Antimicrobial Textiles Market

Market Overview

The global antimicrobial textiles market size was valued at USD 11.77 billion in 2021, envisioned to reach USD 21.30 billion growing at a CAGR of 7.7% during the forecast period. 

Pathogen-caused illnesses and diseases are prevented with antimicrobial agents. Antimicrobial textiles are substrates comprised of fibers on which antimicrobial chemicals have been applied. Antimicrobial textile refers to any material that protects from bacteria, mold, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms. Textiles with an antimicrobial coating prevent deterioration from bacteria, mold, and mildew. This results in longer-lasting products that provide consumers with value. To maintain hygiene standards in hospitals, clean rooms, and other facilities, stringent protocols, and the proper equipment are required. Hospital gowns, medical curtains, scrubs, linen, furniture, and tools depend on antimicrobial healthcare fabrics and textiles to provide clean, sanitary working environments. Antimicrobials boost the lifetime of treated textiles. 

A smaller overall carbon footprint can be achieved by reducing the rate at which things are sent to landfills and the demand for the production of new replacement items. Because antimicrobial textiles need to be washed fewer times, less water and detergent are wasted, which is another reason they are better for the environment. Growing consumer awareness of personal hygiene and the health hazards of microorganisms, rising demand for antimicrobial sportswear, and other factors contribute to the expansion of the market. However, there are concerns over the toxicity of specific antimicrobial agents to impart antimicrobial qualities to fabrics. In contrast, increased healthcare costs in emerging economies are anticipated to increase the demand for antimicrobial textiles.

Market Dynamics

Market Drivers

The Growing Consciousness Related to Health and Hygiene plus Demand for Antimicrobial Textiles in the Healthcare Industry

Consumers have a greater understanding of hygiene and well-being due to awareness initiatives and the rise in literacy rates. This has significantly increased the need for antimicrobial textiles. In addition, a shift in lifestyle and a rise in disposable income contributes to the antimicrobial textiles market's growth. In several developing nations, customers are less knowledgeable about antimicrobial textiles. However, after the advent of the pandemic, knowledge of antimicrobial textiles in developing economies such as India has increased. With the assistance of the government, customers in underdeveloped nations have been educated about antimicrobial textile goods. This provides a substantial aspect of the antimicrobial textiles market growth. 

Before the pandemic outbreak, there was a rise in the need for antimicrobial medical textiles. However, after the occurrence of noble coronavirus, there was a significant surge in demand for medical textiles, resulting in a gap between demand and supply. The rise in demand for antimicrobial textiles was driven primarily by healthcare professionals. Cross-infection or cross-contamination can occur when physicians or healthcare professionals come into touch with multiple viral agents. Medical textiles aid in the prevention of cross-contamination. The most prevalent use of antimicrobial textiles is in apparel such as gowns, masks, and others. In the upcoming years, the healthcare industry is anticipated to have a strong need for antimicrobial fabrics, thus boosting antimicrobial textiles market demand. 

Market Restraints

The Environmental and Health Concerns Pertaining the Use of Antimicrobial Agents on Textiles

In the finishing process of textiles, antimicrobial compounds are utilized, and their release during washing or cleaning can adversely affect living creatures and the environment. Silver-based antimicrobials and triclosan-based antimicrobials are used as a finishing treatment for antimicrobial textiles. Long-term exposure to high quantities of silver nanoparticles has been reported to cause argyria, a disorder in which the skin and other organs become bluish-gray in hue. The majority of silver nanoparticle-based commercial items enter the environment via drains. The cultivated plants may eat the pollutants in the sludge, forming food and feed components. As a result of the presence of chemicals that pollute the environment and threaten human health, the antimicrobial textiles industry faces obstacles such as regulatory concerns. The Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration oversee antimicrobial textile products.

Global Antimicrobial Textiles Market Opportunities

The Growing Healthcare Industry in Emerging Regions

Expanding the healthcare industry in developing regions like Asia-Pacific and LAMEA will increase the need for medical textiles in the coming years. More lavish spending by the government and corporate participants in the healthcare industry, favorable government policies for expanding the healthcare sector, population growth, and other factors all contribute to raising the healthcare industry in emerging regions. In the future, the need for high-quality antimicrobial textile goods is anticipated to expand in developing nations, such as India and China, where the textile industry is a significant contributor to GDP. This is expected to stimulate the antimicrobial textiles market share expansion in the Asia-Pacific region.

Regional Analysis

The region-wise segmentation of the global antimicrobial textiles market includes North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and LAMEA.

