2. Filament Yarn Processing

Coming into ITMA "99, the filament yam market was still recovering from the 1997 and 1998 crisis in the Asian markets. Machine sales dropped 33 to 50 percent over a period of 18 months, according to sources at the show, because ofthe over-supply of yams in the market. The mood was upbeat at ITMA "99, although the number of new developments and new machines was limited because of these factors. Processing speeds were higher, but not significantly, over ITMA '95. Electronic process controls and monitoring systems were featured, detailing production, efficiency, and process and yam quality information. In contrast with past shows, color effects through co-mingling of yams at various stages of processing was commonplace. Heavy denier industrial yams seemed to be more prevalent than in the past. Much attention was also paid to elastomeric winding and covering processes.