The textile industry has witnessed several improvements over the years towards sustainable and eco-friendly production methods. One such innovation that stands as eco-friendly and has gained steady acceptance is the Lyocell method of spinning viscose filament yarn. This process of manufacture gives this unique opportunity to an array of startups and entrepreneurs with immense growth prospects in the domestic and international arenas.
Why Should Entrepreneurs Invest in This Business?
The Lyocell method of viscose filament yarn spinning is, therefore, worth the investment for the following reasons:
1. Growing Demand for Sustainable Fibers: The increasing global awareness of environmental conservation has spurred demand for biodegradable and eco- friendly fibers. The Lyocell process eliminates the need for toxic chemicals, making it a preferred choice in the textile industry.
2. Expanding Market for Viscose Filament Yarn: Viscose filament yarn is used in diverse sectors such as apparel, home textiles, industrial textiles, and medical textiles; this diversity ensures constant demand and minimizes the risks arising out of dependence on a single market sector.
3. Government Support and Incentives: Very many countries across the globe, India included, offer subsidies, tax benefits, and even financial assistance to industries adopting environmentally sustainable production technologies.
4. Huge Export Potential: Viscose filament yarn produced by the Lyocell process has huge export potential with countries such as China, the USA, and European Union shifting to sustainable textile raw materials.
5. Technology Enabling Manufacturing: Financial benefits owing to technological advancement in the manufacturing such as new machinery and automated production processes have considerably reduced operational cost, creating a highly profitable competitive scenario while allowing optimum efficiency and quality improvement in products.
Market Size, Share, and Trends
The viscose filament yarn market is set to see an enormous growth surge.
- Market Size: Globally, the market for viscose filament yarn was valued at about USD 5.4 billion in 2023 and is foreseen to register a CAGR of 6.2% during the forecast period from 2024 to 2030.
- Market Share: Asia-Pacific has a lion's share in the market, contributing nearly 60% of global production, with India and China owning the battery.
- Trends: The transition to bio-based textiles, increasing use in premium fabrics, and technology advancement in spinning methods play a pivotal role in determining the industry path.
- Export Potential: Countries like the U.S.A, Germany, Japan, and South Korea find a huge demand for eco-friendly fibers, thus enabling Indian producers to capitalize on exports.
Manufacturing Process of Viscose Filament Yarn by Lyocell Process
The Lyocell process is widely regarded as the most advanced, ecologically safe, and very promising technique for producing viscose filament yarns. Key steps include:
1. Dissolution: Wood pulp (mostly from eucalyptus or bamboo) is dissolved in an organic solvent (N-methyl morpholine N-oxide, NMMO) to create a homogeneous solution.
2. Filtration: The filtration of the solution to remove impurities and guarantee a high quality of fiber.
3. Spinning: The filtered solution is spun through spinnerets to obtain fine filament yarns.
4. Coagulation: This consists of the passing of the extruded filaments through a water bath to remove the solvent and, thus, harden the fibers.
5. Washing: The fibers are washed thoroughly to remove all residual solvent.
6. Drying & Finishing: The yarns are dried, stretched, and finished to get the expected properties.
7. Winding: The viscose filament yarn is finally wound into bobbins for further processing or for sale.
List of Machinery Required
To establish a viscose filament yarn spinning unit via the Lyocell process, the following machinery will be relevant:
- Pulp Dissolving Unit
- Filtration System
- Extruder & Spinneret Assembly
- Coagulation & Washing Tanks
- Drying & Finishing Machine
- Winding & Packing Machine
- Quality Testing Equipment
Starting a viscose filament yarn manufacturing unit using the Lyocell process is a viable entrepreneurial option. This sector shows good potential for growth owing to global consciousness towards sustainable textiles, government backing, and increasing demand in the market. Another attraction for investing in this industry is the opportunity to make profits while contributing to clean and green methods of production in the textile industry. Starting this business could be a great consideration for entrepreneurs who want a scalable export business.
