Saturday, May 17, 2008

[ Technical Textiles - Fiber.]

Picture - Fiber production.
The Technical Textile Fibers.
Man Made Fibers:
The Big 3 in Technical Textiles are:
1] Polypropylene.2] Polyester.3] Viscose Rayon.
The fibers in the market which are in use for a varity of applications are,Acralic fiber, Polyamide fiber(Nylon), Polyethylene fiber, Polyolefin fiber, Spandex fiber, Lyecel fiber,Olefin fiber, Micro fiber,Triacetate fiber, Carbon fiber, Glass fiber, Concrete fiber, and other fibers.
[Some textile technologists mix natural and man made fibers in various proportions and derive their own 'KICHDI' staple fiber.]
What are the factors that have made these fibers grow.
{Factors Influencing Growth.
Most major factors influencing the growth of all man made fiber-derived textiles can be applied, to a greater or lesser extent, specifically to non woven textiles.
Population growth: This is perhaps of less importance for non wovens than it is for textiles as a whole in that the bulk of all textiles goes to the formation of apparel, whereas this is not true for non woven structures. However, population growth is important in major applications such as baby diapers. Allied demographic considerations would include an aging population with a requirement for non wovens for adult incontinence products.
Growth in GNP per capita and level of disposable income: Such factors are of particular importance in the case of the more industrially developed countries reflected in higher expenditure from disposable income on items such as baby diapers, but also on non woven-based household goods and non woven vehicle textiles.
Competition with and replacement of natural fibers: This is of less importance for non wovens than textiles as a whole in that it is already established that non wovens are essentially based on man made fibers. Commercial development of man made fibers and variants tailor-made for use in nonwovens: Notable here would be the use of microfibers (via melt blown operations), of bicomponent fibers, of biodegradable fibers, of super-absorbent fibers and of new types of polyester fibers.
Increases in trade as the result of formation of trade accords: Here again, such arrangements as the EU, NAFTA, ASEAN etc., have importance for non wovens but are perhaps not so pertinent as is the case with apparel, woven and knitted textiles.
Replacement of other textiles and other commodities: This would include the replacement by non wovens of woven, knitted or tufted textiles and the replacement,of plastic sheeting, polyurethane foam, wood pulp, cardboard, wood paper and leather, on grounds of cost, performance, cost/ performance ratios and the attainment of desirable aesthetics.
Introduction of new and more efficient and more economical processing technologies: From polymer to finished web and roll goods, use of new types of composite non wovens and laminates, new types of non woven finishing techniques and the introduction of superior fiber and non woven textile additives.
Man made Fibers Dominate
Man made fibers dominate non wovens production at present (99% of total) and the situation is unlikely to change markedly in the period to 2007. World usage of fibers in non woven production is 63% polypropylene, 23% polyester, 8% viscose rayon, 2% acrylic, 1.5% polyamide and 3% other specialty fibers. The non woven textiles end-uses likely to show the best growths are hygiene absorbent products (notably nappies or diapers), medical textiles, vehicle textiles, shoe components and artificial leather, as well as new miscellaneous niche markets.
Major global players account for more than 75% of all roll goods production. US-owned firms, such as DuPont, PGI, Kimberly-Clark, Johns Manville, Dexter, Lydoce, Foss and Synthetic Industries, and the West European-owned Freudenberg, BBA Group, BP Amoco, Fibretex and Acordis, dominate the global market.
Big Three Fibers
It can be seen that for nonwoven textiles the three major fibers are polypropylene (62% of total usage), polyester (24%) and viscose rayon (8%). During the period 1970-1985 there was a considerably higher use of viscose in the production of nonwovens, especially for hygiene absorbent applications, medical textiles and interlinings. However, in the last five years, the ascendancy of polypropylene and polyester fiber in this market has been fully established.
In earlier nonwoven textile markets, there was a greater use of nylon and since 1998 there has been a rise in the consumption of acrylic microfibers, especially in the development of artificial leathers.}
SOURCE.(Text by Mr.Stan Dobson.Consultant TECNON Consulting(UK)Ltd}

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