Bio-based PTT fiber has broad application prospects and the global industry scale will continue to expand

Polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber, referred to as PTT fiber, is a new type of polyester spinning polymer with excellent performance. According to different sources of raw materials, PTT fiber can be divided into two categories: bio-based PTT fiber and petroleum-based PTT fiber. Bio-based PTT fiber is a bio-based fiber produced from grains as raw materials, and is an important direction for the future upgrading of the PTT fiber industry.

Bio-based PTT fiber has a unique structure and has good elasticity, dyeability, flexibility, bulkiness, etc. It can be used to replace some nylon, polyester, acrylic and other clothing fabrics in textiles, automotive interiors, interior decoration, medical care, and construction safety. It has broad application prospects in fields such as nets and home fabrics. In the era of bio-economy, the development of the bio-based PTT fiber market is accelerating, and the application fields will become more diversified.

According to the “China Bio-based PTT Fiber Industry Market In-depth Assessment and 2023-2027 Investment Feasibility Consultation Report released by the Industrial Research Center It shows that at present, petroleum-based PTT fiber is still the mainstream product in the market. However, with the increasing shortage of petroleum resources and the advancement of biosynthesis technology, the bio-based PTT fiber market has attracted more attention, and the number of companies in the industry has also continued to increase, including Evonik of Germany and Japan. Teijin, Mitsubishi Chemical, DowDuPont, American Naturework and other companies.

The synthesis process of bio-based PTT fiber polyester is divided into two types: direct esterification method (PTA method) and transesterification method (DMT method). Compared with the transesterification method, the direct esterification method has the advantages of low cost, mature technology, easy wastewater treatment, and high production efficiency. It is the mainstream method for large-scale preparation of bio-based PTT fibers.

Bio-based 1,3-propanediol (bio-based 1,3-PDO) is an important raw material for the preparation of bio-based PTT fiber. Its preparation process includes biodiesel conversion method, glucose conversion method, glycerol conversion method, etc. Globally, bio-based 1,3-propanediol companies include DuPont of the United States, Explore of France, Shenghong Group, Henan Tianguan Group, Chenneng Biotech, etc. my country’s bio-based 1,3-propanediol enterprise technology mainly comes from Tsinghua University, Jiangnan University, East China University of Science and Technology, etc.

At present, bio-based PTT fiber has achieved large-scale production. In China, bio-based PTT fiber suppliers include Jiuding Bio, Shenghong Group, Chenneng Bio, Hisun Bio, Demao Chemical, etc. Compared with the international market, my country’s bio-based PTT fiber industry is small in scale, and there are still certain gaps in innovation capabilities, process technology, product quality, application promotion, etc.

Industry analysts said that bio-based PTT fiber conforms to the modern green and environmentally friendly development concept, and is in the strategy of carbon neutrality and carbon peaking. Against this background, the bio-based PTT fiber market has broad development prospects. Bio-based PTT fiber has excellent comprehensive properties and a wide range of applications. With the active layout of relevant companies, the scale of the global industry will continue to expand, and industry development will be upgraded to high-end, large-scale, and diversified directions.