From automotive parts to the clothes on your back, the global nylon industry is a colossal economic engine that produced nearly 9 million metric tons in 2023, reshaping markets and driving innovation from the dominance of Nylon-6 to the surge in sustainable alternatives.
Key Takeaways
- Global nylon production volume reached 8.9 million metric tons in 2023, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022 driven by demand in automotive and textiles.
- Nylon-6 accounted for 62% of total nylon production worldwide in 2023, totaling approximately 5.5 million metric tons.
- China produced 4.1 million metric tons of nylon in 2023, representing 46% of global output.
- Global nylon market revenue reached $48.2 billion in 2023.
- Nylon-6 market size was valued at $22.5 billion globally in 2023.
- The automotive nylon segment generated $12.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Nylon consumption in automotive tires reached 2.1 million tons in 2023.
- Global textile industry consumed 3.8 million tons of nylon in 2023.
- Nylon demand in Asia-Pacific surged 5.9% to 6.1 million tons in 2023.
- Nylon used in automotive applications comprises 28% of total plastic usage by weight in vehicles produced in 2023.
- In textiles, nylon accounts for 12% of global synthetic fiber usage for apparel in 2023.
- Nylon-6,6 is used in 65% of radial tire cords worldwide in 2023.
- Global nylon exports totaled 2.9 million metric tons in 2023, valued at $28.5 billion.
- China exported 1.8 million tons of nylon products in 2023, 62% of global exports.
- U.S. nylon imports reached 1.1 million tons in 2023, primarily from Asia.
Global nylon production grew in 2023, largely driven by strong demand in Asia.
Applications and End-Use Statistics
- Nylon used in automotive applications comprises 28% of total plastic usage by weight in vehicles produced in 2023.
- In textiles, nylon accounts for 12% of global synthetic fiber usage for apparel in 2023.
- Nylon-6,6 is used in 65% of radial tire cords worldwide in 2023.
- Engineering plastics nylon represents 15% of total engineering thermoplastics market in 2023.
- Nylon films are utilized in 22% of flexible food packaging applications in 2023.
- In carpets, nylon holds 55% market share in residential flooring in the U.S. during 2023.
- Nylon ropes comprise 40% of marine ropes market by volume in 2023.
- Automotive under-the-hood nylon parts number over 50 per vehicle on average in 2023 models.
- Nylon in parachutes and airbags accounts for 75% of fabric material in aviation safety gear 2023.
- Electrical connectors use nylon in 60% of housings produced globally in 2023.
- Nylon monofilaments are used in 35% of fishing lines sold in 2023.
- In consumer electronics, nylon casings represent 18% of smartphone protective cases in 2023.
- Nylon gears are applied in 42% of small electric motors in appliances 2023.
- Medical sutures made from nylon constitute 25% of absorbable sutures market in 2023.
- Nylon in sports equipment like racket strings holds 50% market penetration in tennis 2023.
- Brush bristles use nylon in 70% of industrial brushes manufactured in 2023.
- Nylon membranes filter 30% of industrial water treatment applications in 2023.
- In furniture, nylon fasteners are in 28% of modular assembly systems 2023.
- Nylon composites reinforce 12% of wind turbine blades by length in 2023.
Applications and End-Use Statistics Interpretation
From the tires that grip the road to the sutures that stitch a wound, nylon, in its myriad molecular moods, is the quiet polymath holding together everything from our cars and carpets to our parachutes and phones.
Consumption and Demand Statistics
- Nylon consumption in automotive tires reached 2.1 million tons in 2023.
- Global textile industry consumed 3.8 million tons of nylon in 2023.
- Nylon demand in Asia-Pacific surged 5.9% to 6.1 million tons in 2023.
- U.S. nylon consumption totaled 1.6 million metric tons in 2023.
- Europe's nylon demand for engineering plastics was 850,000 tons in 2023.
- Nylon-66 demand grew 4.7% to 2.4 million tons globally in 2023.
- Automotive sector demanded 2.8 million tons of nylon worldwide in 2023.
- Nylon hosiery and stockings consumption reached 450,000 tons in 2023.
- Industrial machinery consumed 1.2 million tons of nylon in 2023.
- Consumer goods nylon demand was 1.9 million tons in 2023 globally.
- Nylon demand in packaging films hit 650,000 tons in 2023.
- Sports and leisure nylon consumption totaled 780,000 tons in 2023.
- Nylon for electrical insulation demanded 420,000 tons in 2023.
