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Week 1 - Introduction of Technical Textiles (2)

Technical textiles, which have been used for various applications beyond clothing for centuries, are gaining recognition for their economic and strategic potential in manufacturing industries. The market for technical textiles is evolving, with significant growth expected in emerging regions, particularly in geotextiles and industrial applications. The future of the industry encompasses a broad range of suppliers and customers, highlighting the interconnectedness of various sectors and the importance of information dissemination among stakeholders.

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11 views

Week 1 - Introduction of Technical Textiles (2)

Technical textiles, which have been used for various applications beyond clothing for centuries, are gaining recognition for their economic and strategic potential in manufacturing industries. The market for technical textiles is evolving, with significant growth expected in emerging regions, particularly in geotextiles and industrial applications. The future of the industry encompasses a broad range of suppliers and customers, highlighting the interconnectedness of various sectors and the importance of information dissemination among stakeholders.

Uploaded by

alvee
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Technical Textiles

Technical Textiles
Introduction

Although ‘technical’ textiles have attracted considerable attention, the use of fibers, yarns and
fabrics for applications other than clothing and furnishing is not a new phenomenon. Nor is it
exclusively linked to the emergence of modern artificial fibers and textiles. Natural fibers such as
cotton, flax, jute and sisal have been used for centuries (and still are used) in applications ranging
from tents and tarpaulins to ropes, sailcloth and sacking. There is evidence of woven fabrics and
meshes being used in Roman times and before to stabilize marshy ground for road building –
early examples of what would now be termed geotextiles and geogrids.

What is relatively new is a growing recognition of the economic and strategic potential of such
textiles to the fiber and fabric manufacturing and processing industries of industrial and
industrializing countries alike. In some of the most developed markets, technical products
(broadly defined) already account for as much as 50% of all textile manufacturing activity and
output. The technical textiles supply chain is a long and complex one, stretching from the
manufacturers of polymers for technical fibers, coating and specialty membranes through to the
converters and fabricators who incorporate technical textiles into finished products or use them
as an essential part of their industrial operations. The economic scope and importance of
technical textiles extends far beyond the textile industry itself and has an impact upon just about
every sphere of human economic and social activity.

Technical textiles has never been a single coherent industry sector and market segment. It is
developing in many different directions with varying speeds and levels of success. There is
continual erosion of the barriers between traditional definitions of textiles and other ‘flexible
engineering’ materials such as paper and plastics, films and membranes, metals, glass and
ceramics. What most participants have in common are many of the basic textile skills of
manipulating fibers, fabrics and finishing techniques as well as an understanding of how all these
interact and perform in different combinations and environments. Beyond that, much of the
technology and expertise associated with the industry resides in an understanding of the needs
and dynamics of many very different end-use and market sectors. It is here that the new dividing
lines within the industry are emerging.

An appreciation of the development and potential of technical textile markets therefore starts
with some clarification of the evolving terminology and definitions of scope of the industry and
its markets.
Milestones in the Development of Technical Textiles

Although the development of technical and industrial applications for textiles can be traced back
many years, a number of more recent milestones have marked the emergence of technical textiles
as we know them today. Very largely, these have centered upon new materials, new processes
and new applications.
i. Development in fiber materials – natural fibers
Introduction 1
Technical Textiles

ii. Viscose rayon


iii. Polyamide and polyester
iv. Polyolefins (Polypropylene and Polyethylene)
v. High performance fibers
vi. Glass and ceramics

Globalization of Technical Textiles


If North America and Western Europe have the highest levels of per capita consumption of
technical textiles at present, then they are also relatively mature markets. The emerging countries
of Asia, Eastern Europe and the rest of the world are becoming important markets in almost
every sphere, from automotive manufacture through to sporting and leisure goods. Technical
textiles for food production, construction and geotextiles are likely to be particularly important.
In the case of the last of these, geotextiles, consumption up to the year 2005 is expected to grow
at over 12% per annum across the whole of Asia compared with less than 6% in Western Europe
and the USA. In the case of Eastern Europe and South America, annual growth rates could be as
high as 18% and 16% per annum respectively, although from relatively small base levels at
present.
But globalization is not just about increasing internationalization of markets. It is also about the
emergence of companies and supply chains which operate across national and continental
boundaries. Such globalization has already proceeded furthest in the automotive and transport
industry, the largest of the 12 market segments defined above. It is a path already being followed
within the other major segments, most notably industrial textiles and medical/hygiene textiles
and will become increasingly evident in the remainder.
Characteristics of globalization include higher levels of international trade and increased
specialization of manufacture within individual districts, countries and regions, according to
availability of materials, local industry strengths and regional market characteristics.
Textiles for tents, luggage and the technical components of footwear and clothing are now
increasingly sourced close to where many of these products are manufactured for export, for
example China and Indonesia. Manufacturers in the newly industrializing world are rapidly
adopting the latest materials and processing technologies. Taiwan already has an important
composites manufacturing sector specializing in sports equipment.

Future of the technical textiles industry

The future of technical textiles embraces a much wider economic sphere of activity than just the
direct manufacturing and processing of textiles. The industry’s suppliers include raw materials
producers (both natural and artificial), machinery and equipment manufacturers, information and
management technology providers, R&D services, testing and certification bodies, consultants,
education and training organisations. Its customers and key specifiers include almost every
conceivable downstream industry and field of economic activity, including the architects,
engineers, designers and other advisors employed by those industries. In between lie many other
interested parties, including environmental, health, safety, business and free trade regulators,
patent and intellectual property agents and lawyers, investors, bankers, regional investment
agencies and providers of development aid.
The task of disseminating and communicating information to all these organizations and
Introduction 2
Technical Textiles

individuals is undertaken by a growing number of specialist and generalist publications as well


as by international and local trade exhibitions, fairs, seminars and conferences.

Introduction 3

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