India becomes third-largest consumer of high-tenacity polyester filament yarn: Report

India’s has consolidated its position as the world’s third-largest consumer of high-tenacity polyester filament yarn (HTY). As per IndexBox report, domestic HTY consumption has reached 112,000 tons, led by an insatiable demand for reinforcement materials in the automotive and infrastructure sectors. While current production of 67,000 tons meets only 60 per cent of local requirements, a massive wave of capital expenditure is expected to narrow this gap by 2035. This persistent supply deficit has turned India into a primary battleground for global chemical giants, with China and Vietnam currently controlling over 80 per cent of the import value.

Experts say, the next decade will be defined by a shift from standard grades to specialized, high-performance fibers. Investments by domestic petrochemical majors are now focused on backward integration to mitigate the volatility of PTA and MEG feedstocks, that have seen costs fluctuate alongside global crude oil prices. A critical case study in this shift is the automotive sector’s transition toward advanced radial tires, which requires higher HTY intensity per unit than traditional bias-ply tires. This technological pivot, combined with ‘Make in India’ incentives, provides a lucrative runway for domestic mills to capture market share from imports.

Despite logistical pressures and geopolitical tensions affecting shipping costs, the long-term outlook remains bullish. Experts argue, if domestic capacity expansion keeps pace with the projected 9.1 per cent global consumption share, India could soon challenge the US for the second-place ranking. The success of this trajectory hinges on the industry’s ability to move up the value chain into technical grades for conveyor belts and coated fabrics, ensuring that Indian yarn is defined by its engineering precision rather than just its price point.