Global Smart Fabric Market - 2024-2031

Global Smart Fabric Market - 2024-2031

Global Smart Fabric Market reached US$ 2.6 billion in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 6.7 billion by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 12.8% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

The growth of the global smart fabric market is primarily being driven by the Asia-Pacific, especially in healthcare applications. Asia-Pacific is positioned to play a key role in the transformation of healthcare through smart fabrics, as a result of the convergence of cutting-edge technology and a fast-growing healthcare sector.

The integration of smart fabrics in medical settings has been fueled by the region's dedication to technology breakthroughs and an increasing emphasis on healthcare infrastructure. Wearable sensors, smart clothes for the purpose of patient monitoring and interactive textiles are few instances of the innovations that are gaining acceptance and improving patient outcomes and healthcare delivery.

For instance, in August 2022, an Australian team of biomedical engineers has developed a smart textile that incorporates artificial ""muscles"" in an attempt to improve wearable exoskeletons and soft robotics. To demonstrate the speed with which the material could change shape, the scientists utilized models of a butterfly and flower made of the textile that performed complicated motions in their lab. Therefore, Asia-Pacific drives the regional product market with significant regional market share.

Dynamics

Fashion and Entertainment Industry to Drive Innovation

The global smart fabric industry is being driven primarily by the fashion and entertainment sectors' embrace of smart fabrics. The primary driver for this trend is the desire of manufacturers, developers and designers to include unique aesthetics in their products. Smart materials allow for real-time changes in color, size or shape, offering a transformative approach to appearance features in clothing. The feature gives apparel a dynamic and engaging element that appeals to a tech-savvy customer base.

For instance, CuteCircuit, a pioneer in the use of fashionable textiles for haute couture collections and unique initiatives, is a prime example. One particularly notable example of the revolutionary potential of smart textiles is the ""Sound Shirt"" created by CuteCircuit. With the help of this novel clothing, deaf people can feel the music via their bodies. The 'Sound Shirt' converts musical elements into tactile sensations by utilizing smart materials, offering a distinctive and inclusive method for those with hearing impairments to interact with the auditory world.

Development of Smart Textiles in Technology-Influential Trends

The need for utility is a major factor behind the development of smart fabrics. Clothing is now able to actively contribute to our daily lives and transcends beyond mere aesthetics due to the incorporation of sensors and conductive materials. Smart fabrics add useful and functional aspects to our clothes, such as temperature-regulating materials in outerwear and activity trackers woven into activewear.

Concerns about sustainability in the fashion sector are also addressed by the introduction of smart fabrics. The environmental impact of clothing production is lessened by innovations like solar textiles, which use solar energy to power electrical components. Sustainable smart fabrics encourage a healthy link between technology and the environment and respond to the growing demand for eco-friendly fashion.

Higher Cost of Production

Retail prices are frequently higher due to the greater production expenses incurred when integrating cutting-edge technology and materials into smart fabrics. A significant proportion of the consumer market finds this limited affordability to be a barrier, especially in price-sensitive categories. Because of this, the use of smart fabrics may be limited to a certain market, which would hinder their general acceptability.

It could be difficult for industries with narrow profit margins to compete with traditional textile items that are more affordable. Smart fabrics may have less market share and penetration due to their higher production costs in the larger textile industry.

New Technological Advancements

Developments in technology have made it possible to create smart fabrics with more functionality. It could entail enhanced data processing, enhanced sensor capabilities and greater device integration. The improved functionality of smart fabrics makes them more versatile and helpful across a range of industries.

In June 2022, MIT researchers created novel smart textiles, owing to a novel manufacturing technique, perfectly fit the body and perceive the wearer's posture and movements. MIT researchers developed smart fabrics that tightly fit the body to sense the wearer's posture and movements through the use of a unique fabrication method. Through the use of heat to gently melt a specific kind of plastic yarn known as thermoforming, the researchers were able to significantly increase the precision of pressure sensors woven into multilayered knit textiles or 3DKnITS.

Segment Analysis

The global smart fabric market is segmented based on product, function, end-user and region.