- Healthcare sector nylon use reached 280,000 tons in 2023.
- Nylon carpet demand in North America was 550,000 tons in 2023.
- Aviation industry consumed 95,000 tons of nylon composites in 2023.
- Nylon fishing nets demand totaled 220,000 tons globally in 2023.
- Furniture upholstery used 380,000 tons of nylon in 2023.
- Nylon gear demand in robotics was 150,000 tons in 2023.
- Nylon in 3D printing filaments consumed 45,000 tons in 2023.
Consumption and Demand Statistics Interpretation
While our cars roll on it, our clothes are made of it, and nearly every machine relies on it, the sobering truth is that the modern world, from your stockings to your 3D printer, is quite literally being held together by 25 million tons of very determined plastic.
Environmental and Sustainability Statistics
- Global nylon industry emitted 12.4 million tons of CO2 equivalent in 2023.
- Nylon production consumes 45 GJ of energy per metric ton on average in 2023.
- 28% of nylon waste was recycled globally in 2023, totaling 1.2 million tons.
- Water usage in nylon manufacturing averaged 120 m³ per ton in 2023.
- Bio-based nylon production capacity reached 250,000 tons/year globally in 2023.
- Nylon microplastics contributed 8% to ocean plastic pollution in 2023 studies.
- GHG emissions from Nylon-6 production were 7.5 tons CO2e per ton in 2023.
- 15 major nylon producers committed to 30% recycled content by 2030 as of 2023.
- Nylon carpet recycling rate in Europe hit 45% in 2023.
- Chemical recycling of nylon achieved 5% of total recycling volume in 2023.
- Nylon production's NOx emissions averaged 1.2 kg per ton in 2023.
- 62% of nylon plants adopted energy efficiency measures improving 12% in 2023.
- Landfill disposal of nylon waste was reduced 18% globally to 2.1 million tons in 2023.
- PA11 bio-nylon reduced carbon footprint by 50% compared to fossil-based in 2023 LCA.
- Nylon textile incineration emitted 9.8 million tons CO2e in 2023.
- Water recycling rate in nylon plants reached 35% average in 2023.
- 22 nylon facilities installed carbon capture tech by end of 2023.
- Nylon fiber shedding contributes 1.5 million tons microfibers annually as per 2023 data.
- Sustainable nylon certifications grew 25% to cover 1.8 million tons in 2023.
- VOC emissions from nylon polymerization down 14% to 45,000 tons in 2023.
- Nylon industry's renewable energy usage hit 18% of total in 2023.
Environmental and Sustainability Statistics Interpretation
The nylon industry is stuck in a toxic relationship with the planet, offering a bouquet of promising green statistics while still holding onto the wilted flowers of staggering emissions and pervasive pollution.
Market and Economic Statistics
- Global nylon market revenue reached $48.2 billion in 2023.
- Nylon-6 market size was valued at $22.5 billion globally in 2023.
- The automotive nylon segment generated $12.4 billion in revenue in 2023.
- Asia-Pacific nylon market grew at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2018-2023.
- Nylon 66 price averaged $2.85 per kg in Q4 2023 globally.
- Global nylon consumption market projected to reach $65 billion by 2030 at 5.2% CAGR.
- U.S. nylon market value stood at $8.7 billion in 2023.
- Europe's nylon engineering plastics market was €4.2 billion in 2023.
- Chinese nylon market share was 42% of global value in 2023.
- Nylon textile fibers market revenue hit $15.3 billion in 2023.
- Industrial nylon market grew 7.8% YoY to $10.1 billion in 2023.
- Nylon film and sheets segment valued at $3.6 billion globally in 2023.
- Bio-based nylon market size reached $1.2 billion in 2023, up 12%.
- Nylon 610 market valued at $450 million in 2023.
- Global nylon recycling market was $2.8 billion in 2023.
- Nylon carpet market revenue totaled $9.5 billion in 2023.
- High-performance nylon market hit $5.4 billion in 2023.
- Nylon rope and cordage market valued at $1.9 billion in 2023.
- Apparel nylon market grew to $7.2 billion in 2023 globally.
- Nylon 11 market size was $320 million in 2023.
- Electrical & electronics nylon market revenue $4.1 billion in 2023.
Market and Economic Statistics Interpretation
While global nylon revenue weaves a $48.2 billion tapestry stretching from car parts ($12.4B) and carpets ($9.5B) to apparel ($7.2B), its future strength relies on Asia-Pacific's 6.1% growth and bio-based nylon's 12% surge to stitch together a $65 billion projection by 2030.
