Antimicrobial textiles encompass fabrics designed to guard against bacteria, mold, mildew, and other harmful microorganisms. These specialized textiles have recently garnered significant attention for their capacity to minimize infection transmission within medical and healthcare settings. Beyond their infection-fighting potential, antimicrobial attributes contribute to the durability and longevity of everyday items.
Additionally, these textiles effectively diminish the development of unwelcome odors, preserving a pleasing and invigorated scent even after usage. As a result, antimicrobial solutions have enjoyed extensive utilization in healthcare facilities, finding purpose in hospital attire, patient garments, curtains, bed covers, and more.
The Global Antimicrobial Textile Market was valued at around US $11.23 BN in 2022 and is expected to reach US $20.12 BN by 2030 with a CAGR of 7.20% during the forecast period.
Factors Driving the Market
Drivers
Increasing demand for antimicrobial textiles in the healthcare industry
Antimicrobial textiles are textiles that have been treated with chemicals or other agents to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They are used in various settings, including healthcare, food service, and hospitality. In the healthcare sector, antimicrobial textiles are used to prevent the transfer of infections. It is used in various hospital fabrics such as medical uniforms, bedding, upholstery, surgery supplies, etc. Medical uniforms and bed covers are the largest application of antimicrobial textiles in the healthcare sector. Antimicrobial scrubs and gowns help to protect healthcare workers from germs and bacteria. Whereas, Antimicrobial bed sheets and blankets help to reduce the risk of hospital-acquired infections (HAIs). HAIs are a serious problem in hospitals and other healthcare settings. They can cause significant morbidity and mortality, and they can also be very costly to treat. Antimicrobial textiles can help to reduce the risk of HAIs by preventing the spread of germs. The growing prevalence of HAIs across the globe is driving the demand for antimicrobial textiles. For instance, according to the report by World Health Organization in March 2022, in Europe, 8.9 million HAIs occur yearly in acute and long-term care facilities, and 1 in every ten affected patients dies of HAI.
Other drivers include Increasing consumer awareness regarding hygiene and increasing demand for antimicrobial sportswear.
Challenges
Stringent environment and health concerns regarding associated with antimicrobial textile
Antimicrobial textiles inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, viruses, and fungi. They are used in various settings, including healthcare, food service, and hospitality. The stringent environmental and health concerns regarding antimicrobial textiles are restraining the growth of the global antimicrobial textile market in several ways. Some of the chemicals used in antimicrobial textiles can harm the environment. When these textiles are washed, the chemicals can be released into the water supply, polluting waterways and harming aquatic life. For example, triclosan, a common antimicrobial agent, has been banned in the European Union due to concerns about its environmental impact.
Furthermore, some of the chemicals used in antimicrobial textiles can harm human health. These chemicals can be absorbed through the skin or ingested when the textiles are washed. For example, formaldehyde is another common antimicrobial agent linked to cancer.
As a result of these concerns, the growth of the global antimicrobial textile market is being restrained. However, the market is expected to grow as manufacturers develop new, more environmentally friendly, safer antimicrobial textiles.
Other challenges include the fluctuation in the prices of raw material of antimicrobial textiles.
Trends
Increasing innovations for the manufacturing of smart antimicrobial textiles
Smart antimicrobial textile is an advanced type of antimicrobial textile that can sense and respond to environmental conditions. These textiles can respond to conditions such as temperature, humidity and light. Smart antimicrobial textiles can be used to create hospital gowns, scrubs, bed linens, and other medical products that help to prevent the spread of infection. Moreover, Smart antimicrobial textiles can be used to create bedding, towels, and other home textiles that help to improve hygiene and sanitation.
Furthermore, smart antimicrobial textiles also provide benefits such as making them with natural materials and biodegradable chemicals, which can help reduce the environmental impact of textiles. Owing to these high benefits of smart antimicrobial textiles, various key players across the globe are also focusing on the launch of the new and innovative smart antimicrobial textile range, a key trend in the global antimicrobial textile market. For instance, in April 2023, Noble Biomaterials, an antimicrobial and conductivity solutions provider, announced the launch of Ionic+ Prism at the Functional Fabric Fair in collaboration with e.dye. By integrating Ionic+ antimicrobial tech and e.dye Color System conserves water by 85%, embedding color and silver ions in filament yarn for lasting antimicrobial effects in 74 vibrant shades, enhancing product appearance and microbial resistance.
Other trends include high demand for antimicrobial masks, gowns and other healthcare cloths.
Market Segmentation
By Fabric
Based on Fabric, the market is divided into polyester, polyamide, cotton, and others. Cotton led the global antimicrobial textile market in 2022 and is expected to continue leading the market during the forecast period. This segment contributed around XX% in 2022. Cotton is a versatile fabric used in additive manufacturing antimicrobial textiles. Cotton is a naturally occurring material that is easy to process, making it the largest in-demand fabric globally. Cotton is also widely used in the various industrial sectors, including household, furniture, apparel, automobiles and medical. Another major benefit of cotton is that it is much easier to process than any other material, which is why it is the largest used Fabric type in the global antimicrobial textile market.
