Why is the cost advantage of polyester fiber good
source:
odigo.com.cn | Release time:2025-07-08
Polyester fiber (commonly known as polyester), as a synthetic fiber with high global production, has significant cost advantages due to the comprehensive effects of raw material supply, production process, performance characteristics, and market size. The specific reasons are as follows:
1、 Wide range of raw material sources and stable prices
The core raw materials of polyester fiber are terephthalic acid (PTA) and ethylene glycol (MEG), both of which are derivative products of the petrochemical industry chain:
Adequate supply of raw materials: Petroleum, as the basic energy source, has a large global production and mature trade circulation. The production technology of PTA and MEG is mature and highly scaled (such as China, which is the world's largest PTA production country with a production capacity ratio of over 60%), which can stably meet the production demand of polyester fibers and avoid cost fluctuations caused by raw material shortages.
Relatively low price: Compared to natural fibers such as cotton and wool that rely on agricultural cultivation (greatly affected by climate, land, and seasons, with frequent price fluctuations), or other synthetic fibers such as nylon that rely on caprolactam and have higher raw material costs, the industrial production of petrochemical raw materials can dilute costs through economies of scale, and prices are more stable under market regulation (for example, although crude oil prices have fluctuated in recent years, the processing costs of PTA/MEG have continued to decline due to technological progress).
2、 Mature production technology and significant scale effect
The production process of polyester fiber (from PTA and MEG polymerization to produce polyester chips, and then melt spun into fibers) has achieved high automation and continuity, with strong scale production capacity:
High process stability: After decades of technological iteration, the polymerization and spinning processes of polyester fibers (such as melt direct spinning technology) have become very mature, and the energy consumption and waste rate in the production process have been significantly reduced. For example, the melt direct spinning process eliminates the step of melting and cooling the slices, and directly spins the melt, reducing energy consumption by about 30% compared to traditional processes.
Large single factory production capacity: The annual production capacity of a single production line in a large polyester fiber production enterprise can reach hundreds of thousands of tons, and large-scale production can significantly dilute fixed costs such as equipment depreciation, labor, and management. In contrast, the production of natural fibers is limited by the dispersion of agricultural production, making it difficult to form a cost advantage of the same scale.
Low processing cost: The spinning, drawing and other processes of polyester fibers can be completed through mechanical automation, with a low proportion of labor costs; And after the fiber is formed, there is no need for complex post-processing (such as natural cotton needing to be seeded or bleached, wool needing to be defatted), further reducing processing costs.
3、 Performance adaptability reduces overall usage costs
The physical properties of polyester fibers enable them to replace other materials in downstream applications, indirectly reducing overall costs
High strength and good wear resistance: The fracture strength of polyester fibers is three times that of cotton and four times that of wool. The fabrics or products made from polyester fibers (such as clothing, home textiles, industrial fabrics) have a longer service life, reducing the frequency of repeat purchases and lowering the cost for consumers or businesses from a long-term use perspective.
Excellent wrinkle resistance and shape retention: Compared to natural fibers such as cotton and linen, polyester fiber clothing is prone to wrinkling and does not require frequent ironing, saving care costs; In the industrial field (such as filter cloth, conveyor belt), its shape stability can reduce the replacement cost caused by deformation.
Easy to maintain and adaptable: Polyester fibers are acid and alkali resistant, insect resistant, and do not require special care during washing (such as wool requiring dry cleaning). They can be machine washed and quickly dried, reducing maintenance costs during use.