Segments - Industrial Fabrics Market by Fiber Type (Polyester, Polyamide, Composites, Aramid, and Others), Application (Automotive, Transmission Belts, Conveyor Belts, Protective Apparel, 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 industrial fabrics market size was USD 130 Billion in 2022 and is likely to reach USD 210 Billion by 2031, expanding at a CAGR of 6.5% during 2023–2031. The market growth is attributed to the high demand for geosynthetics.
Increasing demand for geosynthetics is anticipated to drive the industrial fabrics market during the forecast period. Geosynthetics are made from synthetic materials, such as polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene, and are designed to be durable, lightweight, and resistant to environmental factors such as moisture and UV radiation.
The use of geosynthetics has increased, owing to their advantages over traditional materials. Geosynthetics are relatively homogeneous, as they are manufactured under tightly controlled factory conditions. They are used to manufacture other industrial fabrics such as geotextiles, which are used to support civil engineering applications such as railways, embankments, retaining structures, and other applications.
The market report finds that the COVID-19 pandemic hindered the industrial fabrics market growth, owing to the strict lockdown imposed by governments and disruption of the supply chain. Several fabric manufacturing companies were temporarily shut down during the pandemic, which hampered the market.
The consumption of industrial fabrics across automotive, chemical, aerospace & defense, mining, and other industries has reduced, due to the lockdown and social distancing imposed by governments. However, several companies are launching textiles that aid patients suffering from coronavirus, which is boosting the industrial fabrics market.
In March 2021, Toray Industries announced that its tests on MAKSPEC V samples confirmed the effectiveness of the antiviral textile in reducing absorptions of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The company has developed 100% polyester with exceptional washability and comfort.
Artificial intelligence (AI) technologies are expected to boost the industrial fabrics market in the coming years. AI technologies are used in the textile industry to improve efficiency and augment the capabilities of employees. Fabrics play an important role in design and prototyping in several industries.
AI helps design engineers in the textile industry with 3D-model yarn fibers in their prototypes and designs. Applications of AI in the textile industry include fabric defect identification, pattern inspection, color matching, sewn seam, CAD systems, and production planning and control. This, in turn, increases the demand for artificial intelligence technologies in the market.
Increasing demand for industrial fabrics in the automotive industry is expected to boost the market during the forecast period. Industrial fabrics are used in the automotive industry for various purposes, such as providing comfort, reinforcement, and filtration.
Industrial fabrics are made of polyamide, polyester, aramid, and other fibers, and these properties make them suitable for use in interior fabrics, carpet backing, belts, door panels, door trims, and window frames in the automotive industry. This, in turn, is expected to increase the demand for industrial fabrics in the automotive industry.
Complex manufacturing processes are expected to hamper the industrial fabrics market. The manufacturing process for industrial fabrics is complex and varies, depending on the type of fabric being produced.
The process typically involves several stages, including yarn production, joining, weaving or knitting, dyeing or printing, and finishing. Highly valued materials and fibers are employed in this process, which is difficult to manipulate, owing to their configuration and intrinsic specifications related to performance. This hinders the market growth.
High demand for filtration applications is expected to create lucrative opportunities for the market players. Use of filter media in industrial fabrics contributes to the purity of products, savings in energy, developments in process efficiency, countless industrial processes, recovery of precious materials, and general improvements in pollution control.
In March 2023, Monadnock Non-Wovens LLC launched the next generation of E-CTFE filtration media. MNW has designed and developed HTAC, a product that significantly extends the performance and life of liquid filtration systems. HTAC is a uniform ECTFE melt-blown copolymer with high chemical and fire resistance.
The market report includes an assessment of the market trends, market segments, and regional markets. Overview and dynamics have also been included in the report.
