Demand for Safe, Eco-friendly Textiles Key Trend in the Asia Textile Chemicals Market

Chemicals are used during manufacturing of textiles to impart durability, flexibility, colour, and to cater to specific market demands. The textile industry uses chemicals for a wide range of end-use applications, such as clothing and furniture. Although the use of chemicals is crucial to meet the burgeoning demands of consumers, concerns about the hazardous nature of certain chemicals has put pressure on textile companies to look for viable alternatives.

Greenpeace Investigation on Use of Chemicals in Textile Industry Raised Awareness among Consumers

The textile industry received a lot of flak after Greenpeace - a non-governmental environmental organisation - carried out an investigation on the presence of hazardous chemicals in children’s clothing. The investigation by Greenpeace also revealed that brands were using hazardous chemicals in the manufacture of adult’s clothing. Greenpeace found that using hazardous chemicals in clothing was not limited to fringe or local clothing brands, but behemoth, multinational corporations were involved in this practice.

The Greenpeace report was covered by all the leading print- and digital- media houses, and this raised public awareness about the issue. This issue was also prominently discussed on social media platforms, especially Twitter and Facebook, which further led to increased awareness among consumers.

In the wake of these developments, all major textile companies are focusing on using safe, approved chemicals and dyes in their offerings. Multinational brands have implemented stricter controls over their supply chain. Many companies have started to work more closely with their manufacturing units - usually in developing countries - to have greater control over what chemicals go into the making of the textiles.

Demand for Textile Chemicals is Robust in Asia

The demand for textile chemicals is robust in the developing countries. China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, and Vietnam are the hubs where global brands have their manufacturing centres. Apart from this, another factor that is responsible for the high demand of textile chemicals in developing countries is that China and India collectively account for over 2 billion of world’s population. The textile market in these two countries is huge, and as a result, the demand for textile chemicals is robust. According to a research report by Future Market Insights, the textile chemicals market in Asia Pacific is anticipated to be worth US$ 11,626 million by 2020, representing a CAGR of over 7%.

The demand for textile chemicals is not limited to the apparel industry alone. Textiles are widely used in home furnishings and floor coverings and this has also led to the increased demand for textile chemicals. It is anticipated that in the future, textiles will be used for applications in the construction and medical industry. This is further anticipated to increase the demand for textile chemicals in the future, not only in Asia, but around the world as well. However, manufacturers will need to ensure they use safe textile chemicals in their products.

As discussed previously, the demand for textile chemicals is robust in China, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam. According to FMI’s market research report, the textile chemicals market in China will expand at a CAGR of over 8% through 2020. Indian textile chemicals market is projected to exhibit a CAGR of around 9% through 2020.

Overall, the textile chemicals market globally is going through an evolutionary phase as concerns about developing safe, eco-friendly chemicals have become the priority. It is anticipated that leading brands - both in the textile business and chemicals business - will focus their attention on developing safe alternatives in the future.

Browse Full: "Textile Chemicals Market : Asia Industry Analysis and Opportunity Assessment 2014 - 2020" Market Research Report at http://www.futuremarketinsights.com/reports/details/asia-textile-chemicals-market