Market overview
The global caprolactam market is worth USD 12.5 bn in 2026 and is forecast to reach USD 19.1 bn by 2036, growing at a 4.3% CAGR. China is the largest country market and Nylon 6 fibre and filament is the largest by application segment.
| Scope | Caprolactam, the chemical building block of nylon 6, sold as liquid or flake to makers of nylon fibre, engineering plastics and film. |
|---|---|
| Industry | Chemicals and Materials |
| Value 2025 | USD 12.0 bn |
| Value 2026 | USD 12.5 bn |
| Value 2036 | USD 19.1 bn |
| CAGR 2026-2036 | 4.3% |
| Volume 2026 | 7,153,274 tonnes |
| Volume 2036 | 10,063,351 tonnes |
| Average price 2026 | USD 1,753 per tonne |
| Report price | Starts from USD 1,999 |
| Published | November 2026 |
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Caprolactam market size and forecast, 2026-2036
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Year | Market value |
|---|---|
| 2026 | USD 12.5 bn |
| 2027 | USD 13.1 bn |
| 2028 | USD 13.6 bn |
| 2029 | USD 14.2 bn |
| 2030 | USD 14.8 bn |
| 2031 | USD 15.5 bn |
| 2032 | USD 16.1 bn |
| 2033 | USD 16.8 bn |
| 2034 | USD 17.6 bn |
| 2035 | USD 18.3 bn |
| 2036 | USD 19.1 bn |
Caprolactam market segmentation
By application
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nylon 6 fibre and filament | 62.0% | 58.8% | USD 7.8 bn | 3.8% |
| Engineering plastics | 22.0% | 25.3% | USD 2.8 bn | 5.8% |
| Films | 9.0% | 9.1% | USD 1.1 bn | 4.5% |
| Other uses | 7.0% | 6.8% | USD 878 mn | 4.0% |
By end use
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Textiles and carpets | 44.0% | 40.5% | USD 5.5 bn | 3.4% |
| Automotive | 22.0% | 24.5% | USD 2.8 bn | 5.4% |
| Electrical and electronics | 12.0% | 13.2% | USD 1.5 bn | 5.3% |
| Packaging | 12.0% | 12.2% | USD 1.5 bn | 4.4% |
| Other | 10.0% | 9.6% | USD 1.3 bn | 3.8% |
By production process
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cyclohexanone oxime route | 82.0% | 78.0% | USD 10.3 bn | 3.8% |
| Phenol and toluene-based routes | 13.0% | 15.0% | USD 1.6 bn | 5.8% |
| Bio-based and emerging routes | 5.0% | 7.0% | USD 627 mn | 7.9% |
By physical form
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Molten (liquid) | 56.0% | 55.0% | USD 7.0 bn | 4.1% |
| Flake | 36.0% | 36.0% | USD 4.5 bn | 4.3% |
| Aqueous solution | 8.0% | 9.0% | USD 1.0 bn | 5.5% |
By supply mode
| Segment | Share 2026 | Share 2036 | Value 2026 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Captive and integrated | 54.0% | 50.0% | USD 6.8 bn | 3.5% |
| Merchant contract | 34.0% | 35.0% | USD 4.3 bn | 4.6% |
| Spot and traded | 12.0% | 15.0% | USD 1.5 bn | 6.7% |
Top 25 countries for caprolactam by revenue
Countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales in the country, not by where the product is made. The ten largest hold 86.0% of 2026 revenue and the 25 countries below together hold 96.1%.
