KEY TERMS

olyester fiber production in the U.S. P fell markedly in 1990. Stapleproduc-tion fell by 12.3 % and filament production by 8.7 % compared with 1989 ( I). In 1991 some recovery is expected as the country comes out of recession with increases in consumer spending and housing pur-chases. On a world basis, the forecasts are much more optimistic. Latest estimates put the long term growth rates for polyes-ter fiber a t 5 % per annum against 3 % for all Ebers. The highest growth rates are pre-dicted in Asia and the Far East where over 8 % per annum is forecast for the period 1990-2000. Over the same period a growth rate ofjust 0.5 % per annum is predicted in the U.S. It is against this background ofa signifi-cant global growth rate in polyester fiber that major dye manufacturers continue to devote substantial resources to the devel-opment of new disperse dyes for the coloration of polyester and its blends, particularly with cellulose. Disperse dye development has to be directed towards satisfying a number of The commercial development of new disperse dyes for 100 % polyester and polyester/cellulose blends is reviewed. The deficiencies of traditional anthraquinone disperse dyes for bright red and bright blue shades are highlighted from the standpoint of today's requirements for higher wetfastness and more economical processing. More acceptable alternative dyes are described with emphasis on exhaust dyeing of 100 % polyester microfibers and one-bath dyeing of polyester/cellulose blends. Some aspects aimed at reducing environmental pollution, namely alkali-clearable disperse dyes and choice of formulating agents, are discussed