Introduction to Technical Textiles

For developed countries, technical textiles is the most important textile sector, and is still growing in market size. Globally, the technical textile market size is projected to grow from USD 179.2 billion in 2020 to USD 220.4 billion by 2025, at a CAGR of 4.2% from 2020 to 2025. From technicaltextiles.net, the global Textiles market in the coming years:

and the global technical textiles market:

The technical textiles market in Europe is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.8-5.2 % between 2018 and 2022, driven by Buildtech, Indutech, Mobiltech, Ecotech and Sporttech. Largest markets are Germany, France and U.K.

North America's Technical Textiles should grow at a CAGR of 3.1- 3.3 per cent with Geotech, Indutech, Mobiltech and Protech the main proponents. In comparison, the Asia-Pacific region  is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.6-5.8 per cent between 2017 and 2022. 

To keep informed on technical textiles, following publications offer dissemination and communication:

• Textile Intelligence – https://www.textilesintelligence.com/.
• Innovation in Textiles – http://www.innovationintextiles.com/.
• Fibre2fashion – http://www.fibre2fashion.com/.
• Technical-textiles.net – http://www.technical-textiles.net/.

The push for technical textiles is increasing, triggered by:

1. Growing awareness on the superior functionality and application of technical textiles
2. The increasing adaptability of unconventional value in textiles 
3. Escalating the pace of innovation and upgrade the traditional fibers by contributing to technical textile development. 
4. Accelerated demand for products which offers flexibility, durability and offers superior functionalities such as personal safety, high strength, and light weight.
   
5. Robust growth of the automotive sector in emerging markets, 
   
6. Increasing application in construction sectors in developing countries
   
7. Increased per capita spending on healthcare,
   
8. Increasing government support to manufacturing of technical textile materials.
   
9. Use of e-textile in medical and apparel industry and rapid innovation to meet the changing customer preferences.
   

Furthermore, there is a strong demand for wearable technology, rapid development in countries such as China, India and South Korea, and new application areas for technical textiles are being explored yearly. This all contributes to a very strong outlook for the highly competitive and developing sector. Hometech, buildtech and meditech are in this the three highest selling globally, while the strongest growth in 2015-2020 was with Ecotech, geotech and sporttech.

The global technical textiles market is highly competitive with a large number of players all over the world. Some of the major players of the technical textiles industry are du Pont (U.S., known for Kevlar and Nomex brands), Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan), Kimberly Clarke Corporation (U.S., known for Kleenex brand), and Freudenberg & Co. (Germany).