February 2020 Issue Apparel February 2020 issue | Page 89

NEW AVENUES
THE INVESTMENTS AND
DEMAND FOR TECHNICAL-
TEXTILE INNOVATION
ARE PROJECTED TO
REACH NEW HIGHS IN
THE COMING YEARS.
The production and use of technical textiles has
been consistently on the rise this past decade.
Technical textiles are in demand mainly due to
their performance-based attributes in addition
to their basic functions that are the core focus
area for consumer apparel goods. Over the last
10 years, they have proven themselves to be
far more versatile and conducive to innovation
than regular textiles, mainly due to their superior
functionality and unique physical properties. The
significant investments made in their research and
development have also allowed never-before-
imagined uses and varieties to be manufactured,
further endearing them to global industries. For
these reasons and many others, the investments
and demand for technical-textile innovation are
projected to reach new highs in the coming years.
THEORY AND PRACTICE
Admittedly, we must clarify that while most of
the futuristic features that we’ve mentioned are
a technical reality, the larger consumer market
is yet to find access to them. However, we’re
already seeing their imprints by observing eager
consumption in niche arenas. For example,
sports brands and athletes have already begun
making use of biometric sensor-based apparel
to maximise their professional performance. And
militaries around the world provide their soldiers
with environmentally reactive uniforms to ensure
their safety. It is only a matter of time before we
find such technologies naturally integrated into
the trillions’ worth of consumer apparel market
around the world.
With such rapid progress and development,
the field of smart textiles is fast becoming one of
the most exciting areas of development for many
companies that were once engaged in technical
production only. According to a report, the global
technical-textile market is expected to go from
US$165 billion in 2017 to US$220 billion in 2022.
Another report by the Allied Market Research
projects the total valuation of the global technical-
textile market to cross US$244 billion by 2022.
At present, polyester is the most preferred
synthetic fibre in the textile industry, while cotton
remains king with the largest market-share across
natural textiles.
APPAREL
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February 2020
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