Technical Textiles Market

Technical Textiles Market Snapshot (2023 to 2033)

The technical textiles market will register positive growth with the overall valuation forecast to surpass US$ 202.93 billion in 2023. The market’s worth will increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.7% between 2023 and 2033.

Many manufacturers are increasing production capabilities in order to satisfy growing market demands because of their superior functionalities and efficiency. Technical textiles are also expected to benefit from technological advancements in manufacturing technologies

Developing skilled professionals and workers through government initiatives will likely grow demand in the near future. For instance, 61.09 crores has been approved for research and development projects in the geotech segment, the protech segment, the indutech segment, the sustainable textiles segment, the sportech segment, and the buildtech segment. The National Technical Textile Mission's 6th Mission Steering Group (MSG) approved the projects.

3M, DuPont, Arville, Milliken and Company, and Freudenberg & Co. KG have been identified as the leading market players. Future Market Insights (FMI) has estimated these companies to account for nearly 20% to 30% of the global market share in 2021.

GNDU is working with industry experts to train and create skilled workers for the knitting/spinning and textile industries in the city through seminars, workshops, and new programs. Under the Ministry of Textile, Government of India's National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), Guru Nanak Dev University's Department of Apparel and Textile Technology (DATT) is responsible for the development of the following four components: innovation, research, market development, skills, and export promotion.

ITMA, which takes place between June 8-14 in Milan, is eagerly anticipated by the textile industry worldwide. Technological textiles will likely see an increase in demand due to Bruckner's new digitization possibilities.

2018 to 2022 Global Technical Textiles Market Compared to Sales Forecast for 2023 to 2033

Technical textile market registered growth at a robust pace between 2023 and 2033. Increasing adoption of technical textiles in agriculture and farming activities to boost crop yield and modernization in farming methods have bolstered the prospects of the technical textile market growth.

Sales uptick registered can be attributed to the increasing demand of medical-grade masks in hospitals and other healthcare centers. Considering their application in the manufacturing of surgical hosiery, caps, bedding, sheets, pillow cover, and uniforms, the demand for technical textiles is expected to surge at an accelerated pace in the coming years.

Rising awareness about various benefits of technical textiles and the introduction of modern technologies to boost production rates will positively influence growth. Demand for geo-tech textiles will increase owing to the rising incidence of soil erosion and the demand for sustainable solutions for water treatment and soil erosion protection.

Technical textiles are designed for maximum functionality rather than comfort and aesthetics. Governments are looking forward to mandating the use of technical textiles in certain industries like mining and manufacturing operations. They are also implementing strategies to encourage local manufacturing of technical textile products.

According to FMI’s research, the projected rate of expansion of the global market is likely to touch CAGR of 6.7% for the forecast period 2023 to 2033, due to rising demand for technical textiles in the construction and sports sector.

What Makes Smart Textile the Future of the Technical Textile Industry?

Increasing Technological Advancements and Demand for Smart Textiles will Likely expand Demand

Smart textiles are a relatively new entrant in the technical textile market. However, they are redefining the role of textiles for industrial, general, and military purposes. Extensive research and technological advancement in the technical textile domain are leading to the development of functional as well as aesthetic smart fabrics.

Increasing reliance on Bluetooth low energy (BLE) technology in smart devices and technological advancement in smartphones and laptops will encourage the demand for smart textiles in the future. The incorporation of plastic optical fiber (POF) sensor arrays in functional fabrics to monitor and communicate information regarding physiological parameters to the wearer will accelerate the demand for smart textiles in the health and sports sector.

The increase in demand for smart textiles from the medical and healthcare sector amidst the pandemic to manufacture self-sterilizing and smart masks will positively affect the market growth. For instance, in 2021, textile computing leader Myant Inc. exhibited new designs for connected personal protective equipment that senses and assesses health and performance as a part of its interconnected system of biometric garments.

Nikhil Kaitwade

Principal Consultant

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Why Are Technical Textiles High In Demand?

Increasing Mining Activities and the Need for Safety Protection Equipments to Grow Market

Mobiltech is forecast to account for more than 35% of global technical market sales revenue in 2023. Sales uptick can be attributed to the rising adoption of technical textiles in manufacturing customer protection equipment and products like airbags, collapsible fuel tanks, and sun visors.

