1

Technical textiles market

-
an overview
Consultant
Chris Byrne, Principal
Peter's Square, Manchester M1 5AQ. UK
David Rigby Associates, Peter House, St

1.1 Introduction
the use of fibres,
Although 'technical' textiles have attracted considerable attention,
other than clothing and furnishing
is not. new
yarns and fabrics for applications
of modern artificial fbres
phenomenon. Nor is it exclusively linked to the emergence
sisal have been used for
and textiles. Natural fibres such as cotton, flax, jute and
tents and tarpaulins to
centuries (and still are used) in applications ranging from
There is evidence of woven fabrics and meshes being
ropes, sailcloth and sacking.
used in Roman times and before to stabilise marshy ground
for road building- early

examples of what would now be termed geotextiles and geogrids.

What is relatively new is a growing recognition of the economic and strategic
and processing indus
potential of such textiles to the fibre aud fabric manufacturing
tries of industrial and industrialising countries alike. In some of the most developed
account for as much as 50%
markets, technical products (broadly defined) already
technical textiles supply chain
of all textile manufacturing activity und output. The
is a long and complex one, strelching from the manufacturers of polymers for tech
to the converters and fabri
nical fibres, coating and speciality membranes through
cators who incorporate technical textiles into
finished products or use them as an
and importance of
essential part of their industrial operations. The economic scope
technical textiles extends far beyond the textile industry itself and has an impact
upon just about every sphere of human economic and social activity.
And yet this dynamic sector of the textile industry has not proved entirely
and
immune to the effects of economic recession, of product and market maturity,
traditional
of growing global competition which are all too well known in the more
and furnishings. There are uo easy paths to success and
manu-
sectors of clothing
facturers and converters still face the chailenge of making economic returns com-

mensurate with the risks involved in operating in new and complex markets. If
anything, the constant need to develop fresh products and applications, invest in
new processes and equipment} and market to an increasingly diverse range of
demanding and costly than ever.
customers, is more
2 Handbook of technical textiles

Technical textiles has never been a single coherent industry sector and marke
and levels
segment. It is developing in many different directions with varying speeds
of success. There is contînualt erosíon of the barriers between traditional definitions

of textiles and other 'nexible engineering' materials such as paper and plastics,films
and membranes, metals, glass and ceramics. What most participants have in common
are many of the basic textile skills of manipulating fibres, fabrics and finishing
in
techniques well as an understanding of how all these interact and perform
as
different combinations and environnients. Beyond that, much of the technology and

expertise associated with the resides in an understanding of the needs and

industry
that the
dynamics of many very different end-use and market sectors. It is here
new

dividing lines within the industry are émerging

An appreciation of the development and potential of technical textile markets
therefore starts with some clarification of the evolving terminology and definitions
of 3cope of the indu_try and its markets. This chapter goes on to consider some of
the factors technical, commercial and global - which are driving the industry

forward.
It also considers how the emergence of new geographical nmarkets in China and
other rapidly industrialising regions of the world looks set to be one of the major
infiuences on the and location of technical textiles hanufacturing in the first
growth
10 years of the 21st cêntury.

1.2 Definition and scope of technical textiles

The definition of technical textiles adopted the authoritative Textile Terms and
by
Definitiors, published by the Textile Institute', is 'textile materials and products
manufactured primarily for their technical and performance properties rather than
their aesthetic or decorative characteristics'
Such a brief description clearly leaves considerable scope for' interpretation,
especially when an increasing number of txtile products are combining both per-
formance and decorative properties and fuactions in equal measure. Examples are
flame retardant furnishings and "breathable' leisurevear. Indeed, no two published
the
sources, industry bodies or statistical organisations ever seem to adopt precisely
and categorising specific products and
same approach when it comes to describing
applications as technical textiles
It is perhaps not surprising that any altempt to define too closely and too rigidly
the scope and content of technical textiles and their markets is doomed to failure.
In what is one of the most dynamic and broad ranging areas of modern textiles,
and applications are all changing too rapidly to define
materials, processes, products
and document. There are even important linguistic and cultural perceptions of what
constitutes a technical textile from geographical region to region in what is now a
global industry and marketplace.

1.2.1 echnical or industrial textiles:what's. n a name?