Attributes |
Details |
Report Title |
Industrial Fabrics Market - Global Industry Analysis, Growth, Share, Size, Trends, and Forecast |
Base Year |
2022 |
Historic Data |
2016–2021 |
Forecast Period |
2023–2031 |
Segmentation |
Fiber Type (Polyester, Polyamide, Composites, Aramid, and Others), and Application (Automotive, Transmission Belts, Conveyor Belts, Protective Apparel, and Others) |
Regional Scope |
Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa |
Report Coverage |
Company Share, Market Analysis and Size, Competitive Landscape, Growth Factors, Market Trends, and Revenue Forecast |
Key Players Covered in the Report |
Ahlstrom; Bridgestone Corporation; Cerex Advanced Fabrics, Inc; DuPont; Habasit; Henderson Textiles; Johns Manville; Schaeffler AG; and TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC |
Based on fiber type, the industrial fabrics market is divided into polyester, polyamide, composites, aramid, and others. The polyester segment is expected to expand at a significant pace during the projection period, as it is less expensive and possesses properties such as strong tearing strength, good UV and abrasion resistance, and ease of cleaning.
It is a malleable, lightweight, sturdy, water-resistant, and highly functional type of fiber. This increases the usage of polyester in the manufacture of industrial fabrics in several industries and applications. It is highly versatile and widely used in the production of clothing, owing to its tenacity and high durability. The water-repelling property of polyester makes it a suitable material for usage in industrial settings that require water-resistant fabrics.
The polyamide segment is anticipated to hold a key share of the market in the coming years, due to its cost-effectiveness, ingress protection, and durability. The segment growth is further attributed to the robust properties of polyamide, including flame retardation.
Heat stabilization fabrics manufactured with polyamide are extensively used in producing flame retarding apparel and other protective fabrics. Polyamides are used in the automotive, textiles, carpets, kitchen utensils, and sportswear, owing to their high strength and durability. This, in turn, is expected to increase the demand for industrial fabrics.
On the basis of application, the global market is segmented into automotive, transmission belts, conveyor belts, protective apparel, and others. The automotive segment is expected to register robust growth during the forecast period, due to the rising demand from the automotive industry.
The segment growth is further attributed to the high demand for automobiles by the population, which increases the sales of industrial fabrics. Manufacturers in the automotive industry are demanding standard and custom needle-punched non-woven fabrics.
These fabrics are suitable for use in trunk and headliner, engine hood insulation, door panels, map pocket coverings, molded wheel wells, and seat backs, as well as in face structures, such as flat felt, velour, dialer, rib, chevron, and hobnail.
In June 2020, Continental AG launched the CT1228 timing belt with enhanced material properties superseding CT1188. It is planned for use in Peugeot and Citroen 1.2-liter engines. It is established for engines where the timing belt runs directly in oil.
The conveyor belts segment is anticipated to account for a major market share in the coming years, as it improves mechanical fastener retention and provides strength for tensioning and handling the load. The polyester surface is strong, abrasion and cut-resistant, flexible at low temperatures, and resistant to pyrolysis and hydrolysis.
Basic weaves such as plain and matte are often used in conveyor belts. Special weaves are used to expand physical properties such as edge wear and stretch. Two or three-layer solid fabric provides dimensional stability.
In terms of region, the global industrial fabrics market is classified as Asia Pacific, North America, Latin America, Europe, and Middle East & Africa. Asia Pacific is expected to dominate the market during the projection period, owing to the rising demand for industrial fabrics in the region.
The regional market growth is further attributed to the large manufacturing base coupled with the easy availability of raw materials in emerging countries such as China, India, and Japan.
According to the Observatory of Economic Complexity (OEC), China exported USD 268 billion in textiles in 2021, making it the largest exporter of textiles worldwide.
The market in North America is anticipated to expand at a rapid pace in the coming years, due to the increasing urbanization, industrialization, and technological advancement in the region. The regional market growth is further attributed to the high-growth population and concerns related to worker safety, which increases the usage of industrial fabrics in a wide range of industries.
Key players competing in the global industrial fabrics market are Ahlstrom; Bridgestone Corporation; Cerex Advanced Fabrics, Inc; DuPont; Habasit; Henderson Textiles; Johns Manville; Schaeffler AG; and TORAY INDUSTRIES, INC.
These key players adopt various strategies, including mergers, acquisitions, collaborations, partnerships, product launches, and production expansion to expand their consumer base globally.
In August 2020, Ahlstrom introduced TrustSheild Biological, a personal protective apparel medical textile designed for protection against dangerous pathogens. It offers a range of medical fabrics to provide protection in operating rooms and clinical & laboratory experiments.