CIRFS, the European Manmade Fibers Association, in its 66th annual general meeting in Brussels, addressed the challenges the industry is facing in Europe.

The manmade fiber industry needs addressing, says CIRFS. Apart from an economic update, the meeting discussed issues such as the large manmade fiber over-capacities in China, trade distortions, developments in European legislation, particularly as to environment and energy as well as numerous technical, economic and statistical problems.

The AGM also included open session presentations on manmade fiber issues in the USA, trade in chemicals, developments in the wool market and a global manmade fiber market update.

CIRFS says trade distortions are on the rise and the weight of European legislation is becoming heavier, in particular in the environmental-energy field.

The European manmade fiber industry is fully committed to the European Commission’s sustainability debate and as such offers solutions to many challenges. It is also determined to playing its role in the European Commission’s jobs/growth/investment agenda.

The manmade fiber industry urgently needs a level playing field in order to compete on fair terms with the rest of the world.

West Europe has a share of five per cent, the Far East has a 89 per cent share in worldwide manmade fiber production. The US has a share of five per cent, Japan one per cent.

The AGM was followed by the annual executive seminar with additional presentations on feedstock markets, technical textiles, circular economy aspects, and other sustainability aspects dealt with in the textile industry.