Cellulose MM-fibers show sustainable growth

The 4rd Cellulose Fibre Conference in Cologne: Cellulose MM-fibers growth estimated 13 mill. tons by 2030

Production of Man-Made cellulose fibers

The 4rd Cellulose Fibre Conference in Cologne was secondly organised during Covid19 restricted conditions. It didn´t limit the number of participation due to interesting program covering sustainability, recycling, and alternative feedstocks as well as latest development in pulp, cellulose fibres, and textiles. Some new technical application areas of non-woven, packaging and composites were discussed, as well. With increased production dominated by viscose, capacities of more than 7 million tonnes of cellulose fibre products are expanding in technical hygiene and textiles. Due to their possibilities to reach extra high tensile properties, alternatives for carbon fibres for light-weight applications are under development.

The textile industry is remaining a growth model despite of the current slowing of economics boosted by Russian-generated war in Europe. Additional fiber demand of 22 million tons is expected until 2025. The Fiber Year Consulting Group assumes that viscose, especially lyocell fibers will continue to outperform the market having potential demand of 4-5 million tons of new market by 2025. Growing awareness of need for sustainable clothing stimulates viscose fiber growth.

The estimation of Textil2Fashion is expecting that the MMCF market will grow from 7.2 million tons to 14.16 million tons within 9 years at CAGR of 7.8 per cent. Regenerated cellulose fibres possess beneficial characteristics from both synthetic and natural fibres. They have uniform mechanical and physical properties as synthetic fibres. Similarly, they are biodegradable, CO2 neutral, and have a low density as natural fibres.

According to Dr. Hassi from Scitech of Finland states that customers of fiber suppliers now have recycling, sustainability, and transparency at the top of both their strategic and operative agendas. The fashion value chain has transformed into active, networks with initiatives and development projects with objectives needed to meet the targets in time. Active players in MMCF industry can certainly strengthen their competitive position and their products can gain market share. Forest based MMCF’s existing integration with the global carbon cycle is to be better recognized to take full, justified benefit of their recyclability.