Positive Impact of Wearable Technology and Smart Fabrics on Clothing Innovation

The introduction of wearable technology and smart materials is one of the significant developments in fashion technology. The innovative fabrics can communicate with their surroundings and the wearer owing to the electronic components built into them. Smart fabrics are altering the way it means to wear clothing, from biometric sensors that detect body temperature and heart rate to clothes that can alter color and pattern based on mood or weather.

Roughly 25% of fashion retailers have included virtual try-on technology in their online stores. In the upcoming years, it is anticipated that this number will increase substantially as more customers adopt this immersive and customized purchasing experience. Therefore, fashion and entertainment end-user segment capture the significant shares in the total global segmental shares.

Geographical Penetration

Established Startup Ecosystem Drives the North American Market

North America has a thriving startup setting, especially in the fashion and technology industries. Smart fabric startups speed up the creation of new products and introduce revolutionary ideas to the market with agility and a spirit of entrepreneurship. Early acceptance of technology is ingrained in North American society, which makes customers there more open to trying out new and creative items. Companies are encouraged by this culture to invest in the creation of sophisticated smart fabrics in the hopes of receiving favorable feedback from the market.

For instance, in 2021, Nextiles introduced smart fabric that monitors data related to human performance. To deliver smart thread technology that collects biometric and biomechanical data, the textile manufacturing startup Nextiles has entered the sports and performance sector. Therefore, North America is leading the global smart fabric market with majority of the global market shares.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The manufacture and distribution of smart fabrics were impacted by the pandemic's disruption of global supply systems. The supply of smart fabrics and related goods may have been hampered by delays in the procurement of raw materials, manufacture and transportation. Lockdowns and other economic worries caused consumers to spend less on non-essential goods, such as smart textiles. It may have reduced consumer demand for these goods in specific markets, such as wearable technology and smart clothes.

It's potential that the pandemic's emphasis on health and safety caused consumer and corporate interests to shift away from smart fabrics that weren't directly tied to health protection or monitoring. Demand for products about personal protection equipment (PPE) may have increased.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

Larger trade interruptions or economic penalties caused by geopolitical tensions can have an impact on global trade dynamics and economic activity. It can have implications across industries, potentially altering demand for smart fabric based on changes in production, consumption or investment trends. Geopolitical concerns frequently lead to financial market and currency volatility. Currency exchange rates and market sentiment can have an indirect impact on the cost of raw materials, production expenses and market demand for products.

By Product

● Ultra-Smart Fabrics

● Active Smart Fabrics

● Passive Smart Fabrics

By Function

● Sensing

● Energy Harvesting

● Thermoelectricity

● Others

By End-User

● Sports and Fitness

● Medical and Healthcare

● Automotive

● Transportation

● Aerospace and Defense

● Fashion and Entertainment

● Others

By Region

● North America
U.S.
Canada
Mexico

● Europe
Germany
UK
France
Italy
Russia
Rest of Europe

● South America
Brazil
Argentina
Rest of South America

● Asia-Pacific
China
India
Japan
Australia
Rest of Asia-Pacific

● Middle East and Africa

Key Developments

● In July 2022, Microsoft has developed a smart cloth that recognizes motions and objects.

● In August 2022, an Australian team of biomedical engineers has developed a smart textile that incorporates artificial ""muscles"" in an attempt to improve wearable exoskeletons and soft robotics

● In April 2021, Nextiles, a company in textile production, has entered the sports and performance industry with smart thread technology, which records biometric and biomechanical data.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include AIQ Smart Clothing Inc., ThermoSoft International Corporation, Eeonyx Corporation, Ohmatex ApS, Sensoria Inc., Clothing+ (Jabil), MacLellan Rubber, Sensing Tex SL, Adidas AG and Hexoskin.

Why Purchase the Report?

● To visualize the global smart fabric market segmentation based on product, function, end-user and region, as well as understands key commercial assets and players.

● Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.

● Excel data sheet with numerous data points of smart fabric market-level with all segments.

● PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.

● Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global smart fabric market report would provide approximately 61 tables, 57 figures and 182 Pages.

Target Audience 2023
• Manufacturers/ Buyers
• Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
• Research Professionals
• Emerging Companies