Global Fiber Production Reaches 132 Million Tons | The Reality of a 7.6% Recycling Share

While sustainability is being widely discussed, the total volume of materials continues to grow. Looking at the numbers makes that gap clear.

A new all-time high

According to Textile Exchange’s “Materials Market Report 2025,” global fiber production rose from 125 million tons in 2023 to 132 million tons in 2024. This was an all-time high.

Polyester accounts for 60%

Looking at the breakdown, polyester accounts for 59% of the total. Of that, 88% is fossil-based. Production increased from about 71 million tons in 2023 to about 78 million tons in 2024.

The recycling share fell

This is the key point. The production volume of recycled polyester itself increased from about 8.9 million tons to about 9.3 million tons. However, its share fell from 12.5% to 12% In other words, the absolute volume increased, but the overall total grew even faster, so the share lost ground.

Looking at recycled fibers as a whole, their share of total production in 2024 was 7.6%. Much of this comes from PET bottles, a bottle-to-fiber cycle. Clothing-to-clothing circulation remains very limited.

The recycling rate can look improved if you focus only on the numerator. As long as the denominator keeps growing, the ratio does not move. Any discussion of circularity that leaves out total volume eventually reaches a dead end.

On moves on the policy side The EU’s Digital Product Passport here.

Reference: Textile Exchange, “Materials Market Report 2025”

—The Value Village Editorial Team