For many years, the term'indust:ial textiles' was widely used to encompass all textile
household and furnishing end-uses.
products other than those intended for apparel, the USA than in Europe and
it is a description still more widely favoured in .
elscwhere (see, for example, thc Wellingtoh Sears Handbook of Industrial Textiles).?
 Technical textiles market an overview 3

This usage has seemed increasingly inappropriate in the face of developing appli
cations of textiles for medical, hygiene, sporting, transportation, construction, agri-
cultural and many other clearly non-industrial purposes. Industrial textiles are now
more often viewed as a subgroup of a wider category of technical textiles, referring
specifically to those textile products used in the course of manufacturing operations
(such as filters, machine clothing, conveyor belts, abrasive substrates etc.) or which
are incorporated into other industrial products (such as electrical components and
cables, flexible seals and diaphragms, or acoustic and thermal insulation for domes-
tic and industrial appliances).
If this revised definition of industrial textiles is still far from satisfactory, then the
problems of finding a coherent and universally acceptable description and classifi
cation of the scope of lechnical textiles are even grcater. Several schemes have been
proposed. For example, the icading inlernational trade cxhibition for technical
textiles, Techtextil (organised biennially sinee the late 1980s by Messe Frankfurt
in Germany and also in Osaka, Japan), delines 12 main application areas (of which
textiles for industrial applications represent only one group):
agrotech: agriculture, aquaculture, horticulture and forestry
buildtech: building and construction
clothtech: technical components of footwcar and clothing
geotech: geotextiles and civil engineering
hometech: lechnical componenis ot furniture, household textiles and
loorcoverings
indutech: fltration, conveying, cleaning and other industrial uses
medtech: hygiene and medicai
mobiltech: automobiles, shipping, railways and aerospace
ockotech: environmental protection
packtech: packaging
protech: personal and property protection
sporttech: spórt and leisure.

The search for an all embracing term to describe these. textiles is not confned to
the words 'technical' and 'industrial'. Terms such as performance textiles, functional
textiles, engineered textiles and high-tech textiles ares also all used in various
contexts, sometimes with a relatively specific meaning (performance textiles are

frequently used to describe the fabrics used

in activity clothing), but more often
with little or no precise significance.

1.2.2 Operating at the bounduries of textiles

If the adjective 'technical' is difficult to define with any precision, then so too is the
scope of the term textiles. Figure 1.1 summarises the principal materials, processes
the scope of technical
and products which are commoiuly regarded as falling within
textilesmanufacturing.
However, there remain many grey areas. For example, the manufacture and pro
woven or knitted screens and
cessing of metallic wires into products such as cables,
within
meshes, and reinforcing carcasses for tyres are not generally regarded lying
as
the scope of the textile industry. This is despite the fact that many of the techniques
are closely related to conventionul textile
employed and the final products obtained
fibre equivalents.
2
4 Handbook of technical textiles

Minerals Natural Fibres

Wood Cofton, woo
ass Regenerated Fibres
Metals Ceramics Synthetic Polymers jute, sisal etc

MATERIALS| Steel Asbestos PES. PA, PAN, PP elc

FILAMENT
Hayon. ACelate Silk (fl) sik (staple)

STAPLE

Wire| Monofilarnent| Tape|| Multitilamant Tow Cutting Opening

flm

Fibrillation Spunbond|Meltblown Carding. LSliver

air layin9 Roving
Texturing Nonwoven bonding Spinning
Wet laying9 Ring
PROCESSES Twisling Thermal Rotor
Chemical Friclion
Ne2dlepunching Core
Spunlacin wrap
Stitchbonding

Knoting| Braiding Weaving Krnitting

Laying Narrow Broad
Warp Weft
Plalting
| Bralding amin:
Coaling. Laminating

Technical Fabrics
Wadding9s
Thread Fibrefi
PRODUCTS Rope, Cord Net
polyester, PA
=
polyamide.
Technical textile materials, processes
and products. PES =

11 PAN = polyacrylonitrile.

and wound
knitted, braided, nonwoven

Within thecomposites industry, woven, materials

carbon fibre and organic polymer
reinforcements made from glass,
yarn as being technical
textile products. On
widely accepted
such as ar amids are all now
materials such as chopped
structured reinforcing
the other hand, m o r e loosely are often
excluded.
milled glass and pulped organic fibres
strand mat,
from scveral different technology
The nonwovens industry has developed definition of a nonwoven
The current
manufacturing.
directions, including paper International Standards Organization standard
promulgated, for example, under the wet-laid products
number of borderline areas, including
ISO 9092 acknowledges a
fibres and fil-
Likewise, distinctions between textile
and extruded meshes and
nets.
inevitably boil
monofilaments and extruded plastics
fibrillated films, width is often used
aments, slit or
artificial criteria. Dianmeter
or

