E-Textiles Landscape | Knowledge Ridge

<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q1. Could you start by giving us a brief overview of your professional background, particularly focusing on your expertise in the industry? </h2>I am a materials science engineer with a PhD in Materials Chemistry. I began my career in the academic world as a teacher-researcher before moving on to the world of industry, first in Research and development teams and then in international innovation departments. My career has taken me to a wide range of sectors, including medical devices, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, advanced materials and textiles, the environment, automotive, robotics, and electronics. I have worked on many projects requiring e-textiles in key sectors such as automotive, medical, and robotics. I set up my own innovation strategy consultancy and now support companies and organizations in their innovation strategy and their sustainable innovation strategy.  <h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q2. Who are the main players in the e-textiles industry, and what market share or position does each represent? </h2>The e-textiles industry is booming, with applications in various sectors, including health, automotive, aeronautics and aerospace, sport, defense, and even fashion. Here are just a few of the players in this industry: <ul style="text-align: justify;"><li class="MsoNormal">DuPont</li><li class="MsoNormal">Ohmatex ApS</li><li class="MsoNormal">Clothing+</li><li class="MsoNormal">Textronics</li><li class="MsoNormal">Peratech</li><li class="MsoNormal">Outlast</li><li class="MsoNormal">d3o lab</li><li class="MsoNormal">Schoeller</li><li class="MsoNormal">Texas Instruments</li><li class="MsoNormal">Sensoria </li><li class="MsoNormal">Xenoma</li><li class="MsoNormal">Exo2</li><li class="MsoNormal">Vista Medical</li><li class="MsoNormal">Adidas, etc. </li></ul>DuPont, for example, is a leading manufacturer of advanced materials and fibers. The company has developed conductive yarns and specialized textile materials for applications such as smart clothing. As a long-standing player in industrial materials, DuPont plays an important role in supplying components for electronic textiles. Sensoria is a key player in the innovation of sports tracking garments, with a significant presence in this specific segment. They design connected textiles for biometric monitoring, such as smart socks and sports bras with integrated sensors. With a strong presence in the medical and sports sectors, Hexoskin plays a leading role in the use of textiles for health. It manufactures intelligent garments that monitor biometric data such as heart rate, breathing and other vital parameters. Ohmatex is a European player based in Denmark. It specializes in intelligent textiles for the medical, military, and space sectors. It is a key supplier of textile solutions for monitoring vital signs, particularly in extreme conditions. We also have players such as Google Alphabet, although it is not a specialist in connected textiles, which has launched the Jacquard project in partnership with brands such as Levi's, with the aim of integrating connected textiles into everyday clothing. Clothing+, now part of Jabil, is a leader in the production of sensors integrated into textiles. The company designs intelligent fabrics for brands such as Garmin and Polar. Their expertise places them among the leading players in the integration of sensors into clothing, mainly in the sports and health sectors. Another example is Xenoma, a Japanese start-up specializing in smart clothing equipped with sensors that enable interaction with digital environments, particularly in video games and rehabilitation applications. Although smaller in size, Xenoma stands out for its innovations in integrating electronic textiles into creative and therapeutic sectors. As this sector develops, market shares in electronic textiles are not yet clearly defined. However, companies with global reach and significant resources, such as DuPont, hold a dominant strategic position. Specialist players such as Sensoria, Hexoskin, and Ohmatex, although smaller, occupy highly promising niches, particularly in sports and health. Collaborations with established clothing brands and the convergence of digital and textile technologies point to an application-based breakdown of the market: sport, health, military, entertainment, and so on.  <h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q3. What is the current demand/volume in the e-textiles market? How are key players adapting? </h2>Current demand for e-textiles is growing rapidly across a range of industries, and the market is expected to expand significantly over the next decade. In 2023, the global e-textiles market was valued at approximately $6.81 billion, with a forecast annual growth rate (CAGR) of 27.77% to 2027.  The main drivers of this growth are:<ul style="margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Increasing demand for health monitoring wearables</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Growing adoption of smart clothing in the military and healthcare sectors</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Innovations in nanotechnology and flexible electronics </li></ul>Key players in this market, such as DuPont, Sensoria and Jabil, are responding by focusing on research and development to embed new functionalities into fabrics, such as energy harvesting and real-time data transmission. Key applications include:<ul style="margin-top: 0cm; text-align: justify;" type="disc"><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Healthcare (wearable health monitors)</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Sport (performance monitoring),</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Military (soldier safety and surveillance), and</li><li class="MsoNormal" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list 36.0pt;">Fashion (interactive and illuminated clothing)</li></ul>Companies are also looking at partnerships and acquisitions to increase their market penetration and meet growing demand. As the market develops, players are faced with challenges such as high manufacturing costs and the complexity of integrating electronics into soft textiles while maintaining durability and comfort. Connectivity still remains a technical challenge for e-textiles.  <h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q4. Are there any mergers and acquisitions/consolidations that are expected in the e-textiles industry? </h2>Mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and consolidations are expected in the e-textiles sector. This is a fast-growing and evolving sector. Trends in the industry point to increasing concentration as large companies seek to acquire innovative technologies, strengthen their production capacity and consolidate their market position.  Indeed, the e-textiles sector combines two distinct industries - textiles and electronics - with complex R&D and production requirements. Small start-ups, which are often at the origin of innovation in this field, sometimes find it difficult to produce on a large scale and penetrate global supply chains. This makes them attractive to larger textile or technology companies, which can integrate these innovations into their existing infrastructure. Textile players such as DuPont are investing heavily in advanced textiles and could consider acquiring innovative start-ups with key technologies to develop certain e-textiles. Major technology companies, such as Google, Alphabet, Apple, and Samsung, are also looking to expand into textiles. They are exploring connected objects (wearables) and looking to integrate more deeply into the smart clothing sector. E-textiles are a strategic technology for many business sectors. Another major point is that companies specializing in manufacturing advanced materials and fibers, such as Gore-Tex and Toray Industries, are playing a key role in developing e-textiles. In order to expand their production capacity or acquire new technologies, these companies may seek to merge with or acquire suppliers of electronic components or start-ups working on integrating sensors into textiles. Many start-ups specializing in e-textiles, such as WearableX or Clothing+, innovate in specific niches (health, sport, fashion) but may have difficulty finding the capital needed to expand their activities on a global scale. This makes them vulnerable or attractive to acquisition by larger players who can provide the necessary financial resources and distribution networks. Mergers and acquisitions may also be motivated by a desire to consolidate the supply chain and production;  The supply chain for electronic textiles is complex, requiring both textile and electronic skills. Some companies are looking to vertically integrate their activities to better control this chain by acquiring suppliers of components (conductive wires, sensors) or manufacturers of finished products (intelligent clothing). The growing intersection between sport, health, and fashion in e-textiles is also driving companies to seek partnerships or acquisitions in related sectors. Finally, the e-textiles market is increasingly attracting venture capitalists, who see the potential for rapid growth in this sector. This could stimulate consolidation, as companies seek to secure their position in a growing market through mergers or acquisitions. E-textiles are still an emerging market, but the convergence of electronics and textiles is attracting the interest of many major industrial players. Therefore, it is highly likely that the industry will see more mergers and acquisitions in the coming years as large companies seek to consolidate and rapidly integrate innovative technologies. These moves aim to gain market share, improve operational efficiency, and meet the growing demand for intelligent textiles in the fashion, sports, health, and technology sectors.  <h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q5. Are there recent or planned investments in technology to improve the operational efficiency of the e-textiles supply chain? </h2>Yes, there has been recent and planned investment in technology to improve the operational efficiency of the e-textiles supply chain. These initiatives aim to address the challenges posed by integrating electronic components into textiles, large-scale production, and logistics management.  For example, e-textiles require precise tracking at every stage of the supply chain, particularly given the sensitivity of the electronic components. Blockchain and RFID technologies are increasingly being adopted to ensure the traceability of raw materials, electronic components and finished products. Some companies are investing in the implementation of blockchain solutions to ensure supply chain transparency and security. In addition, smart labels (RFID, NFC) are being used to monitor the transport, storage, and inventory of connected textiles. TextileGenesis, a blockchain platform, is working with textile manufacturers to ensure product traceability throughout the supply chain. In another example, many companies are investing in automated manufacturing technologies to improve the production of e-textiles. Automation reduces human error and increases productivity. For example, robots are being developed to sew and integrate conductive wires and sensors directly into textiles. Companies such as SoftWear Automation are developing automated sewing systems that can precisely integrate electronic components into garments. Investment in technology to improve the supply chain for e-textiles is crucial to accelerate their widespread adoption. Technologies such as automation, blockchain, AI and 3D printing are playing a key role in optimising manufacturing and logistics processes, while the focus on sustainability and recycling reflects changing industry priorities. Companies that invest in these innovations are better positioned to meet the growing demand for smart textiles while improving their operational efficiency.  <h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q6. What are the primary raw materials used in e-textiles production process and Who are your main suppliers? </h2>Electronic textiles (e-textiles) combine electronic components with traditional textiles, requiring a variety of specific raw materials to ensure both the functionality and durability of the products. Here are some examples of the raw materials used in the production of e-textiles and the corresponding suppliers: Traditional textile fibres (natural and synthetic)E-textiles often start with traditional fabrics, into which conductive wires and sensors are integrated. These fabrics can be natural or synthetic, depending on the comfort, strength and flexibility requirements of the final product. Suppliers include Lenzing Group, Barnhardt Manufacturing, Toray Industries, and DuPont. Electrical WiresConductive yarns are a key component of electronic textiles, enabling electrical signals to be transmitted through the textile. These wires are often made from a combination of textile fibres and conductive metals such as copper, silver, gold or aluminium. Examples of suppliers include Statex Productions & Vertriebs GmbH, Shieldex, and Elektrisola. However, the innovation in e-textiles also lies in the fact that these conductive threads can be made of other metal-free elastic materials loaded with carbon or graphene, for example, to be conductive while still being stretchy. Nanomaterials such as graphene or carbon nanofibres can also be used for their conductive properties and lightness. They can be used to create both resistant and flexible textiles with enhanced electronic properties. Graphenea and NanoXplore supply graphene and graphene-based materials for intelligent textiles. Conductive Inks and CoatingsConductive inks and coatings are used to print or coat textiles to create flexible electronic circuits. This allows circuits to be integrated directly into textiles for applications such as sensors or electrical connections. These are often inks based on nanoparticles of metal (silver, copper), carbon, or graphene. DuPont, Henkel, or Vorbeck Materials can supply this type of ink. Sensors and flexible electronic componentsSensors integrated into electronic textiles can measure parameters such as temperature, heart rate, respiration and much more. These components need to be flexible and lightweight to fit into textiles. They can be pressure, temperature, humidity, or biometric sensors. There are many suppliers (Sensirion, TE Connectivity, Analog Devices, etc.), but the innovation in e-textiles also lies in the fact that these sensors can be made from textiles. Batteries and flexible power systemsElectronic textiles require energy sources to power sensors, circuits, or on-board devices. Flexible batteries or energy harvesting systems (such as textile solar panels) are increasingly being used to provide autonomy for smart clothing. For example, we will have lithium-ion based batteries, flexible polymer batteries. Suppliers could include Panasonic, Enfucell, Cymbet, etc. Conductive adhesivesConductive adhesives are used to attach electronic components to textiles while ensuring conductivity. These adhesives maintain the flexibility and elasticity of the textile while enabling a good electrical connection. They are often silver-, copper- or graphene-based adhesives (examples of suppliers: 3M, Henkel). Insulation and encapsulation materialsInsulation and encapsulation materials are used to protect electronic components embedded in textiles. These materials prevent mechanical damage or short circuits and also provide protection against water and harsh environments. These materials include silicones, flexible polymers, and elastomers (examples of suppliers: Wacker Chemie AG, Dow Corning, etc.), but it is also possible to insulate components with coatings and chemical surface treatments, for example, to make them waterproof.  <h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Q7. If you were an investor looking at companies within the e-textile space, what critical question would you pose to their senior management? </h2>As an investor examining companies in the e-textiles sector, it is crucial to ask strategic questions that reveal the company's ability to innovate, market its products, and position itself sustainably in an emerging sector. For example, it is important to know the strategy adopted to move from the research and development (R&D) phase to large-scale production while maintaining quality, efficiency, and profitability.  It is also important to consider regulatory influence, regulatory changes, and compliance requirements, which have a significant impact on the smart e-textiles materials market, shaping its trajectory and operations. Also critical are aspects of sourcing key raw materials, such as the regular supply of, which can sometimes be difficult.  The sustainability aspect of the product is also becoming increasingly crucial, especially since it is an electronic product, and it is therefore strategic to integrate it into its roadmap.

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