Global fibre production (excluding bast fibres) rose in 2004 by
7.4%-the highest annual growth rate since the mid-1980s-to a
record 62.1 mn tons, according to Saurer Group. Man-made fibre
output was up by 7.9%, and its share of the total rose from 55.7% to
56.3%. Supplies of cotton, wool and silk also increased markedly-by
6.6% to 24.1 mn tons, which was equivalent to 35.7% of total fibre
supply.
Chinese man-made fibre output surged by 21.4% to reach 14.2 mn
tons, over 37% of the world total. Output in India and Indonesia also
rose, by 10.0% and 7.1% respectively. Elsewhere there was little
change-except in South Korea where output fell once again, by 4.5%.
Man-made filament output went up by 8.3% to 20.4 mn tons but
natural and man-made staple fibres increased by a less rapid 6.9%.
Again, polyester's dominance increased as total output (filament and
staple) rose by 9.7% to 24.48 mn tons-64% of total man-made fibre
output and 70% of synthetic fibre production. Polyamide also grew,
by 4.4% to 4.16 mn tons, but two thirds of the rise was provided by
China and Taiwan. West European and North America output rose by
2%. Polypropylene fibre output was also up, driven mainly by a 4.8%
rise in filament yarns for carpets. Acrylic fibre moved up by 1.8% to
2.73 mn tons, despite a sharp rise in raw material prices, after a fall
in 2003.
Cellulosic fibres enjoyed exceptionally dynamic growth in 2004 as
output surged to a level last achieved in 1990. The total amount
produced, including lyocell, increased by 9.2% to 3.20 mn tons. Asia,
the principal producing region, improved its share of global output to
63.8%. This was at the expense of Europe and the Americas, whose
shares declined to 22.8% and 13.4% respectively. | 
