Global fibre output touches historic high in 2011

27 Jan '12

2 min read

The year 2011 has been a record year for worldwide fibre production with production of man-made fibre (MMF) increasing for the third consecutive year and that of cotton for the second year in a row.

As per the Japan Chemical Fibres Association report based on the recently released statistics, the total world fibre output with a year-on-year rise of 7.9 percent grew to historic level of 76,712,000 tons during 2011.

Of this, the production of MMF rose by 8.3 percent y-o-y to historic high of 48,660,000 tons, which includes an 8.1 percent y-o-y rise in production of synthetic fibres (excluding olefin fibres) to 45,140,000 tons, and a 10.5 percent y-o-y rise in production of cellulosic fibres (excluding acetate tow) to 3,520,000 tons.

It is for the third consecutive year since 2009 that a rise has been noted in MMF production. However, its share in overall fibre production remained at about 2010 level of 63 percent.

Backed by robust domestic demand, China continued to remain the biggest producer of MMF. It produced 32,229,000 tons of MMF last year, a rise of 13.8 percent y-o-y. China's contribution to global MMF output also grew from 2010's 63 percent to 66 percent.

Japan and West Europe also registered a 3.2 percent and 0.7 percent rise in MMF production, which pushed the outputs to 789,000 tons and 2,332,000 tons, respectively. However, MMF output declined in other leading countries and regions of the world.

With respect to natural fibres, a sharp rise in cotton prices led to an increased area under cotton cultivation, and cotton output increased for the second consecutive year, growing by 7.7 percent y-o-y to 26,788,000 tons. India and China, mainly contributed to this growth, while Pakistan, Africa, Turkey and Australia also contributed to an extent. However, droughts in the US held back the growth there.

Meanwhile, world wool production increased marginally by 0.3 percent to 1,123,000 tons during 2011 as Australia, the world's biggest wool producer, started showing positive signs.

Fibre2fashion News Desk - India

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