Felt is a man-made fabric, which is produced from natural/synthetic fibers. Most man-made fabrics are generally woven. However, in several cases, synthetic fibers are also used. A felted fabric is manufactured through compression and matting of fibers. Fibers are often pressed together by using heat, moisture, and a lot of pressure and a highly dense fabric consisting of permanently interlocked fibers is obtained.
Two types of felts are available in the market: natural and synthetic. Among these, synthetic felts are extensively used, owing to their easy availability.
Key Drivers of Global Textile Felt Market
The eco-friendly nature of textile felt is expected to augment the demand for textile felt garments among customers in the near future. A majority of felt fabrics can be recycled. In the Netherlands alone, consumers and businesses generated 240 million kilograms of textile waste in 2018. Of this, 130 million kilograms of textile waste is used to manufacture felt garments. Recyclability of textile felt is expected to boost the demand for textile felt across the globe during the forecast period.
Increased usage of felt fabrics in architectural buildings is another factor driving the global textile felt market. In modern buildings, usage of textile felts can be observed on decorative elements, wall coverings, and furniture. Textile felts are soft and they provide an aesthetic appeal to the object.
Susceptibility of Felt Garments to Moth Damage to Hamper Market
Clothing made from felt is prone to damage caused by moth. When felt is worn close to the body, the felt material absorbs sweat and moisture, which are the primary water sources for moth. As moth feeds on the clothing, it forms holes in the fabric, which can ruin the garment. This factor can restrain the global textile felt market in the near future.
Asia Pacific to Hold a Major Share of Global Textile Felt Market
In terms of region, the global textile felt market can be divided into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and Middle East & Africa. Supportive government regulations in China and India, which are aimed at promoting investments in their respective textile manufacturing sectors, are expected to boost the textile felt market in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. China is a world-leading producer and exporter of raw textiles and garments. Textile has been a prominent industry in China over several years. The textile industry in the country has been flourishing, due to the low cost of labor, availability of land at a low cost, supportive government policies, large domestic consumer market, and abundant availability of human resources. The expanding textile industry in Asia Pacific, especially in China and India, is projected to propel the textile felt market in the region during the forecast period.
India has abundant availability of raw materials such as cotton, wool, silk, and jute. This has boosted the textile industry in the country. Significant investments have been made by the Government of India under the Scheme for Integrated Textile Parks (SITPs) and Technology Upgradation Fund to encourage more investments by the private sector and train workforce.
In terms of demand, Asia Pacific held a leading share of the global textile felt market in 2018, followed by North America and Europe. The textile & apparel industry in Canada is well established. It has successfully transformed from traditional mass production to the development of technical and non-woven textiles. Growth of the textile & apparel industry in the country is projected to fuel the textile felt market in North America in the next few years.
The market in Latin America and Middle East & Africa is estimated to expand at a moderate pace during the forecast period. The textile & apparel industry in Mexico has been expanding steadily. This factor is projected to drive the demand for textile felt in Latin America during the forecast period.
The global textile felt market was highly fragmented, with the top manufacturers accounting for a substantial market share in 2018. Key players operating in the global textile felt market are:
