The tenth anniversary of the annual meeting of China Textile Round-Table Forum, again sponsored by Oerlikon Manmade Fibers, was held on January 31. This year Oerlikon Manmade Fibers Segment CEO Georg Stausberg presented to more than 300 participants the results of the exclusive study “Sustainable growth through value innovation”. His presentation supplemented the motto of the event: “China’s Textile Industry under the New Normal”.
The study investigates the potential savings to the Chinese textile industry if outdated machinery were to be replaced with modernized technologies. Continuous development of Oerlikon Manmade Fibers technologies has generated high economical benefits that include energy savings, reductions in CO2 emissions, land savings and productivity increases.
Outdated filament spinning technologies in China currently account for 42 per cent of the total energy consumption and CO2 emissions, but can supply only 16 per cent of the total filament production. With the latest technology, the specific average power consumption per ton was reduced by 55 per cent (WINGS FDY) and 40 per cent (WINGS POY) compared to outdated technology dating from the mid-1990s. If these machines were to be replaced with the latest Oerlikon Barmag equipment, energy consumption would be reduced by 78,000 MWh and CO2 emissions by 42,000 tons. The lower load to the power grid reduces the difficulties with power shortages in high-demand peak seasons, such as hot summers or smog in winter, as fewer coal power plants are needed.
The latest technology could increase productivity by up to 200 per cent. This is essential for maintaining the competitiveness of the Chinese textile industry.
Another big environmental topic these days is the energy and water consumption as well as waste water pollution within the textile value chain. Especially the dying plants are in focus of the government due to the water pollution. Oerlikon Manmade Fibers 3DD polymer mixing technology offers production of high quality spun dyed yarns for direct usage, eliminating the polluting dying step in the textile chain.
“All in all, this study shows that Oerlikon Barmag’s and Oerlikon Neumag’s latest technologies can support China to reach the energy saving potentials and to support the people to have a better and cleaner living environment”, said Georg Stausberg.