<P> Synthetic fibers (British English: synthetic fibres) are fibers made by humans with chemical synthesis, as opposed to natural fibers that humans get from living organisms with little or no chemical changes . They are the result of extensive research by scientists to improve on naturally occurring animal fibers and plant fibers . In general, synthetic fibers are created by extruding fiber - forming materials through spinnerets into air and water, forming a thread . These fibers are called synthetic or artificial fibers . Some fibers (such as the diverse family of rayons) are manufactured from plant - derived cellulose and are thus semisynthetic, whereas others are totally synthetic, being made from crudes and intermediates including petroleum, coal, limestone, air, and water . In the textile industries, cellulose fibers are usually differentiated from synthetic fibers in the sense of fully synthetic ones . </P> <P> Synthetic fabrics are textiles made from synthetic fibers rather than natural fibers . </P>

Where do the raw materials for making synthetic fabrics come from