Nylon PA66 tyre yarns and fabrics Insight

Nylon 66 (polyamide (PA) 66) is associated with the more specialist, high-performance segments of the global tyre market, owing to its high melt-point. The core chemistry of PA66 delivers a balance of technical properties that competitive yarns such as polyester and even PA6 find it hard to replicate. However, the much lower cost polyester yarns are continuously challenging PA66 yarns. Current PA66 yarn volumes stand at 336 kt and Wood Mackenzie estimates these will rise to 423 kt by 2025. Demand is driven by the increase in high-performance tyre production – these tyres are often wider and therefore use larger amounts of fabric reinforcement. The PA66 tyre yarn and fabric business is dominated by two large suppliers, Shenma, of China, and Kordsa, of Turkey, whose size and reach meet the requirements of tyre producers for global supplier partnerships. Industry structures are set to change as around 10 medium-sized PA66 tyre yarn suppliers seek to join the big league.