The rise in mining activities and material production has increased the demand for remote-location fuel storage using collapsible fuel tanks as they provide compatible and durable fuel storage options and high chemical resistance. As collapsible fuel tanks are made from multiple types of technical textiles welded together through fabric welding, the demand for technical textiles is expected to rise in upcoming years.

Mobile textile has phase change materials (PCM) as the base material which protects automotive parts from accident and extreme weather conditions. Mobiltech also continuously monitors the temperature of every electronic component in automobiles. The rise in sales of automobiles will drive the demand for technical textiles over the forecast period.

Country-wise Analysis

How Is Agriculture Driving the Technical Textile Market in the United States?

Growth in Agricultural Technologies will Drive Demand for Technical Textile in the Market

Technical textiles are used in manufacturing agriculture nets and shade cloths owing to their high temperature and weather resistance. The rise in agricultural activities and increasing investments by farmers towards sheltering crops will drive the demand for Agrotech textiles in the United States

Demand for agrotech textile-made protective nets is on the rise as the United States is aiming toward national food self-sufficiency and lowering the food-related dependencies over other nations. As per the American Farm Bureau Federation, around 166 people are fed from one farm in the United States with the global population increasing by 2.2 billion in the next thirty years; the farmers must grow about 70% more food than the present production rate.

Growing awareness among the population regarding modern farming techniques and the need to protect crops from extreme weather is predicted to drive the demand for agrotech textiles in the United States

Agrotech shade cloths are gaining popularity among home gardeners and farmers in the United States as they reduce the cost of energy by limiting the need for fans by keeping crops under the cloth at a lower temperature than the surrounding. The development of a new type of agrotech textiles which keeps the daytime temperature lower and nighttime temperature higher is further boosting the market demand.

How is the Technical Textiles Market in India Set to Fare?

Expanded Military and Defense Activities Are Expected to Expand Market in Coming Years

Technical textiles are finding their application in the manufacturing of ballistic protection vests as phase change materials in technical textiles offer properties like high durability tear and scratch resistance. Ballistic vests are used by military personnel, high net-worth individuals, and influential political leaders which face the risk of their lives. A rise in domestic and cross-border terrorism in India has fueled the demand for ballistic vests, consequently driving the demand for technical textiles in the country.

World Bank reports that military expenditure accounted for around 2.4% of India’s total GDP in 2019. Increasing military expenditure and a rise in local extremist insurgencies and casualties will boost the demand for protective ballistic armor, thus increasing the demand for technical textiles in India.

The Indian government has kick-started important initiatives like Technology Mission on Technical Textiles (TMTT) to encourage the use of geotech textiles and agro-tech textiles in north-east provinces. The removal of anti-dumping duty on key raw materials of technical textiles will make a positive impact on market growth in the country.

Why is the Demand for Technical Textiles High in France?

Sports Apparel Demand is Growing Significantly, which will Boost the Market for Technical Textile in Coming Years

France is expected to offer lucrative opportunities for market growth owing to the presence of leading textile and apparel companies in the region as France is considered to be the fashion capital of the world, increasing consumer spending on apparel, and a rise in per capita income.

Sportswear is gaining traction among the French population as people are showcasing increased spending habits on health and wellness. Sportswear requires materials that are durable, have a long life, and have anti-perspiration properties while being lightweight and soft in texture. Technical textiles provide all these properties and are thus used for manufacturing sportswear for hiking, mountaineering, golf, etc.

European Union reports that around 50% of the French population engages in sports, fitness, or recreational activities once a week. A rise in number of people engaging in physical activities will boost the sales of sportswear, which in turn will increase the demand for technical textiles in France.

What is the Outlook for Technical Textiles Sales in China?

China to Take the Lead in Technical Textile for Products Due to Hygiene Issues

China has been the top exporter of textiles and apparel for the past 30 years. Technical textiles are expected to account for over 20% of China’s textile market throughout the forecast period.

Surging demand for effective sterilization and protective equipment against the virus in Europe and North America amidst COVID-19 pandemic has boosted the demand and production of medical technical textiles in China. The adoption of technical textiles in patient tracking and physiological monitoring will create a conducive environment for the Chinese medical technical textile market growth.

China Association of Automobile Manufacturers (CAAM) states that in June 2021, more than 2 million units of automobiles were sold in the June 2021. Increasing sales of automobiles will drive the demand for industrial technical textiles in the country.

Category-wise Insights

Which Technical Textiles Type Is Experiencing High Demand?

