Industrial protective fabrics are a key component in firemen and space suits, utility protective clothing, and healthcare as they offer resistance against superior cuts as well as chemical and hazardous aerosol. The materials are heat as well as flameproof resistant and offer enhanced employee protection and operational efficiency. Advancements in industrialization and increasing workplace accidents will drive the industry forecast over the coming years.

Milliken & Company, DowDupont, W. Barnet GmbH & Co. KG., TenCate Protective Fabrics, and Teijin Limited, are some of the key industrial protective fabric producers. Reportedly, the global industrial protective fabrics market size will reach close to USD 9 billion in remuneration annually, by 2025.

Preference for polyethylene and polypropylene materials

Polyethylene industrial protective fabrics market is expected to be valued at nearly USD 70 million up to 2025, considering its extensive use to manufacture bulletproof vests and add-on inserts, offer ballistic protection in helmets, vehicles, marine vessels, and aircraft armor panels. The demand for the products will be also driven owing to their high impact energy absorption damping as well as exterior properties.

There is a robust adoption of polypropylene fabrics across the medical and hygiene applications as well as protective clothing fabrics for patients and in surgeon drapes, referring to their anti-microbial properties. This can be owed to the provision of chemical, fatigue and heat resistance, along with translucence, semi-rigid toughness, integral hinge properties by the material.

Germany and China to outline the regional landscape

Germany industrial protective fabrics market is projected to hit a CAGR of 6.5% through 2025, taking into account the surge in construction projects resulting from increased expenditure on public infrastructure development and lower interest rate home loans. There is a consistent demand for personal protective clothing across the construction sector as the materials offer protection against falls, struck by an object, and electrical hazards.

China can be regarded as one of the leading consumers of industrial protective fabrics and the regional market is likely to record USD 950 million in yearly revenue by 2025. This is due to government support through initiatives like “Made in China 2025” that has led to increased manufacturing activities. Also, stringent norms such as the “Order no 70 by Law of The People’s Republic of China on Worker’s Safety” has mandated employee safety along with regulating safe manufacturing operations in the region.

Increased demand for safety and protection

Industrial protective fabrics market share from firemen suits is pegged at a 7.5% CAGR in the coming years, as the fabrics assist in air circulation, moisture resistance, and offer flame and chemical protection. Developments in urbanization and infrastructures have led to a higher demand for the firefighting systems.

For instance, Aramar can be touted as an industrial protective fabric specifically crafted for firefighters, forest firefighters, and safety corps. They are designed to provide utmost protection and comfort apart from rendering support in the form of insulation against heat, resistance to fire, wear, and tear.

Demand from cleanroom clothing application is estimated to bring a significant share in the coming years considering the role of the fabrics to limit the travel of particles such as dust, microbes, vapors, and aerosol from the industrial personnel to the external environment. There is a significant rise in R&D activities across the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors leading to the mounting demand for cleanroom facilities.

Directives like Regulation (EU) 2016/425 to provide personal protective equipment have ensured the efficient delivery of quality standards for PPE products across the European continent to offer superior protection against hazards. The products are finding extensive use in the present COVID-19 period. Implementation of OSHA general industry, as well as the construction PPE standards set by the U.S. government, have further driven employee safety.