Germany-based Oerlikon Neumag -- the nonwoven, bulk-continuous-filament (BCF) carpet yarn and man-made staple fiber machinery business unit of Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG -- reports that since the start of 2010, it has completed more than 20 BCF carpet yarn line orders by major carpet manufacturers in the United States, Brazil, Turkey, China and Russia. Polyester yarns account for more than half the 100,000-plus tons of production capacity.

"In particular, the increase in demand for BCF carpet yarn lines was so strong in the first month of this year that our expectations have been exceeded by far," said Georg Stausberg, CEO, Oerlikon Neumag. "Lines for the production of BCF yarn from polyester are a strongly increasing market segment in which we were able to achieve extraordinary successes. Fortunately, thanks to consistent product enhancement, we were in a position to also strengthen our market position in the established sectors, the plants for polypropylene and nylon."

According to Oerlikon Neumag, demand for polyester has grown because the yarns are more cost-efficient to produce than other yarns, among other reasons; and it is expected that the growth rate for polyester will outpace the rate for other carpet fibers.

June 22, 2010