Polyester industrial yarn imports are likely to witness a slight decline in 2025 compared to 2024, as per US customs data. This anticipated decline would primarily result due to increased domestic production of high-modulus low-shrinkage (HMLS) industrial yarns. Conversely, with overseas inflation easing and demand rising, industrial yarn exports are projected to grow, though the year-over-year growth rate may be lower due to the high export volume in 2024.

In 2024, polyester industrial yarn imports rose by 5.9 per cent Y-o-Y to 21,300 tons, while exports increased by 7.6 per cent Y-o-Y to 559,600 tons. Both imports and exports experienced positive growth.

Vietnam remained the top supplier of polyester industrial yarn to the US in 2024, accounting for over 60 per cent of imports each month, with shares exceeding 90 per cent in February, September, and November. Total imports from Vietnam reached 17,000 tons, a 4.9 per cent increase (800 tons) from 2023, with Vietnam's overall share around 80 per cent, slightly down 1 percentage point from 2023.

Regarding exports, all months in 2024, except March, showed positive year-over-year growth, contributing to overall export growth. November saw the lowest export volume (41,500 tons), while January recorded the highest (51,900 tons).

The significant export volume increase in 2024 was partly due to the EU's anti-dumping duties implemented in May 2023. These duties led to lower export volumes from May to December 2023. As the impact of the duties lessened, export volumes rebounded in 2024, with exports to EU countries increasing by 11.2 per cent Y-o-Y. Additionally, rebounding overseas demand and active export market expansion by domestic companies led to a 6.7 per cent Y-o-Y increase in exports to non-EU countries.

The top ten export destinations remained largely consistent with 2023, with minor shifts in rankings and shares. These ten countries accounted for approximately 61 per cent of total exports in both 2023 and 2024. The United States remained the largest export market, with its share increasing from 10 per cent in 2023 to 11 per cent in 2024. South Korea maintained its share around 10 per cent, while Turkey's share decreased by 1 percentage point to 7 per cent. Vietnam and Belgium saw improved rankings, while Russia, Canada, and Germany experienced declines. Brazil and India held steady.

Downstream demand for industrial yarn is primarily concentrated in the automotive, infrastructure, and transportation sectors, with strong demand from developed countries in Europe and America, as well as significant demand from developing countries.