Smart Textile Market Size (2023 - 2030)

Global Smart Textile Market is estimated to be worth USD 2.83 Billion in 2022 and is projected to reach a value of USD 15.02 Billion by 2030, growing at a CAGR of 23.2% during the forecast period 2023-2030.

Smart textiles are fabrics that incorporate electronic components and perform diverse functions. These intelligent fabrics are capable of observing and communicating ambient conditions, as well as detecting and processing the wearer's state. They make utilization of various inputs and outputs, encompassing electrical, thermal, mechanical, chemical, and magnetic properties. The term "smart material" was first coined in Japan in 1989, and the first textile material to be labeled as a smart textile was silk thread with a memory effect. The origin of smart materials can be linked to the discovery of shape-memory materials in the 1960s and intelligent polymeric gels in the 1970s, which marked the beginning of their actual development. Nevertheless, smart materials in textiles did not hit the market up to the late 1990s. Currently, smart fabrics have undergone significant advancements and have become extremely sophisticated, often likened to wearable computers. The electrical materials utilized in these intelligent garments are devised to not compromise the comfort of traditional textile materials. Smart textiles can be thought of as simple computer systems with five essential functions, encompassing sensors, data processing, actuators, storage, and communication. Yet, the incorporation of digital components needs to be skillfully harmonized with the primary functions of clothing, such as comfort, durability, and resistance, to guarantee a smooth and functional wearable encounter.

Global Smart Textile Market Drivers:

The rising demand for smart wearable devices is fueling the growth of the Global Smart Textile Market.

Smart wearables compose microprocessors that are imbedded within garments, and accessories, and even implanted beneath the skin to enable data transfer over the internet. Examples of such devices encompass smart jackets, shirts, glasses, watches, etc. The demand for wearable technology is swiftly escalating owing to these devices' provision of instantaneous access to key data about the user's physical health and overall well-being. They are also forecasted to be the future of transportable energy sources, high-class sportswear, health surveillance systems, protective clothing, and military camouflage. Therefore, this factor propels the demand for smart textiles.

The growing utilization of smart textiles in the automotive industry is another factor contributing to the growth of the Global Smart Textile Market.

Smart textiles offer multiple applications in the automotive industry, spanning from self-cleaning fabrics to monitoring body functions and strengthening safety measures like occupant sensing and airbag deployment. By embedding these cutting-edge textiles into automobiles, they improve comfort, safety, and overall driving experience. As the automotive industry prioritizes safety regulations and passenger comfort, the utilization of smart textiles becomes highly valuable. Furthermore, smart textiles provide functionalities like impact sensing, moisture-wicking, temperature regulation, and pressure distribution, which align with the industry's requirements. Therefore, this factor also propels the demand for smart textiles. 

Global Smart Textile Market Challenges:

The Global Smart Textile Market is encountering challenges, primarily in terms of pricey production overhead and the absence of standards and regulations. The production of smart textiles is a strenuous endeavor, which necessitates specialized and high-priced materials. This makes it incredibly arduous to strike a balance between production costs and setting a desirable price for the final product. Besides, the hazards of textile manufacturing reach far beyond just a financial burden as the production of such fabrics also impacts the environment and human health negatively. The diverse tasks that come with textile making, encompassing de-sizing, bleaching, dyeing, neutralizing, scouring, mercerizing, printing, and finishing, can contribute to the emission of toxic materials, thus polluting soil, air, surface, and even water. To keep the industry sustainable, environmental guidelines and regulations must be established to avert such pollution. Thus, these obstacles inhibit the growth of the Global Smart Textile Market.

Global Smart Textile Market Opportunities:

Market expansion strategies present a lucrative opportunity in the Global Smart Textile Market. The demand for smart textiles is augmenting owing to their advantages, encompassing comfort and convenience, real-time monitoring, improved performance, and sustainability. Businesses specializing in the fabrication of smart textiles can attain considerable benefits from this opportunity by broadening their product offerings to emerging markets of China, India, Brazil, and Mexico. By pursuing this expansion, companies can broaden their customer base and drive a notable increase in their overall revenue.

