Cotton Utilization in Conventional and Non-Conventional Textiles—A Statistical Review

Abstract

World textile fiber demand was 89.8 million tons in 2015 and is expected to grow to 93.7 million tons in 2016. Global demand for textile fibers is driven by population growth and by economic activity resulting in increasing wealth, particularly in emerging economies. While this overall trend is consistent across most major fibers, there are substantial disparities in the demand patterns of natural versus man-made fiber, with cotton and polyester being the primary protagonists. This paper charts recent trends and potential opportunities relevant to cotton fiber utilization in conventional and non-conventional textile products.