Chemical fiber industry worldwide - statistics & facts
Chemical or man-made fibers refer to those produced by humans by a series of chemical processes, as opposed to natural fibers like cotton or wool, which are derived from plants or animals. Chemical fibers account for roughly 77 percent of the total fiber production worldwide and include synthetic fibers such as polyesters or polyamides and man-made cellulosic fibers like viscose or rayon.
The steady rise in chemical fiber production, especially in Asia, shows how essential these fibers are to the textile industry. With synthetic fibers like polyester leading the way and ongoing improvements in man-made cellulosic fibers, the industry is well-equipped to meet global needs while working towards more sustainable practices.
Chemical fibers production
During the last two decades, the global production of chemical fibers has increased considerably experiencing an almost three-fold increase over the last two decades. Regionally, production is mainly concentrated in Asia. China alone was responsible for almost three-quarters of global chemical fiber production in 2022. India followed by a wide margin, with a production share of eight percent. Meanwhile, the United States produced only three percent of the global chemical fiber output that year.Synthetic fibers
Synthetic fibers are derived from synthetic polymers and are usually based on petrochemicals, although the use of bio-based polymers is on the rise. They account for over 60 percent of the global fiber production and have dominated the market since the mid-1990s, when they surpassed cotton production. Polyester is by far the most used synthetic fiber worldwide. In 2022, polyester production stood at roughly 71.2 million metric tons. Other commonly used synthetic fibers include polyamide, polypropylene fiber, acrylic fiber, and elastane. The synthetic fibers market value was estimated at some 63.93 billion U.S. dollars in 2022, and was forecast to reach roughly 93.03 billion dollars by 2028.Man-made cellulosic fibers
Man-made cellulosic fibers account for roughly six percent of global fiber production. They are manufactured from cellulose, which is usually derived from farmed trees, although in some cases other sources of cellulose are used. Frequently used cellulose-based fibers include viscose, acetate lyocell, modal, and cupro. Of these, viscose is by far the most used, with a market share of roughly 80 percent. In 2023, around eight million metric tons of man-made cellulosic fibers were manufactured worldwide.The steady rise in chemical fiber production, especially in Asia, shows how essential these fibers are to the textile industry. With synthetic fibers like polyester leading the way and ongoing improvements in man-made cellulosic fibers, the industry is well-equipped to meet global needs while working towards more sustainable practices.
