Exploring Asian Chemical Fiber Circular Economy And Fair Competition Path

On May 24, the 14th Asian Chemical Fiber Conference continued. Representatives of chemical fiber industry from Thailand, Taiwan, Pakistan, Malaysia, Japan, India, China, Indonesia, South Korea and other countries and regions made special reports, focusing on circular economy, carbon reduction goal planning, sustainable textile related policies, environmentally friendly materials and advanced materials The direction of green development, free trade and fair competition were discussed and communicated in depth.

▲ Shao Changjin, Chairman of Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd

Shao Changjin, chairman of Xinxiang Chemical Fiber Co., Ltd., introduced the current situation and direction of green sustainable development of the industry on behalf of the delegation of China Chemical Fiber Association. In recent years, through the practice of green development, the industry's green manufacturing system has been continuously improved, the core technical indicators have been continuously optimized, the energy structure has been low-carbon, and the carbon emission intensity has gradually declined. In the future, the industry will carry out practical and effective actions in the promotion and application of energy conservation and carbon reduction technologies, improving the supply capacity of green fiber, developing a circular economy to reduce pollution and carbon, improving energy efficiency and low-carbon energy, and establishing a green industrial chain supply chain.

▲ R D Udeshi, President of Indian Synthetic Fiber Association

R D Udeshi, president of the Indian Synthetic Fiber Association, pointed out that the trade share of Asian textiles in western economies has been declining, while the share of other regions is rising, and Asia is also facing evolving rule challenges. However, the advantages of the Asian consumer class will increase significantly, which will bring new opportunities; At the same time, Asia also has advantages in the textile value chain, which should be organized and utilized to meet the growing local demand.

▲ Xue Xue, General Manager of Beijing Zhongli Machinery Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., questions the representative of Indian Chemical Fiber Association

▲ Settawut Thaiprasert, Secretary General of Thailand Human Fiber Industry Association

Settawut Thaiprasert, Secretary General of Thailand Human Fiber Industry Association, said that Thailand has taken BCG (i.e. B-bio economy, C-circular economy, G-green economy) as the key economic model to promote national growth, and vigorously promoted environment-friendly materials: for example, strengthen the publicity to consumers; Encourage purchase in the form of discount or subsidy; Increase the supply of environment-friendly materials; Implement policies conducive to the use and production of sustainable materials.

▲ Taiwan Textile Industry Comprehensive Research Institute Zheng Kaifang

Zheng Kaifang, from Taiwan Textile Industry Comprehensive Research Institute, believes that carbon reduction is an opportunity rather than a cost, moving towards net zero, and energy transformation, material transformation, and process transformation are needed. In terms of material transformation, Zheng Kaifang mainly introduced the development of recycled polyester and nylon, such as expanding the production capacity of chemically recycled polyester; Recycled nylon fishing net is made into bicycle tire cord fabric; The polyester fiber is prepared by collecting industrial waste gas.

▲ Rizwan Afzal Chaudhry, Chairman of Pakistan Polyester Staple Fiber Manufacturers Group

Rizwan Afzal Chaudhry, Chairman of Pakistan Polyester Staple Fiber Manufacturers Group, introduced the relevant policies and progress of the sustainable textile market from the aspects of sustainable material procurement, supervision and compliance, traceability supply chain, water management and recycling, and put forward several suggestions: develop sustainable recycling solutions, jointly establish a sustainable development working group The Asian Chemical Fiber Alliance will organize the drafting of laws and regulations related to sustainable textiles and give opinions.

▲ Regina Leong, Vice President of Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association

Regina Leong, vice president of Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association, introduced the strategies of free trade and fair competition, such as improving productivity and upgrading the value chain through infrastructure investment, talent skill improvement, innovation ecosystem, strengthening standard formulation, etc; Actively create an environment conducive to free and fair cross-border competition in the industry through industry associations.

