Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Product (Antimicrobial, Flame Retardant), By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2018 - 2025

Industry Insights

The global functional textile finishing agents' market size was estimated at 1,14.2 million tons in 2015. In terms of revenue, it is expected to grow at a CAGR of 6.1% from 2016 to 2025. A textile functional finishing agent consists of epoxy polyether lateral chains and a water-soluble polysiloxane with polyether, incorporated with organic properties, especially antimicrobial & anti-inflammatory substances, catalysts, and cross-linking agents.

Novel textile products are manufactured by using a surface modification process to alter fabric’s performance properties such as adhesion, optical appearance, and hydrophilicity. This process utilizes a wide range of functional finishing agents including flame-resistant, soil release, water & stain repellent, crease-resistant, durable press, and others. Increasing stringent environmental guidelines regarding the harmful impacts of chemicals is expected to emerge as a key restraint to the overall market development.

U.S. functional textile finishing agents market by product, 2014 - 2025 (USD Million)

Water shortages and supply of polluted water caused by rigorous activities performed in the fabric industry is anticipated to have far-reaching regional consequences in the manufacturing countries. Moreover, strict environmental regulations including Emission Trading System (ETS) and Emission Trading System (ETS) implemented to restrict the excessive usage of toxic fabric chemicals is anticipated to hinder the market growth.

The growth of biological control finishes such as antimicrobial or anti-inflammatory textile finishing products is expected to drive the demand over the forecast period. The global antimicrobial functional textile industry was worth over USD 348.9 million in 2015 and is projected to witness an exponential growth in the coming years.

Global performance textile finishing manufacturers are adopting advanced technologies for the improvement of clothing to meet the growing consumer demands as per their end-use specifications. However, product sustainability mainly depends on the raw materials and functionality it offers. Utilization of performance finishing determines the product end-use and helps to heighten its shelf-life.

Textile specialty performance dying agents have the capability to improve fabric versatility by making it stronger, durable, and support enhancing its original physical properties. The U.S. functional textile finishing agents market is driven by the presence of the key multinational producers, continuous R&D work to discover cutting edge techniques including nano-coatings, enzyme immobilization, encapsulation, and development of protective garments.

Increasing concern over the damage caused by exposure to sunlight, microbes, pesticides, chemicals, pollutants, and UV lights has heightened the demand for protective fabrics in the country. Furthermore, the implementation of advanced techniques to produce smart, interactive, and intelligent clothing coupled with the expansion of production lines to support the growing textile demand are some of the factors boosting the industry growth in the region.

In the U.S., as the demand for alternate specialty finishing agents, eco-friendly and cost-effective technologies is augmenting among manufacturers, the demand for garments offering optimum protection & efficiency has also amplified. Rising purchasing power and consumer's spending towards high-quality fabric products especially in Mexico and Canada are expected to influence the industry in the coming years positively.

Product Insights

Repellent and release agents dominated the product segment, accounting for over 22.0% of the overall functional textile finishing agents market in 2015. Water-repellent chemicals resist the penetration of water through the fabrics and permit the passage of moisture or air. Durable water repellents & resisting agents are topical finishes applied to fibers to provide protection against water, stain, oil, soil, insects, and others.

Conventional methods of specialty finish application usually display characteristics including loss of feel and drape, excessive weight adds on, poor durability, lack of mechanical strength, and reduced comfort to the wearer. Therefore, sophisticated methods are incorporated to invent innovative textile products with superior qualities to safeguard from staining, discoloration, and quality deterioration.

Functional coatings methods provide a flexible alternative to conventional dying methods as they are independent of fabric type, allow combinations of different functionalities in a subtle way, and require low quantities of additives.

Global functional textile finishing agents market, by product, 2015, (%)

Demand for temperature regulated fabrics is also expected to witness high growth over the forecast period. Textile manufacturers are involved in producing microencapsulated thermoregulation finishes that continuously emit and absorb heat energy depending on the ambient temperature.

Regional Insight

Asia Pacific accounted for over 53% of total demand in 2015 and is expected to gain market penetration over the forecast period. Increasing textile chemical production in emerging economies including India, China, India, Bangladesh, and Vietnam along with the favorable government initiatives undertaken to promote this industry is anticipated to flourish the regional market growth.

Moreover, increasing the utilization of smart textiles such as anti-microbial and flame-retardant fabrics is expected to benefit and show a positive impact on the Asian market. Key manufacturers are focusing on restructuring their business portfolio, increasing production lines, and financing to develop niche products. Strict regulatory framework promoting the usage of shielding fabrics in the healthcare industry and macroeconomic factors such as rapid urbanization along with burgeoning population are responsible for triggering growth in the Asian countries.

Key manufacturers from matured economies such as North America and Europe are shifting their production capacities to emerging economies of Southeast Asia to tap vast resource pools and low labor costs.

Matured markets are expected to grow at slower rates due to saturation of the end-use industry and the downward revision of GDP growth rates recently. CSA is anticipated to remain a primary and fast-growing region to witness high growth rates, due to sound economic development, growing domestic & export trade, and the accessibility of low-cost technologies and cheap labor.

Functional Textile Finishing Agents Market Share Insights

The functional textile finishing agents industry share is relatively concentrated major players accounting for over 50% of overall demand. Key participants include Dow Chemical Company, Bayer AG, BASF SE, Sumitomo Chemicals Co., Ltd, and Huntsman International LLC. Other players including Kemira, Evonik Industries, Omnova Solutions Kiri Industries Limited, and Lubrizol Corporation also have a considerable presence as well.

Companies are actively investing in new product development, business alliances, collaborations, and other strategic initiatives to gain a competitive edge. The primary advantage of such industry approaches is to increase its supplier base and production capacity to sustain competition over the long term.

Resil Chemicals launched COOLIT, an intelligent summer garment technology that responds to body perspiration and temperature. Other companies such as Rudolf Group (Germany) and Atul Ltd. (India) have formed a joint venture Rudolf Atul Chemicals Ltd (RACL) to construct a new production plant in India.

Report Scope

Segments Covered in the report

This report forecasts revenue growth and provides an analysis of the latest trends in each of the sub-segments from 2014 to 2025. For the purpose of this report, Grand View Research has segmented the global functional textile finishing agents market on the basis of product and region: 

• Product Outlook (Kilo Tons, USD Million 2014 - 2025)

  • Antimicrobial /Anti-inflammatory

  • Flame Retardant

  • Repellent and Release

  • Temperature Regulation

  • Durable Press/Wrinkle Resistant 

• Regional Outlook (Kilo Tons, USD Million 2014 - 2025)

  • North America

    • The U.S.

    • Canada

    • Mexico

  • Europe

    • Germany

    • U.K.

    • France

  • Asia Pacific

    • China

    • South Korea

    • Taiwan

    • Japan

    • India

  • Central & South America

    • Brazil

  • Middle East & Africa

    • UAE

    • Egypt