Coated fabric is a fabric coated with a special coating on the fabric or non-woven fabric. This special coating is applied to the surface of the material or penetrates into the body of the material. Coatings are usually polymers or elastomers with special properties such as water, mildew or sunlight resistance.
In 2021, the global coated fabric market value will reach 199.767 billion US dollars. This growth is expected to continue in the coming years owing to increasing global population and desire for stronger, lighter, and longer-lasting fabric materials. The coated fabric market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 5.1% through 2031.
Over the past few years, China’s coated fabric market has attracted several major global manufacturers. China’s large-scale industrial growth and rapid urbanization have further expanded the market for coated fabrics in China. Furthermore, rising automobile sales in China will lead to more applications of coated fabrics in the transportation sector. Coated fabrics are also heavily used in functional apparel such as protective clothing, and these factors will continue to support China’s economic growth.
The presence of some key players will continue to support growth in the US. Stringent regulations imposed by organizations such as the Occupational Safety and Health Administration aimed at curbing the risk of accidents in the workplace and ensuring a safer environment will further stimulate the demand for protective clothing, which will in turn Boost sales of coated fabrics in the US.
Growing demand from the automotive and construction industries will remain the main drivers of India’s economic growth. According to the India Brand Equity Foundation (IBEF), India is likely to become the world’s third-largest auto market in the next few years due to rising middle-income incomes. Rising automotive sales will create room for application in the transportation segment of the Indian coated fabric market. IBEF also revealed that between 2016 and 2020, India’s domestic auto production grew by 2.36%. India will remain the key market for coated fabrics in South Asia as car sales surge further in India.
The growing demand for oil and gas activities in Germany has increased the application of protective clothing in the region and is expected to significantly increase the demand for coated fabrics. Moreover, the presence of major automakers in Germany is primarily driving the growth of the coated fabrics market. High economic growth rate and substantial investments in industries such as oil & gas, automotive, infrastructure, chemical, steel, and military are also driving the coated fabric market in the region. Moreover, increasing demand for comfort and convenience in automotive interiors is also boosting the demand for coated fabrics market in Germany.
Main application fields of coated fabrics
Protective clothing is designed to protect the person wearing it from various environmental hazards during any given operation. The protective apparel segment is projected to be the fastest-growing application of coated fabrics in terms of value and volume between 2021 and 2031. Every industry has some specific associated hazards. For example, during firefighting operations, firefighters need thermal clothing to protect against flames and heat. Likewise, the need for protective clothing in various industries is driving the sales of coated fabrics.
According to the report, the transportation segment is expected to hold a leading share in the coated fabrics market. Since the recovery from the financial crisis, the auto industry has been growing at a high rate. In the automotive industry, safety is a key consideration for automakers. Coated fabrics are suitable for a wide range of automotive end uses such as seat upholstery, air bags, seat belts, truck tarps and covers, boat seats, boat roofs, rafts and kayaks. The automotive industry is already growing rapidly and is expected to drive the coated fabrics market over the forecast period.
Materials expected to dominate the market
Among the types of materials used in coated fabrics, the polymer (vinyl, PU, PE) coated fabrics segment is expected to lead the global coated fabrics market over the forecast period. The unique properties of polymer coated fabrics such as oil resistance, stain resistance, water resistance, and UV resistance are the main reasons for the growing demand for polymer coated fabrics in various industries including home and automotive upholstery. Some other applications of polymer coated fabrics are temporary tents, awnings, canopies, seat cushions and protective clothing.
