Report summary

For more than a decade, polyester fibre derived from polyethylene terephthalate bottles has been promoted as a practical way of reducing the environmental impact of products such as automotive interiors, filtration media, insulation and roofing substrates. However, the availability of recycled feedstock could come under increasing pressure as competition intensifies for the same material from the packaging sector.

Governments worldwide are also tightening legislation governing the use of plastics, and this could make it harder for brand owners to meet their commitments on recycled content. As a result, the technical textile industry may face a future in which bottles are no longer readily available as a so-called circular raw material.

This editorial examines the emerging bottle wars between the packaging and textile sectors and considers whether the global technical textile industry is prepared for changing supply dynamics. It draws on insights from leading chemicals and fibre companies, including Barmag, Freudenberg, Indorama Ventures and Unifi. The report also highlights developments in global plastics regulation and recent investments in thermomechanical and enzymatic recycling technologies, including those used by Carbios and REO-ECO.

Buy this report

Publisher: Textiles Intelligence

Report title: Editorial: Is the global technical textile industry prepared for polyester “bottle wars”?

Number of pages: 9

Date of publication: January 2026

Report price: Euro 340.00; US$ 445.00

Reports are supplied in PDF format only via email and can be purchased by credit card or via PayPal. Alternatively, readers can email their order, and we will invoice accordingly and send their report by email upon receipt of payment.

To buy this report, please select one of the buttons below or email [email protected].