Inside Outdoor Fall 2017

The global conductive textiles market is expected to be valued at $4.29 billion by 2025, according to a new report by Grand View Research. Rising awareness about the high- tech wearables that can protect the wearer, enable health monitoring, track the surrounding environment and provide protection from hazard- ous pollutants in the environment are the factors propelling market growth, said the research firm. The augmenting demand from healthcare as well as military in- dustries is proposed to accelerate the growth of the market. Expand- ing uses of conductive wearables to track the battlefield, protect the soldier from attacks and constantly monitor health are attracting con- ductive textiles in military and medi- cal industries. The increasing, public-funded research and development coupled with various other government in- centives are projected to accelerate the production and thereby demand for the market. “Various EU funded projects have drawn a number of manufacturers toward the market on account of developing innovative products to stay competitive in the market,” said Grand View. Military and healthcare segments are expected to collectively account for 56.6 percent of the global mar- ket in 2025. The demand for these segments is attributed to smart and easy to carry wearables that are flame, chemical, heat, moisture and perspiration resistant and enable the wearer to track his heart rate, breath- ing and blood pressure. The North America market, val- ued at $472.9 million in 2016, is the leading region owing to the early adoption and acceptance of conductive textiles from consumers. Extensive research and development carried out by leading manufacturers in coun- tries such as the U.S and Canada is anticipated to propel the market growth. Countries such as Germany, U.K, China, India and Japan are also rapidly developing markets for con- ductive textiles. The market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.4 percent from 2017 to 2025. The sports and fitness seg- ment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate of 17.9 percent, in terms of revenue, during that same forecast period. Key participants include Toray Industries, 3M, Bekaert, Laird PLC, Statex Productions, Seiren Co Ltd., Holland Shielding Systems, Herculite, AIQ Smart Clothing and Wujiang City Yuzhen Textile Co. Ltd. In 2017, Toray signed a long term agreement on high performance carbon fiber with Avio, a leading Italian aerospace com- pany as an expansion strategy. Conductive Textiles Market Worth $4.29 Billion by 2025 Poorly Slow r sales Poor f on so Custo via ph Source: Wh you (Ple Source: 2016 Per Source: Manag Promot Increas Increas Alert st Promot Deliver Track v Deter Water Bottle Sales in U.S. Outdoor Industry by Material Type % Change vs. Prior Period Source: NPD Group $0 $ $40 $60 $80 $100 12 Months ending May 2015 12 Months ending May 2016 Dollar Sales, Millions 12 Months ending May 2017 Acrylic Stainless -6% 121% -19% 98% U.S. Conductive Textiles Market Revenue, by Type (USD Millions) Source: Grand View Research 2014 318.9 358.7 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025 Woven Non Woven Knitted INVISTA has entered into a definitive agreement with Shandong Ruyi Invest- ment Holding to sell INVISTA’s Apparel & Advanced Textiles business, one of INVISTA’s four major business units. Completion of the agreement is subject to customary closing conditions including regulatory clearances from competition authorities. Closing is expected by mid- 2018. The purchase price is undisclosed. The transaction includes NVISTA’s portfolio of apparel-focused fibers and brands including LYCRA fiber, LYCRA HyFit fiber, COOLMAX fiber, THER- MOLITE fiber and insulation, ELASPAN fiber, SUPPLEX fiber and TACTEL fiber products; TERATHAN polytetrameth- ylene ether glycol (PTMEG), 1,4 butane- diol (BDO), and tetrahydrofuran (THF) production; related manufacturing as- sets, research and development centers and sales offices around the globe; and all associated technical, operations, commercial and administrative staff (ap- proximately 3,000 employees globally). “The apparel business has always been a strategic and valued part of our portfolio,” said Jeff Gentry, INVIS- TA chairman and CEO. “We engaged the market because we want this business to be owned by the company that can create the greatest value for customers, employees and stockhold- ers. In this case, we believe that Shan- dong Ruyi Investment Holding has the knowledge and capability that will en- able this business to thrive the most and succeed over the long term.” INVISTA will retain ownership of its nylon, polyester, polyols and licens- ing businesses and related brands. This includes INVISTA’s nylon 6,6 intermediates business, its global ny- lon polymer and fiber portfolio, and widely recognized brands including STAINMASTER and ANTRON carpet fibers and CORDURA fabric. INVISTA will also retain its intellectual property rights for 1,4 butanediol (BDO), tetra- hydrofuran (THF) and polytetrameth- ylene ether glycol (PTMEG) technolo- gies and will continue to license these technologies on a global basis. INVISTA to Sell Apparel & Advanced Textiles Business Inside Outdoor | FALL 2017 36