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
| # | Country | Value 2026 | Share 2026 | Value 2036 | CAGR 2026-36 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | China | USD 6.5 bn | 52.0% | USD 10.1 bn | 4.5% |
| 2 | United States | USD 878 mn | 7.0% | USD 1.2 bn | 3.5% |
| 3 | India | USD 627 mn | 5.0% | USD 1.1 bn | 6.0% |
| 4 | Germany | USD 564 mn | 4.5% | USD 783 mn | 3.3% |
| 5 | Taiwan | USD 502 mn | 4.0% | USD 707 mn | 3.5% |
| 6 | Japan | USD 439 mn | 3.5% | USD 573 mn | 2.7% |
| 7 | South Korea | USD 376 mn | 3.0% | USD 535 mn | 3.6% |
| 8 | Italy | USD 314 mn | 2.5% | USD 439 mn | 3.4% |
| 9 | Thailand | USD 314 mn | 2.5% | USD 516 mn | 5.1% |
| 10 | Brazil | USD 251 mn | 2.0% | USD 363 mn | 3.8% |
| 11 | Netherlands | USD 118 mn | 0.9% | USD 164 mn | 3.4% |
| 12 | Belgium | USD 110 mn | 0.9% | USD 155 mn | 3.4% |
| 13 | Poland | USD 104 mn | 0.8% | USD 155 mn | 4.0% |
| 14 | Turkey | USD 97 mn | 0.8% | USD 153 mn | 4.7% |
| 15 | Mexico | USD 97 mn | 0.8% | USD 153 mn | 4.7% |
| 16 | France | USD 89 mn | 0.7% | USD 124 mn | 3.4% |
| 17 | Russia | USD 89 mn | 0.7% | USD 132 mn | 4.0% |
| 18 | United Kingdom | USD 82 mn | 0.7% | USD 113 mn | 3.3% |
| 19 | Spain | USD 82 mn | 0.7% | USD 122 mn | 4.1% |
| 20 | Indonesia | USD 74 mn | 0.6% | USD 126 mn | 5.5% |
| 21 | Vietnam | USD 74 mn | 0.6% | USD 126 mn | 5.5% |
| 22 | Pakistan | USD 66 mn | 0.5% | USD 113 mn | 5.4% |
| 23 | Czech Republic | USD 66 mn | 0.5% | USD 99 mn | 4.1% |
| 24 | Bangladesh | USD 59 mn | 0.5% | USD 101 mn | 5.6% |
| 25 | Canada | USD 59 mn | 0.5% | USD 88 mn | 4.1% |
| Rest of world | USD 490 mn | 3.9% | USD 751 mn | 4.3% |
Source: Compare Market Research analysis.
© 2026 Compare Market Research. All rights reserved.
Competitive landscape
Group 1: Global leaders
- BASF
- Sinopec
- UBE
- AdvanSix
- DOMO Chemicals
Group 2: Regional and specialist players
- Lotte Chemical
- Toray Industries
- Sumitomo Chemical
- Grupa Azoty
- Shenma Industrial
- GSFC
- CPC Corporation Taiwan
- Asahi Kasei
Group 3: Emerging and niche players
- Fibrant
- Hongye Chemical
- Aquafil
Research methodology
Every figure on this page comes from the research framework that we apply to all of the markets we cover. The 2025 base for the caprolactam market is built from the volume sold and the price that buyers pay, and is cross-checked against the size of the wider industry the market belongs to. Where a market can be sized in more than one way, the routes are compared before a figure is set.
The forecast runs year by year from the 2025 base to 2036. Growth in each year reflects demand from the industries that buy the product, adoption of new technology, pricing, regulation and replacement cycles. Volume and price are modelled together, so revenue in each year equals volume multiplied by average price. The 2026 to 2036 compound annual growth rate of 4.3% is calculated from the resulting values.
The market is divided by application, by end use, by production process, by physical form, by supply mode. The 25 largest countries are ranked by revenue earned from sales to buyers in each country, not by where the product is made. Segment values and country values add up to the market total in every year, and every report is checked for consistency before it is published.
Companies are placed in three groups: global leaders, regional and specialist players, and emerging and niche players. The groups describe how companies compete in the market. They are not a ranking and they are not market shares.
Our analysts also carry out primary research. Customized reports add interviews with key opinion leaders, such as senior executives, technical specialists and buyers, to test the assumptions behind the numbers for the question being asked.
Frequently asked questions
How big is the caprolactam market?
The global caprolactam market is estimated at USD 12.0 bn in 2025 and USD 12.5 bn in 2026.
How fast will the caprolactam market grow?
It is forecast to reach USD 19.1 bn by 2036, a compound annual growth rate of 4.3% from 2026, an increase of USD 6.6 bn.
Which country is the largest market for caprolactam?
China is the largest market by revenue at USD 6.5 bn in 2026, 52.0% of the global total. The three largest countries together hold 64.0%.
Which country is growing fastest?
Among the ten largest markets, India is growing fastest at 6.0% a year from 2026 to 2036.
Which caprolactam segment is largest?
In the by application split, Nylon 6 fibre and filament is the largest segment with 62.0% of 2026 revenue.
Who are the leading caprolactam companies?
Global leaders include BASF, Sinopec, UBE, AdvanSix.
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