COVID-19 Impact on the Global Smart Textile Market:

The Global Smart Textile Market has been considerably influenced by the COVID-19 outbreak. As a result of rigorous lockdowns, travel restrictions, and social distancing measures, the demand for smart textiles waned. Disruptions in the supply chains highly affected the expedited manufacturing and distribution of smart textiles. Furthermore, the demand for smart textiles dwindled due to scaled-down operations of businesses in several industries. These factors negatively impacted the market's growth. Despite these challenges, the market is projected to rebound alongside the global recovery from the pandemic.

Global Smart Textile Market Recent Developments:

• In February 2023, Carhartt unveiled its latest innovation in workwear - the Carhartt X-1 Smart Heated Vest. Developed in collaboration with clim8, this intelligent heated vest is devised to tackle varying body temperatures and can be customized for personalized warmth and comfort during work and leisure activities.

• In May 2021, Nextiles, a startup in the textile manufacturing industry, unveiled that it is entering the sports and performance market with its smart thread technology devised to capture biometric and biomechanics data.

• In October 2020, Google unveiled the expansion of its Jacquard lineup by introducing the Samsonite Konnect-i backpack, which comes in two versions - the Slim edition priced at USD 200 and the Standard edition priced at USD 220. 

SMART TEXTILE MARKET REPORT COVERAGE:

Global Smart Textile Market Segmentation: By Type

• Active/Ultra-Smart Textiles

• Passive Smart Textiles

Based on the Type, the Active/Ultra-Smart Textiles segment occupied the highest market share in the year 2022. The growth can be ascribed to the cutting-edge features and capabilities and versatility that active/ultra-smart textiles offer. Active/ultra-smart textiles go beyond the classic textile material by comprising concealed electronic components like sensors and actuators that can detect and respond to changes in their environment. Consequently, these sophisticated fabrics are utilized to craft specialized clothing for various vocations like firefighting and military, including bulletproof jackets. Not only do these enhanced garments deliver superior safeguarding from external conditions, but they can also provide heightened comfort and functionality via their ability to react to their surroundings.

Global Smart Textile Market Segmentation: By Function

• Energy Harvesting

• Luminescence and Aesthetics

• Sensing

• Thermoelectricity

• Others

Based on the Function, the Sensing segment occupied the highest market share in the year 2022. The growth can be ascribed to smart textiles' rising applications in diverse industries, encompassing medical, sports, military, and aerospace. These industries already utilize sensing and monitoring technologies, but integrating these capabilities into textiles can significantly amplify their efficiency. By incorporating sensing and monitoring functions into textiles, these sectors can experience improved efficiency, accuracy, and convenience in their specific applications.

Global Smart Textile Market Segmentation: By End-User Industry

• Automotive

• Fashion and Entertainment

• Healthcare

• Military and Protection

• Sports and Fitness

• Others

Based on the End-User Industry, the Military and Protection segment occupied the highest market share in the year 2022. The growth can be ascribed to the augmenting demand for smart textiles tailored for military applications, as these textiles offer an extensive array of capabilities. These textiles possess elevated insulation properties and provide ballistic protection, usually crafted with waterproof fabric. Furthermore, certain smart textiles utilized in military settings come equipped with advanced functionalities like health monitoring, GPS systems, sensors, and motion trackers.

Global Smart Textile Market Segmentation: By Region

• North America

• Europe

• Asia-Pacific

• South America

• Middle East & Africa

Based on the Region, North America occupied the highest market share of the Global Smart Textile Market in the year 2022. The popularity of fitness and sports industries, the utilization of smartphones with Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) for connecting sensors to the internet, the technological advancements and improvements, the augmenting demand from the healthcare industry, and the presence of a highly developed automotive industry that utilizes smart fabrics in various applications have contributed to the skyrocketing growth in this region.

Global Smart Textile Market Key Players:

1. DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (United States)

2. Jabil Inc. (United States)

3. Alphabet Inc. (United States)

4. AiQ Smart Clothing Inc. (Taiwan)

5. Sensoria, Inc. (United States)

6. Gentherm Incorporated (United States)

7. Interactive Wear AG (Germany)

8. Outlast Technologies, LLC (United States)

9. Adidas AG (Germany)

10. Carré Technologies Inc. (Canada)