Fiber Production Sets Record In 2004
A preliminary report released by Saurer Management AG, Switzerland, indicates 2004 fiber production totaled a record 67-plus million tonnes — a 6.7-percent increase over 2003 output. Of this total, man-made fiber production represents 56 percent, or 37.9 million tonnes. Cotton, wool and silk together represent 36 percent, or 24.1 million tonnes. Polyester (PES) output led the growth in man-made fibers, increasing by 9.7 percent to 24.5 million tonnes. Cellulosics output rose by 8.1 percent to 3.2 million tonnes.
Polyamide (PA) yarn production was up by 5.3 percent; staple fiber output was unchanged at 0.5 million tonnes. Polypropylene (PP) output rose by 2.7 percent to 3.1 million tonnes. Acrylic (PAN) fiber output was up 1 percent to 2.7 million tonnes.Much of the increased production is attributed to China, which grew its PES staple fiber output by 21 percent and filament output by 22 percent.The country contributed to an 11-percent rise in Asian PA production and a 5-percent rise in PAN production.The United States saw increases of 0.9 percent in staple polyester fiber, and in industrial and carpet PA yarn output — 9 percent and 5 percent, respectively; while showing decreases in textile PA yarn output.Western European PA production also showed gains in industrial and carpet yarns — 5 percent and 10 percent, respectively — and declines in textile yarns. The region also grew its PP production by 8 percent, while seeing declines of 6 percent in PES filament and 1 percent in PAN output.Turkish output increased by 10 percent in the PES filament and PAN sectors. Brazil and Mexico also registered increases in PES filament production, while Korea lost ground in that sector. In PES staple, India saw a 10-percent gain and Mexico experienced a significant decline.
May/June 2005