FIBER AND YARN INDUSTRY
Fiber Production in 2010
According to the Fiber Year report compiled and written by Andreas W. Engelhardt (formerly worked for Oerlikon Textile), it shows that the world textile industry in 2010 has reached the strongest growth in 25 years. Production volumes of natural and man-made fibers increased 8.6% (6.4 million tons) to a total of 80.8 million tons, and this has made the average per capita consumption to be 11.8 kg in 2010. In terms of the annual growth rate, it shows that the fiber growth in the last decade was at 3.4% while it was 1.2% for the population growth. Of the total fiber production in 2010, the synthetic fiber segment shared for 56% (about 45.25 million tons) while 39% (about 31.51 million tons) was from the natural fiber segment and 5% (about 4.04 million tons) was from the cellulose fiber segment.
In 2010, the total output of man-made fibers was about 49.6 million tons in which polyester fiber shared the largest portion of 73% (about 36.21 million tons), followed by 9% (about 4.46 million tons) of cellulose fiber, 8% (about 3.97 million tons) of polyamide fiber, 5% (about 2.48 million tons) of polypropylene fiber and 5% (about 2.48 million tons) of acrylics and other fibers.
Yarn Production
The Fiber Year report shows that in 2010 the world yarn production increased 9% to a total of 65.9 million tons. In terms of the annual growth rate, it was found that the world yarn production grew at a rate of 3.8% during 2000-2010. Within this period, the production of spun yarns reached an average annual growth rate of 2.5% while that of filament yarns was at 5.7%. Of the total yarn production, it was found that the production of filament yarns grew up from 36% share in 2000 to 44% share in 2010.
In the first quarter of 2011 world yarn production was found to drop by 11.3% in comparison to the previous quarter, according to figures published by the ITMF. This is due to the decrease of production from Asia (-12.2%), Europe (- 2.6%) and South America (-0.1%). However, the yarn production in North America increased by 5.1% in that period. For year-on-year comparison, the yarn output in North America increased by 10.2%, in Asia 6.6%, and in Europe 1.3%, while decreased 0.6% in South America. In terms of yarn stocks, it was found that during the first quarter of 2011 the world yarn stocks increased by 2% (North America +11.1%, Asia +2%, Europe -0.3%) compared to the previous quarter. For year-on-year comparison, the world yarn stocks increased by 7.4%.
Cotton
Previous statistical data have shown that the production of cotton fiber accounts for around 80% of the total natural fiber production. Therefore, approximately 25.21 million tons of cotton fiber was produced in 2010. It is speculated that the world cotton production will increase by 11% to 27.4 million tons in 2011/12. In terms of fiber consumption, it is estimated that the world cotton consumption will be around 24.5 million tons in 2010/11, a 3% lower than in 2009/10 (during 2009/10, the world cotton stocks were dropped by over 3.3 million tons). In the first half of this season a strong demand of cotton fiber from spinning mills was shown, but it is now much weaker, according to the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC). It is expected that in 2011/12 the cotton mill use will increase around 3% to 25.2 million tons.
In 2011/12 the world cotton trade is projected to rise by 5% to a total of 8.2 million tons due to greater production and consumption. It is expected that China will increase its import of cotton fiber by 24% to 3.3 million tons during this period. The Cotlook A Index averaged $1.64 in 2010/11, 112% higher than in the previous season. It is believed that the season average Cotlook A Index will drop significantly in 2011/12 even though it will probably remain above the ten-year average of $0.60 per pound (2000/01 to 2009/10).
Organic Cotton
Organic cotton production is currently holding around 0.76% of the world cotton production and it is still in a growth stage. According to Textile Exchange, the production of organic cotton increased 14.9% to a total of 241,300 tons in 2010. The top three producers of organic cotton are India, China and Turkey, while it is being cultivated in 24 countries worldwide. USA is now the world biggest market for organic cotton with consumption in the form of apparel end-products around 9,500 tons or 41% of the world total. Europe shares for 30% of the market or 7,000 tons and Japan shares for 20% or around 350 tons each year. Levi’s, Nike and Wal-Mart, the US-based textile and clothing companies, are the three biggest users of organic cotton as well as sell a significant amount of their products world wide. There are two reasons for the rising of organic cotton demand. Firstly, new customers are trying the organic products more and secondly, a growing proportion of satisfied customers are making repeat purchases. However, there are still many questions concerning the future development of world organic cotton production and trade such as how to communicate the benefits of organic cotton to consumers and what direction consumer demand for organic textiles will go in the near future.
Wool
Since its highest production volume in 1990, wool production has been declined. In 2010, wool output was down by 1.4% to a total of 1.08 million tons. However, the demand for fine wool has increased, especially for fashion of high quality, from EU, the USA, China and India. In terms of wool prices, it was found that for the last five months of 2010 the prices of fine-micron wool were nearly doubled. At the moment, major wool processing countries consist of China, India, Italy and Turkey but only Turkish and Chinese industries invested in new machinery in 2010.
Cellulose Fibers
In 2010 the production volume of cellulose staple fibers (viscose, lyocell, modal and acetate tow) was over 4 million tons, equal to an annual increase of 13.4%. Of this production volume, viscose fibers occupied for 3.1 million tons (17% up from 2009) while acetate tow industry produced 923,300 tons (2.8% up from 2009).
In 2010 the production volume of cellulose filament was at 357,000 tons, equal to a 0.7% growth. Viscose filament output occupied the most with a total production of around 0.3 million tons. It was reported that 76% of the 2010 production was done in Asian.
