Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market by Types (Antimicrobial/Anti-inflammatory, Repellent & Release, Temperature Regulation, Durable Press/Wrinkle Resistant, Flame Retardant, and Others), Processing Method (Continuous Processing, Batch Treatment, and Coating), Textile Type (Synthetic and Natural), End-user (Commercial, Household, and Others), and Region (Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa) - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast 2023–2031

The global functional textile finishing agents market size was USD 3.9 Bn in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 6.4 Bn by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 5.7% during 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the increase in end-use applications of functional textiles. Advancements in research & development and increased preference for eco-friendly products are responsible for the market growth.

Textile finishing is the process done to achieve functional benefits and an aesthetic appearance to the manufactured fabric. The process includes applying finishing agents and treating the manufactured fabric through chemical and mechanical processes before it is cut and sewn into garments, apparel, and other end-use applications. Different fabrics such as wool, silk, polyester, and others are treated with specific chemicals and agents to enhance their performance.

Functional textiles are used in various applications such as air-conditioning, automotive, pharmaceuticals, gas filtrations, construction, and fire-resistant applications. The finishing agent consists of epoxy polyether chains and a water-soluble polysiloxane, along with organic properties including antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory properties.

COVID-19 Impact on Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market

The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic affected the textile industry by disrupting its trade and export. The pandemic resulted in the requirement for the healthcare PPE kit supply resulting in growth in demand in the medical and healthcare industry.

Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market Dynamics

The research report presents a complete market overview by providing detailed information about the current market trends, existing drivers, growth opportunities and potentials, and emerging challenges. The functional textile finishing agents market report has up-to-date insights about market scenarios that can shape the overall market performance and output during the forecast period, 2023 to 2031.

What Drives Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market?

Innovation in Techniques to Produce Advanced Functional Textiles

The finishing agents help the textiles to fight the damage caused by exposure to harmful chemicals, pollutants, and UV light and to maintain the manufactured fabrics. Furthermore, innovation in techniques to produce advanced textiles and the expansion of production units to support the growing functional textile demand are some of the factors driving the industry growth.

Rising purchasing and spending trends among consumers toward high-quality fabric products especially in Canada, Mexico, Europe, and Germany are expected to positively influence the industry in the forecast period.

What Restraints Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market?

Finishing Agents Have Adverse Effects on Human Health

The chemicals used in the textile finishing agents have adverse effects on human health, due to high toxicity. Wrinkle-free finishers are made with dimethylol ethylene urea which enables the fabric to inhibit the appearance of wrinkles. This chemical release urea-formaldehyde emissions which are toxic to humans. Formaldehyde has certain harmful effects including skin irritation, allergies, nausea, skin rashes, and eye & nose irritation.

When chemically treated clothing and apparel come in contact with the skin, the chemicals get penetrated into the skin. There is an estimated uneven recovery after the effects of the pandemic in the functional textile finishing market in various geographies. The lack of timely availability of raw materials and the disruption in the supply chain are key factors moderately affecting the market.

What are the Opportunities in Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market?

Textiles with Smart Features Using Finishing Agents

The properties such as water repellence, fire resistance, adhesion, better visual appearance, and others are projected to have growth opportunities in the finishing agents market during the forecast period. These chemicals help in increasing the efficiency of textiles. The development of textiles with smart features with finishing agents is estimated to help grow the market. The application of nanotechnology in textiles allows enhanced mechanical usage, resistance to flame, heat, and microbes, better electrical properties, and color properties.

Scope of Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market Report

The functional textile finishing agents market research report includes an assessment of the market trends, market segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.

Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market Segment Insights

What Drives the Repellent & Release Segment?

Repellent and Release Segment are Effective Stain Repellent, Water Repellent, and Oil Repellent

Based on Type, the functional textile finishing agents market is divided into antimicrobial & antibacterial, flame-retardant, crease/wrinkle resistance, temperature regulation, repellent & release, antistatic, chemical resistant, and UV resistant, and others. The repellent and release segment are expected to expand significantly during the projected period, as they are effective stain repellent, water repellent, and oil repellent among others.

The flame-retardants and temperature-regulation segment is anticipated to hold a key share of the market in the coming years, as flame retardants are primarily used for fire emergencies while temperature regulation agents control temperature and maintain moisture and humidity.

What are the Main Aspects of Boosting the Continuous Processing Method Segment?

