Introduction
“Welcome to the Textile Trends Hub, your one-stop destination for the latest insights, innovations and market changes in the textile industry. As the world of textiles continues to evolve, driven by advancements in technology and the growing demand for sustainability, it’s more important than ever to stay up to date with these changes. Our blog is dedicated to exploring these dynamic trends, covering everything from cutting-edge materials to eco-friendly practices, so you can stay ahead in an industry that’s constantly innovating. In this first post, we’ll discuss some of the key trends shaping the textile landscape in 2024.”
In 2024, the textile industry is heavily focused on sustainability with key trends including the adoption of recycled fibers, innovative dyeing techniques, transparent supply chains using blockchain technology, smart fabrics with integrated functionalities, and a growing emphasis on circular economy practices, all aimed at minimizing environmental impact while creating high-quality, functional textiles.
5 Trends in the Textile Industry Steering a Sustainable Future
1. Advancing The Industry With Technical Textiles :
There is a global interest of companies, including the UK, Germany, and India, in developing technical textiles. In the European Union alone, the technical textiles industry represents around 30% of the total turnover in textiles, accounting for a growing share of 27% of total textile production. With respect to the rising interest, OROS has partnered with the US Dept. of Defense to develop next-generation aerogel textiles specifically designed for extreme cold weather apparel.
Meanwhile, West Virginia University (USA) and Central Michigan University (USA) have collaborated to explore using textiles as carriers for essential oils with therapeutic properties.
2. Harvesting Energy from Textiles :
Energy harvesting textiles are gaining momentum due to the rising demand for efficient portable energy storage solutions, driven by increasing research and interest in piezo/tribo and photovoltaic technologies. To fulfill this rising demand, researchers at Nanyang Technological University have successfully developed a groundbreaking fabric that converts energy from body movements into electrical power.
During our research, we discovered that several non-core companies were actively researching the development of Energy Textiles. Some of these names include Intel, IBM, and Samsung.
3. Finding Alternatives To Conventional Dyeing Methods :
According to the EU, of the 1900 chemicals used in clothing production, 165 have been classified as hazardous to health or the environment. Consequently, an increasing demand exists to explore alternatives to conventional dyeing methods.One such innovative approach is AirDye, which utilizes dispersed dyes spread on a recyclable paper base, transferring vibrant colors to textiles through a molecular-level process driven by heat. This revolutionary technique drastically reduces water and energy consumption, eliminating the need for repeated soaking and heat-drying fabrics.
Meanwhile, the Netherlands-based biodesign project, Living Colour, is conducting research on using pigment-producing bacteria to color clothing. Collaborating with PUMA, they have successfully developed the world’s first bacterial-dyed sports collection.
4 .Reusing And Recycling Textiles :
With governments worldwide responding with stricter regulations on waste management and sustainable practices, companies are being pushed to explore more efficient textile recycling methods.
Carbios, a biochemistry startup, utilizes the “Cutinase” enzyme to break down polyester material found in textile waste. The method enables the recovery of virgin-quality material that can be recycled indefinitely, creating a circular process.
Carbios has collaborated with On, Patagonia, PUMA, and Salomon to develop solutions that enhance product recyclability and circularity.On the other hand, Teijin has developed an advanced recycling technology using a depolymerization catalyst to recycle colored polyester fibers while preserving…
5. Promoting Health And Hygiene With Medical Textiles :
The usage of medical textiles is witnessing exponential growth, especially in post-pandemic times. This is due to the general awareness and consumer and institutional consciousness towards health & hygiene. The extent of the growth is towards the constant improvements and innovations in textile technology and medical procedures.
With the need the textile to be non-allergic, non-carcinogenic, non-toxic, antistatic in nature, and bio-compatible, the industry is focussing on three trends –
1) Sensor-Based Smart Medical Textiles
2) Antimicrobial Medical Textiles
3) Compostable Medical Textiles