Polyester
In 2010, the world production of synthetic staple fibers increased 7.9% to a total of 16.8 million tons. Of this volume, 13.5 million tons were from the production of polyester staple fiber (9.9% up from 2009). China holds for 62% of the world polyester staple fiber output and they plan to increase its production by 11.5% to 8.4 million tons. In 2010, India produced 0.9 million tons of polyester staple fiber, a 2.8% growth compared to the previous year.
In terms of polyester filament output, it was found that in 2010 the world output for textile, industrial and carpet uses increased by 16.7% to 22.5 million tons. Of this volume, 20.8 million tons of polyester filament output was for textile end-uses (15.2% up from 2009). The rest of 1.5 million tons was for industrial uses and around 0.2 million tons was for carpet uses.
Polyamide
In 2010 the production of polyamide staple fibers dropped by 13% to a total amount of 186,000 tons, mainly due to strong cutbacks in the USA (almost 50% reduction to 43,100 tons output in 2010 and ongoing contraction in 2011). However, the production in China was up 5.4% to 78,000 tons in 2010.
In terms of filament output, it was reported that polyamide filament was produced 3.8 million tons in 2010 (up 15.6% from 2009). Of this volume, 2 million tons were produced for textile uses (up 19.4%), 1 million tons for industrial uses (up 15.4%) and 797,000 tons for carpet industry (up 7.7%).
Acrylic
In 2010 acrylic staple fiber was produced 1.9 million tons in which 1.1 million tons were produced in Asia (up 2%). Currently, acrylic fiber holds for 11.6% share in the synthetic fiber market, compared with 34.6% share in 1980. It is used mostly in blankets and outerwear.
Polypropylene
In 2010 polypropylene filament production was found to increase 15.2% to a total of 1.7 million tons. Of this volume, 1.1 million tons were made for carpet uses and almost 0.4 million tons were for industrial uses. Over 60% of the total production came from the USA, China and Western Europe.
Carbon and Aramid Fibers
Production of carbon fibers increased 20% to a total of 40,000 tons in 2010. Their main uses are for commercial aircraft, wind energy and sporting goods. For the production of aramid fibers, it was found that over 70,000 tons were produced last year.
FIBER AND YARN INNOVATIONS
World Innovation Ranking
Switzerland has recently been awarded the 2011 world champion in innovation titled “the Global Innovation Index 2011,” (made by INSEAD, WIPO, and others). The survey for this task is conducted every year in over 100 countries in order to measure innovation among the respective national economies. This year Switzerland has been selected to be the world leader in innovation, jumped from the fourth place in 2010 and the seventh place in 2009. The second place in innovation is Sweden, followed by Singapore holding the third, Hong Kong the Fourth, and Finland the fifth. Ranking number 6 to 10 are as follows; Denmark, USA, Canada, Netherlands and Great Britain.
Fiber Innovations from the INDEX 11
During April this year, INDEX 11 the world’s leading nonwovens exhibition took place in Switzerland.At the exhibition, Germany’s Kelheim Fibres displayed the first viscose fiber with ion exchange properties, named Poseidon. This fiber can be incorporated in special papers or nonwovens, can filter destructive acids out of various liquids, such as for the filtration of heavy metals, or provide a better taste of hot beverages when used as a water softener in tea bags or coffee pads. Poseidon fiber can generate an antimicrobial property in a product by charging it with metal ions, such as silver or copper. Another fiber shown by Kelheim Fibres was Deep-Dye, a cationically activated viscose fiber. It contains very high dye absorption ability of up to 40 times higher than standard viscose fibers and can be used in filtration cartridges for discoloration of waste dye solution from dyehouses.
Poseidon, a new viscose fiber from Kelheim Fibres.
ES FiberVisions exhibited PTC Bounce, a bicomponent fiber with a polypropylene (PP) sheath and a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) core for customers who use ultrasonic welding to bond nonwovens. The PET core gives excellent bulkiness and resilience, and the PP sheath gives excellent bonding capabilities to the fiber. The PTC Bounce fiber is now available in 2.2-6.7 dtex. In addition, ES FiberVisions also introduced new trilobal thermal bonding staple PP fibers for nonwovens application, called HY-Light/T-19.
EMS-Griltech introduced its bacteriostatic fibers in which silver and zinc ions provide a bacteriostatic property over an extended period. They can be used in shoe liners, sportswear, mattresses and medical uses.
Wellman International showed its new range of Profile HY fibers containing greater surface area to weight ratio for enhanced liquid distribution. In addition, the company also introduced its Sensifil HY range on the hygiene sector.
Löffler
Löffler, Austria based sportswear producer, introduced a line of sports underwear featuring Transtex light, a fabric containing moisture transporting, hydrophobic polypropylene and creora® eco H-550 (a low-heat-set elastane fiber produced by Hyosung Corp., South Korea). The lightweight, single layered fabric is knitted using new knitting technology, and provides larger ventilation holes and extremely flat and soft seams for enhanced breathability and comfort.
Nilit and LincSpun
Nilit (Israel-based nylon 6,6 and microfiber yarn producer) and LincSpun Yarns (Australia-based high performance yarn producer) have recently introduced their new product Trinomax AQ®, a high performance moisture–managing yarn. The product features merino wool, textured Nilit nylon 6,6 and Nilit’s Aquarius high speed moisture-wicking yarns twisted together using LincSpun’s Trinomax® spinning technology. Merino wool provides softness and thermoregulating properties; textured Nilit nylon 6,6 provides durability and consistent quality; and Nilit’s Aquarius (featuring a special additive integrated into the polymer and a triple-T cross section) provides intrinsic high-speed moisture wicking properties. Trinomax AQ® is a suitable yarn for making thermoregulating activewear, dancewear, socks and sportswear.
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