Technical and industrial textiles
Technical and industrial textiles relate both to kinds of products and to the application of textiles to particular uses. Examples of technical textiles products are high tenacity yarns, or special elastic or coated fabrics, all of which have high technology content. As far as industrial applications are concerned, textile-based articles can offer considerable performance advantages compared to other materials.
The sector of technical textile has experienced a spectacular increase during last years. Technical textiles consumption has increased worldwide by about 20% in volume, between 2000 and 2005. Cars and the transport industry, furniture, medical applications, clothing and construction are important users of technical and industrial textiles.
Given that innovation in new materials, processes and products is an inherent feature of this sub-sector, expenditure on research and development (R&D) is higher in this field than for 'conventional' textiles (reaching up to 8-10% of turnover, compared to the industrial average of 3-5%). In the development of fibres, yarns and fabrics, functional aspects - such as anti-bacterial, anti-static, UV protective, thermal, or biodegradable functions - are playing an increasingly important role. Performance requirements and technical specifications determine the success of a product. Usually, technical textiles are created in a close relationship between the producer and the consumer so as to ensure tailor-made solutions to specific user purposes.
Some fields of application for technical textiles
|
SECTOR |
EXAMPLES |
MARKETS |
|
Earthworks |
Linings, netting, insulation, artificial grass ("geotextiles") |
Construction companies for roads, water engineering, soil stabilisation, tunnels and other earthworks |
|
Construction |
Insulation and roofing materials ("building textiles") |
Building firms, architects |
|
Agriculture |
Sun protection for greenhouses, fishing nets ("agrotextiles") |
Farming, horticulture and fishing |
|
Transport |
Car mats and lining, airbags, fire resistant seat covers and carpets, safety belts |
Producers of cars, aeroplanes, boats |
|
Medical and healthcare |
Bandages, medical corsetry |
Hospitals, nursing homes, households |
|
Protection |
Safety nets, ribbons and tapes, fire resistant clothing |
Industry, public procurement, households |
|
Packaging |
Twine and cordage, sacks and bags, tarpaulins ("packing textiles") |
Industry, distribution, households |
|
Military and public services |
Fire service equipment, bullet-proof jackets, army tents, parachutes, extinguishing blankets, tubes |
Military/security, forestry, offshore oil industry |
|
Specialised clothing |
Sports, skiing and leisure |
Active sports, mountaineering, households |
|
Communications |
Optical fibres, image conductor cables |
Communication sector |
|
Industry |
Filters, drive and conveyer belts, abrasive belts |
Engineering, machinery, chemicals, plastics, mining, energy, etc. |
|
Furnishing |
Interlaid scrims, braiding, shower curtains, umbrellas, parasols, deck chairs, textile wall papers |
Decoration firms, households |