Drawing on its established competence in textile machinery, precision engineering, and materials science, Germany established itself as a leader in high-performance technical textiles in the 1960s and 1970s. The transition from conventional textiles to functionally engineered materials was spurred by the post-World War II industrial recovery and the growth of high-tech industries, with significant advancements in the production of industrial textiles, filtration media, and automotive textiles. Germany's emphasis on quality and well-organized research infrastructure have made it a global leader in this field. In Germany, the development of technical textiles was significantly impacted by the automotive industry. Germany, which is the home of major automakers like Audi, Volkswagen, Daimler, and BMW, insisted on materials that were lightweight, robust, and efficient in terms of fuel economy, safety, comfort, and sustainability. Due to its use in applications like thermal insulation, soundproof panels, interior linings, seat reinforcements, and airbags, technical textiles have grown to be essential. By integrating fiber-reinforced fabrics and composites into automobile interiors and bodies, Germany strengthened its position as a world leader in both technical textile manufacturing and automotive engineering. The characteristics of German-made technical textiles include high structural integrity, dimensional stability, resistance to heat and chemicals, and advanced functionality like breathability, conductivity, and flame retardancy, all of which are indicative of engineering accuracy. These characteristics satisfy the stringent needs of the aerospace, defense, construction, filtration, and medical sectors, among others, which are some of the biggest consumers in the country. The Fraunhofer Institute for Industrial Mathematics and Textile Research is a significant force behind innovation, as it is the leader in the development of nanofibers, smart textiles, e-textiles, and bio composites. Fraunhofer has kept Germany at the forefront of advances in technical textile innovation worldwide by fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration between material scientists, engineers, and industry to help German companies commercialize cutting-edge technologies like self-healing fabrics, conductive wearables, and energy-harvesting textiles.
According to the research report, ""Germany Technical Textile Market Overview, 2030,"" published by Bonafide Research, the Germany Technical Textile market is anticipated to grow at more than 3.87% CAGR from 2025 to 2030. German superiority in engineering, sustainability, and innovative materials is demonstrated by this expansion. Recent advancements have been made in textile composites, particularly in the growth of carbon-fiber and 3D-woven composite production in industrial parks like Overbrush, where businesses like Toho Tenax manufacture thousands of tonnes of high-strength carbon fibers every year. These materials are being used in renewable energy systems, aerospace structures, and lightweight automotive components. The Freudenberg Group, which is well-known for its high-performance Evolon® nonwoven materials and flexible textile innovations utilizing recycled polyester and Amann & Söhne, the leading industrial thread specialist in the world, which has been producing high-performance sewing threads since the mid-2000s are two important companies in the technical textile sector in Germany. The Heimbach Group, which specializes in industrial filtration materials, and Gustav Gerster, who works on technical narrow tapes for composites, are others. The green building industry, which calls for energy-efficient insulation, fire-safe membranes, and smart façade textiles that comply with EU sustainability norms, and advanced mobility specifically, electric and lightweight vehicles that need composite reinforcement, sound insulation, and battery safety solutions both offer significant growth prospects. The German technical textile industry is subject to the regulations of the Textile Labelling Act TextilKennzG, which requires that the material composition be labeled. Furthermore, EU-wide standards under REACH chemical safety, ICE, and DIN norms related to fire resistance DIN EN 13501, structural load DIN EN 1990+1991, and thermal performance DIN EN ISO 13501 are applicable.
The Germany technical textiles by material are divided into natural fibers, synthetic fibers, minerals, metals, regenerated fibers, material and others. To satisfy the rigorous requirements of industries like automotive, aerospace, medical, filtration, and construction, Germany's technical textile market makes use of a wide range of raw materials. Natural fibers like cotton, flax, and hemp are mostly used in eco-conscious applications, such as bio composites for automotive panels and insulation materials for green buildings. In Germany, the use of biodegradable fibers in horticultural applications and non-structural elements has been promoted by the nation's dedication to circular economy models and sustainability. The market is primarily dominated by material synthetic fibers such as polyester, polyamide nylon, polypropylene, aramids such as Kevlar®, and PTFE because of their outstanding strength, flexibility, and chemical resistance. These are necessary for the production of geotextiles, medical disposables, protective apparel, and airbags. German businesses are leading the way in incorporating smart capabilities, such as thermal management and conductivity, into synthetic textiles, which are utilized in industries including wearable technology and defense. The most common applications of mineral fibers, particularly glass and basalt fibers, are in the production of composite reinforcement, fire-resistant textiles, filtration systems, and construction panels. These materials are essential in transport and infrastructure, in particular, due to Germany's focus on precision engineering and construction safety. Applications for metal fibers include thermal protective clothing, smart textiles, and electromagnetic interference EMI shielding. Examples include silver-coated threads, aluminum, and stainless steel. They are essential to military, electronics, and aerospace applications, where technical performance and durability are crucial. Examples of regenerated fibers used in medical textiles, hygiene products, and high-comfort clothing include viscose and modal, which combine softness with regulated absorbency and biodegradability. Germany's leadership in lightweight composites and high-temperature-resistant textiles is backed by materials such bio-based polymers, ceramic fibers, and carbon fibers.
In Germany, high-performance applications rely on the foundation provided by woven technical textiles. These materials provide outstanding abrasion resistance, dimensional stability, and tensile strength via the interlacing of warp and weft threads. German businesses utilize woven materials in conveyor belts, geotextiles, architectural membranes, automotive airbags, and composite reinforcements. Advanced woven carbon and glass fabrics for lightweight structural parts are particularly advantageous to the car industry because they improve safety and lower emissions because of their flexibility, elasticity, and breathability, knitted materials are highly valued for use in medical bandages, athletic clothing, orthopedic supports, and smart textiles. In order to create e-textiles that allow for wearable sensors, temperature regulation, and health monitoring, German producers incorporate conductive fibers into knitted constructions. With the advancement of wearable technology, knitting methods now make it possible to create flawless, body-fitting textiles with integrated electronics. In Germany, nonwoven textiles are widely used in the markets for healthcare, hygiene, filtration, and protective apparel. Nonwovens are made using techniques like needle-punching, meltblowing, and spunbonding, without the use of conventional yarns. This results in a material that is lightweight, affordable, and has excellent porosity. They are frequently used in surgical gowns, wound dressings, face masks, automotive cabin filters, and industrial insulation. To fulfill the EU's sustainability targets and healthcare needs during the pandemic, Germany's top businesses have made significant investments in enhancing nonwoven technology. Braiding, warp knitting, 3D weaving, and composite lamination material other methods are utilized in the production of high-strength reinforcements, thermal insulations, aerospace composites, and technical ropes.
Considered in this report
• Historic Year: 2019
• Base year: 2024
• Estimated year: 2025
• Forecast year: 2030
Aspects covered in this report
• Technical Textile Market with its value and forecast along with its segments
• Various drivers and challenges
• On-going trends and developments
• Top profiled companies
• Strategic recommendation
By Material
• Natural Fiber
• Synthethic Fiber
• Minerals
• Metals
• Regenerated Fibers
• Others
By Process
• Woven
• Knitted
• Non-Woven
• Others
Learn how to effectively navigate the market research process to help guide your organization on the journey to success.
Download eBook