Global production volume of textile fibers 1975-2021

In 1975, approximately 24 million metric tons of textile fibers were produced worldwide. By 2021, that number had nearly quintupled, surpassing 113 million metric tons. Natural fibers such as cotton or wool had a production volume of 25.4 million metric tons, whereas chemical fibers accounted for the remaining 88.2 million. Chemical fibers include synthetic fibers such as polyesters or polyamides, and manmade cellulosic fibers like viscose or rayon.

Polyester dominates the textile fibers market

The production of chemical fibers surpassed cotton production in the mid-1990s and has more than doubled in the last 20 years. In 2020, synthetic fibers accounted for approximately 62 percent of global fiber production. Polyester alone had a market share of 52 percent, while polyamide and other synthetics represented five and 5.2 percent, respectively. Other synthetic fibers include acrylic, elastane, and polypropylene.

Fiber production on the rise

Although the need for more responsible resource consumption is becoming widely recognized, the latest forecasts point to a significant increase in fiber production during the next years. Global fiber production is expected to reach 156 million metric tons by 2030, a 43 percent increase in comparison to 2020. This translates into a production per capita of approximately 17 kilograms per person in 2030 in comparison to 14 kilograms per person a decade earlier.