down to some fairly arbitrary and used or the

end-uses
characteristic, irrespective of the technologies
as the defining embodied within existing
industry
definitions and categories
served. Many of the sectors rather
than a
divisions of the main manufacturing
reflect historical
statistics involved.
view of the products
or market-based
functional and nets are other
materials and extruded grids
composite
Polymer membranes, traditional notions of the scope of technical textile
ma-

to find their
products which challenge Increasingly, technical textiies are likely
and products. engineering materials'
terials, processes and market for "flexible
broader industry this outlook
place within a and groups have already adopted
number of companies sectors, focusing
a range
(Fig. 1.2). A the boundaries of traditional industry
across
and operate
 Technical textiles market - an overview S

HIGH
TEMPERATURE
MATERIALS

Metals Glass
foils ceramics

SHEET Technical Plastics.

aper,
MATERIALS
pulp textiles toams. rubbers

Membranes. 30
films
Composites POLYMERIC
MATERIALS

1.2 Scope of Dexible engineering materials.

specific functions
of materials, process technologies and product capabilities upon
and markets such as filtration and health care.

1.2.3 Inconsistent statistical revorting

tend to
To add to complexity, different geographical regions and countries
this
and definitions with regard to all of the above. A
adopt rather different viewpoints
techtnical textiles in Japan account for over 40%
widely quoted misconcepticn thiat the level in Western Europe can largely be put
of all textile output or nearly twice
In Europe, the most authoritative
down to the different statistical bases employed.
therefore textile output) data is CIRES (Comité
source of fibre consumption (and
the European artisicial
International de la Rayonne et desEihres Synthétiques),
bre prOducers association. However, CIRFS"_reported statistics
(at least_until
proportion
recently) have speciically excluded tape and hlm_yarns(a signiicant
all glass products (as well
of all' polyolfn textiles), coarser monofilanments and and EATP the
ás natüral fAbres such as jute, flax, sisal, etc.). The merger of CIRFS
way towards resolving
Europan Polyolelfin Textiles Association, shOuld go some
this anomaly. Association, ICFA, at the
other
'Chemical Fibres Manufacturers
The apanese natural hbres, within its definition
of
extreme, includes all these products, including
Statistics Bureau in the USA includes
technical/industrial textiles while the Fiber
excludes glass. Table 1.1 attempts to
polyoletin tape and monofilament yarns but
on a more consis-
main technical ibres and yarns
restate the relative usage of the
tent basis. worldwide in terms of
retains a leading position
In this n e w light, Japan still technical
output devoted to
the 'proportion of its total textile manufacturing of its automotive
a reflection of the importance
textiles However, this is largely combined with the rela
user of technical textiles)
manufacturing industry (a key floor
size of its apparel and furnishing textile sectors (especially
tively smaller accounts for the lowest proportion
of technical
coverings). 1he USA apparently
6 Handbook of technical textiles

Table 1.1 Comparative levels of technical fibre mill consumption, 1995

% Tola! fibre consumptior + kg per capita

Textile fibre, PP tape and Textile fibre, PP tape,
Textile fibres only
monoilaments niononlanents and glass

W Europe 21% 28% 34%

2.8kg 4.2kg 5.6kg
USA 18% 22% 30%
4.9kg 6.4kg 9.7kg
Japan 30% 35% 41

3.3kg 43 kg 5.5 kg

Source: CIRFS, Fiber Organon, JCFA and David Rigby Associates estimates.
PP = polypropylene.

textile output of the three major industrial regions but still produces and consumes
the largest quantity per capita, especialiy vwhen all glass textile and technical ibre

uses are included.

1.3 Milestones in the development of technical textiles

of technical and industrial applications for textiles can
Although the development milestones have marked the
be traced back many years, a number of more recent

emergence of technical
textiles as we know them today. Very largely, these have
centred upon new materials, new processes and new applications.

natural fibres
Developments in fibre materials
-

13.1
the major fibres available for technical and indus
Until early ir the 20th century, and sisal.
various coarser vegetable fibres such as flax, jute
trial use were cotton and and
typically used to manufacture heavy canvas-type products, ropes
They were
limited resistance to
twines, and were characterised by relatively heavy weight,
wcll as poor Name retardancy.
water and microbial/fungnl attack as

