The graph gives information about the global demand for different types of textile fibers from 1980 to 2015.
Overall, the demand for polyester, cotton, and cellulosic fibers increased during the period, while the demand for wool gradually decreased.
Looking at the details, in 1980, cotton had the highest demand at about 12 million tonnes, and it continued to rise steadily, reaching over 30 million tonnes by 2015. Polyester started at around 5 million tonnes, but its demand grew very quickly. It overtook cotton in the mid-1990s and became the most used fiber, reaching almost 70 million tonnes by the end of the period.
Cellulosic fibers and wool were less popular. Cellulosic demand was about 2 million tonnes in 1980 and increased slightly to around 10 million tonnes in 2015. Wool stood at just under 2 million tonnes at the beginning and fell slightly after 2000, remaining low and almost unchanged by 2015.