Continuous Processing is Preferred for Large Lengths of Fabric

Based on the processing method, the functional textile finishing agents market is divided into continuous processing, batch treatment, and coating. The continuous processing segment is estimated to expand significantly during the projected period, as a minimum number of liquid resources is required. Continuous and semi-continuous processing systems conserve energy. The quantity of water required per kg of processed fabric is low in the dyeing process.

Some amount of fabric is wasted when the range is first set up to optimize performance, thus continuous processing is preferred for large lengths of fabric. However, the coating segment is anticipated to hold a key share of the market in the coming years.

The coating process reduces the chances of holes or defects before it is applied to the fabric and gives a soft coating. It gives the fabric special functions including air and moisture vapor absorbance, water resistance, flame resistance, and others.

Which Major Factors influence the Substantial Growth of the Synthetic Segment?

Synthetic Textiles Have Long Wear Life and Thus Reduce Environmental Waste

On the basis of textile type, the global market is segregated into synthetic and natural. The synthetic segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, as it results in sustainability. Synthetic textiles have long wear life and thus reduce environmental waste.

Synthetic materials include spandex, microfiber, rayon, polyester, nylon, and others. On the other hand, the natural textile segment is anticipated to account for a major market share in the coming years, as it is grown sustainably. Some of the natural fabrics are denim, silk, wool, and cotton.

What are the Main Aspects for Boosting the Commercial Segment?

Wide Acceptance of a Variety of Apparel and Changing Fashion

The end-user segment is projected to register a considerable CAGR during the forecast period, as the finishing agents are utilized to produce fabrics used for developing footwear, bedsheets, blankets, and other fabrics. These agents are used to add soft texture, color, fragrance, and antibacterial & antimicrobial effects. Wide acceptance of a variety of apparel and changing fashion, is anticipated to increase the demand for the textile, thus directly increasing the demand for finishing agents.

The segment growth is further attributed to the increased infrastructure development by governments in different countries such as China, India, and Japan, which boosts the demand. Technical textiles are manufactured using either natural or manual fibers. They are used in construction, agriculture, automotive, medical, and packaging applications.

Why Is Asia Pacific Dominating the Global Functional Textile Finishing Agent Market?

Substantial Growth in the Use of Functional Textiles in the Region

In terms of region, the functional textile finishing agent market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific is anticipated to dominate the market in the coming years, with substantial growth in the use of functional textiles. The wide presence of key manufacturers with large production lines in the region is projected to have an effect on the growth of the functional textile finishing agents market.

China and India are expected to contribute to the key market growth in Asia Pacific region. Favorable government initiatives are estimated to promote the industry and are anticipated to grow the regional market.

Segments

The functional textile finishing agents market has been segmented on the basis of

Types

• Antimicrobial/Anti-inflammatory
• Repellent & Release
• Temperature Regulation
• Durable Press/Wrinkle Resistant
• Flame Retardant

Processing Method

• Continuous Processing
• Batch Treatment
• Coating

Textile Type

• Synthetic
• Natural

End-user

• Commercial
• Household

Region

• Asia Pacific
• North America
• Latin America
• Europe
• Middle East & Africa

Key Players

• Wacker Chemie AG
• OMNOVA Solutions Inc.
• NICCA CHEMICAL CO.,LTD.
• Rudolf GmbH
• Sarex
• Huntsman International LLC.
• The Lubrizol Corporation
• Zydex Group
• Dow
• Tanatex Chemicals B.V.
• CHT Germany GmbH
• STOCKMEIER Group

Competitive Landscape

Key players competing in the functional textile finishing agents market are Wacker Chemie AG; OMNOVA Solutions Inc.; NICCA CHEMICAL CO.,LTD.; Rudolf GmbH; Sarex; Huntsman International LLC.; The Lubrizol Corporation; Zydex Group; Dow; Tanatex Chemicals B.V.; CHT Germany GmbH; STOCKMEIER Group.

Some of these major companies adopted various business development strategies including mergers, acquisitions, partnerships, collaboration, product launches, and production capacity expansion to expand their consumer base and enhance their market share. For instance,

• In March 2021, Huntsman International LLC. partnered with Sciessent LLC to come up with antimicrobial functional and odor-control finishing products including Agion Antimicrobial in the textile market and markets globally.
• In June 2020, Rudolf GmbH, a German-based company introduced an antiviral finishing agent, named RUCO-BAC AGP, looking at the COVID-19 global pandemic. Rudolf GmbH the microstructures in RUCO-BAC AGP contain antibacterial and antiviral effects.