Automotive Industries are expected to Grow Significantly, Driving Demand for Technical Textile

By application type, mobiltech textiles are expected to exhibit tremendous growth in upcoming years owing to the rise in manufacturing and sales of automobiles across the globe. Technical textiles are used in manufacturing airbags, seat belts, seating upholstery, tire cords & linear, and others owing to the high durability and wear resistance offered by these textiles.

Government mandating the installation of airbags in automobiles and stringent rules regarding the usage of seat belts and increasing consumer spending on high-quality and durable seating upholstery will drive the demand for mobiltech textiles in upcoming years.

The mobiltech category includes textiles used in transportation applications such as automobiles and aerospace. Products produced by mobiltech include nylon tyre cord fabrics and seating textiles used in automotive applications. Increasing demand for lightweight materials in the automotive industry and the growth of the transportation industry will lead to increased mobiltech segment growth in the future.

Why is Non-Woven Based Production Process Most Preferred in the Technical Textile Market?

Absorbency and Hygiene of their Products are Likely to Grow Demand for Technical Textile in the Market

By process, the non-woven segment will continue to lead the technical textile market growth during the forecast period. The non-woven process is preferred over composite and other processes as it is cheaper than other processes and improves properties of individual properties of natural fiber or synthetic fiber, which ultimately enhances the performance of textile material.

The non-woven textiles have better cushioning and absorbency, making them an ideal material for automotive applications. High strength and softness are desired in sportswear manufacturing, thus driving the demand for non-woven textiles.

Nonwoven technical textiles excel in versatility, durability, and cost-effectiveness, making them increasingly popular. Numerous applications of nonwoven materials have been identified, including medical products, interior textiles, roofing materials, automotive components, and filtration materials.

Various characteristics can also be tailored, including flame retardancy, water resistance, and acoustic insulation. In various industries, the demand for specialized materials with superior performance and specific requirements is expected to drive the demand for nonwoven technical textiles into the future.

Start-ups in the Technical Textile Market

Changing market conditions and technological advancements continuously shape business trends. The technical textile industry is gaining popularity around the world, which is resulting in growing startup ecosystems. The following are some key technical textile startups:

• The Smart Fabric Inks company manufactures screen printable pastes for electronic textiles, as well as other related components. Among its products are screen-printed inks, electrode arrays, textile circuits, and light-emitting textiles. Aside from designing & deploying smart fabrics, the company also offers feasibility studies, consultations on printing technology, and technical surveys.
• Textile Basket, a marketplace where companies can purchase garments. Cloth can be purchased by businesses based on its type and quality. Alleges that each vendor has been verified, and quality control is taken care of for the cloth. Swatches can be requested for free before an order is placed.
• Intelligente Textile Produkte, the flexible smart textile manufacturer. In addition to providing cooling, heating, and sensory properties, it also provides users with smart fabrics. Research and development services as well as solutions for washability are also provided by the company.

Competitive Landscape

Leading market players are focusing on scaling up their investments in research and development to innovate their product offering while simultaneously participating in strategic mergers and acquisitions to gain maximum market share, says FMI.

• In June 2023, the KARL MAYER GROUP will exhibit solutions for customer-driven topics at ITMA. A new WEFTTRONIC® II G with new features and upgrades will be presented at the ITMA by the KARL MAYER GROUP for manufacturers of technical textiles. As part of its Care Solutions, the KARL MAYER GROUP also provides support to its customers. In addition, to retrofit packages, there are service packages that bundle several different services for machines for weft insertion and composites.
• In June 2023, the floor space booked by international suppliers for the Cinte Techtextil China technical textiles and nonwovens show has already exceeded double the area booked for its previous edition, which welcomed 366 exhibitors from eight countries and regions. As part of this year's fair, the European Zone will return to the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from September 19-21, 2023. New and returning exhibitors are anticipated to showcase their products in the high-traffic zone of the show in the hopes of capturing the attention of a domestic market that is hungry for business.

Report Scope

Technical Textile Market by Category

By Application:

• Agrotech
• Buildtech
• Hometech
• Indutech
• Sportech
• Packtech
• Mobiltech
• Meditech
• Clothtech
• Geotech
• Protech
• Oekotech

By Process:

• Nonwoven
• Composites
• Others

By Region:

• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• South Asia
• East Asia
• Oceania
• Middle East & Africa