Global Technical Textile Market to Reach 267 Billion Dollars
The textile industry, one of the oldest branches, reached a size of 1.8 trillion dollars in 2023 and is expected to grow to 3 trillion dollars by 2030. Within this vast market, technical textiles are the fastest-growing segment. The global technical textile market, which is attracting the attention of investors with its growth momentum expected to rise to 267 billion dollars by 2027.
Worldwide, the textile industry is shifting towards technical textiles, the fastest-growing segment within all textile applications. More than a third of the textile products consumed globally are technical textiles. It is estimated that technical textiles will grow twice as fast as textiles produced for apparel.
North America is the leading region in technical textile production, accounting for 30% of the global market share. Growth projections for Eastern Europe and Asia appear to be relatively higher than those of other regions. Additionally, the increase in automotive investments in Central and Eastern Europe is helping the technical textile industries in the U.S. and Western Europe to benefit from these investments.
Market Size Reaches 230 Billion Dollars
According to a report published by Allied Market Research, the global technical textile market, valued at 201.2 billion dollars in 2019, grew to 214 billion dollars in 2022 and reached approximately 213 billion dollars in 2023. The sector is projected to reach 267.1 billion dollars by 2027, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.1% from 2020 to 2027. The report indicates that the demand for geotextiles in emerging countries is accelerating the growth of the global technical textile market.
Global Exports Reach 116 Billion Dollars
In line with the inflationary pressures and economic contraction worldwide, global technical textile exports decreased by 5.6% in 2023, reaching a value of 116.642 billion dollars. With a 27.4% share in the technical textile product category, China remained the world’s largest exporter, but its exports decreased by 10.5% to 32 billion dollars in 2023.
When examining the global technical textile exports by product subgroups, the largest export category was nonwoven fabrics, with a 15.8% share. Exports of nonwoven fabrics decreased by 7.7% in 2023, amounting to 18.5 billion dollars. The second-largest category was plastic-impregnated, coated, or laminated fabrics, accounting for 12.2% of exports. Exports in this category decreased by 5.6%, totaling 14.3 billion dollars. The third-largest category was technical textile materials for ready-to-wear, with exports dropping by 11.8% to 13.3 billion dollars.
Imports Reach 109 Billion Dollars
As for global technical textile imports, they increased by 7.7% compared to the previous year, reaching 109.1 billion dollars. The United States holds the largest share of global technical textile imports, with 13.7%.
Turkey’s Exports Increased by 3.3%
Despite the global downturn in 2023, Turkish exports increased in the technical textile sector, where Turkey became the 14th-largest exporter with a 2% share. In 2024, Turkey’s technical textile exports totaled 2.264 billion dollars.
In terms of product groups, nonwoven fabrics accounted for 33.5% of Turkey’s total technical textile exports in 2024. Exports of nonwoven fabrics increased by 14.3%, amounting to 758 million dollars. The second most significant product group was bags and sacks for packaging, with a 14.6% share, and the third was batting and felts, with an 8.1% share.
The U.S. is the Largest Market
The U.S. was observed to be the largest market for Turkey’s technical textile exports. The U.S. accounted for 8.4% of Turkey’s total technical textile exports, which increased by 24.1% to 191 million dollars in 2024. Germany was the second-largest export destination, with a 7.9% share, and its technical textile imports from Turkey increased by 14.4% to 180 million dollars.
Italy ranked as the third-largest destination for Turkish technical textile exports, with a 7.1% share. Exports to Italy rose by 13.4%, reaching 162 million dollars in 2024. Exports to EU countries, which accounted for 47.9% of Turkey’s total technical textile exports, increased by 8.3% to 1 billion dollars in 2024.
The Largest Increase in Technical Textile Exports Was in Spain
Turkey’s exports to Spain saw the most significant increase of 31.7% among the top 10 countries, reaching 95 million dollars in 2024, accounting for 4.2% of Turkey’s total exports.
Future Trends in Technical Textiles
The growing demand for technical textiles in developing countries signals positive prospects for the future of the industry. Innovations in geotextiles and sustainable products are creating new opportunities in the market. The use of recyclable materials is increasing, and nonwoven products contribute to the sector’s sustainability-focused growth.
Furthermore, innovative methods for textile recycling are expected to create new opportunities in the coming years. The COVID-19 pandemic caused disruptions in the supply chain, creating barriers in the supply of raw materials for the chemical industry. The increased demand for protective equipment such as masks and other textiles also boosted demand for technical textiles. Although demand from the automotive industry decreased due to production shutdowns, sustainability and innovation remain key priorities for the sector. Many manufacturers are focusing on reducing their environmental impact by increasing the use of recyclable materials and extending the lifespan of their products, especially in nonwoven products.
