Antimicrobial Textile Chemicals Global Analysis 2016 to 2026

Textiles, with a large surface area such as carpets, apparels etc, under certain temperature and moisture conditions become vulnerable for microorganism growth. These microorganisms are not only harmful to human beings, causing various infections and diseases; but also lead to undesirable effects on textiles such as discoloration, odour and reduced strength of a material, according to a report by Persistence Market Research.

Antimicrobial chemicals help to control the growth of microorganisms in textiles as well as maintain their physical strength. Use of antimicrobial chemicals in textiles have been known from long times, but recent research and development have brought superior antimicrobial chemicals in the market which can be used easily with high effectiveness in all application sectors, including, indoor, outdoor, apparels, technical, and industrial textiles.

Antimicrobial chemicals are used in textiles in two different stages, ie during the spinning and the finishing of textile process. In order to decrease health risks associated with infections from microorganisms, textile manufacturers are increasingly using antimicrobial chemicals in their products.

Owing to superior physical and biological characteristics that antimicrobial chemicals impart, textile manufacturers are also found to have been using them as their marketing strategy and the market for these chemicals in the textile industry is expected to increase at a significantly high CAGR over the forecast period (2016-2026).

Market Dynamics

Hygienic textile materials, as a result of growing health awareness, are gaining popularity among consumers across the globe. Besides, consumption of antimicrobial textile in the wound care market is also increasing. In apparels such as socks, innerwear etc, consumer preference for premium products with good antimicrobial properties is also developing, with high disposable income, population growth and lifestyle changes being the key macroeconomic factors supporting the growth.

The per capita consumption of natural and synthetic fibre has significantly increased and only a small fraction of textiles contain antimicrobial properties. Therefore, huge potential for antimicrobial chemicals’ market growth exists which can be capitalised by manufacturers.

A growing number of health awareness programmes, development of hospitals and surgical labs create a substantial platform for use of antimicrobial textiles. Recently developed smart textiles, used for health monitoring also utilises hygienic and bacteria free textile materials. Increasing consumption of smart textile materials is further expected to push the demand for antimicrobial textile chemicals over the coming decade.

Although textile chemicals have several advantages associated with them, however, striking out a balance between their efficacy and potential hazardous effects, remains a key challenge for manufacturers. In order to avoid such harmful effects and legal challenges associated with the conventional antimicrobial textile chemicals, organic and plant-based chemicals are emerging as their alternatives in the market.

Long lasting properties of antimicrobial chemicals in textiles remain another concern for manufacturers. Special focus is given to maintain their chemical properties for over a long time when exposed to varying outdoor and environmental conditions.

Market Segmentation

Global antimicrobial textile chemicals market can be segmented on the basis of source, product type, application, and region.

Source

Natural

Synthetic

Product Type

Quaternary Ammonium Compounds

Triclosan

Metallic salts

Polybiguanides

Chitosan

Natural Polymers

Others

Application

Apparels

Outdoor

Industrial

Home Furnishing

Key Players

Some of the key players identified across the value chain of global antimicrobial textile chemicals Market include Goulston Technologies Inc, Microban International Ltd, Thomson Research Associates, Centro Chino Co Ltd, H & R Johnson (India), Dow Microbial Control (The Dow Chemical Company) etc