The textile industry in South Africa
The textile industry in South Africa can be segmented into the following major sectors:
- Fibre production
- Spinning
- Weaving
- Knitting
- Non-wovens
- Carpet production
- Fabric Coating
There is also a wide range of other consumer and industrial converting sectors, including :
Apparel Home Fabrics, Woven and Knitted packaging, Tyre and belting packaging, Webbing and
Narrows Hose Manufacturing, Cordage Filtration fabrics Tarpaulins, Geotextiles Sewing,
Thread Sleeping bags, Fibre Production.
The major fibre types used are cotton, staple and filament polyester, acrylic, nylon, polypropylene,
PP/HDPE - Raffia , viscose, and jute/sisal. Textiles, Clothing and Footwear.
The textiles, clothing and footwear industry in South Africa is well-established,
but has been under siege for some years. Key issues for the industry include:
- the negative impact of cheap imports, the effect of which is exacerbated by the reduction of import protection
- stemming the flow of illegal imports
- the effect of the discontinuation of export incentives
