Figures released by the International Textile Manufacturers' Federation (ITMF) show world-wide shipments of long-staple spindles or wool spinning technology increased moderately in 2006 year-on-year.
The increase in shipments halted a decline in shipments since 2001. However, the 2006 shipment level remained significantly lower than the 2001 level.
Long-staple spindle shipments do not necessarily equate to installations or sales of long-staple spindles or to an increase in capacity as new spindle installations may be used to replace old machinery. However, shipments are an indicator of investment in wool processing technology.
The increase in long-staple shipments therefore is a positive sign about the health of the wool processing industry. The plateauing of installed capacity suggests a period of stabilisation in the industry after a period of rationalisation (installed capacity fell between 2000 and 2003).
The top ten export destinations for long-staple shipments in 2006, in order, were China, Iran, Turkey, India, Italy, Mexico, Syria, Poland, Brazil and the USA. All of the top ten shipment countries except for Poland, Brazil and the USA have had strong shipments over the 2000-2006 period.
Poland's entry into the top ten is perhaps due to a relocation of wool spinning to take advantage of lower European Union labour costs.
Growth in long-staple shipments in 2006 outperformed shipment growth in short-staple spindles (generally used for processing cotton).
Australian Wool Innovation Limited
marketing@alchempro.com
