United Kingdom-based PCI Fibres recently published the latest issue of the PCI Fibres “Green Book.” According to the issue, China’s polyester filament capacity of 31.3 million tons in 2013 overtook global mill consumption of 29.7 million tons of polyester filament. PCI Fibres reported a 6-percent increase in global polyester filament consumption in 2013, with similar increases predicted for 2014.
According to PCI Fibres, China’s polyester filament capacity increased 17 percent in 2013, and an additional 8-percent increase is predicted for this year.
China’s nylon filament capacity also is growing ahead of global mill consumption. Within the next two years, PCI Fibres expects China’s capacity to reach 70 percent of world nylon filament demand unless there is a significant decrease in the number of manufacturing plants.
Total textile mill consumption in 2013 for all natural and man-made fibers, excluding meltblown products, is estimated to be around 83.4 million tons, which represents an increase of 4 percent over the previous year. In 2014, total textile mill consumption is forecast to reach 86.8 million tons, another 4-percent increase.
The “Green Book” reports 35 percent of the total textile mill consumption is comprised of absorbent fibers such as wool, cotton and cellulosic fibers — including viscose and lyocell.
March 25, 2014
