Technical Fabrics Market Assessment, By Raw Materials [Natural Fibres, Synthetic Fibres, Regenerated Fibres, Minerals, Metals, Others], By Process [Woven, Knitted, Non-Woven, Others], By Type [Indutech, Hometech, Mobiltech, Packtech, Buildtech, Meditech,

Technical Fabrics Market Assessment, By Raw Materials [Natural Fibres, Synthetic Fibres, Regenerated Fibres, Minerals, Metals, Others], By Process [Woven, Knitted, Non-Woven, Others], By Type [Indutech, Hometech, Mobiltech, Packtech, Buildtech, Meditech, Others], By End-user [Military & Defence, Automotive & Aerospace, Agriculture, Clothing, Medical, Packaging, Others], By Region, Opportunities, and Forecast, 2016-2030F

Global Technical Fabrics Market size was estimated at 43.86 million tons in 2022, which is expected to grow to 74.24 million tons in 2030 with a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period between 2023 and 2030. The surge in demand for technical fabrics across diverse industries is a key driver propelling market growth. Various sectors, including healthcare, automotive, aerospace, sports and leisure, and construction, rely heavily on technical fabrics for multifaceted applications. In healthcare, these specialized textiles are indispensable for crucial items such as surgical gowns, masks, and other medical textiles. Simultaneously, the automotive industry utilizes technical fabrics for upholstery, airbags, and lightweight components, significantly contributing to fuel efficiency.

Moreover, the growing importance of safety and protection across sectors like defence, healthcare, and industrial applications has further increased the need for technical fabrics. These fabrics play a pivotal role in offering superior protection against fire, chemicals, and other hazards, consequently elevating safety standards and driving substantial growth within the market. Additionally, urbanization, infrastructure development, and a rising global population propel the need for construction materials with advanced functionalities. Technical fabrics, such as geotextiles, play a crucial role in construction, reinforcing the ground and providing stability in various civil engineering projects.

Huge Investments in Defence sector to Promote Growth of Technical Fabrics

The defence sector's growing investments in advanced materials underscores the imperative for superior strength, durability, and protective properties, propelling the extensive integration of technical fabrics. These specialized textiles have become crucial in military applications, including uniforms, ballistic protection, tents, and various forms of military gear. Technical fabrics offer unmatched strength-to-weight ratios, enabling agile and flexible designs without compromising on protective capabilities. Military forces worldwide rely on these innovative fabrics to protect the lives of personnel in diverse operational environments.

For instance, recent data from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) reveals a significant upswing in United States defence spending, marking a notable USD 71 billion increase from 2021 to 2022. This boost is attributed, in part, to the provision of military assistance to bolster Ukraine in its ongoing conflict. Substantial investment like these by various countries in the defence sector to raise the demand for technical fabrics.

Robust Performance of the Automotive Sector to Heighten the Demand for Technical Fabrics

In the automotive sector, a distinctive emphasis on lightweighting vehicles to enhance fuel efficiency and minimize emissions, aligning with the industry's sustainability goals. Technical fabrics have emerged as crucial components in this pursuit, revolutionizing automotive design and engineering. These fabrics are strategically employed in interior components, upholstery, and various applications within vehicles, enabling substantial weight reduction without compromising on performance and safety. By leveraging the lightweighting potential of technical fabrics, automakers optimize the overall vehicle weight and subsequently improve fuel economy, ultimately contributing to a greener and more eco-conscious automotive landscape.

For instance, the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers observed significant expansion across diverse segments. In 2022, the sales of passenger cars surged from 1,467,039 to 1,747,376 units, while utility vehicles experienced a notable increase from 1,489,219 to 2,003,718 units. Additionally, van sales saw an uptick from 113,265 to 139,020 units compared to the previous fiscal year i.e. FY2021 to FY 2022. Rising number of sales in automotive sector across the globe to increase the requirement of technical fabrics.

Rising Demand from Healthcare Appliance to Increase the Requirement for Technical Fabrics

The healthcare sector's need for technical fabrics has witnessed an unprecedented surge, primarily accelerated by the global COVID-19 pandemic. Critical medical products such as surgical gowns, drapes, face masks, wound dressings, and various personal protective equipment (PPE) rely heavily on technical fabrics to ensure optimal safety and functionality. Bothrely heavily on technical fabrics to ensure optimal safety and functionality for healthcare professionals and patients. These specialized textiles offer essential properties like breathability, fluid resistance, bacterial filtration, and barrier protection, all of which are crucial in infection control and prevention within healthcare settings. As healthcare facilities worldwide prioritize infection control protocols and preparedness for similar future events, the demand for advanced technical fabrics is expected to remain a key driving force in the growth of the technical fabrics market within the healthcare sector.

For instance, in the first quarter of 2023 Johnson & Johnson reported that their sales in the United States demonstrated an impressive growth of close to 10 percent, reaching a total of USD 12.52 billion. Simultaneously, international sales experienced a notable uptick of nearly 2 percent. The increasing sales volume of healthcare appliance is set to boost the demand for technical fabrics.

Impact of COVID-19

The COVID-19 pandemic profoundly impacted the technical fabrics market, since the healthcare sector saw an unprecedented surge in demand for technical fabrics used in medical applications. The need for personal protective equipment (PPE) like masks, gowns, and other medical textiles increased exponentially to protect healthcare workers and patients, driving up demand for specialized materials. Moreover, a heightened focus was on developing technical fabrics with antimicrobial and antiviral properties to enhance safety. These fabrics are intended for use in various settings, including healthcare, transportation, public spaces. Despite there was a surge in demand for medical textiles, other sectors that utilize technical fabrics, such as automotive and aerospace, experienced a downturn due to lockdowns, reduced consumer demand, and disruptions in manufacturing activities.

Impact of Russia-Ukraine War

The Russia-Ukraine had direct impact on the downstream industries of technical fabrics. For instance, the textile sector suffered from decreased sales as several companies had to stop operating in Russia, which weakened the demand for technical fabrics. Performance of automotive sector in the regions affected by the war were down further weakening demand for technical fabrics. Poor demand from other sectors such as agriculture and packaging also decreased demand for technical fabrics. However, the surge in defence investments, triggered by the conflict and geopolitical instability, countered the declining demand for technical fabrics across the globe.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

Major manufacturers within the technical fabrics industry are proactively introducing novel products meticulously tailored to cater to specific applications, encompassing pivotal sectors like automotive, healthcare appliances, and clothing, to ensure that each product aligns precisely with the unique requisites and standards of the intended industry.

For instance, Freudenberg Performance Materials unveiled its newest innovation in June 2023 to address the distinctive packaging requirements within technical sectors. Evolon Ultra Smooth offers superior surface protection and elevated mechanical characteristics when transformed into reusable textile containers.