When it comes to engineered products with non-aesthetic purposes, where function is a primary criterion the technical textile market reigns supreme over traditional textiles every time. Manufactured using natural as well as man-made fibres such as Nomex, Kevlar, Spandex and Twaron that exhibit enhanced functional properties such as higher tenacity, excellent insulation and greater thermal resistance, the global technical textile market is in good shape these days.
The technical textiles market is expected to grow significantly to reach a CAGR of 6.2 per cent by 2025, says a report ‘Global Technical Textiles Market’. The niche market includes textiles for automotive applications, medical textiles, geotextiles and for protective clothing such as heat and radiation protection, molten metal protection for welders, stab protection and bulletproof vests and spacesuits among other uses. This segment is now coming into its own by using both synthetic and natural fibres for chemical processing to make high-performing textiles of far greater quality and strength than traditional textiles.
Hi-tech speciality fibres is the focus
The pandemic may have led to reduced growth but due to increased demand for medical garments such as masks and gowns made using technical textiles, there was always a glimmer of light in the middle of darkness for the technical textiles market. Technical textiles which were earlier a sunrise segment came into their own during the Covid-19 crisis with mass production and export of medical equipment including N95 face masks and protective gear among others.
The number one market driver for is global increase in awareness and demand for technical textiles. As there is an increase in awareness about the quality, functionality, and availability of technical textiles, demand for product has increased as well. More and more consumers are demanding flexible, durable, high-quality, and high-strength textiles. Whether it is for activewear, undergarments, or medical apparel, technical textiles are superior to traditional textiles.
Many countries are now focussing on setting up manufacturing units for technical textiles and moving away from traditional textiles as their quality and not quantity keeps raking in profits. Invention of speciality fibres and including them in all segments is increasing their popularity for the future. The Asia-Pacific has seen the maximum growth in this sector and captures the largest market share due to rapid urbanisation, technological advancements in medical, automobile and construction industries and also fuelled by easy production, low-cost labour and conducive government policy support.
Asia Pacific markets the growth drivers
Asia-Pacific has seen tremendous growth in this sector and captures the largest market share due to rapid urbanisation and technological advancements in the medical, automobile and construction industries. This is further catalysed by easy production, low-cost labour and conducive government policy support. Industry analysts feel that the Asia-Pacific region has 40 per cent of global market, while North America and Western Europe have around 25 and 22 per cent respectively.
However, it’s not a walk in the park for the technical textile segment as it has to cope with many restraints. High manufacturing and production costs of the textiles due to sophisticated manufacturing infrastructure and expensive raw materials needed make the finished products produced expensive as compared to traditional textiles. The pricing structures for the finished products are sometimes not worth the high production costs, which discourages many manufacturers.
There are also many environmentally friendly criteria mandates to deal with which regulate the technical textile manufacturing materials and this is different in every region. The technical textile market is expected to be on an upward swing during the forecast period until 2025 with key market players pitching in such as Asahi Kasei (Japan), DuPont (US), Mitsui Chemicals (Japan), Berry Global Group (US), and Freudenberg & Co. (Germany) among others.