Polyester will be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period, with a CAGR of around XX%, owing to the increasing application in sportswear and other applications. Polyester is a durable and lightweight material resistant to wrinkles, which is most preferred for outerwear in sports apparel. Increasing demand for antimicrobial sports apparel is driving the segment's growth.
Market Segmentation
By Active Agent
Based on Active Agent, the market is divided into metal & metallic salts, synthetic organic compounds, biobased agents, and others. Synthetic organic compounds in the antimicrobial textiles market in 2022 are expected to continue to lead the market during the forecast period. This segment contributed around XX% in 2022. Synthetic organic chemicals are man-made substances containing carbon atoms that are not naturally occurring. These compounds are added to textiles during manufacturing to inhibit the growth of microorganisms, such as bacteria, fungi, and mold, on the textile surface. This helps prevent the development of odors, stains, and potential health hazards associated with microbial growth. This is the major reason driving the segment growth.
Metal & metallic salts will be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period, with a CAGR of around XX%, owing to the metal reduction properties of metal & metallic salts. These substances are engineered to inhibit the growth of microorganisms on the textile surface, helping to prevent the development of odors, stains, and potential health hazards, thus contributing to the market share.
Market Segmentation
By Applications
Based on Applications, the market is divided into medical textiles, home textiles, commercial textiles, industrial textiles, apparel, and others. Medical textiles led the global antimicrobial textile market in 2022 and are expected to continue to lead the market during the forecast period. This segment contributed around XX% in 2022. Antimicrobial textiles used in medical textiles for manufacturing antimicrobial towels, bed linens, and curtains help to keep guests safe and healthy. Significant growth in the healthcare industry across the globe is contributing to the market. They will continue to contribute significantly in the coming years.
Apparel will be the fastest growing segment during the forecast period with a CAGR of around XX%; the global demand for antimicrobial textiles is increasing due to increasing health concerns regarding the microbial effects on clothes and consumer spending on apparel.
By Regions
The market is divided by geography into North America, Europe, APAC, and others. North America led the antimicrobial textile market 2022 with a market share of around XX%. The high presence of a large consumer base and the presence of the major key players in the U.S. is the prime factor for the high market share of the North American region.
APAC will be the fastest-growing region during the forecast period, with a CAGR of around XX% due to the growing healthcare industry. Growing industrialization across the region is expected to improve the market growth.
Competitive Landscape
The key market players involved in the global antimicrobial textile market are Milliken & Company and PurThread Technologies, Trevira GmbH, UNITIKA LTD., Trevira GmbH, BASF SE, Thai Acrylic Fiber Co., and Vestagen Protective Technologies, Inc.
Milliken & Company - Milliken & Company is a global manufacturing leader focusing on materials science and delivering tomorrow's breakthroughs. From industry-leading molecules to sustainable innovations, Milliken creates products that enhance people's lives and deliver solutions for customers and communities. The company was founded in 1865 in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and has since grown to become one of the largest textile manufacturers in the world. Milliken operates in several disciplines, including specialty chemicals, performance and protective textiles, floor coverings, specialty fabrics, healthcare, and business consulting services.
PurThread Technologies - PurThread Technologies is a company that manufactures antimicrobial textiles. The company's products are made with a proprietary technology that embeds silver and copper ions into the textile fibers. This technology makes the textile permanently antimicrobial, meaning that it will continue to kill or inhibit the growth of microorganisms even after repeated washings. PurThread's textiles are used in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, and doctor's offices. They are used to make scrubs, gowns, bed linens, and other medical products.
At present, it contributes very little share in the market, around 10-12%, since it has been authorized comparatively recently and is also available only in Indonesia, Europe, the UK, and Brazil.
Key Market Players
Recent Developments
Antimicrobial Textile Market Scope
| Report Components | Details |
|---|---|
| Base Year | 2022 |
| Forecast Period | 2023 – 2030 |
| Quantitative Units | Revenue in US $ |
| Drivers |
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| Challenges |
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| Trends |
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| Segments Covered | Fabric (polyester, polyamide, cotton, and others), Active Agent (metal & metallic salts, synthetic organic compounds, biobased agents, and others), and Application (medical textiles, home textiles, commercial textiles, industrial textiles, apparel, and others) |
| Countries Covered | U.S. and Canada in North America, Germany, France, U.K., Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Italy, Spain, Turkey, Rest of Europe in Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Rest of Asia-Pacific (APAC) in the Asia-Pacific (APAC), Saudi Arabia, U.A.E, South Africa, Egypt, Israel, Rest of Middle East and Africa (MEA) as a part of Middle East and Africa (MEA), Brazil, Argentina, Mexico and Rest of South America as part of South America |
| Market Players Covered | Milliken & Company and PurThread Technologies, Trevira GmbH, UNITIKA LTD., Trevira GmbH, BASF SE, Thai Acrylic Fiber Co., and Vestagen Protective Technologies, Inc. |
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