CMAI Releases Global Nylon Fiber, Feedstock Forecasts

Houston-based Chemical Market
Associates Inc. (CMAI) has completed its 2007 World Nylon Fibers and Feedstocks Analysis. In the
latest edition of its annual study of major issues and trends affecting the global nylon
marketplace, CMAI has analyzed data including capacity, supply and demand, trade, production costs,
price,s and profitability since 2001 to forecast market developments through 2011.

The company projects nylon polymerization will grow by approximately 1.8 percent annually,
with stronger growth in nylon 6 compared with nylon 6,6. Asia will be the primary downstream market
for nylon fibers and resin, CMAI forecasts.

The nylon resin and engineering thermoplastics markets are forecast to grow by approximately
2.3 percent per year. Strongest growth is projected in the automotive sector, although improvements
in competing materials and high nylon feedstock prices are expected to dampen that growth when
compared with past growth.

Nylon textile filament growth is projected at only 0.3 percent over the forecast period, as
it faces increased competition from polyester. CMAI notes the main filament markets are developing
countries, which have shown a preference for polyester. In addition, it reports China currently has
an overcapacity for nylon filament, and that overcapacity will lower demand and profitability in
other Asian countries.

CMAI expects the nylon industrial filament market demand to increase by 3.3 percent through
2011, although it notes the projected growth rate is lower than its recent peak. Demand in this
sector has been stimulated in recent years by the mining industry through its use of heavy
equipment tires and conveyor belts that contain nylon reinforcement, CMAI notes.

Nylon bulk continuous filament (BCF) carpet fiber will see annual production and demand
growth of 0.7 percent, while nylon staple carpet fiber production and demand will decline by 1.4
percent, CMAI forecasts. The BCF market faces competition from various polyesters including
polyethylene terephthalate, 3GT™ and polytrimethylene terephthalate BCF fibers.

The report, which CMAI has made available on CD-ROM, also includes analyses of the
caprolactam, adipic acid and cyclohexane markets. The company also has prepared databases for
capacity, and supply and demand.

September 19, 2006

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