ICAC Collects Data on Open-End Versus Ring Spun Cotton Yarns

The ICAC Secretariat developed a simple methodology to obtain estimates of the proportion of cotton yarns spun by open-end rotors and spindles. The analysis is based on cotton yarn production data from the ICAC’s World Textile Demand and data on installed spinning capacity and annual shipments from the International Textile Manufacturers Federation. The productivity ratios between open-end rotors and spindles were applied according to the median age of each type of machinery.

The share of cotton yarn rotor spun at the world level is estimated at around 20 percent, and the share of ring spun yarn at 80 percent. A similar relation is observed in Africa, developed Asia and Oceania, and China (Mainland). In South America, rotor spun yarn is estimated to account for about 30 percent of all cotton yarn. In North America, West Europe, and Turkey, rotor spun yarn represents about 40 percent of all cotton yarns. In Eastern Europe, rotor spun yarn represents about 76 percent of all cotton yarns.

The full article is published in World Textile Demand, September 2009.