The world production has more than tripled in the last three decades while consumption in the U.S. only grew 60%. This is due the great increase of consumption in Western Europe and growth in Japan. The uses of this consumption is largely for the production of paper electrical uses, as insulators in dry transformers, motors, and transformers which account for 49% of all U.S. consumption. In the textile industry, fire resistant fabric accounts for 19% and filtration 17% of all U.S. consumption. Overall, the expected annual growth rate for meta-aramids is suppose to average 3% a year until 2003. The textile industry is responsible for the production of fire-resistant clothing and seat covering in airline seats. It also has established a market in asbestos replacement, thermal insulation and as a fiber that prevent static electricity buildup. The prices for meta-aramid fibers range greatly. The staple 1.5-denier fiber cost $11.50 per pound while continuous filament yarn of 200 denier cost $25.00 per pound. Even more, 1,200 denier filament yarn costs 39.00 per pound!