The Japan Chemical Fibers Association reported that the nation’s production of man-made fibers in September 2018 decreased by 7.1% compared to the same month of last year to 71,138 tons. (provisional) Of this, synthetic fibers fell 8.6% to 54,847 tons.
Acrylic staple fiber production increased by 2.5% to 10,710 tons, thus increasing for the fifth consecutive month since May. The production of polypropylene staple fiber also grew by 5.2% to 5,548 tons.
Meanwhile, production decreased for polyester filament (down 7.5% to 9,176 tons) and polyester staple fiber (down 6.1% to 7,087 tons). This year, monthly polyester filament production increased only in May and July, and that of PSF decreased for six consecutive months.
September production of cellulosic fibers declined by 1.6% to 16,291 tons.
MMF production during January-September 2018 decreased by 2.5% year-on-year to 672,661 tons: cellulosic fibers, 142,947 tons (up 1.6%) and synthetic fibers, 529,714 tons (down 3.6%).