The textile industry was one of the first to emerge in the industrial revolution and it continues to play a critical role in the global economy and our daily lives. It encompasses a wide range of activities, including the production of natural and synthetic fibers, the manufacture of yarn and fabric, and the design and creation of finished textile products such as clothing, home textiles, industrial textiles and technical fabrics.

Generating value for people, industry and the economy

Overall, the global  textile market¹  was valued at $1.8 trillion in 2023 and is expected to be worth over $3 trillion by 2030, with a CAGR of 7.8 percent. In terms of growth trends, drivers include the fashion industry, rising demand for technical textiles, falling production costs, and changes in the purchasing habits of consumers, who are increasingly shopping online with many seeking more sustainably produced fabrics and garments. Overall technical textiles are expected to be the fastest growing and most lucrative application segment during the forecast period.

Employing nearly 75 million people globally², the sector contributes around $2.4 trillion to global manufacturing. However, this rapid surge in demand for diverse textile applications comes with its own set of productivity and environmental challenges.

Paying for energy and productivity inefficiencies 

One of the major challenges faced by textile manufacturers is the loss of productivity due to unplanned equipment breakdowns. Every minute of downtime translates into lost production, increased costs, and missed delivery deadlines. Estimating losses from downtime is difficult because the industry is highly fragmented with lots of small and medium-sized enterprises. For the same reason, many textile producers are vulnerable to shifts in energy prices, making energy efficiency a priority.

Environmental challenges

There are also well-documented environmental impacts associated with producing and disposing of textiles and garments. These industries contribute 4-10 percent of global carbon emissions, and this could rise to 26 percent by 2050³.  Many producers face limited and often costly options for adopting more environmentally friendly materials and methods. Additionally, practical barriers make recycling used textiles and garments challenging, including inadequate infrastructure for locating, collecting, and processing discarded items e.g. only 13% of materials used across the garment value chain are recycled ⁴. In addition, the World Bank estimates that almost 20 percent of global industrial water pollution comes from the textile industry. Addressing this challenge is critical to global efforts to decarbonize supply chains and curb greenhouse gas emissions in pursuit of a net-zero future.

ABB technologies at work: 

Helping our textile customers outperform

ABB has partnered with customers across the world to address a diverse range of challenges, including rising energy costs, complex production processes, evolving consumer trends, and a growing emphasis on sustainability. In response, the industry is embracing digital technologies like automation and the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform its operations. 

With increased digitalization and automation in their operations, textile companies are on a journey to improve their productivity, energy efficiency and sustainability goals in a growth-oriented but fragmented market. By using ABB’s technology and expertise, these companies are now on their way towards being leaner and cleaner, making sure that every thread counts. 

Footnotes

1. Textile Market Size & Outlook, 2030 - Horizon Grand View Research

2. United Nations Industrial Development Organization

3. Harvard Business Review - The Myth of Sustainable Fashion

4. Ellen Macarthur Foundation - A New Textile Economy