusted offers amid evolving operating rates and procuremen

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Polyester (POY) Prices, Trend and Forecast — September 2026

What is Polyester (POY)?

Polyester POY (Partially Oriented Yarn) is a semi-finished synthetic filament yarn manufactured primarily from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) through high-speed melt spinning. During production, the polyester molecular chains become partially oriented rather than fully drawn, giving POY high elongation and making it suitable for further processing into Draw Textured Yarn (DTY) and other downstream yarn products.

POY serves as an important intermediate in the polyester textile value chain. It can also undergo draw-warping and other processes for weaving, knitting, apparel, home furnishings, upholstery, and technical textile applications.

Latest Polyester (POY) Prices — September 2026

In September 2026, Polyester (POY) prices in Northeast Asia reached USD 1.32/Kg, representing a 3.1% increase from the previous period. The rise reflects firmer upstream cost conditions, evolving polyester supply, and continued procurement from textile and yarn-processing industries.

For comparison, IMARC reported a Northeast Asian POY price of USD 1.28/Kg in August 2026, when prices had increased 4.1% from the preceding period.

Polyester (POY) Price Trend — September 2026

The Northeast Asian POY market showed an upward price trajectory during September 2026. The movement from USD 1.28/Kg in August to USD 1.32/Kg in September indicates continued cost support across the polyester chain.

Upstream feedstocks, particularly purified terephthalic acid (PTA) and monoethylene glycol (MEG), remain important determinants of polyester filament economics. Industry sources note that PTA and MEG represent a substantial portion of polyester filament production costs and are closely linked to crude-oil movements.

At the same time, September market conditions were mixed on the demand side. Asian petrochemical prices were being supported by elevated crude and feedstock costs, while downstream demand remained relatively cautious.

Factors Affecting Polyester (POY) Supply and Prices

1. PTA and MEG Prices

PTA and MEG are the key raw materials used in polyester production. Changes in their prices directly influence POY manufacturing costs. Since these feedstocks are linked to the broader petrochemical chain, crude oil and naphtha movements can transmit cost changes into POY prices.

2. Crude Oil Prices

Crude oil prices influence polyester through the petrochemical feedstock chain. In September 2026, crude prices moved above USD 100/barrel, increasing costs for several Asian petrochemical products despite relatively weak downstream consumption.

3. Textile and Apparel Demand

POY demand is closely connected to textile production, particularly DTY manufacturing, weaving, knitting, apparel, home textiles, and furnishings. Seasonal garment orders and export activity can encourage textile mills and texturizers to increase procurement.

4. Polyester Production Rates

Operating rates at polyester filament plants influence regional availability. Maintenance shutdowns, production cuts, inventory levels, and changes in capacity utilization can tighten or loosen the POY supply balance.

Recent Chinese industry data showed increasing pressure on polyester filament margins in September 2026, with POY processing spreads weakening significantly during the month.

5. Export and Import Activity

China and other Asian producers play an important role in polyester filament supply. Export orders, international textile demand, freight costs, tariffs, and currency movements can consequently affect regional POY prices.

6. Inventory Levels

When textile manufacturers maintain low inventories, additional restocking can provide short-term support to POY prices. Conversely, high yarn and fabric inventories can encourage buyers to delay procurement and place downward pressure on prices.

7. Energy and Manufacturing Costs

Electricity, fuel, labor, maintenance, and transportation expenses also influence POY production economics. Higher operating costs can encourage producers to increase selling prices, particularly when margins become compressed.

Polyester (POY) Supply and Price Index

The POY price index reflects the combined influence of feedstock costs, production economics, supply-demand conditions, inventories, and downstream textile consumption.

IMARC’s August 2026 benchmark placed Northeast Asian POY at USD 1.28/Kg, while the September 2026 benchmark supplied for this analysis reached USD 1.32/Kg. This represents a sequential increase consistent with firmer cost conditions across the polyester chain.

The index should be interpreted alongside physical-market indicators such as polyester operating rates, producer inventories, textile mill utilization, and export orders because POY prices can respond differently to upstream costs and downstream demand.

Polyester (POY) Market News — September 2026

The Asian petrochemical market entered September with substantial cost pressure as crude oil prices moved above USD 100/barrel. However, ICIS reported that stronger upstream prices were occurring alongside relatively weak downstream demand, creating margin pressure for producers. Some manufacturers were considering production reductions as costs increased.

Within China’s polyester filament industry, September data also showed weakening processing economics. By September 15, POY processing spreads had moved into negative territory, reflecting pressure from the relationship between selling prices and production costs.

These developments demonstrate the competing forces shaping POY prices: higher upstream costs on one side and cautious downstream consumption on the other.

Current Demand for Polyester (POY)

Current POY demand is primarily generated by its role as a feedstock for draw texturing and other downstream polyester filament processes. POY is commonly converted into DTY, which is subsequently used in apparel, knitted and woven fabrics, home textiles, upholstery, and related applications.

Demand is also influenced by seasonal apparel production, export orders, fabric-mill operating rates, and consumer spending. During periods of stronger garment orders, textile manufacturers generally increase yarn procurement, supporting POY consumption.

However, September 2026 market conditions remained mixed, with higher raw-material costs not fully matched by downstream demand.

