China’s technical yarn industry is set for a significant capacity boost as Barmag, a subsidiary of the Swiss Oerlikon Group, prepares to commission three new HMLS yarn systems—comprising 30 stations in total—at major Chinese manufacturers over the next three months.
Reinforced with dimensionally stable HMLS yarn, tires remain dimensionally stable even under load and temperature.
New Installations Reflect Market Shift
Two of the upcoming installations will run at facilities that previously sourced equipment from competitors. According to Sales Director Oliver Lemke, the shift was driven by Barmag’s process technology, which enables efficient production of high-quality high-modulus low-shrinkage (HMLS) polyester yarn.
The yarn’s performance characteristics are determined during the spinning stage, where high production speeds ensure a stable molecular arrangement. This internal structure is key to the yarn’s dimensional stability, a crucial requirement in demanding technical applications.
Rising Demand for HMLS Yarn
Global demand for HMLS yarn continues to grow, driven by evolving trends in the automotive sector.
- The push for lighter tires is expanding the use of HMLS polyester beyond high-speed tires.
- Small vans, traditionally reliant on steel cord for tire carcasses, are now shifting to polyester due to its strength, elasticity, and temperature stability.
With HMLS yarn offering high tear resistance and consistent performance under stress, manufacturers are increasingly adopting it for next-generation tire designs.
China’s Expanding Automotive Production
A rise in vehicle registrations worldwide is also contributing to higher HMLS consumption. China in particular has seen rapid growth in its domestic automotive manufacturing sector, making the expansion of local HMLS production capacity both timely and necessary.
The new installations position China to meet growing global and domestic demand, reinforcing the country’s role in the technical textiles supply chain.