Nylon is a popular fiber with various applications in making shorts, swimwear, track pants, bedspreads, draperies, and more. It is also extensively used in technical textiles for products like flak vests, combat uniforms, parachutes, etc. Due to its favorable characteristics, including easy care, elasticity, shape retention, resilience, and responsiveness to heat setting, nylon maintains its reputation and demand in the apparel industry.

Nylon accounts for almost 9% of all man-made fibers, making it the second-largest market, next to polyester. The nylon filament and staple fiber industry, valued at USD 15.22 billion in 2007, experienced a decline to USD 14.02 million in 2008 due to the global downturn. The production of nylon fibers, which averaged 3.8-3.9 million tons, decreased to 3.4 million tons in 2008. Currently, with the world gradually recovering, nylon fibers are experiencing an upswing.

Nylon - preferred over polyester fibers:

Despite polyester being half the cost of nylon and dominating the synthetic fiber market, nylon remains strong in specific technical niches. Nylon is preferred for making airbags in cars due to its ability to resist the heat of explosion, a quality polyester fibers lack. Nylon fibers are also favored in women's intimate wear for their fine denier, smooth feel, and durable texture. These fibers exhibit excellent electrical conductivity, outstanding antibacterial properties, and overall excellent textile characteristics. Nylon is often used in blends, with approximately 1-2% being sufficient to give textiles antistatic properties.

Shifting demand towards Asian regions, especially China:

As the world started recovering from the economic downturn, the market for nylon fibers expanded rapidly. Currently, the market for nylon fibers is shifting towards Asian regions, particularly China. China, as one of the world's largest textile makers and exporters, is gaining prominence in the global nylon fiber market. The nylon fiber industry is booming, with analysts predicting that downstream demand for nylon fibers is concentrating in China, making it the primary location for capacity additions. The market demand for nylon fibers in China is expected to grow along with its GDP, averaging around 10% for the next 2-3 years.