Polyester (POY) Demand-Side Factors

Several demand-side factors are shaping the POY market:

• Growth in polyester-based apparel
• Demand for sportswear and activewear
• Home furnishing and upholstery production
• Seasonal textile and garment orders
• DTY manufacturing requirements
• Export-oriented textile production
• Demand for cost-effective synthetic fibers
• Expansion of polyester filament applications

POY’s role as an intermediate yarn means its demand is strongly connected to the health of the broader textile and apparel manufacturing chain

Polyester (POY) Supply-Side Factors

On the supply side, the market is influenced by:

• PTA and MEG availability
• Polyester filament production capacity
• Plant maintenance and shutdowns
• Producer operating rates
• Inventory levels
• Production economics and margins
• Export availability
• Freight and logistics conditions
• Crude-oil and petrochemical costs

China remains particularly important to global polyester filament supply, making developments in Chinese production and downstream textile activity significant for international POY markets.

Previous Year Polyester (POY) Price Comparison

The September 2026 POY market can be compared with the broader conditions observed during September 2025. IMARC’s Q3-ending-September 2025 assessment described Northeast Asian POY prices as moving upward, supported by stable PTA and MEG supplies and demand from downstream texturizers and weaving mills.

Industry quotations from September 2025 placed 150D/48F POY in Jiangsu and Zhejiang at approximately RMB 6,650–6,850/MT around September 12. This quotation is specification- and market-specific and therefore should not be treated as a direct USD/Kg equivalent to the September 2026 IMARC benchmark.

Overall, the year-on-year comparison indicates that both periods were influenced by the interaction between upstream feedstock costs, textile demand, operating rates, and producer margins, although the precise price levels depend on benchmark methodology and product specification.

Polyester (POY) Future Price Outlook

The future POY price direction will depend largely on the balance between upstream feedstock costs and downstream textile consumption.

Higher crude oil, PTA, and MEG prices could provide continued cost support. However, weak textile demand, elevated inventories, and reduced purchasing by yarn processors could limit producers’ ability to pass higher costs through to buyers.

Production cuts could provide some supply-side support if margins remain compressed. Conversely, a recovery in textile and apparel orders could strengthen POY procurement and improve market sentiment.

Therefore, upcoming POY price movements are likely to remain closely linked to crude oil, PTA/MEG pricing, polyester operating rates, inventories, export orders, and seasonal textile demand

Major Uses of Polyester (POY)

Polyester POY is mainly used as an intermediate material for producing other polyester yarns and textile products.

Key applications include:

• Draw Textured Yarn (DTY) production
• Fully Drawn Yarn (FDY) processing
• Warping and weaving
• Knitted fabrics
• Apparel and garments
• Sportswear
• Home textiles
• Curtains and upholstery
• Car furnishing
• Technical and industrial textiles
• Decorative fabrics

POY’s partially oriented structure provides the elongation and drawability required for downstream texturizing and drawing operations.

Most Asked FAQs About Polyester (POY)

1. What does POY stand for?

POY stands for Partially Oriented Yarn. It is a semi-finished polyester filament produced through high-speed melt spinning.

2. What is Polyester POY used for?

POY is primarily used as a raw material for producing DTY and other downstream polyester filament yarns. It is also used in draw-warping and related textile processes.

3. What is the September 2026 Polyester POY price?

In the September 2026 benchmark provided for this analysis, Northeast Asian Polyester POY prices stood at USD 1.32/Kg, representing a 3.1% increase.

4. What factors affect POY prices?

The major factors include PTA and MEG prices, crude oil, production costs, polyester operating rates, inventories, textile demand, export activity, freight costs, and plant shutdowns.

5. Is POY a finished yarn?

Generally, no. POY is primarily a semi-finished intermediate yarn that undergoes additional drawing or texturizing before being used in many finished textile applications.

6. What is the difference between POY and DTY?

POY is partially oriented and serves as a feedstock, while DTY is produced by drawing and texturizing POY to create a more bulky and elastic yarn suitable for many fabric applications.

7. What raw materials are used to produce polyester POY?

Polyester POY is produced from PET/polyester polymer, which is manufactured primarily using PTA and MEG as key upstream raw materials.

8. Why are crude oil prices important for POY?

Crude oil affects the petrochemical feedstocks used to produce polyester. Changes in crude prices can therefore influence PTA, MEG, PET, and ultimately POY production costs.

Conclusion

The Polyester (POY) market in September 2026 recorded a Northeast Asian price of USD 1.32/Kg, up 3.1%, following an August benchmark of USD 1.28/Kg. The market remained influenced by higher upstream costs, particularly crude-linked petrochemical feedstocks, while downstream textile demand continued to show mixed conditions.

Going forward, PTA and MEG prices, crude oil, polyester operating rates, inventory levels, textile orders, exports, and producer margins will remain the key variables shaping POY prices. Its central role as a feedstock for DTY and other polyester filament products will continue to connect POY demand closely with global apparel, home textile, and industrial textile activity.

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Key Coverage:

• Market Analysis
• Market Breakup by Region
• Demand Supply Analysis by Type
• Demand Supply Analysis by Application
• Demand Supply Analysis of Raw Materials
• Price Analysis
  • Spot Prices by Major Ports
  • Price Breakup
  • Price Trends by Region
  • Factors influencing the Price Trends
• Market Drivers, Restraints, and Opportunities
• Competitive Landscape
• Recent Developments
• Global Event Analysis

How IMARC Pricing Database Can Help

The latest IMARC Group study, “Polyester (POY) Prices, Trend, Chart, Demand, Market Analysis, News, Historical and Forecast Data 2026 Edition,” presents a detailed analysis of Polyester (POY) price trend, offering key insights into global Polyester (POY) market dynamics. This report includes comprehensive price charts, which trace historical data and highlights major shifts in the market.

The analysis delves into the factors driving these trends, including raw material costs, production fluctuations, and geopolitical influences. Moreover, the report examines Polyester (POY) demand, illustrating how consumer behaviour and industrial needs affect overall market dynamics. By exploring the intricate relationship between supply and demand, the prices report uncovers critical factors influencing current and future prices.

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