Some of the present day regional patterns of technical textiles manufacturing

on the east coast of
Scotland
were established even then, for exanmplc Dundee, well as being
of an inmportant lax growing area as
and located at the centre (then) be used to lubrica:te
Following the discovery that whale oil could
a whaling port. available from the
coarse jute fibres then becoming
the spinning of the relatively furniture and carpet
fabric were widely used for sacking,
Indian subcontinent, jute host of other applications.
linoleum looring, twine and a
manufacturing, roofing felts, from a peak at around
1900
was to decline dramatically
its
Although industry
jute
as well as from cheaper imports, Dundee
from other materials
owing to competition for development of
become a nucleus
and the surrounding industry subsequentiy available polymer
industry in the 1960s. The then newly
the UK polypropylene technical substitute for the
natural product but was
be an ideal
proved not only to
in terms of its supply and price.
also muçh more consistent substituted throughout the
for sisal weresimilarly rapidly
Traditional end-uses and America.
twine and net making centres of Europe
established rope,
Medical and 11 S60 4.5
hygiene
Home textiles,
textiles
domestic 1380 1650 3.6
1800 7820 9530 4.0
2260
cquipment 4.7 7780 9680 4.5
Clothing components (thread, 730 820 2.3
interlinings) 6800 7640 2.4
Agriculture, horticulture and 900 1020 2.5
fishing 4 260 4940 3.0
Construction -

building and 1030 1270 4.3

roofing 3390 4320 .0
Packaging and containment 530 660 4.5 2320 2920
Sport and leisure (excluding 310 390 A.7 2030
4.7
apparel) 2510 4.3
Geotextiles, civil engineering 400 570 7.3 1 860
Protective and safety clotlhing 2660 7.4
60 220 6.6
and textiles 1640 2230 6.3
Total above 11340 13 680 3.9 60270 72360 3.7
Ecological protection textiles 230 310 6.2 1270 1610 4.9
Source: David Rigby Associates/'Techtextil.
Already counted in several categories above.

than in
volume as technical textiles become increasingly soplhisticated and employ
more specialised and higher value raw materials. On the other hand, the total value
of yarns and fibres and of all technical textile products will grow slightly less fast
than their volune because of a changing mix of materials and technologies, espe
cially reflecting the growth of nonwovens.

1.5 Applications
The same study identified size and growth trends in each major applicatiou area for
technical textiles, as defined by the organisers of Techtextil. The results are presented
in Table 1.3.
Ecological textiles were identified as a separate and potentially important growth
segment but are not consolidated in the total consumption figure because they have
already been counted under headings such as industrial textiles (filtration media,
oil spill protection and absorption) and geotextiles (geomenmbrane liners for toxie
waste pits, erosion protection textiles, ete.).
Some selected examples of these broad trends which illustrate key aspects of the
developmen' and use of technical textiles are discussed in further detaii below.
12 Handbook of technical textiles

1.5.1 Transport textiles

Transport applications (cars, lorries, buses, trains, shis and aerospace) represent the
largest single end-use area for technica! textiles, aczounting for some 20% of the
total. Products range from carpeting and seating (regarded as technical rather than

furnishing textiles because of the very stringent performance characteristics which

belts and air
they must fuiil), through tyre, belt and hose reinforcement, safety
civil and military aircraft
bags, to composite reinforcements for automotive bodies,
other uses.
bodies, wings and engine components, and many
rates in these applications appear
to be
The fact that volume and value growth
needs to be interpreted with caution.
amongst the lowest of any application area ot all transport
The automotive industry (which accounts for a high proportion
rates in new
in market terms. Growth
textiles) is certainly one of the most mature
materials will continue to outstrip the
end-uses Such as air bags and composite
to come. However, total
above averages by a considerable margin for many years
victim ol ils Increasing
Own success.
technical usage is, in many ways, a
textile
textile materials has led to the
uses of
sophistication in the specifications and
woven and knitted
adoption of lighter, stronger, more precisely engineered yarns,
fabrics and nonwo:ens in place of established materials. The decreasing weight per
mocdern radial constructions is one cxampie of
tyre of textile reinlorcing cord in
this. Interior textiles in cars are also making use of lighter weight and lower cost
nonwovens.
Modern textiles also last longer. Hoses and belts which used to use substantial
quantities of textile reinforcements are now capable of lasting the lifetime of a vehi
cle, removing much of the large and continuing 'after-market for textile products.
1The automotive industry has led the world in the introduction of tightly organ-
ised supply chain structures and textiles are no exception. Technical textile produc-
ers have had to learn the language and practice of precision engineering, just-in-time
supply relationships and total quality management. The ideas and systems devel-
oped to serve the automotive industry have gradually filtered through to other
markets and have had a profound effect in many different areas. Meanwhile, the
major automotive companies have become increasingly global players in a highly
competitive market and have demanded of their suppliers that they follow suit. The
supply of textiles to this market is already dominated by a relatively few large com
panies in each product area. Worldwide manufacturing capabilities and strategic
are essential to survival and many smaller players without
these
relationships
resources have already exited from the market. Recessionary cycles in automotive
markets as well as in military and civil aerospace àpplicatiors have deall some
and
severe blows and only those companies with the long term commitment
market also
are likely to benefit from the better times that the
strength to survive
periodically enjoys.

