Pakistan Textile Journal. march index

In what direction is fashion developing and what will assert itself in the short and medium term? Elastic yarns are currently in fashion. There is also considerable demand for fabrics with deliberate and clearly visible irregularities, produced from so-called fancy yarns. The urge for individuality in how people dress and what they wear is clearly gaining ground. This calls for systems that enable this very individuality to be taken into account already in the yarn manufacturing process.

Classical ring spinning machines and the ComforSpin machines set standards for yarns featuring superior quality and economy. So if their outstanding performance is combined with innovative systems such as COM4®core, COM4®twin, COM4®light and VARIO-spin, this enables diversified yarns to be produced with a secure future.

The Rieter core-spun yarn system – which can be used on both ring spinning and ComforSpin machines – enables high-quality, core-spun yarns to be produced in both the elastic and the non-elastic sector.

In the elastic sector the classical applications of core-spun yarns are to be found in foundation garments, swimwear and hosiery as well as sportswear. They are also encountered increasingly frequently in ladies‘ and men‘s outerwear as well as leisurewear. With today‘s potential for producing very fine count yarns, this range can be expanded.

In the non-elastic sector, core-spun yarns are used mostly for sewing threads, home textiles and industrial textiles. Mainly polyester, polyamide or special materials such as Kevlar or silver fibers are spun for this purpose.

The principle of producing a doubled yarn with two slivers in the spinning triangle is not new and has repeatedly been attempted. Rieter has now developed the technology components necessary for this, specifically for the ComforSpin machines. They are ideally coordinated both technically and technologically. Spin-twisted yarns are financially attractive, since the use of a doubling machine can be dispensed with. The yarns display high tenacity, very low hairiness and high gloss. COM4®twin yarns are currently used primarily in high-quality shirts and lingerie items.

The Rieter VARIOspin system enables slub, multi-count, mult-itwist and multi-effect yarns to be produced. The option of integrating the fancy yarn device directly in the machine enables these fashion yarns to be produced economically on ring spinning and ComforSpin machines.

The VARIOspin data system, which can be installed on a standard commercial computer, enables a very wide range of yarn characteristics to be programmed and simulated offline. This is a decision-making aid for customers.

Egyptian cotton consumption in Pakistan

Egyptian cotton fiber exports have exceeded 132,000 tons in 2007/2008 season representing an increase of 69% compared to 2006/2007 exports. The Egyptian cotton exports to Pakistan registers a 178% increase. India's share of total Egyptian cotton exports was 33% as it exceeded 43,000 tons, whereas Pakistan's share was 27% as it reached 36,400 tons.

Switzerland also showed an increase of 370% compared to last season, surpassing exports to China (mainland) which showed a modest growth of 6%. As a result, Switzerland was ranked the third largest export destination for Egyptian cotton at a share of almost 8%. It is evident that Switzerland does not consume 10,000 tons of Egyptian cotton but this volume is highly related to the Swiss cotton trading companies.

In the meantime, exports of US Pima cotton have continued its growth at slightly above 20% and reached 172,500 tons (April,2008). The Asian region has represented more than 85% of the US Pima exports. Pakistan and China were the largest importers of US Pima cotton at 35,000 tons for each; a total share of 40%. Though, only Pakistan evidenced growth at 38% while China's imports have remained almost stable, due to the increase of Chinese production of ELS cotton varieties. India came third at 16% as its imports of US Pima reached 26,500 tons.

Egyptian cotton and US Pima cotton exports to India have exceeded 71,000 tons in 2007/2008, although India's cotton production of ELS is expected to exceed 79,000 tons during the same season. Egyptian cotton has continued to largely dominate Indian imports of ELS.