POLYMER COATED FABRICS MARKET ANALYSIS

Polymer coated fabrics are textile materials treated and glazed various types of polymers such as acrylics, polyvinyl chloride, aramids, latex and others to improve and enhance the mechanical properties such as elasticity, elongation, fiber strength, and wear resistance to the textile. The demand for polymer coatings is always high due to its ability to contribute towards abrasion resistance, and prevention of dust, gas or liquid penetration. The polymer coatings depend on the application needed for a particular fabric. For instance, the fabric required for military tents needs to be of high tear strength, high ductility, and flame resistant. In such cases the fabric is coated with a neoprene to enhance and improve the fabric abrasion. Depending on the application type, the fabrics are coated with one or more layers of polymer.

Polymer coated fabrics are commonly known as technical textiles and has vast applications across industries including automobile, aerospace, military and others. The polymer coated fabric finds a significant application such as industrial, protective coatings, transportation, seating, and others. The continuous increase in demand for high performance quality materials is the major factor driving the growth for global polymer coated fabrics market.

The physical properties required for air bag fabric installed in cars need an appropriate blend of tear strength and abrasion attributes which stimulates the growth of polymer coatings.

Owing to its attributes such as its ability to provide water resistance, longevity, ductility, abrasion resistance, polymer coatings market witness a high demand and is expected to grow even during the forecast period. Other factors, contributing to the growth of global polymers coating market include easy processing methods, easy availability of various polymers, low-cost of polymers especially polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyamide.

However, polymer coatings, in spite of its versatile benefits, also pose few restraints to its market growth. One of the major restraints concern toxicity. Polymers are non-recyclable and hence when polymer coating residues are burnt, or disposed of, it results into toxic emissions which can cause serious harm such as air-pollution, and choking to the environment as well as human beings.

Polymer Coated Fabrics Market Taxonomy

By Polymer Type

On the basis of polymer type, global market is segmented into:-

• Thermoplastic
• PVC
• PVDC
• Acrylics
• PVA
• PU
• Aramids
• Others
• Latex
• Rubber
• Natural
• Synthetic

By Material Type

On the basis of textile material type, global market is segmented into:-

• Knitted
• Woven
• Non-Woven

By Application

On the basis of application, global market is segmented into:-

• Protective Clothing
• Transportation
• Industrial
• Furniture & Seating
• Others

By End Use Industries

On the basis of end use industry, global market is segmented into:-

• Automobile
• Aerospace
• Marine
• Chemical Processing
• Military
• Others

Among the application areas, transportation holds a dominant share in the global polymer coated fabrics market owing to the significant increase in the usage of polymer coated fabrics in industries such as the automobile, railways, aircraft, and marine. Polymer coated fabrics are mainly used in the transportation application areas to provide high quality physical properties such as dirt & oil-repellent, rot-proof, water resistant, mildew resistant, and UV resistant.

Among the type of polymer coatings, Vinyl coated fabrics have the maximum usage in the textile industry, thereby boosting up the growth of global polymer coated fabrics market. Owing to the low-cost, easy availability, availability of wide range of colors, and easy weldability, PVC coatings are the mostly used polymer coatings.

Market Outlook- Asia Pacific is expected to be the most lucrative region for the key players operating in the global Polymer Coated Fabrics market

Based on the regional segmentation, the global polymers coated fabrics market is distributed into North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa. Asia Pacific accounts for a leading share in the global polymer coated fabrics market. Factors promoting its growth in Asia Pacific region include increasing population, increased rate of industrialization and urbanization along with booming automobile industry. Countries such as India and China accounted for a significant increase in the automobile production in 2016 as compared to 2015, wherein Indian accounted for 4.5 million in 2016 against 4.2 million in 2015 and China accounted for 28.1 million as compared to 24.5 million in 2015. The increase in the automobile production in India and China resulted in the demand for polymer coated fabrics for automobile interiors, thereby pushing up the growth of polymer coated fabrics industry.

Major players operating in the global polymer coatings market include Continental AG, Saint Gobain SA, Sioen Industries, Spradling International Inc., Takata Corporation, Colmant Coated Fabrics, Serge Ferrari Group, Trelleborg AB, SRF Limited, Seaman Corporation and others.