The range of market opportunities for antimicrobial textiles -- including antiviral and antibacterial textiles -- will continue to expand beyond activewear and medical applications to include athleisure and fashion apparel, according to a 40-page report in Issue 71 of Performance Apparel Markets from the global business information company Textiles Intelligence.

Furthermore, such expansion will continue even after the worst effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have eased.

A key driver of the expansion is that awareness of the benefits and availability of antimicrobial textiles among consumers has been raised as a result of an increase in concern about hygiene and well-being caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

As a result, recent forecasts suggest that the market for antimicrobial textiles will grow by almost 10% a year in the medium term compared with forecasts of around 7% a year made prior to the outbreak of COVID-19.

This increase in the rate of growth can be attributed to a number of factors from which the market is set to benefit as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. These include: an increase in demand for antimicrobial face masks; an increase in demand for antimicrobial athleisure apparel; an increase in demand for antimicrobial outdoor apparel and sportswear; and an increase in demand for antimicrobial uniforms and workwear.

Furthermore, textiles with antimicrobial properties are being used increasingly in other types of apparel in response to the increase in concern about hygiene and well-being among consumers. These other apparel types include loungewear, and fashion apparel such as jeans. In addition, antimicrobial finishes are being used in the manufacture of specialist products such as sewing threads and zippers.

In fact, antimicrobial textiles could be used in almost any apparel application--not least because antimicrobial finishes can be easily applied to a broad range of fabrics.

Looking ahead, consumers will continue to maintain a heightened awareness of the importance of hygiene in the long term, even after the COVID-19 pandemic has passed.

More generally, consumers will continue to value functional textiles as a whole, and will be prepared to invest in garments which combine multiple functions such as water repellency, breathability and resistance to microbes.

However, the market for antimicrobial textiles will face a number of challenges, including those relating to environmental sustainability. In particular, there are concerns associated with the release of silver nanoparticles into the environment, and many antimicrobial treatments are based on silver. In fact, such is the seriousness of these concerns that directives are coming into force which could significantly restrict the use of such substances in years to come.

Companies which provide antimicrobial treatments will therefore need to seek alternative substances which are safe and yet still provide the same levels of performance.

This report, "Antimicrobial textiles: promoting hygiene during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond", contains 40 pages, including seven tables. The report is available for purchase and costs £235 in the UK, Euro435 in Europe, the Middle East or Africa or US$570 in the Americas or Asia Pacific.

The report was published by the global business information company Textiles Intelligence in Issue No 71 of Performance Apparel Markets.

Other reports published in the same issue include: "Fast track: are performance apparel consumers ready for mono material garments?"; "Performance apparel markets: product developments and innovations, May 2021"; "Profile of Bolt Threads: a leader in novel biomaterials"; and "Performance apparel markets: business update, May 2021".

Performance Apparel Markets is published four times a year by Textiles Intelligence. Each issue provides an independent and worldwide perspective on the performance apparel industry.

A year's printed subscription to Performance Apparel Markets costs £950 in the UK, Euro1,660 in Europe, the Middle East or Africa or US$2,095 in the Americas or Asia Pacific. An electronic supplement is also available and single issues and multi report packages are available on request -- please email subscriptions@textilesintelligence.com for details.

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