1.5.2 Industrial products and components

2005 or shortly thereafter
Set rival transport textiles for first place by the year
to
is the diverse field of "industrial' tex
in volume terms, although not yet in value) includes textiles used directly in industrial
tiles. As now more precisely defined, this belts and
or incorporated into industrial products such as Alters, conveyor
processes circuit doards, seals and gaskets,
abrasive belts, as well as reinforcements for printed
and other industrial equipment.
 Technical textiles market a n overview 13

Use of nonwovens already considerably outweighs that of woven and other

fabric types here; consumption in 2000 is estimated at 700000 tonnes and a little
over 400000 tonnes, respectively. However, both are surpassed by the use of
technical ibres and textiles for composite reinforcement, over 740 000 tonnes in
2000.
Growth rates are generally well above average in most areas. Because of the uni-
versal nature of many industrial requirements, some large companies have emerged
with worldwide manufacturing and distribution to dominate markets for industrial
textile products. They include companies such as Scapa (UK) and Albany (US).
leaders in papermaking felts and related product areas, Millken (USA) in textiles
or rubber reinforcement and other industrial applications and BWF (Germany) in
filtration.

1.5.3 Medical and hygiene textiles

The that medical and
tact hygiene textiles are expected to show below average
growth in volume but above
average growth in value reflects the contrasting
prospects of at least lwo main arcas of the market.
The largest use of textiles is for
hygiene applications such as wipes, babies'
diapers (nappics) and adult
sanitary and incontinence products. With the
exception of the last of these, all are relatively mature markets whose possible
volume
growth has. peaked. Manufacturers and converters now seek to develop them
further by adding value to increasingly
sophisticated products. Nonwovens domi-
nate these applications which account for over 23% of all nonwoven
use, the largest
proportion of any of the 12 major markets ior technical textiles.
Concern has been expressed at the growth of disposable prorlucts and the burden
which they place upon landfill and other waste disposal methods. Attempts have
been made to develop and intrøduce more efficient biodegradable tibres for such
end-uses but costs remain high. Meanwhile, the fastest areas of growth are in devel-
oping and newly industrialised markets where product penetration is still relatively
low; Asia is a particular target for many of the big name brand manufacturers who
operate in this area.
The other side of the medical and hygiene market is a rather simaller but higher
value market for medical and surgical products such as operating gowns and drapes,
sterilisation packs, dressings,sutures and ortinopaedic pads. At the highest value end
of this segment are relatively tihy volumes of extrenmely sophisticated textiles for
uses such as artificial ligaments. veins and axteries, skin replacement, hollow fibres
for dialysis machines and so o. Growth prospects in these areas are potentially
considerable although the proving and widespread introduction of new life-critical
products takes time.

1.5.4 Home textiles

By far the largest area of use for other textiles as defined above, that is other than
fabrics, nonwovens and composite reinforcements, over 35% of the total weight
of ibres and textiles in that category, lies in the field of household textiles and
furnishing and especially in the use of loose fibres in wadding and ibreill applica
tions. Hollow fibres with excellentinsulating properties are widely used in bedd
and sleeping bags. Other types of fibre are increasingly being used to replace foams
 14 Handbook of technical textiles

in furniture because of concern over the fire and health h a1arda prarr: 'y t

materials.
Woven fabrics are still used to a significant extent as carpet and 1tt .fe yad
ings and in some smaller, more specialised areas such as curtait .earet taa
However, nonwovens such as spunbondeds have mace significan! inrres inu, e
larger markets while various drylaid and hydroentangied products are ww weiy
used in household cleaning applications in place of iraditional mops and duster

1.5.5 Clothing components

This category includes fibres,yarns and textiles used as technical couponents : the
manufacture nf clothing such as sewing threads, interlinings, waddinzs ad ssula
tion;it does not include the mair outer and linirg iabrics of garment, at ors
cover protective clothing which is discussed later.
Although the world's consumption of clothing and theretore of these types
technical textile continues to increase steadily. the major problem faced y sta
lished manufacturers is the relocation of garment manufacturing to kowe: zs
countries and therefore the need to develop extended supply lines zd marirn
channels to these areas, usually in the face of growing local compeiti.
As for home textile applications, this is a major market for fibrefili procu Some
of the latest and most sophisticated developments have seen the incorporatios
c
temperature phase change materials into such insulation products to prSE
additional degree of control and resistance to sudden exiremes of temperatre. De
they hot or cold.

