The annual PCI Fibres Conference 2013 took place November 7-8, 2013, in Hong Kong. Topics included the supply of the various fiber raw materials and the situation in the Asia-Pacific Rim. It was an event full of valuable information and a gathering of global textile professionals from all production sectors.
The PCI Consulting Group, of which PCI Fibres is a founding member, is an association of specialist companies that together offer integrated consulting services related to the entire fibers and intermediates chain and the related plastics industries. Its consulting perspective ranges from refinery to finished product. PCI Fibres publishes reports that cover the major manufactured fibers and raw materials for acrylic, polyamide, polyester and viscose as well as related products. The PCI Fibres Red Book, published annually, provides an overview of both consumer demand and textile mill consumption for wool, cotton and manufactured fibers. The analysis breaks the world into 13 regions, and also looks at capacity and production for the primary man-made fibers — acrylic, nylon and polyester — in 70 countries.
Fibers Play The Major Role
Since the beginning of all textile activities, fibers have played the most important role. Fibers play a predominant part in defining the final fabric and its properties. Otherwise, apart from ongoing technical improvements, the fundamental technology of forming a fabric either by weaving or knitting hasn't changed that much since its start. On the other hand, mostly over the last few decades, all textile fibers have constantly gone through new developments, characteristics and improvements — particularly man-made fibers. But also, natural fibers such as cotton have shown permanent enhancements regarding properties. And not to be forgotten are cellulosic fibers, which show a growing importance in global fiber consumption, not least due to the issues related to cotton in the last few years.
