Innovations in spun yam technologies—Present and future

Abstract

Globalization has profound effects on the textile industry, including yarn production. These effects are not only evident in shifts in the geographical bases of production but also in the 'drivers' for manufacturing. This means that yarn producers are expected not only to produce higher quality yarns on much shorter lead times, but must also be competitive on prices in

order to survive. A modern yarn producer must therefore be technologically aware, efficient, flexible, and cost conscious. The majority of recent developments in yarn production have been refinements of existing techniques plus improvements in process and product quality. While there are potentially many techniques that could be used to produce yarns, many have met with limited commercial success. Automation is an obvious way to reduce labor costs and improve quality; however, this often carries the penalty of reduced flexibility. Competing on pricing is a prerequisite to survival and the major component of yarn price in a modern spinning mill is the cost of the fiber. Thus, any saving made in raw material directly impacts possible profits. This paper reports the above aspects and their possible interactions.