Rising demand for wearable technologies drives market growth
Market CAGR for smart textile is being driven by the growing demand for wearable technologies. Smart textiles are textiles that have electronic components such as sensors, actuators, and microcontrollers built into them. They have various advantages, including monitoring vital signs, tracking physical activity, and providing haptic feedback. In the coming years, the growing desire for wearable technology such as smartwatches, fitness trackers, and smart clothing is likely to fuel the market for smart textiles.
Furthermore, the ongoing trend of shrinking of electronic components, as well as the development of flexible and elastic electronics, is predicted to push demand for smart textiles even further.
The healthcare industry is also projected to fuel the smart textile market. Wound care, patient monitoring, and medicine administration are all applications for smart textiles in healthcare. They provide various advantages, including increased patient comfort, shorter hospital stays, and better patient outcomes. The increased demand for healthcare services as the population ages and the prevalence of chronic diseases rises is predicted to stimulate demand for smart textiles in the healthcare industry.
Another factor driving the growth of the smart textile market is the growing demand for smart textiles in the sports and fitness industry. Sports and fitness applications that use smart textiles include smart apparel, footwear, and accessories. They have various advantages, including measuring physical activity, monitoring vital signs, and providing haptic feedback. The increasing need for sports and fitness items as people become more health conscious is likely to fuel demand for smart textiles in the sports and fitness industry.
For instance, Hexoskin, a Canadian firm, provides smart clothing for sports and fitness applications. Its product portfolio includes smart shirts, bras, and shorts with sensors that measure vital indications such as heart rate, breathing rate, and activity levels. Athletes, trainers, and researchers utilize the company's products to monitor performance and enhance training methods. Another example is the collaboration between Adidas and Zound Industries to develop smart headphones for sports and fitness applications. The headphones have sensors that monitor heart rate, activity levels, and other physiological data.
The growing need for smart textiles in the automotive industry is driving the smart textile market. Automotive applications for smart textiles include seat coverings, airbags, and headliners. They have various advantages, including increased comfort, increased safety, and reduced weight. The growing need for automotive products as a result of population growth and urbanization is predicted to stimulate demand for smart textiles in the automotive industry.
For instance, the Lear Corporation, situated in the United States, provides smart seat covers for automotive applications. Its product line comprises seat covers equipped with sensors that measure vital indications such as heart rate, respiration rate, and activity levels. Car makers use the company's solutions to improve driving experience and safety. Another example is the collaboration between Faurecia and FlexEnable to develop smart surfaces for automotive applications. The smart surfaces are outfitted with sensors that detect the presence of passengers and alter the temperature and lighting accordingly.
The integration of advanced materials and digital technologies in textiles is poised to redefine the boundaries of functionality and aesthetics, suggesting a transformative shift in consumer expectations and industry standards.
U.S. Department of Commerce