Japan Passes U.S. As Largest Rayon Producer in World

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 31, 20 February 1937, Page 15

Japan Passes U.S. As Largest Rayon Producer in World

NEW YORK. — Japanese rayon production this year has increased to such an extent that estimates based on data for the first 10 months of 1936 place total outpnt at a hgiire exceeding that of the United States, aceording to the Textile Economics Bureau, Inc. Japan will thus rank aa the world 's largest producer of rayon, a position which has been held by the United States sinee the World War. Japanese rayon yarn production for the 10 months to October totaled 221,500,000 pounds against 164,060,000 pounds in the corresponding 1935 period, a gain of 35 per cent. Projected to an annual basis, the 1936 Japanese rayon yarn production might approximate 275,000,000 ^pounds, and the rayon staple iiber an additional 50,000,000 pounds, totalling 325,000,000. United States output for 1936 will show a gain over the 1935 output of 257,557,000 pounds, but the total will be substantially short of that expected from Japan. Shipments of non-aeetate rayon yarn by American producers during Steptember. Ocfober, and November were in exeess of production, resulting in a substantial reduetion in surplus stoeks. November shipments again exceeded production, and surplus stocks at the close of the month were at a new low level at an 0.2 month 's supply. The situation regarding surplus stocks, moreover, was further aceentuated by the reduetion in acetate yarn supply due to a strike. The viscose and euprammonium yarn divisions continue to show a xecord lowstock position, a reeord high production rate, and no indication of relifif from this situation Eor over a year on the basis of available supply.