The line chart illustrates the total fiber demand in million tons over the period of 35 years.

Overall, it is clear that polyester witnessed a significant growth in its global demand. We can also see
that demand for cellulosic and wool remained relatively stable.

In 1980, cotton was the most preferred type of fiber with approximately 15 million tons while
polyester was ranked second with about 5 million tons. The demand for other two types of textile
was nearly the same at under 2 million tons. In the next 15 years, the global polyester demand
rocketed, four times as high as its 1980 figure and started to surpass cotton to become the most
consumed fiber since 1995. By contrast, the figure for cotton consumption slightly increased by 5
million tons and the figures for cellulosic and wool stayed unchanged.

Since 2000, polyester worldwide demand increased considerably from above 30 million tons to
roughly 70 million tons whereas there was a 10-million-ton rise in cotton consumption. Opposite
pattern can be seen in the trend of two remaining fiber. In detail, cellulosic demand doubled while
the figure for wool reached the lowest point.