Global production of synthetic fibers shows another growth year in 2000

Global production of synthetic fibers shows another growth year in 2000

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Frank Horn

Telephone: (202) 467-0916

E-mail: fhorn@afma.org

Washington, D.C, November 5, 2001 — According to the Bureau's recently published 2002 World Directory of Manufactured Fiber Producers Introduction Section, worldwide production of manufactured fibers increased 5.9% to 34.2 million tons in calendar 2000. The rate of increase was close to the twenty-year (1980 to 2000) trend line growth of 5.2%, but the increase in production came in spite of lack-luster demand in all global regions, with selected country exceptions, e.g. China, reflecting weakening economies around the world.

Synthetic fiber production by fiber type in 2000 in million tons was: polyester 18.9, olefin 6.0, nylon 4.1, acrylic 2.7, and cellulosics 2.0. Related global fiber market shares in 2000 by fiber type were: polyester 56%, olefin 18%, nylon 12%, acrylic 8% and cellulosics 6%. These shares compare with shares in 1980 of 35%, 7%, 22%, 14%, and 22%, respectively.

Over the last twenty years, synthetic fiber production has seen a major shift of production from North America and Europe to Asia. In 1980 North America and Western Europe held 57% share of production versus 28% for Asia. By 2000 the North America and Western Europe share had dropped to 30%, while Asia share had grown to 61%, essentially reversing the share positions over the twenty-year period.

Cellulosic fiber production peaked in the early 1980's at 3 million tons. Since then, the regional trend has been characterized by drastic declines in most regions, in particular Eastern Europe where production has decline from 1.1 million tons in the early 1980's to 123 thousand tons in 2000. Declines have been offset to a small extent by modest growth in Asia.

More details on worldwide production of manufactured fibers are available, not only in the 2002 World Directory of Manufactured Fiber Producers but also in the June 2001 issue of the Bureau's monthly statistical journal the Fiber Organon . Each year the June Fiber Organon reports complete details from its annual world survey. For more information on publications and orders visit our website www.fibersource.com.

Fiber Economics Bureau

1150 17th Street NW, Suite 306

Washington, DC 20036

Tel: (202) 467-0916

Fax: (202) 467-0917