Synthetic Fibres

Synthetic fibres are man-made fibres produced by chemical synthesis of high-molecular-weight polymers from petrochemical or bio-based monomers, followed by melt, dry, or wet spinning into continuous filament or staple fibre forms — encompassing polyester (PET, PBT, PTT), polyamide (nylon 6, nylon 66), polyacrylonitrile (acrylic), polypropylene (PP), polyurethane elastane (Lycra/spandex), and high-performance fibres (aramid, UHMWPE, PPS, PEEK). Global synthetic fibre production: 75 million tonnes (2023), representing 68% of total world fibre consumption (109 million tonnes total) — polyester dominates at 57 million tonnes (52% world fibre), polyamide 6.0 million tonnes (5.5%), acrylic 2.0 million tonnes (1.8%), polypropylene 4.0 million tonnes (3.7%), elastane 1.2 million tonnes (1.1%). China produces 72% of global polyester fibre, 65% of polyamide staple, and 55% of acrylic fibre — with Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces hosting the world's largest integrated polyester complexes (Hengli Petrochemical 20 million tonnes/year PTA capacity; Rongsheng Petrochemical 16 million tonnes/year). Melt spinning is the dominant production route for polyester, nylon, and polypropylene (polymer chips melted at 265–295°C for PET, 250–275°C for PA6, 230–250°C for PP, extruded through spinneret holes 0.15–0.40 mm diameter, quenched by cross-flow air at 20–25°C, drawn 3–5× at 80–180°C to orient crystalline structure) — producing filament yarn, POY (partially oriented yarn), FOY (fully oriented yarn), or cut staple. Dry spinning produces acrylic (DMF or DMSO solvent, 100–150°C evaporation column) and spandex (DMAc solvent); wet spinning produces acrylic (NaSCN or ZnCl₂ aqueous coagulation) and viscose precursor fibres.