Global fibre output grows 6.5% in 2024, with synthetics widening lead: Textile Exchange

Global fibre production is projected to remain on an upward trajectory beyond 2024, with synthetic fibres steadily widening their lead over natural materials, according to global textile non-profit Textile Exchange’s Materials Market Report 2025. The report noted that while cellulosic (wood-pulp-based) fibres have held steady, the overall share of recycled fibres has seen little growth, except in the wool segment.

In 2024, global fibre production rose by 6.5% to reach 132 million tonnes. Synthetic fibres dominated, accounting for 69% of the total, up nine percentage points compared with 2020. Polyester alone represented 59% of global output. Having already achieved a 57% share in 2023, polyester continued its upward trajectory, rising to 78 million tonnes in 2024. Production of recycled polyester edged higher, from 8.9 million tonnes to 9.3 million tonnes. Polyamide (nylon) remained the second most-produced synthetic fibre, making up 5% of global fibre output.

Cotton’s share fell from 20% in 2023 to 19% in 2024, with production reaching 24.1 million tonnes of virgin cotton. Textile Exchange highlighted, however, that 34% of cotton produced is now certified to sustainability standards, compared with 28% the previous year. Recycled cotton remained stable at 1% of global production, or 300,000 tonnes.

Other plant-based fibres accounted for 6.9 million tonnes of output. Jute dominated with 54%, followed by cotton fibre at 26%, flax at 5% and hemp at 5%. Flax and hemp together represented just 0.5% of global fibre production.

Cellulosics, the third-largest fibre group derived from chemically transformed plant-based raw materials, maintained a 6% global market share, totalling 8.4 million tonnes in 2024, an increase of 6.4%. Within this category, recycled volumes rose from 0.7% to 1.1%, or 90,000 tonnes. Nearly 70% of cellulosic production is now certified under FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) schemes.

Animal fibres continued to represent only 1% of global fibre production. Wool accounted for 0.9% of the total, with virgin wool at 1.98 million tonnes. The share of recycled wool increased from 6% to 7%, reaching 83,000 tonnes. Cashmere (0.02%), mohair (0.004%) and alpaca (0.005%) maintained marginal market shares.