30 October 2009, Dublin – According to a new report from
Research and Markets, the global structure of polypropylene and polyethylene
production is poised to change dramatically as capacity rises in China and
soars in the Middle East. As a result, the shares of Western Europe and the USA
are set to fall substantially, the report says.
The change in production structure will come about because
the manufacture of propylene and ethylene-which are the main raw material
feedstocks for polypropylene and polyethylene polymer-is to start in the Middle
East on a large scale. Also, large-scale production of the polymers themselves
is about to begin.
Polypropylene and polyethylene fibres and filaments are used
in a wide variety of technical textiles for agriculture, automotive, building
and construction, hygiene, leisure, medical, outdoor and packaging applications.
Specific end uses include active wear, artificial grass, bale wrapping,
ballistic materials, bedding, carpet backing, car seating, diapers, disposable
wipes, filter fabrics, fishing nets, flexible intermediate bulk containers
(FIBCs), furniture, geotextiles, ropes and twines, sportswear, strapping,
thermal underwear, upholstery and wall coverings.
Polypropylene and polyethylene filaments are normally
produced by melt spinning. In this process, polymer granules-usually made by
specialist producers rather than fibre companies-are fed to an extruder, which
melts the polymer and then pumps it through a spinneret. Filaments are formed,
and cooled in an air stream before being wound on a package or collected as a
tow. In many cases coloured pigments are added to the polymer stream before
extrusion because polypropylene and polyethylene fibres are difficult to
dye.
Further information
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