Polyester filament out of kilter

According to the latest issue of the just-published PCI Fibres Green Book, 2013 saw China’s capacity in polyester filament at 31.3 million tons overtake global mill consumption for this type of fibre at 29.7 million tons.  

In 2013, the global consumption of polyester filament was 6% up on the previous year, a rate of increase that is also expected for 2014, despite generally tighter monetary conditions. 

Meanwhile, China’s polyester filament capacity continues to increase – up 17% in 2013 with a further 8% expected in 2014.  For 2013, China’s capacity was 5% above global mill consumption in polyester filament. By 2015 it is expected to be 12% above, with the position moderating from then on as investors see diminishing returns. But, even with less investment, some form of balance between China’s polyester filament capacity and global consumption is not expected to be reached for another ten years – unless, that is, a significant number of plants are closed down.