Why does polyester remain essential to the fashion industry?

Polyester remains the dominant fibre in the global textile industry and one of the most relevant raw materials for the sector’s future. Forecasts indicate that its production will exceed 80 million tonnes by 2030, reflecting its widespread presence across virtually every market segment, from fast fashion to luxury.

The explanation goes far beyond cost. Few fibres combine such a comprehensive set of technical characteristics as polyester: mechanical strength, durability, versatility and dimensional stability. This unique combination enables the development of garments with complex structures, high performance, consistent quality and enhanced longevity—qualities that are difficult to achieve using natural fibres alone.

Recently, The Business of Fashion highlighted this very paradox. At a time when pressure is mounting to reduce the use of synthetic materials, polyester remains deeply embedded in the collections of luxury brands and leading designers. The reason lies not only in its affordability, but also in the creative and technical possibilities it offers.

Among its key advantages is durability, as explained by Albertina Reis, Riopele’s Technical and Materials Director: “Polyester stands out for its highly stable molecular structure, which allows fabrics to maintain their performance over time—in terms of appearance, shape and colour. Its dimensional stability, combined with high resilience, ensures remarkable resistance to wear and tear.”

Its versatility is equally important: “Polyester can be produced as either a fibre or a filament and offers excellent compatibility when blended with natural fibres, such as cotton or wool, as well as with other synthetic fibres, including elastane. This adaptability enables the creation of a wide variety of fabrics and applications.”

From the consumer’s perspective, polyester continues to stand out for its practicality and ease of care. It dries quickly, retains colour for longer and requires less maintenance during washing, often eliminating the need for ironing in everyday use.

At the same time, innovation is transforming the way this fibre is produced. “After more than a decade of growth in recycled polyester, primarily produced from post-consumer PET, we are now entering a new phase driven by the development of bio-based monomers, biodegradable solutions and chemical depolymerisation technologies that make it possible to close the loop in a more efficient and traceable way. As a result, we continue to benefit from polyester that retains the same molecular structure—and therefore the same performance properties—while contributing to a lower carbon footprint and reducing dependence on fossil-based raw materials,” she concludes.

In an industry striving to balance performance, creativity and sustainability, the future of polyester does not lie in its complete replacement. Its performance characteristics remain difficult to replicate. Instead, the focus is on evolving the way polyester is produced, used and reintegrated into the value chain.