Global market review of technical textiles in apparel – forecasts to 2011

Global market review of technical textiles in apparel – forecasts to 2011

Technical textiles is one of the fastest-growing and changing areas of the global textile and apparel industry. In fact, just-style predicts that global usage of technical fabrics for apparel will increase steadily over the next six years with market volume and value set to increase by 23% and 17% respectively. This increase will be due to the increasing market penetration of more technical fabrics, such as Kevlar and Nomex, into mainstream apparel either as a blend or as a stand alone garment.

This comprehensive report outlines the fundamental techniques and raw materials behind technical apparel, examines the growth areas and current areas of research, reviews some of the world leaders in the sector and provides market forecasts to 2011.

Chapter one asks 'what is a technical textile?' and offers definitions of the market and examples of technical fabric properties, aesthetic properties and functional properties.

Chapter two identifies global market trends, segmenting and analysing the technical apparel fabric market from 2001-2011. This includes fibre types and usage, advanced fibres and processes, yarn production, fabric construction and enhancement methods.

Chapter three looks at mainstream fashion apparel and the use/impact of technical fabrics. This refers to apparel that is available to purchase through conventional routes, e.g. retail outlets, mail-order and internet shopping. Performance textiles, intelligent textiles and smart fabrics, thermal control and environmentally responsive garments are amongst the topics discussed.

Chapter four provides a summary of research and development in the technical apparel industry, highlighting a number of themes and examples of development and innovation.

Chapter five profiles a number of the world's leading technical apparel fabric suppliers, namely: Klopman International; Milliken & Company; Du Pont de Nemours; Malden Mills Industries, Inc; W L Gore & Associates; Royal TenCate; The Toray Group; Schoeller Textil AG; Reliance Industries.

For the purpose of this report, a technical textile is defined as one where the physical properties and performance of the textile are more important than the aesthetics of the textile.

Chapter 1 What is a technical textile?
Technical fabric properties
Aesthetic properties
Functional properties

Chapter 2 Global trends
Technical apparel fabric market segmented and analysed, 2001-2011
Global overview
Technical apparel production
Fibre type
Advanced fibres and processes
Lyocell
TENCEL
Aramid
Kevlar
Teflon
Lamination
Breathability
Hydrophilicity
Gore-Tex
Composites of Kevlar
Yarn type
Primary methods of yarn production
Spun yarns
Filament yarns
Polymer chips
Core-spun yarns
Textured yarns
Fabric construction methods
Woven fabrics
Plain weave
Twill weaves
Satin weave
Crepe fabric
Pile weaves
Terry towelling
Non-woven fabrics
Felt
Bonded webs
Weft knitting
Warp knitting
Apparel components
Apparel construction methods
Fabric enhancement methods
Shrink-resistant wool
Coated fabrics

Chapter 3 Mainstream fashion apparel and the use/impact of technical fabrics
Fibre blending
Performance textiles
Outdoor pursuits clothing
Garment requirements for specific purposes
Intelligent textiles
Smart fabrics
Wearable electronics: Communication, information, entertainment
Definition
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel sector share of value-added
Barriers to entry
Wearable electronics: Thermal control
Definition
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel sector share of value-added
Barriers to entry
Health and fitness electronic monitoring
Definition
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel sector share of value-added
Barriers to entry
Person tracking
Definition
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel sector share of value-added
Barriers to entry
Appearance-changing garments
Definition
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel sector share of value-added
Barriers to entry
Thermal control (non-electronic)
Definition
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel share of value-added
Barriers to entry
Environmentally responsive garments
Current state of technology development and commercialisation
Market potential
Competitive pressures, threat of alternative technologies and apparel share of value-added
Barriers to entry

Chapter 4 Summary of research and development in the technical apparel industry

Chapter 5 Profiles of leading technical apparel fabric suppliers
Klopman International (Italy)
Milliken & Company (US)
Du Pont de Nemours (US)
Malden Mills Industries, Inc (US)
W L Gore & Associates (US)
Royal TenCate (Netherlands)
The Toray Group
Schoeller Textil AG (Switzerland)
Reliance Industries (India)

List of figures
Figure 1: World coated technical apparel fabrics usage by volume, 2001-2011 ('000 tonnes)
Figure 2: World coated technical apparel fabrics usage by value, 2001-2011 (US$m)

List of tables
Table 1: World technical apparel fabrics usage by region, 2001-2011 (volume '000 tonnes)
Table 2: World technical apparel fabrics usage by region, 2001-2011 (value US$m)
Table 3: Technical characteristics used for evaluating products
Table 4: Overview of commonly used fibres in technical apparel
Table 5: Natural fibre usage in technical apparel by region, 2001-2011 (volume '000 tonnes)
Table 6: Synthetic fibre usage in technical apparel by region, 2001-2011 (volume '000 tonnes)
Table 7: Yarn type usage in technical apparel by type, 2001-2011 (volume '000 tonnes)
Table 8: Technical apparel fabric usage by type, 2001-2011 (volume '000 tonnes)
Table 9: Technical apparel fabric usage by type, 2001-2011 (value US$m)
Table 10: Summary of the global status of smart product/market segments
Table 11: Status of wearable electronics components/technologies, relative to their commercialisation