Nanotechnology innovation and applications in textiles industry: current markets and future growth trends

Abstract

AbstractAbstractA survey of the global textiles industry sector and related nanotechnology research in key markets is presented, followed by an examination of the textiles value chain to identify where nanotechnology has begun to play an important role. The processes by which a generic technological revolution penetrates and diffuses across sub-segments of an existing 'traditional' sector are discussed. To this end, the causal determinants of nanotechnology based innovation and application in textile products, categories and markets are examined. Emerging nanoenabled performance improvements and new categories in textiles will increasingly drive R&D and commercialisation. Current applications of nanotechnology in textiles are surveyed, indicating incumbent or new entrant innovators, and key trends. This is followed by a discussion of the barriers and drivers to future diffusion and growth of nanotechnology in branches of the textile industry. These empirical foundations are used to explore the cumulative and interactive innovation processes between nanotechnology and textiles. It is argued that the real breakthroughs will come in the long run, beyond 2015–2020, as nanoscience and nanotechnology mature. The age of designer nanomaterials will have major repercussions in R&D and technological innovation in the textile industry.Keywords: INNOVATIONTECHNICAL TEXTILESNANOTECHNOLOGYSMART TEXTILESTEXTILE INDUSTRY