Market Overview

Global Smart Fabrics Market size was valued at USD 3.6 Billion in 2023 and is poised to grow from USD 5.66 Billion in 2024 to USD 26.1 Billion by 2032, growing at a CAGR of 25.0 % in the forecast period (2024-2032).

This expansion is motivated by drivers such as growing demand for wearable technology, development in textile production, increasing industrial and military uses, and growing traction in healthcare use. Smart fabrics/textiles are innovative fabrics designed using new technologies that provide the user with additional value. Certain fabrics also harvest energy from the environment by picking up vibrations, heat, or sound and reacting to them. These fabrics are applied in various applications to improve performance and provide aesthetic value. For example, in July 2021, Nextiles, Inc. introduced a smart fabric software development kit (SDK), which utilizes smart fabric to capture human movement data. It creates smart fabrics with biomechanic and biometric sensing by combining traditional sewing techniques with printed circuit boards.

So far, most intelligent textiles have been used for niche purposes, such as high-end apparel, military and defence, and the medical market. But today, the world is seeing a revolution with the beneficial intersection of technology and fibres that have created the simple embedment of comfort fabric-based sensors along with the arrival of conductive yarns that can be knitted or woven into textile forms. Intelligent textiles are also expected to revolutionize the intelligent wearables space.

Creating apparel/clothing materials monitoring each motion through innovative technology that enables textiles' recycling and utilization is set to be one of the principal forces driving the industry during the projection period. Emerging technologies within the wireless and electronic sector have necessitated minimization and incorporation of electronic materials within conductive cloth, consequently inducing market development. The increase in the use of Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology with features like low power usage and multi-vendor interoperability will also support the growth.

Attires equipped with BLE technology can sense, feel, and control data, as long as the device is connected to the internet. Growing demand for advanced gadgets with a range of technologically driven functions, like sensing and responding to the environment, is likely to propel the market. Actuators, controllers, and sensor units are embedded in the fabrics for smooth functioning. To ensure protection and safety, smart textiles/fabrics are utilized as a garment by consumers and military personnel.

Reducing the cost of manufacturing electronic components is likely to drive the market during the forecast period. Increase in demand can also be linked to the availability of conductive materials and innovative fibres that are employed to produce such fibres. Nanotechnology has played its part in making such smart fabrics at the microscopic level and in creating army uniforms and gear as well.

The pandemic of COVID-19 negatively affected the smart fabrics market. Lockdowns, international trade restrictions, factory shutdowns, and transportation restrictions have resulted in delays in the delivery of raw materials and finished goods. The economic instability caused by the pandemic has resulted in less consumer expenditure on discretionary items, such as smart fabrics. In contrast, the pandemic has also given rise to some new prospects for smart fabrics for healthcare and hygiene applications. Demand for antimicrobial and self-cleaning clothing as well as wearable health monitors has grown. Smart fabrics that provide functionalities such as virus filtration and temperature monitoring have been seen with interest in healthcare applications.

Market Drivers

Growing Demand for Wearable Technology

• The increasing application of smart fabrics in the consumer electronics, healthcare, and fitness sectors is a key driver of growth. In the fitness sector, smart fabrics with sensors track biometric data such as heart rate, muscle activity, and hydration levels to enhance performance monitoring and injury avoidance. In the health sector, smart textiles are used to monitor patients in real-time with biosensors that detect vital signs to monitor and manage chronic illnesses and the elderly. Consumer electronics utilize smart textiles for wearables that interact with users, temperature-sensitive clothes, and even gesture-detecting wearables to enhance user experience and convenience. Smart textiles are further augmented by the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), rendering them more efficient and responsive. Furthermore, increased concern for health and wellness, combined with the advancement in flexible electronics, is driving adoption. As the demand for smart and functional clothing grows, the market for smart textiles is likely to see significant growth over the next few years.

Advancements in Sensor Technology

• Miniaturization of sensors and integration with the Internet of Things significantly enhance the performance of wireless-enabled smart fabrics with real-time tracking, seamless data acquisition, and enhanced functionality. Embedded sensors in fabric, which are smaller and lighter, can track biometric information such as heart rate, temperature, and movement without compromising comfort. IoT integration facilitates the fabric to wirelessly transfer information to smartphones or cloud-based platforms for supporting real-time analysis for fitness, health monitoring, and interactive purposes. This development strengthens the accuracy, efficiency, and usability of intelligent textiles in all sectors ranging from sports and medicine to defence and fashion, driving innovation and enhancing market penetration.

Market Opportunities

Growth in Fashion and Entertainment

• Interactive and colour-shifting textiles are transforming fashion, events, and augmented reality (AR) uses by integrating cutting-edge materials like thermochromic, photochromic, and electroluminescent textiles. In fashion, designers apply these textiles to design dynamic apparel that shifts colour in response to temperature, light, or electrical inputs, enabling adaptive and customizable fashion. In entertainment and events, responsive or glowing fabrics provide light or interactive effects to stage performances, costumes, and immersive experiences. Augmented reality technologies employ smart fabrics for interactive wearables that respond to gestures or environmental stimuli, enriching digital interactions. With the progress of technology, such fabrics open new creative possibilities, combining beauty with functionality to revolutionize the future of textiles.

