| World manufactured fiber production to rise 5.7% | | | | softness, stretchability and resistance to |
| annually through 2012 World production of | | | | deterioration from perspiration, lotions or |
| manufactured textile fiber (both synthetic and | | | | detergents. For their part, aramid fibers will benefit |
| cellulosic) is projected to rise 5.7 percent per | | | | from rising demand for flame-resistant and other |
| annum through 2012 to over 62 million metric | | | | protective clothing, as these fibers offer high |
| tons. Overall growth will be supported by the | | | | strength and superior heat resistance. Demand will |
| continued replacement of natural fibers by | | | | receive a boost in growing specialty apparel |
| cheaper, better performing man-made | | | | markets such as bullet-proof vests and fire |
| alternatives in many market applications. Also | | | | protective suits. |
| boosting growth will be the rising level of personal | | | | Polyester fibers will also post rapid gains, and will |
| income in both developed and developing | | | | remain the largest manufactured fibers segment |
| countries, which will promote demand for textile | | | | by far, due to their versatility and favorable |
| fibers used in upholstery, household furnishings, | | | | cost-performance characteristics. Polyester fibers |
| apparel and floor coverings. Polyester will continue | | | | will continue to expand their market share in the |
| to dominate manufactured fiber output. | | | | fiber industry at the expense of cotton and |
| However, the fastest gains will be in specialty | | | | cellulosic fibers, as well as other synthetics such |
| synthetic fiber production, such as spandex, | | | | as nylon and acrylic. |
| aramid and carbon fibers. The Asia/Pacific region, | | | | China to continue leading world production |
| China and India in particular, will continue to be the | | | | Continuing established trends seen over the past |
| biggest producer of manufactured fibers, and is | | | | decade, China will increase its share of |
| also forecast to experience the most rapid | | | | manufactured fiber production. For instance, by |
| growth. | | | | 2012, China is expected to produce over 70 |
| High-end synthetic fibers to grow the most rapidly | | | | percent of all polyester output. India will also post |
| Strong growth in specialty fibers will reflect the | | | | strong increases, but total production levels will |
| continuing healthy outlook for spandex, which is | | | | remain well below that of China. On the other |
| gaining new applications in the apparel sector | | | | hand, European, North American and Japanese |
| beyond its bedrock uses in sportswear and | | | | mills will continue to face tough challenges, such as |
| underwear. In particular, spandex is finding broad | | | | market maturity, capacity rationalization, |
| applications in blends with cotton and other fibers, | | | | competition from imports and business shifting to |
| and will continue to benefit from its light weight, | | | | nations that offer lower production costs. |