Overall downstream demand subdued despite of hot nonwoven

The market focus has been on the mask since Apr, and the products related with mask also became hot. Meltblown fabric, nonwoven fabric and ear loop also became popular, as well as the related feedstock such as ES fiber, PSF for non-woven fabric and nylon/spandex covered yarn. Many market players began to add or turn to produce these lucrative products. Some recycled fiber chip companies also started producing virgin coarse PSF and tried to do mask-related business, which stimulated sales of PET fiber chip and further pushed up its price.

How much does the hot mask sector contribute to the polyester demand? Proportion of PSF for nonwoven fabric scored 21% by the end of 2019 and may reach 40% in 2020 amid surging consumption on the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the demand for PSF for nonwoven only occupies around 5% of the total polyester demand. Hot small product cannot cover up sluggish overall demand.