Production Statistics
- Global nylon production volume reached 8.9 million metric tons in 2023, marking a 4.2% increase from 2022 driven by demand in automotive and textiles.
- Nylon-6 accounted for 62% of total nylon production worldwide in 2023, totaling approximately 5.5 million metric tons.
- China produced 4.1 million metric tons of nylon in 2023, representing 46% of global output.
- Nylon-66 production in the United States was 1.2 million metric tons in 2023, up 3.8% year-over-year.
- Europe's nylon production capacity stood at 1.8 million metric tons per annum as of 2023.
- Asia-Pacific region contributed 72% to global nylon production in 2023, equating to 6.4 million metric tons.
- BASF's global nylon production capacity expanded to 1.5 million tons/year after 2023 investments.
- India's nylon production grew by 7.5% to 450,000 metric tons in FY2023.
- Japan’s nylon output reached 850,000 metric tons in 2023, with 55% being Nylon-6.
- South Korea's nylon production capacity hit 1.1 million tons in 2023 following new plant openings.
- Brazil's domestic nylon production was 120,000 metric tons in 2023, primarily for textiles.
- DuPont's nylon production in Europe reached 600,000 tons in 2023.
- Global nylon filament yarn production was 3.2 million tons in 2023.
- Nylon resin production in North America totaled 1.4 million metric tons in 2023.
- Thailand's nylon production increased 5.2% to 250,000 tons in 2023.
- Germany's nylon production capacity utilization rate was 89% in 2023.
- World nylon staple fiber output reached 1.1 million tons in 2023.
- Iran's nylon carpet yarn production was 180,000 tons in 2023.
- Mexico's nylon production grew to 95,000 metric tons in 2023.
- Turkey produced 320,000 tons of nylon yarns in 2023.
- Vietnam's emerging nylon production reached 75,000 tons in 2023.
- Russia's nylon production declined 2.1% to 210,000 tons in 2023 due to sanctions.
- Australia's nylon production was limited to 15,000 tons in 2023, mostly imported dependent.
- Egypt's nylon production hit 110,000 tons in 2023 for textile exports.
- Indonesia produced 140,000 metric tons of nylon in 2023.
- Pakistan's nylon filament production was 280,000 tons in 2023.
Production Statistics Interpretation
While Asia-Pacific weaves the lion's share of the global nylon tapestry, with China alone spinning nearly half the world's thread, production figures reveal a fabric of interconnected regional strengths—from America's nylon-66 resilience to Europe's steady-state capacity and emerging looms from India to Vietnam—all stitching together an industry still growing by over 4% a year, driven by our unyielding demand for everything from tires to textiles.
Trade and Global Statistics
- Global nylon exports totaled 2.9 million metric tons in 2023, valued at $28.5 billion.
- China exported 1.8 million tons of nylon products in 2023, 62% of global exports.
- U.S. nylon imports reached 1.1 million tons in 2023, primarily from Asia.
- EU nylon imports from third countries were 750,000 tons in 2023.
- Germany's nylon exports hit 420,000 tons valued at €3.2 billion in 2023.
- India's nylon exports grew 8.4% to 350,000 tons in FY2023.
- Japan exported 280,000 tons of high-grade nylon in 2023.
- South Korea's nylon trade surplus was $1.2 billion in 2023.
- Turkey imported 220,000 tons of nylon yarns in 2023.
- Brazil's nylon exports reached 85,000 tons in 2023, mainly to Latin America.
- Vietnam exported 190,000 tons of nylon textiles in 2023.
- Netherlands re-exported 310,000 tons of nylon through Rotterdam in 2023.
- Iran's nylon exports were 120,000 tons despite sanctions in 2023.
- Mexico imported 75,000 tons of nylon resins in 2023.
- Indonesia's nylon exports surged to 110,000 tons in 2023.
- Pakistan exported 160,000 tons of nylon fabrics in 2023.
- Thailand's nylon trade volume was 200,000 tons net imports in 2023.
- Russia's nylon imports dropped 15% to 90,000 tons in 2023.
- Australia's nylon imports totaled 45,000 tons in 2023.
- Egypt exported 70,000 tons of nylon yarns in 2023.
Trade and Global Statistics Interpretation
The global nylon trade reveals a stark reality where China effectively runs the factory floor, America and Europe are the eager shoppers, and everyone else is strategically carving out their own corner of a sprawling, $28.5 billion fabric market.
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