Portugal Prevails in the EU Filament Tow and Fiber Trade
Man-Made Fibres December 21, 2015
From 2008 to 2014, EU synthetic tow and fiber production dynamics showed a steady decrease, falling from 1,203 thousand tonnes in 2008 to 1,006 thousand tonnes in 2014. It dropped with a CAGR of -2.9% over the period under review. In value terms, EU filament fiber production was 2,409 million EUR in 2014, growing by 0.9% annually.
Denmark was the largest producer of synthetic filament tow and staple fibers in absolute volumes, with 80 thousand tonnes. It was distantly followed by Portugal (46 thousand tonnes) and the Czech Republic (45 thousand tonnes).
Positive dynamics in synthetic fiber production among the main producing countries from 2008 to 2014 were recorded in Denmark (+6.3% per year), while for the other two EU leaders (Portugal and the Czech Republic) the paces of growth were more modest or negative.
Portugal ranked second in EU production and dominated in trade. In 2014, it exported 96% of its total filament tow and staple fiber output. Of this amount, 12% was supplied to Spain, where Portugal's synthetic tow and fibers held a 4% share of total Spain's imports.
