World fibre output rose to 74.7 mn tons in 2006, according to preliminary data from textile machinery maker Oerlikon Saurer Textile2. This figure represents an increase of 5.1% compared with 2005, when production reached 71.1 mn tons3.

In the case of natural fibres, cotton consumption is forecast to set a new all-time record in the 2006/07 season. Demand is expected to rise by 4.5% over the previous season, reaching 26.3 mn tons. Furthermore, demand is likely to exceed supply during the season. As a result, cotton stocks will fall by 10% to about 10 mn tons. Wool output is also set to increase, for the second consecutive year, and reach a level of 1.3 mn tons.

However, the biggest contributors to the rise in output volume are man-made fibres. Furthermore, significant advances were made in 2006 in cellulosic fibres as well as synthetics.

In the case of cellulosics, output was up by 5.9% to 3.4 mn tons, representing the sixth increase in succession. Production of synthetic fibres, meanwhile, grew even faster. At 37.8 mn tons, output was 6.4% higher than in 2005.

In terms of polymer type, polyester made the greatest gains. Indeed, production advanced by no less than 8.4% in 2006, reaching 27.7 mn tons.

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