North America and Europe Will Dominate the Regional Market

North America will command the market with the largest share while growing at a CAGR of 7.4%. Among the factors leading to the expansion of the antimicrobial textiles market in North America are an established healthcare sector, the military, and an increased hygiene consciousness. In addition, wound dressings containing silver nanoparticles are utilized due to their antibacterial qualities. This tendency is anticipated to continue throughout the coming years, as North America is one of the leading players in the wound dressings market. This results from an increase in the frequency of chronic wounds, a rise in the senior population, a rise in healthcare expenditures, and the presence of significant market participants. Moreover, expanding the healthcare industry in Mexico is anticipated to generate profitable prospects during the forecast period.

Europe will hold a share of USD 7,018 million, growing at a CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period. One of the primary contributors to the expansion of the antimicrobial textiles industry in Europe is the existence of significant textile industries in Italy and Spain. Since the pandemic's start, the demand for antimicrobial medical textiles in nations such as the United Kingdom, Italy, and Spain has increased. In addition, the wound dressing is one of the most prevalent applications of antimicrobial medical cloth. Coloplast, Molnlycke Health Care AB, 3M, and others are among the leading players in the European wound care market.

Segmental Analysis

The global antimicrobial textiles market is classified based on fabric, active agent, application, and region. 

On the Basis of Fabric

Based on fabric, the fragments include Polyester, Polyamide, Cotton, and Others.

The cotton segment is projected to advance at a CAGR of 7.6% and hold the largest market share. Cotton is utilized in various medical applications, including the cleansing and dressing of wounds and surgical aprons. Cotton is grown in the most amount in India, making it the world's leading producer. Cotton is utilized for various purposes, including the production of garments, household textiles, and medical textiles, amongst others. It is widely used in the apparel industry because it is long-lasting, comfortable to wear, and effective at controlling moisture. On the other hand, cotton production has been negatively impacted recently by the persistently shifting weather.

The polyester segment will hold the second-largest share. Polyester is predominantly employed in applications like clothing, home textiles, medical textiles, and others. Due to the features of polyester, which include good elasticity, excellent durability, fast-drying, lightweight, and strong resistance to wrinkles, apparel is one of the most important uses. Due to the development of commercial and residential buildings in growing economies such as India and China, home furnishing and flooring operations have advanced significantly. This is projected to boost the antimicrobial textiles market expansion.

On the Basis of Active Agents

Based on active agents, the fragments include Metal & Metallic Salts, Synthetic Organic Compounds, and Biobased Agents.

The synthetic organic compounds segment is projected to advance at a CAGR of 7.8% and hold the largest market share. As antibacterial agents, poly hexamethylene biguanide (PHMB), quaternary ammonium compounds, and triclosan are synthetic organic molecules. Triclosan is an odorless chlorinated synthetic bisphenol. In addition to being effective towards gram-positive and gram-negative microorganisms, it is also antifungal and antiviral. This segment's rise can be attributable to its uses in all textiles industries, from garments to home textiles. However, research and development efforts to replace harmful synthetic molecules with less toxic or bio-based substances are increasing. This is anticipated to impede the segment's expansion for synthetic organic compounds throughout the forecast period.

The biobased agents segment will hold the second-largest share. Bio-based agents are antibacterial chemicals derived from plants and herbs that prevent the growth of microorganisms on textiles. In addition to these molecules, naturally protective peptides and amino acids in all living organisms are also regarded as reliable for antimicrobial textile applications. The primary benefit of using bio-based materials as antimicrobial agents is that they do not demonstrate the adverse effects of toxicity and pollution that synthetic chemicals do. In addition to these benefits, bio-based agents are readily accessible and safe.

On the Basis of Application

Based on application, the fragments include Medical Textiles, Home Textiles, Apparel, and Others.

The medical textiles segment is projected to advance at a CAGR of 8.1% and hold the largest market share. Antimicrobial medical textiles include surgical supplies, wipes, antimicrobial dressings, clothing, sheets, and blankets. Since healthcare personnel is exposed to hazardous bacteria, antimicrobial fabrics dominate the medical textile market. Antimicrobial fabrics are widely utilized in clothing. Using antimicrobial textiles in medical textiles safeguards healthcare personnel from Hospital Acquired Infections (HAIs). In addition, the adoption of optimal hygiene practices by healthcare personnel in response to the pandemic has increased the demand for medical textiles, boosting the growth of the antimicrobials textiles market.

The apparel segment will hold the second-largest share. Antimicrobial garments include jackets, sportswear, workwear, and fleeces. The demand for antimicrobial clothing is anticipated to generate significant revenue in the coming years. This is due to several causes, including the rise of technological advancement in the apparel sector and increased consumer awareness. Antimicrobial sports apparel offers a variety of benefits, including odor management, protection against skin irritation and rashes, and others, which are projected to drive the demand for antimicrobial sports apparel in the future years.

Recent Developments

• In 2022, Van Heusen, a dressing brand from Aditya Birla Group, launched new activewear, "Flex." 
• In 2022, Aditya Birla Group announced the launch of a new 'House of Brands' entity- TMRW.