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In 2005, global demand for caprolactam reached almost 3.9 million metric tons.
By 2010, total demand is expected to reach 4.5 million metric tons, representing
an average annual growth of 2.9% during 2005–2010.
The major market for caprolactam is as a raw material for nylon 6 fibers and
resins. The following pie chart shows consumption of caprolactam by end use
and region:
Caprolactam is a widely traded product. Western Europe, Central and Eastern
Europe, Japan and the United States send significant quantities to China, Taiwan
and the Republic of Korea. Net imports account for 48% of total Asian (excluding
Japan) consumption. “Other Asia” is now the largest consuming region
in the world, mainly as a result of nylon 6 fiber production concentrating
in the region, away from the more industrialized regions of North America,
Western Europe and Japan. Asia accounted for about 43% of global nylon fiber
production in 2005 (compared with 35% in 2001). Nylon fiber production is expected
to continue to grow in Asia at a rate higher than that for the world as a whole.
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