1.5.6 Agriculture, horticulture and fishing

Textiles have always been used extensively in the course of food
prouction.
notably by the fishing industry in the form of nets, ropes and lines bui aiso mos
culture and horticulture for a vanety of by gri-
covering, protection
and containmet
pi
cations. A!though future volume growth rates be
is parly due to the
appear to relatively modest. ths
replacement of heavier weight traditional textiles. induding jute
and sisal sacking and twine,
by lighter, longer lasting synthetic substitutes, especa
polypropylene.
However, modern materials are also opening up new
spunbonded fleeces are aow used for shading, thermal insulatio applications Lgwgi
and weed su-
pression. Heavier nonwoven, kailted and woven
wind and hail protection. constructions are empioyes ior
Fibrillated and extruder nets are
baler twine for
wrapping modern circular bales Capillary noawoven replacing radtiona
in
horticulture to distribute moisture to maiting
incorporated into such growing plants Seeds thensehes an be
The bulk storage and matting along with any necessary nutrients and
transport of fertiliser and psiades
undertaken using woven agriultural products
polypropylene FIBCs (ffexible intermediate buk is
TL
ers- big bags) in
place of jute, paper or contact
Agriculture is also an plastic sacks
as
geotextiles for drainageimportant
and land
user of
products from cther end-use seciors sach
who have to handle reclamation,
sprays and hazardous protective clothing sor
and lorries
conveyor cquipmeni, epicpees
struction of silos, tanks ana hoses ñiters and compositetransport texnes ior tatoes
belts,
piping Teiníorcements in the oom-
 Technical textiles narket -
an overview 15

At sea, fish
farming is a
growing industry which uses specialised netting and other
textile products. High performance fibres such as HMPE (e.g.
Dyneema and
Spectra) are finding their way into the fishing industry for the manufacture of
lightweight, ultra-strong lines and nets.

1.5.7 Construction building and

roofing
-

Textiles are employed in many ways

in the construction of buildings, both perma-
nent and temporary, dams, bridges, tunnels and roads. A closely related but distinct
area of use is in geotextiles by the
engineering sector.
civil
Temporary structures such asjtents, marquees and awnings are some of the most
obvious and visible applications of textiles. Where these used to he exclusively made
from proofed heavy cotton, a vtiety of lighter, stronger, rot-,sunlight-and weath
erproof (also often fireproof) synthetic n.aterials are now increasingly required. A
relatively new category of 'archiiectural membrane' is coming to prominence in the
construction of semipermanent structures such as sports stadia, exhibition centres
(e.g. the Greenwich Millenium Dome) and other modern buildings.
Nonwoven glass and polyester fabtics are already widely used in roofingappli
cations while other textiles are used as breathable membranes to prevent moisture
penetration of walls. Fibres and textiles also have a major role to play in building
and equipment insulation. Glass fibres are almost universally used in place of
asbestos now. Modern metal-clad roofs and buildings can be lined with special
nonwovens to prevent moisture condensation and dripping.
Double wall spacer fabrics can be filled with suitable materials to provide sound
and thermal insulation or serve as lightweight cores for composite materials.
Composites generally have a bright future in building and construction. Existing
include wall panels, septic tanks and
applications of glass-reinforced materials
and acrylic fibres and textiles are all used to
sanitary fittings. Glass, polypropylene other
prevent cracking of concrete, plaster
and building materials. More innovative
made of glass in bridge construction. In Japan, carbon
fibre is
use is now being
interest as a reinforcement for earthquake-prone build-
possible
attracting a lot of
is still an important constraint upon its more widespread use.
ings although price them-
Textiles arewidely employed in the course of coiistruction operations
also
and tensioning ropes and flexible
selves, in uses as diverse as safety netting, lifting
shuttering for curing concrete.
construction are alnost limitless. The difficulties
The potential uses for textiles in
market include the strongly cyclical nature
for textile manufacturers operating in this
of the construction industry and the uneveuness of major projects, the long testing

and acceptance and, perhaps above al, the task of communicating these
procedures
developments.to a diverse and highly fragmented group of ky specifiers, including
architects, construction engineers and regulatory bodies. The construction require
different
ments, practices and standards of just about every country and region are
and it has, so far, proved very difficult for any acknowledged global leaders to emerge
in this market as they have, for example, in industrial and automotive textiles.

