Global Smart Textiles Market for Military 2016-2020

Overview of the global smart textiles market in the military sector

Technavio’s market research analyst predicts the global smart textiles market in the military sector to grow at a CAGR of close to 10% between 2016 and 2020. The growing need for supportive and performance-enhancing garments has led to the rapid induction of smart textiles in the military sector. Governments across the world are focusing on equipping their soldiers with the latest firearms including sophisticated military clothing that enhances soldiers' performance during combat operations. Moreover, the growing inclination towards camouflage optimization among military personnel has augmented the use of camouflage textiles in the military segment. These textiles not only protect the army personnel from visual and infrared light but also heat and sweat, subsequently ensuring that soldiers carry out their operations smoothly. Constant technological innovations in this market have led to an added range of functionalities and capabilities to smart textiles used in the military sector. Smart textiles are being integrated with adaptive insulation property to enhance warmth in military clothing, sleeping bags, and blankets. Also, manufacturers are developing smart textiles that have the potential for physiological and locational monitoring and energy harvesting.

The growing acceptance of smart textiles in the military sector has augmented the need for standardized testing and certifying methods for quality production. Standardization enables manufacturers and suppliers to connect their business with the value chain and grow along with the developing market. It also hastens the churn rate and deals with customization issues of suites that cause delay. Through standardization, manufacturers aim at the sustainable development of smart textiles.

Competitive landscape and key vendors

The presence of several multinational, regional, and local suppliers makes the global smart textiles market for the military sector high competitive and fragmented as most vendors offer homogenous products and services. Vendors in the APAC region are witnessing relatively higher growth as they focus on providing innovative and efficient solutions at reasonable prices than the multinational vendors. The existing vendors need to identify and act according to the evolving trends of geopolitical situations to ensure their long-term survival in the market.

Leading vendors in the market are -

• BAE Systems     
• Midé Technology
• Ohmatext
• TenCate
• W.L Gore & Associates

Other prominent vendors in the smart textiles market in the military sector include Advanced Fabric Technologies, BeBop Sensors, Directa Plus, DuPont, Intelligent Textiles, and Outlast Technologies.

Segmentation by product type and analysis of the smart textiles market in the military sector

• Passive
• Active
• Ultra-smart textiles

The active smart textiles segment dominated the market and accounted for the highest market share in 2015. These second-generation smart textiles accommodate sensors that can sense the external environmental changes and actuators, which act in accordance to the stimuli sensed. Active smart textiles have the shape memory property and are chameleonic, water-resistant, vapor permeable and absorbing, and heat storage and thermos regulated fabrics. The camouflage technique that these textiles offer has prompted several countries to focus on the R&D of fiber optics, thermal sensitive materials, photosensitive materials, conductive polymers, and chemical-responsive fabrics.

Geographical segmentation and analysis of the smart textiles market in the military sector

• Americas
• APAC
• EMEA

The Americas dominated the global market and occupied the maximum market share during 2015. The security requirements of the Americas are rising considerably with the increasing threats from various militant groups along with territorial disputes. Such security concerns have prompted countries like the US, Canada, Mexico, and other Latin American nations to increase their focus on offering the soldiers wearables equipped with electronic devices to boost their situational awareness. The need for protective clothing for the troops and the measures adopted to equip them with enhanced high-tech products will further contribute to the growth of the market in the Americas.

 Key questions answered in the report include

• What will the market size and the growth rate be in 2020?
• What are the key factors driving the global smart textiles market in the military sector?
• What are the key market trends impacting the growth of the global smart textiles market in the military sector?
• What are the challenges to market growth?
• Who are the key vendors in the global smart textiles market in the military sector?
• What are the market opportunities and threats faced by the vendors in the global smart textiles market in the military sector?
• Trending factors influencing the market shares of the Americas, APAC, and EMEA.
• What are the key outcomes of the five forces analysis of the global smart textiles market in the military sector?

Technavio also offers customization on reports based on specific client requirement.

Related reports:

• Global Smart Textiles Market 2016-2020
• Global Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles Market 2015-2019