Increased Use in Automotive Industry

• Intelligent fabrics in the car seats and interiors optimize comfort, temperature regulation, and safety monitoring. Intelligent fabrics use integrated sensors and adaptive materials to provide tailored seating adjustments for ergonomics support. Thermoregulating fabrics regulate the seat temperature to adapt to ambient conditions. For safety purposes, biometric sensors in intelligent fabrics monitor driver fatigue, heart rate, and posture and provide alerts to prevent accidents. In addition, electrochromic materials can change colour or transparency to provide both aesthetics and functional benefits. As technology advances in vehicles, smart fabrics play a pivotal role in revolutionizing driving, efficiency, and comfort for occupants.

Market Restraining Factors

Limited Durability and Washability

• Smart fabrics find it difficult to function after repeated washing and use due to the brittleness of their electrical circuits, conductive yarns, and built-in sensors. Smart fabrics need to protect sensitive electronics from abrasion, moisture, and mechanical stress, while traditional fabrics degrade over time. Washing can damage conductive fibres, integrated circuits, and coatings that offer smart features like temperature control and biometric measurement. Detergents and temperature changes in water can also cause corrosion or disconnection of embedded components. To counter these problems, researchers are creating waterproof, stretchable, and long-lasting smart textiles through cutting-edge coatings, encapsulation methods, and flexible circuits. But the maintenance of durability coupled with flexibility and breathability is a challenge. Suppliers are also investigating self-cleaning apparel and dry-clean-only smart textiles for increasing their longevity. Enhancing the robustness of smart textiles will become important for the extensive use of smart fabrics in conventional clothing, health monitoring wearables, and industrial uses.

Segmentation Analysis

The market scope is segmented because of by Type, by End-User.

• By Type

Based on the Type of the market is segmented into Passive Smart Fabrics, Active Smart Fabrics, Ultra-Smart Fabrics.

Smart active fabrics are the industry leaders since they can interact with environmental stimuli and provide more functionality for a wide variety of industries. The fabrics can sense and react to temperature, pressure, or humidity and, therefore, fit perfectly in products like self-heating jackets and responsive sportswear. One such example is Nike's Adapt BB shoes, utilizing smart textiles to automatically tighten and make customized fit adjustments.

Passive intelligent fabrics, by contrast, just gather data and do not react to variations. They find extensive applications in moisture-wicking sportswear and sun-protective apparel, e.g., Coolmax fabric that increases air-permeability without the use of external power.

Ultra-intelligent fabrics are the most revolutionary segment, encompassing AI, IoT, and nanotechnology for independently responding to their environment. These fabrics will self-heal, change hues, or even track health markers in real time. One instance is MIT's bio-sensing fabric, with the ability to monitor physiological signs for medical application. Ultra-intelligent fabrics have a future, as innovation deepens, predicted to increase very fast.

• By Functionality

Based on the Functionality of the market is segmented into Sensing and Monitoring, Temperature Regulation, Illumination and Colour Change, Energy Harvesting, Connectivity and Communication.

Sensing and Monitoring leads the smart fabrics market because it has extensive applications in healthcare, sports, and safety. The fabrics incorporate sensors to monitor biometric information like heart rate, muscle activity, and body temperature for real-time health monitoring. One such example is Hexoskin smart shirts that gather physiological information for fitness and medical use.

Temperature Regulation fabrics react to the environment, storing heat or coolth within. Columbia Omni-Heat jackets use thermal reflecting technology to keep the wearer warm in the most effective manner possible. Lighting and Colour Change fabrics, such as Cute Circuit’s LED dresses, apply electroluminescence materials to further interactive fashion and entertainment. Energy Harvesting clothes produce power through movement or heat from the human body, exemplified by technology such as Pavegen's kinetic floorings, which transmute footsteps into energy.

Connectivity and Communication fabrics incorporate IoT and Bluetooth, allowing them to interact with digital devices. Google's Project Jacquard lets people control smartphones using touch-sensitive clothes. All these innovations power the development of smart textiles.

• Regional Snapshots

By region, Insights into the markets in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America and MEA are provided by the study. North America led the market and had the highest share of 48.4% in 2022 and is also expected to be the fastest-growing regional market. North America has several major companies engaging in the smart fabric market. The companies are creating, producing, and selling smart fabric-based products, driving the market. Having strong players boosts product innovation and market competition. The area has a strong technology infrastructure and human capital, allowing for innovations in smart textile technologies.

Asia Pacific is also expected to record consistent growth in the forecast period. The ease of availability of cheap raw material and labour force in Asian nations like China, Japan, and India has converted it into an industrial hub of such technology. It has decreased the overall smart fabric production of the European market. Nonetheless, more and more R & D efforts for such intelligent textiles funded under the EU FP6 and FP7 initiatives are rejuvenating the industry in European nations.