1.5.8 Packuging and containment

Important uses of textiles include the manufacturing of bags and sacks, tradition-
ally from cotton, fax and jule but increasingly from polypropylene. The strength
16 Handbook of technical textiles

and reguiarity of this synthetic material, combined with modern materials handling
techniques, has allowed the introduction of FIBCs for the more efficient handling.
storage and distribution of a variety of powdered and granular materials ranging
from fertiliser, sand, cement, sugar and flour to dyestuffs. Big bags' with typical car
rying capacities from one half to 2 tonnes can be fitted with special liners, carrying
these containers in
straps and filling/discharge arrangements. The ability to re-use

and sacks is another pow-

many applications in place of disposable 'one-trip' bags
erful argument for their wider use.
An even taster growing segment of the packaging market uses lighter weight
nonwovens and knitted structures for a variety of wrapping and protection

Tea and coffee bags use wet-laid non-

applications, especially in the food industry.
wovens. Me2ts, vegetables and fruits are now frequently
packed with a n o n w o v e n
are supplied in knitted
insert to absorb liquids. Other fruits and vegetable products
net packaging. materials
n o n w o v e n paper-like
Strong, lightweight spunbonded and equivalent
whilc adhesive tapes, often reinforced
are particularly useful for courier envelopes
used in place of traditional twine.
with fibres, yarns and fabrics, are increasingly
Woven strappings are less dangerous to cut than the metal bands and wires tradi

tionally used with densely packed bales.

use ol textiles in this area is increas-
A powerful driver of the development and
and recycling of packaging
ing environmental concern over the disposability
materials. Legislation across the European Union, implemented especially vigor
manufacturers and
ously in countries such as Germany, is now forcing many
distributors of products to rethink their pack aging practices fundamentally.

1.5.9 Sport and leisure

Even excluding the very considerable use of textiles in performance clothing and
footwear, there are plenty of opportunities for the use of technical textiles through-
out the sports and leisure market. Applications are diverse and range from artificial
turf used in sports surfaces through to advanced carbon fibre composites for racquet
frames, fishing rods, golf clubs and cycle frames. Other highly visible uses are balloon
fabrics, parachute and paraglider fabrics and sailcloth.
Growth rates are well above average and unit values are often very high. The
sports sector is receptive to innovation and developers of new fibres, fabrics and
coatings often aim them at this market, at least initially. Many of the products and
ideas introduced here eventually diffuse through to the volume leisure market and
even the street fashion market.

1.5.10 Geotextiles in civil

engineering
Although still a surprisingly small market in volure and value terms, considering
the amount of interest and attention it has generated, the geosynthetics market
comprising geotextiles, geogrids and geomembranes) is nevertheless expected to
show some of the
highest growth rates of any secto' over the foreseea e ure

economic and environmental advantages of using textiles to reinforce, sta-

se, separate, drain and filter are already well proven. Geotextiles allow the build-
O railway and road cuttings and embankments with steeper sides, reducing
and
required and disturbance to the local environment. Revegetation
of these
 Technical textiles market an overview 17

embankments of the banks of rivers and

or
waterways can also be promoted using
appropriate materials. There has been renewed interest in fibres such as woven
jute
as a
biodegradable temporary stabilising material in such appl ations.
As in the case of construction textiles, one of the
facturers and suppliers of these materials is the sheer
problems faced by manu-
ofdiversity
performance
requirements. No two installations are the same in hydrological or geological terms
or in the use to which will
they subsequently be put. Suppliers to this market need
to develop considerable
expertise and to work closely with engineers
and consul-
tants in order to design and specify suitable products.
Because of the consid ble areas (quantities) of
fabric that be
single project, cost is always a consideration and it is as essential not to required
a
can in
a product as not to
overspecify
underspecify it. Much of the research and development work
undertaken has been to understand better the long term
tics of textiles which may have to remain performance
characteris-
buried in
years unpredictable
environments
(such as landfill and toxic waste' sites) for many and continue to perform to
an adequate standard.
Nonwovens already account for up to 80% of geotextile applications. This is
partly a question of economics but also of the suitability of such textile structures
for many of the filtration and separation duties that
they
are called to upon perform.
Current interest is in 'composite' fabrics which combine the advantages of different
textile constructions such as woven, knitted, nonwoven and membrane materials. To
supply the diversity of fabrics needed for the many differert applications of geot.
extiles, leading specialist manufacturers are beginning to assemble a wide range of
complementary capabilities by acquisition and other means.

