氨纶纤维需求增长开始起航

Demand for elastane fibres -- known as spandex in the USA and parts of Asia -- is set to grow considerably according to a new report.
In the ten years to 2010 demand for elastane fibres more than doubled, from around 160,000 tons to over 350,000 tons, and, despite the availability of cheaper substitute stretch materials, it will continue to increase at a rapid pace for the foreseeable future.

Elastane is used in fabrics to impart stretch properties. Such fabrics represent one of the fastest growing categories of the apparel market thanks to their ability to provide comfort and enhance the appearance of garments. Stretch fabrics will continue to maintain an especially high profile in markets such as workwear and sportswear, where freedom of movement is essential.

Growth in demand for the fibre has been attributed to a number of factors, including the rise in sales of garments containing elastane in China, Brazil and India, and an increase in the number of apparel applications for stretch fibres and fabrics. Casual lifestyles supplemented by exercise have spurred demand for garments such as running tights, biking shorts, leotards and swimsuits, for which elastane fabrics are highly suitable.

Demand in the Chinese market is especially high and it is estimated to have reached 270,000 tons in 2010. In a bid to strengthen its foothold in the Chinese market and increase capacity, the US fibre and textile producer Invista announced in May 2011 that it planned to invest more than US$227 mn in the expansion of its Lycra elastane plant in Foshan, China.

However, as a result of increases in production capacities by several suppliers, the prices of some types of elastane have come under downward pressure.

In China there were significant falls in elastane prices in the year to June 2011, and such falls are seen as a pointer for the elastane industry as a whole.

In the future, numerous opportunities will be created for fabric manufacturers who are able to address a growing requirement for performance characteristics such as comfort and easy care.

However, established producers of elastane fibres -- such as Invista, Hyosung, Asahi Kasei and RadiciSpandex -- will continue to face stiff competition, particularly from low cost producers in China. They will also meet growing competition from manufacturers of other stretch fibres.

Stretch fibres, and elastane in particular, have become indispensable in view of today’s casual lifestyles and growing interest in fitness. But as the market continues to grow, so will the level of competition and prices will come under greater pressure. The way forward for companies supplying the market for stretch fibres and fabrics will be to focus on product innovation, improved product quality, enhanced performance and intensive marketing.

译文如下：

据报道，氨纶纤维的需求增长十分迅速。2000年到2010年的十年间，对于氨纶纤维的需求量翻了一番，从16万吨上涨到了35万吨。尽管有价格更为低廉的替代品，氨纶纤维的需求量在短期内还是会快速增长。
氨纶纤维可使面料呈现弹性的效果。这种弹性面料由于其舒适度并能加强服饰的外观，代表了服装市场发展最快的面料种类之一。就工作装和运动服装市场而言，弹力面料因为舒适度良好，依然会保持非常高端的地位。
有许多因素带来了氨纶纤维的需求增长。包括亚洲、巴西和印度含氨纶服饰的销售增长以及氨纶纤维的面料应用的增加。
中国市场氨纶纤维的需求量特别高，估计在2010年达到27万吨。为了巩固在中国市场的立足点并提高产能，来自美国纤维和面料的制造商英威达今年5月宣布计划在中国佛山再投资227万美元的莱卡氨纶装置。
然而，由于几个供应商都有提高了产能，一些品种的氨纶纤维价格有所下行。
2011年6月，氨纶价格在中国市场暴跌，而这次跌价被看作是对整个氨纶产业的暗示。
未来，只要生产商能够满足消费者对舒适度和易打理的日益增长需求，他们的机会依然有很多。但是，固定的氨纶纤维制造商，如英威达、韩国晓星、日本旭化成和兰蒂奇氨纶的竞争压力仍然很大，因为中国市场生产成本较低，并且其他的弹力纤维制造商也会给他们带来压力。
由于人们对休闲、健康的生活方式的追求，弹力纤维，特别是氨纶，已经成为面料中不可或缺的一部分。但是由于市场行情仍在上升，生产商的竞争和价格会承压。厂商要提高弹力纤维和面料在市场的供应量应该要把目标集中在产品创新、提高产品质量、加强表现和精准营销上。