An update on fiber production did not reveal any big surprises, but it did provide some important details assessing the nature of the market today.

In a “Campfire” session on the show floor, Darrell Collier, Tecnon OrbiChem, showed participants the growth trajectory and market dominance that polyester since it entered the textile market. Collier also clearly outlined how the price of polyester, in particular, is closely correlated with the price of crude oil.

For those who had looked for good news on Nylon 66, there was none. It’s at historically high prices right now, and it “looks like it’ll be worse in 2019,” he said.

Collier expects that cotton production limitations will impact synthetic fiber production in the next 10 years, which will also benefit the polyester market, but could also stir gains for viscose and acrylic fiber, as well. Raw materials, which include bio-based, recycled, coal-based and others, will grow, but certainly not enough to impact polyester advantages.