List of Companies Profiled

• Adidas AG
• AiQ Smart Clothing Inc.
• Clothing+ (Jabil Circuit, Inc.)
• EXO2
• Gentherm, Inc.
• Mide Technology Corporation
• Nike, Inc.
• Ohmatex ApS
• Sensing Tex SL
• Thermosoft International Corporation

Key Industry Developments

• In April 2023, UK researchers made a breakthrough by developing the world's first smart fabric that can change shape and colour based on two different stimuli: temperature and electricity. Such a breakthrough realization offers numerous possibilities across various fields, such as robotics and virtual reality. The fabric is made up of stimuli-responsive materials (SRMs) that respond to external stimuli in terms of light, temperature, magnetic fields, or electricity. Upon exposure to such stimuli, the SRM experiences molecular composition, mechanical properties, or shape changes. This development opens doors to new applications and developments in responsive textiles.
• In April 2023, University of Waterloo researchers have developed a revolutionary smart material that can react to two different stimuli: electricity and heat. This is the first ever material to respond to both stimuli. This revolutionary smart material's design leaves a lot of room for potential applications. For example, it could be used in clothing that provides heating when a person walks from the car to the office during winter. Moreover, it would be used in car bumpers that return to their original state after a collision. These all show the huge potential of this special material for improving daily experiences and pushing technological advancements.
• In February 2023, a joint research effort between researchers at Finland's Aalto University and the University of Cambridge led to the creation of adaptive textiles that can alter their shape based on temperature changes. These adaptive smart fabrics have adjustable aesthetics and potential applications in monitoring individuals' health, enhancing thermal insulation, and offering means of controlling room acoustics and design.
• In July 2022, Adidas launched its first collaboration with Spin nova by releasing a new product. Adidas TERREX HS is the first knitted product that features Spin nova technology. Adidas TERREX HS is a mid-layer hiking hoodie that uses a fabric composition of at least 30% wood-based SPINNOVA fibres (in combination with other fibres) and 70% organic cotton. The SPINNOVA fibres are made from wood pulp, ground with water into a paste, and spun into textile fibres. This partnership is Adidas' entry into the use of sustainable materials and the development of innovative manufacturing techniques in their product lines.
• In May 2021, Microsoft created and utilized Brookdale, a wearable technology prototyping system. Brookdale brings plug-and-play hardware and drag-and-drop software that makes it easy for fashion designers to code and integrate new technologies into their designs, thereby closing the gap between technology and fashion.

Report Coverage

The report will cover the qualitative and quantitative data on the global Smart Fabrics Market. The qualitative data includes latest trends, market players analysis, market drivers, market opportunity, and many others. Also, the report quantitative data includes market size for every region, country, and segments according to your requirements. We can also provide customize report in every industry vertical.

Report Scope and Segmentations

Global Smart Fabrics Market Regional Analysis

North America accounted for the highest Smart Fabrics Market% market share in terms of revenue in the Smart Fabrics Market and is expected to expand at a CAGR of Smart Fabrics Market% during the forecast period. This growth can be attributed to the growing adoption of Smart Fabrics Market. The market in APAC is expected to witness significant growth and is expected to register a CAGR of Smart Fabrics Market% over upcoming years, because of the presence of key Smart Fabrics Market companies in economies such as Japan and China.

The objective of the report is to present comprehensive analysis of Global Smart Fabrics Market including all the stakeholders of the industry. The past and current status of the industry with forecasted market size and trends are presented in the report with the analysis of complicated data in simple language.

Smart Fabrics Market Report is also available for below Regions and Country Please Ask for that

North America

• U.S.
• Canada

Europe

• Switzerland
• Belgium
• Germany
• France
• U.K.
• Italy
• Spain
• Sweden
• Netherland
• Turkey
• Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

• India
• Australia
• Philippines
• Singapore
• South Korea
• Japan
• China
• Malaysia
• Thailand
• Indonesia
• Rest Of APAC

Latin America

• Mexico
• Argentina
• Peru
• Colombia
• Brazil
• Rest of South America

Middle East and Africa

• Saudi Arabia
• UAE
• Egypt
• South Africa
• Rest Of MEA

Points Covered in the Report

• The points that are discussed within the report are the major market players that are involved in the market such as market players, raw material suppliers, equipment suppliers, end users, traders, distributors and etc.
• The complete profile of the companies is mentioned. And the capacity, production, price, revenue, cost, gross, gross margin, sales volume, sales revenue, consumption, growth rate, import, export, supply, future strategies, and the technological developments that they are making are also included within the report. This report analysed 5 years data history and forecast.
• The growth factors of the market are discussed in detail wherein the different end users of the market are explained in detail.
• Data and information by market player, by region, by type, by application and etc., and custom research can be added according to specific requirements.
• The report contains the SWOT analysis of the market. Finally, the report contains the conclusion part where the opinions of the industrial experts are included.

Key Questions

• How much the global Smart Fabrics Market valued?
• Which region has the largest share in 2024 for the global Smart Fabrics Market ?
• What are the driving factors for the market?
• Which is the leading segment in the global market?
• What are the major players in the market?

Research Scope of Smart Fabrics Market

• Historic year: 2019- 2022
• Base year: 2023
• Forecast: 2024 to 2032
• Representation of Market revenue in USD Million

Smart Fabrics Market Trends: Market key trends which include Increased Competition and Continuous Innovations Trends: