Due to the combined impact of increased viscose production capacity and economic factors after 2010, the price of viscose staple fibers has continued to decline, leading to an oversupply situation that remains a major issue in the industry. Meanwhile, cotton prices have stayed high due to government policies on collection and storage, reaching up to 19,000 yuan per ton. This significant price gap has caused a shift in market demand, with many textile producers turning to viscose as a more cost-effective alternative.
The price difference between viscose and cotton has widened significantly, from around 2,500–3,500 yuan/ton to a negative spread of 5,500 yuan/ton this year (18,000 yuan/ton vs. 12,500 yuan/ton). This has made viscose a viable replacement for cotton, helping reduce the pressure on cotton-based textile manufacturers and easing challenges caused by China’s high cotton prices.
From a performance standpoint, viscose staple fiber closely resembles cotton in terms of softness, breathability, and dyeing ability. It is derived from natural cellulose and is free of impurities, making it ideal for use in traditional cotton spinning equipment with minimal adjustments. Viscose also offers superior skin-friendliness and comfort, making it one of the most suitable alternatives in the textile industry.
In downstream applications, viscose can replace cotton in blended yarns such as polyester-cotton blends. Adding a certain percentage of viscose to pure polyester or other synthetic fibers can greatly enhance the comfort and breathability of fabrics. Blending cotton with viscose also improves the smoothness of the yarn, enhances dyeing quality, and combines the best features of both fibers.
Since 2009, the domestic demand for viscose staple fibers has grown steadily at around 10% annually, while cotton consumption has gradually declined. This trend shows that viscose has long been seen as a practical alternative to cotton. However, the substitution process has been spontaneous and uncoordinated, driven mainly by market choices rather than active promotion from viscose companies. This year, the growth has slowed, with apparent demand for viscose staple fibers dropping slightly in the first quarter compared to the same period last year.
With national viscose production capacity nearing 3.7 million tons, and annual cotton consumption reaching about 10 million tons, even a 5% increase in viscose's market share could drive an additional 500,000 tons of demand. For the viscose industry, capitalizing on this opportunity and strategically promoting its use as a cotton substitute is crucial for addressing current overcapacity issues.
To achieve this, the industry should collaborate with cotton-spinning enterprises to modernize traditional spinning processes and increase the use of viscose in cotton mills. A medium-term strategy should be developed, learning from successful models like "Yianmian," focusing on targeted research and optimizing fiber properties to make viscose even more competitive. Additionally, promoting viscose through product development—such as blended fabrics, trousers, knitted sweaters, denim, and tooling fabrics—can encourage wider adoption.
Finally, the viscose industry must strengthen its efforts to promote spunbond technology throughout the textile supply chain, ensuring better support and service for end-users. By leveraging its bio-based advantages and accelerating the transition from cotton, the viscose sector can play a key role in overcoming short-term challenges and shaping a sustainable future for the industry.
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