Global chemical fibers production 2000-2022, by type
In 2022, the total global production output of the chemical fiber industry amounted to 80.4 million metric tons. Chemical fibers are made from organic (“natural”) and synthetic polymers. Chemical fibers are manufactured industrially for various purposes. For example, polypropylene fibers are produced for upholstery textiles. Chemical fibers account for the majority of textile fibers produced worldwide.
Chemical fibers are used for several purposes. Whereas polypropylene fibers are produced for upholstery textiles, acrylic fibers are used in filters and artificial wool for sweaters. Nylon fibers are essential to the hosiery industry and to carpet manufacturing. Teflon is a chemical fiber used as a sealant for pipe threads and vessels. It can also be found in self-lubricating bearings. Kevlar, another chemical fiber, is a key component in bullet-proof vests and automobile tires, as it is several times stronger than steal and is fire resistant.
The textile and apparel manufacturing industry relies heavily on chemical fibers. Cotton and cotton blend fibers are the favorite fibers worn by U.S. consumers. Though natural - not chemical - fibers are created from cotton, cotton blended textiles mix cotton fibers with chemical fibers to change a textile’s qualities. Polyester fibers are often blended with cotton to create crease-resistant qualities. Meanwhile, cotton-rayon blends are soft and fuzzy.
Chemical fiber production worldwide
Global production of chemical fibers has seen a considerable growth since the year 2000. In 2000, some 31 million metric tons of chemical fibers were produced. By 2021, roughly 88.3 million metric tons of chemical fibers were produced globally, of which 80.9 million metric tons were synthetic fibers and 7.4 million metric tons were cellulose fibers. That same year, a total of around 113.6 million metric tons of textile fibers were manufactured. More than 90 percent of chemical fiber production took place outside the U.S., Western Europe, Japan, or Germany.Chemical fibers are used for several purposes. Whereas polypropylene fibers are produced for upholstery textiles, acrylic fibers are used in filters and artificial wool for sweaters. Nylon fibers are essential to the hosiery industry and to carpet manufacturing. Teflon is a chemical fiber used as a sealant for pipe threads and vessels. It can also be found in self-lubricating bearings. Kevlar, another chemical fiber, is a key component in bullet-proof vests and automobile tires, as it is several times stronger than steal and is fire resistant.
The textile and apparel manufacturing industry relies heavily on chemical fibers. Cotton and cotton blend fibers are the favorite fibers worn by U.S. consumers. Though natural - not chemical - fibers are created from cotton, cotton blended textiles mix cotton fibers with chemical fibers to change a textile’s qualities. Polyester fibers are often blended with cotton to create crease-resistant qualities. Meanwhile, cotton-rayon blends are soft and fuzzy.
