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Switzerland:Saurer reports record fiber production in 2004 |
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2005-1-27
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Saurer is pleased to release preliminary 2004 fiber production figures. Although a couple of output volumes for the fourth quarter are still based on estimates, the basic message for last year’s activity is as follows:
The world fiber production has achieved an unprecedented level in 2004, exceeding 67 million tonnes. This corresponds to a global 6.7 percent increase compared to the year 2003, clearly above the average long-term growth rate.
This is an inconceivable figure, so let us put it into perspective. This quantity means a bit more than 2,100 kg being processed into yarns and nonwovens every second. In other words, the average annual consumption of textiles in Switzerland, where Saurer is headquartered, has already been met after almost one day productive activity. To satisfy textile needs in PR China, a notional period of about two months was necessary.
Almost all fiber types and end-uses have contributed to the record production. Manmade fibers have witnessed a robust 7.7 percent increase to 37.9 million tonnes, occupying 56 percent of the global fiber market. The segment comprising cotton, wool and silk has also increased by 6.5 percent to 24.1 million tonnes (36 percent).
A more detailed analysis of the manmade fiber segment shows that no decline in production for any polymer was to be registered.
Polyester (PES) has taken the lead in terms of growth rate with a 9.7 percent increase to 24.5 million tonnes. All segments such as staple fiber, textile and industrial filament have contributed to this impressive performance.
Production of 10.3 million tonnes of staple fibers was predominantly located in PR China and the US. Both countries were able to raise production substantially, PR China by 21 percent to 4.4 million tonnes and the US by 9 percent to 0.9 million tonnes. India completes this group with above average growth with a 10 percent rise in output to 0.7 million tonnes. Considerable double-digit percentage declines have been observed in CIS and Mexico.
The global volume of filaments totalled 14.2 million tonnes. PR China, now accounting for almost half the world output, increased production by 22 percent. Technical reaction in Mexico resulted in 16 percent growth. Growth in Brazil was accompanied by 30 percent higher POY and FDY imports, while textile exports hit record levels, reaching $2.08 billion. Double-digit growth rate also occurred in Turkey (+10 percent) after several years of stillstand. South Korean polyester filament industry suffered most. Production amounted to 1.1 million tonnes (-13 [percent), resulting in historic low levels of utilization rates below 70 percent. Western European filament industry continued its long-term downward trend, producing a quantity below 0.4 million tonnes (-6 percent).
Cellulosics, increasing by 8.1 percent, totalled 3.2 million tonnes, a level we last saw in 1990. They have not developed in the same uniform manner. Cellulosic filaments remained at previous year’s level at 0.5 million tonnes. The rise in staple fiber production was particularly result of the 12 percent increase of viscose staple fiber production. Acetate tow and Lyocell fibers have also continued to play a positive part in this segment.
Directly opposed was the development in polyamide (PA) business. A nearly unchanged staple fiber production of 0.5 million tonnes was confronted with a vigorous increase of filaments. The yarn production has apparently risen by 5.3 percent to 3.7 million tonnes. The development in the appropriate sectors has been quite different. Textile and industrial yarns both increased by more than 6 percent. A major contribution to this increase has come from Asia, notably under PR China’s and Taiwan’s leadership. The Asian region has achieved a 11 percent increase in total. In contrast, textile yarn production in the US and Western Europe has continued its declining trend.
However, industrial yarn production in the US rebounded by 9 percent and Western Europe enjoyed a 5 percent increase. The carpet yarn production exceeded a 5 percent growth worldwide. More than 80 percent of the nylon carpet yarn production has been centered in the US and Western Europe. Both regions have seen surging output volumes, the production in the US increased by more than 5 percent and in Western Europe by even more than 10 percent.
A similar development of polypropylene (PP) fibers took place last year. The total pro¬duction has increased by 2.7 percent to 3.1 million tonnes. Despite rising usage of staple fibers in nonwovens, growth has solely come from the yarn segment. Yarn output rose by 4.8 percent to 1.8 million tonnes. All segments have contributed to this favorable status, although this category has been once again led by the big-volume carpet sector. While US carpet yarn production remained unchanged, European quantity rose by 8 percent. In particular, this can be attributed to brisk sales in Turkey. However, starting from low levels with a 10 percent market share in total, Asia and Middle East have strongly participated in this field.
The acrylics (PAN) fiber market has gone up by nearly 1 percent slightly exceeding 2.7 million tonnes. PR China has defended its leading position successfully, achieving a 5 percent growth to about 660,000 tonnes. In Western Europe we have seen a modest 1 percent decline to 575,000 tonnes. Turkey has now taken third place with an estimated production of 275,000 tonnes, overtaking Japan, that in line with closing and moving capacity abroad, has experienced a 10 percent decrease to 268,000 tonnes. The following tier of producing nations comprise South Korea, Mexico, Taiwan and India. Last year’s volume was in the range of 125,000 to 145,000 tonnes each. Apart from a stagnation in Taiwan, the remaining countries enjoyed 7 percent plus increases.
The above chart summarizes the world textile market. Both segments obviously managed to break its long-term trend. Filament yarns have increased by 8.4 percent to 20.5 million tonnes, staple fibers by 6.6 percent to 41.5 million tonnes.
Given a modest oil price development and no force majeure in the fiber intermediates industry, Saurer assumes a further increasing manmade fiber production, probably at lower pace. The perspective in the mainly cotton-based spun yarn industry looks promising as strong expansion of cotton stocks will guarantee availability to fuel downstream industry.
The publication “The Fiber Year 2004” will present final production figures and will go into more detail for various end-uses. Furthermore, suggestions from our last survey will be newly integrated in the enhanced scope.
As in the past, the comprehensive report “The Fiber Year 2004” will be released at the beginning of May. Please check for availability to download at www.textile.saurer.com. |
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