Animal And Plant Fibers MarketSize and Trends

The global animal and plant fibers market size is expected to witness a substantial rise in the coming future, and register a significant CAGR over the forecast period (2019 - 2027).

Market Overview

Fibers are natural or synthetic substances which have the structure of a thread of filament. Fibers can be classified as natural, human-made, and synthetic. Natural fibers are produced by plants, animals, wood, minerals, and biological fibers. Examples of plant fibers include jute, cotton, hemp, flax, and others which are generally used for manufacturing cloth or paper, as well as dietary fibers that are crucial for human nutrition. Animal fibers consist of wool, fur, silk, feathers, and animal hair such as cashmere wool and angora.

Market Dynamics

Animal fibers such as wool, silk, and angora have the most industrial value. Moreover, plant fibers such as cotton, hemp, and jute have a wide application in the textile industry. Natural fibers also find application as biocomposites in the automotive industry as noise absorbing panels, insulation, and energy absorbers. Natural fibers are preferred over synthetic fibers since they are renewable and biodegradable substances. Moreover, the low density of natural fibers leads to low processing costs which is expected to drive the demand for plant and animal fibers. However, natural fibers have certain disadvantages such as poor strength compared to glass fibers, as well as weaker bonding properties which may hamper the growth of the market.

The animal and plant fiber market is mainly supported by the demand for end use industries such as paper, wood, and textile. Plant and animal fibers are used in the process of manufacturing luxury garments such as shawls, fleece jackets and scarves, and decorative items such as carpets, pillows, laces, as well as some commercial fabrics. In the paper industry, plant fibers are used in the manufacturing process of different types of paper. Moreover, animal and plant fibers are also used as filling material in cushions, mattresses, pillows, and upholstery for armchairs and sofas, and in the manufacture of paint brushes, and threaded articles such as mats, baskets, hats and other similar items.

Market Outlook

Asia Pacific has been the dominant region in terms of production of natural fibers. The trend is projected to continue over the forecast period, and Asia Pacific is expected to emerge as the fastest growing market for animal and plant fibers. The huge market for textiles and paper in the region is the most significant factor contributing to the growth of the Asia Pacific animal and plant market. Countries such as China and India are the largest markets in the region owing to presence of a booming textile industry and key manufacturers. North America is projected to be the second largest market for plant and animal fibers due to a huge demand from the U.S. for luxury clothing and paper. Europe is estimated to account for the third largest market share owing to the fast growing market in Western Europe and Russia. Other regions such as Latin America and Middle East and Africa are also projected to exhibit considerable growth in the foreseeable future.