▲ Ohya Mitsuo, President of Japan Chemical Fiber Association

Ohya Mitsuo, president of Japan Chemical Fiber Association, pointed out that Japan realizes the vision of "circular economy" by developing technology and promoting sustainable development, such as the development of efficient separation technology for recycled textile products, pretreatment technology for blended textiles, and dyeing technology using supercritical carbon dioxide. At the same time, in terms of standardization, Japan has also carried out relevant work, such as JIS of environment-friendly fibers, Japanese digital product passports, ecological design of textile products, etc.

▲ Chairman of Indonesian Fiber and Filament Manufacturers Association V Ravi Shankar

V., President of Indonesian Fiber and Filament Manufacturers Association Ravi Shankar made a special report on "Common Initiative for Achieving Sustainable Development of Asian Chemical Fiber Industry", and pointed out that the value of the future textile chemical fiber industry chain is reflected in: sustainable innovation of products, sustainable design of brands, sustainable solutions and sustainable policies among stakeholders.

▲ Jaehun Jung, Department Director of Korea Textile Development and Research Institute

Jaehun Jung, department director of Korea Textile Development and Research Institute, introduced the research and development trends of several advanced materials, such as the research of UHMWPE bulletproof prepreg, para aramid anti stab material and carbon fiber explosion-proof fabric, and the development of polyphenylene sulfide nonwoven battery separator. Jaehun Jung believes that the development direction of high-performance fibers in the next stage includes nanofibers prepared by electrospinning technology and textile finishing technology used to enhance interfacial adhesion.

▲ Andreas Engelhardt, President of Fiber Yearbook

Andreas Engelhardt, President of Fiber Yearbook, made a special report on "the current situation and future prospects of the textile industry in Europe and North America", and pointed out that the proportion of chemical fiber supply in Europe and North America in the world has declined, while demand is affected by geopolitical tensions and instability, slow economic growth, declining consumer purchasing power, and inventory levels in the industrial chain. In 2024, the textile industry in Europe and North America will still face many challenges, but its development vitality will vary from field to field.

▲ Chen Xinwei, Head of Delegation of China Chemical Fiber Association and President of China Chemical Fiber Association

At the final stage of the conference, the heads of delegations made summaries and comments. Chen Xinwei, head of the delegation of the China Chemical Fiber Association and president of the China Chemical Fiber Association, said that chemical fiber associations in Asian countries and regions had conducted in-depth exchanges and discussions at the conference, achieving the goal of mutual learning and reference, promoting cooperation and development, and hoped to take full advantage of the opportunity of the Asian Chemical Fiber Conference, Further strengthen more exchanges and cooperation with the chemical fiber industry in Asian countries and regions to jointly promote the sustainable development of the Asian chemical fiber industry.

▲ Haesang Jeon, chairman of the Asian Chemical Fiber Alliance and the Korean Chemical Fiber Association, made a concluding speech

▲ Speech by Sri Tan Thian Poh, President of Malaysian Textile Manufacturers Association

▲ Chairman and representative of Asian Chemical Fiber Alliance attended the press conference

After the conference, a press conference was held. The conference believed that under the theme of "Cooperation in the sustainable development of Asian chemical fiber industry", the delegations of chemical fiber associations in Asian countries and regions put forward constructive suggestions for further exchanges and cooperation of Asian chemical fiber industry. At the same time, the development of textile industry in Europe and North America and the sharing of EU sustainable regulations also provide a reference for the development of Asian chemical fiber industry. Everyone agreed that Asian chemical fiber industry should seize the development opportunities to further improve the level of sustainable development, such as supporting the circular economy; Implement certification and supervision; Strengthen publicity and incentive measures; Carry out intelligent transformation; Develop differentiated, high value-added, high-performance, high-tech materials; Fair competition, etc.

The 15th Asian Chemical Fiber Conference will be held in Penang, Malaysia in the second quarter of 2026.

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(Source: China Chemical Fiber Industry Association)