1.5.11 Protective and safety clothing and textiles

Textiles for protective clothing and other related applications are another impor
tant
growth area which has attracted attention and inierest somewhat out of pro
portion to the size and value of the existing market. Ás in the case of sports textiles,
a number of relatively high value and performance critical product areas have
proved tc be an ideal launch pad for a new generation of high performance fibres,
nost notably the aramids, but including many other speciality materials.
The variety of protective functions that needs to be provided by different textile
products is considerable and diverse. It includes protection against cuts, abrasion,
ballistic and other types of severe impact including stab wounds and explosions, fire
and extreme heat, hazardous dust and particles, nuclear, biological and chemical
hazards, high voltages and static electricity, foul weather, extreme cold and poor

visibility.
AS well as people, sensitive irtstruments and processes also need to be protected.
Thus, clean room clothing is an important requiiement for many industries includ-
ing electronics and pharmaceuticals.
strict regulations have been
Europe and other advanced industrial regions,
In
introduction of legislation such as the Personal
placed upon employers throughithe Under such
Protective Equipment (PPE) at Work Regulations (European Union).
ensure that the equipment and clotiing pro-
legislation, it is not only necessary to but also that it is also used effec-
is adequate to meet the anticipated hazards
VIded and comfortable to wear. This
tively, that is that the garmentsj are well designed into improved fibres and
not only
nas opened up a need for continuing research
18 Handbook of technical textiles

materials but also into increasingly realistic testing a:id assessment of how garments
perform in practice, includiag the physiology of protective clothing.
In many developing countries, there has not been the same legislative framework
in the past. However, this is rapidly changing and future market growth is likely to
concentrate less on the mature industrial markets than upon the newly industrial-
ising countries of Asia and elsewhere. The protective clothing industry is stiil highly
prov1ded
fragmented with much of the innovation and market development being as some global
by the major fibre and other materials producers.
This could change
direct manuíacturing but relying on
suppliers emerge, perhaps without their own indus
contract producers around the world, very much as the mainstre am clothing
iry does at present.

1.5.12 Ecological protection textiles

is technical
The final category of technical textile markets, as defined by Techtextil,
is well defined
textiles for protection of the environment and ecology. This
not a

segment yet, although it overlaps with several other areas, including industrial tex
tiles (filtration media). geotextiles (erosion protection and sealing of toxic waste)
and agricultural textiles (e.g. minimising water loss from the iand and reducing the
need for use of herbicides by providing mulch to plants).
Apart from these direct applications, technical textiles can contribute towards
the environment in almost every sphere of their use, for example by reducing weight
in transport and construction and thereby saving materials and energy. Improved
recycleability is becoming an important issue not only for packaging but aiso for
products such as cars.
Compcsites is an area which potentially presents problems for the recycleability
of textile reinforcing materials encased within a thermosetting resin matrix.
However, there is considerable interest in and development work being done on
thermoplastic composites which should be far simpler to recycle, for example by
melting and recasting into lower performance products.

1.6 Globalisation of technical textiles

If North America and Western Europe have tihe highest levels o: per
capita con
Sumption of technical textiles at present (see Table 1.1), then they are also relatively
mature markets. The emerging countries cf Asia, Eastern Europe and the rest of
the world becoming important markets in almost every sphere, from automno
are

ive manufacture through to sporting and leisure goods. Technical textiles for food
production, construction and geotextiles åre likly to be particularly important. In
the of the last of these,
case
geotextiles, consumption up to the year 2005 is expected
to grow at over 12% annum across the whole of Asia
per compared with less than
6% in Western Europe and the USA. In the case of Eastern
Europe and South
America, annual growth rates could be as inigh as 18% and 16% per annum
respec-
tively, although from relatively small base levels at prescnt.
In 2000, the major existing users, North America, Western
Europe and Japan, are
expected to account for less than 65% of total technical textile consumption; the
year 2005, this could be down to 60% and perhaps below 50%
by
tion of technical textiles in China
by 2010. Consump-
already exceeds that of Japan, in weight terms at