Indonesia’s viscose rayon fiber capacity increased from 8.7 per cent of total world production in 2004 to 11 per cent of total world production in 2017. Since cotton is difficult to produce, the country has turned to viscose rayon fibers. Mixed with polyester as men’s clothing, viscose fibers are highly absorbent, with soft hand feel, have bright colors, and are resistant to resin processing.

Asia Pacific Rayon, which began operations earlier this year in Indonesia with a production capacity of 2,40,000 tons of viscose rayon fiber per year, is the first integrated producer of viscose rayon fibers in Asia with traceable raw material sources.

Indonesia is set to become one of the top five textile and textile product producers in the world by 2030. Of the use of raw materials, the industry uses 51 per cent synthetic fiber, such as polyester and nylon, 37 per cent cotton fiber, and 12 per cent rayon. But the industry still faces obstacles in reaching its full competitive potential, as nearly all cotton must be imported. In contrast, 80 per cent of synthetic fiber and 85 per cent of rayon is domestically produced, with these numbers expected to increase further. The aim is to increase the sector’s share in Indonesia’s total exports to 1.6 per cent.