Restraints on Imported Apparel Lift Synthetic Fiber Output

Abstract

Listen

Translate article

Throughout the U.S. textile industry, and in particular the synthetic fiber segment, producers are beginning to achieve some success in opposing imports of apparel that have devastated the industry during the past decade. Because of stringent curbs on imported apparel and a rise in consumer buying, 1986 U.S. production of major synthetic fibers will come close to matching, if not exceeding, last year's output. Nylon fiber output likely will surpass that of 1985. If output of polyester and acrylic fibers fails to beat last year's, the decline will be 1% or less. Nevertheless, a return to production volumes of the 1970s for the synthetic fibers could be some time in coming. Production in 1986 will be more than 20% below levels of the late 1970s and, with optimistic growth forecasts of 1 to 2% annually, previous production totals will not be matched until well into the 1990s. Because of capacity ...