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POM Shortage Alert: How Supply Chain Disruptions Are Affecting Prices in 2026
Since March 2026, the global POM (Polyoxymethylene) supply chain has been under severe strain. BASF’s Ludwigshafen plant and Celanese’s Nanjing facility both declared force majeure in Q1. Here is how this affects your procurement.
Root Causes of the Shortage
· BASF Ludwigshafen: energy cost surge forced 40% capacity reduction (January 2026)
· Celanese Nanjing: 3-week unplanned maintenance shutdown (February 2026)
· Logistics: Red Sea shipping disruption adds 18-22 days to Europe-bound cargo
· Demand surge: automotive and electronics recovery in Q1 2026 (+19% YoY)
Price and Lead Time Impact
· POM-C (copolymer) spot price: +34% since January 2026
· POM-H (homopolymer): +28% price increase
· Standard lead time: extended from 3-4 weeks to 8-12 weeks
· ESD POM (including NFP series): +18% price adjustment
Alternative Material Options
If POM is on allocation and you need parts now, consider these alternatives:
· PA66 (Nylon 66): 15-20% higher water absorption, but similar stiffness. Not for tight-tolerance bearing applications.
· UHMW-PE: Excellent wear resistance, but much lower temperature rating (82 C vs POM 105 C).
· PEEK: 5x the price, but permanent solution if POM supply remains unstable.
NAGOMER POM inventory remains stable. Request quote: sales@nagomer.com