Nylon Resin Shortage; Toy Companies Advised to Consider Alternatives

July 11, 2018 | The Toy Association has learned from market sources that nylon 6/6 resin has become more difficult to obtain and more expensive in markets worldwide, including China.

Tight supplies of adiponitrile (ADN) feedstock have caused supplies of nylon 6/6 resin to become tight, according to some sources, and this resin market tightness has in turn led to higher prices for nylon 6/6, with some citing increases of more than 50 percent (or as much as 80 cents per pound) in the past several months. Additional price increases were announced for July 1 by some suppliers. ADN suppliers are working to increase capacity; however, tightness and higher prices are likely to persist well into 2019.

While nylon (or polyamide) is not used in large quantities in toys, it is often the material of choice for critical applications such as gears, bushings, and bearings, due to its resistance to wear and inherent lubricity. Toy Association members may wish to consider temporary (or permanent) alternatives for these applications, such as nylon 6 or acetal (polyoxymethylene, or POM).

Members with questions on this topic may contact Alan Kaufman, senior vice president of technical affairs at The Toy Association.