Odour Control Textile Market Report: Trends, Forecast and Competitive Analysis to 2031

Odour Control Textile Market Trends and Forecast

The future of the global odour control textile market looks promising with opportunities in the apparel & footwear and home & medical textile markets. The global odour control textile market is expected to grow with a CAGR of 7.6% from 2025 to 2031. The major drivers for this market are the rising consumer awareness of hygiene & freshness, the growing demand for activewear & athleisure, and the increasing innovation in textile technology.

• Lucintel forecasts that, within the type category, antimicrobial technology is expected to witness higher growth over the forecast period.
• Within the application category, apparel & footwear is expected to witness higher growth.
• In terms of region, North America is expected to witness the highest growth over the forecast period.

Gain valuable insights for your business decisions with our comprehensive 150+ page report. Sample figures with some insights are shown below.

Emerging Trends in the Odour Control Textile Market

The odour control textile market is experiencing a remarkable change, influenced by changing consumer demands for freshness, hygiene, and eco-friendliness in multiple textile applications. These new trends underscore a transformation from simple odor masking to advanced, long-lasting, and eco-friendly solutions. The market is becoming more interested in creating technologies that not only prevent the growth of odor-causing bacteria but also ensure comfort, durability, and a reduced environmental impact.

• Trend Towards Bio-Based and Sustainable Odor Control Technologies: This trend is away from conventional metal-based antimicrobial chemicals such as silver and zinc, towards more sustainable and naturally sourced alternatives. The effect is a lessened environmental footprint, responding to concerns on chemical exposure by consumers as well as advocating for a circular economy within textiles. Advances involve the use of active ingredients from plants, minerals, or eco-friendly processes that provide effective odor control without toxic residues or challenging disposal, i.e., peppermint oil or volcanic minerals.
• Odor Adsorption and Neutralization Mechanism Integration: In addition to antimicrobial activity that prevents bacterial growth, there has been a movement to add technologies that actively adsorb or chemically destroy odor molecules. The benefit is extensive odor control that addresses both the cause of odor (bacteria) and lingering scents. This can be activated carbon, zeolites, or cyclodextrins integrated into fibers that capture malodorous chemicals, or chemistry finishes that chemically degrade odor molecules, offering a more direct and full freshness.
• Creation of Multi-Functional Fabrics with Improved Comfort Attributes: Odor control is being paired with other performance properties such as moisture-wicking, temperature control, and stretch in one textile. The result is a more comfortable and versatile garment that addresses the varied demands of active consumers. This trend is most common in sportswear, activewear, and outdoor apparel, where consumers are looking for fabrics that stay dry, cool, and fresh for extended periods of physical activity, improving overall user experience.
• Long-Term Durability and Washing Fastness of Odor Control Treatments: Consumers are calling for odor control fabrics that continue to be effective during the life of the garment, even after multiple washes. One key trend is the creation of technologies that are better anchored to the fibers of the textile. The effect is more durable product life, minimizing wash after wash and helping to drive sustainable consumption. This includes advanced finishing processes and polymer chemistries that keep the active ingredients in play over time.
• New Areas of Application Outside Apparel: Although traditionally dominant in sportswear, odor control fabrics are now being applied to new areas such as home textiles (bedding, towels, furniture), medical textiles (hospital fabrics, patient gowns), and factory work clothing. The effect is wider market expansion and enhanced hygiene and comfort in different settings. Diversification is fueled by increased awareness of hygiene, regulatory requirements in healthcare, and the need for freshness in living environments and challenging work environments.

Such new trends are individually and collectively transforming the odour control textile market by extending the boundaries of textile engineering and material science. The focus on diversity in application, durability, multi-functionality, holistic odor control, and sustainability guarantees that odor control textiles continue to be a leading area of textile innovation, providing improved comfort, hygiene, and eco-friendliness across a broad spectrum of product offerings.

Recent Developments in the Odour Control Textile Market

Recent advancements in the odour control textile market are centered mainly on material science innovations, enhancing application techniques, and increasing the functional qualities of these fabrics to address increasingly demanding consumer and industry needs. These developments are important for delivering better, longer-lasting, and more sustainable means of controlling unpleasant odours in a wide range of textile applications, from casual wear to professional specialized clothing.

• Advances in Nanotechnology for Odor Control: One notable advancement is the growing application of nanotechnology, specifically silver nanoparticles and zinc oxide nanoparticles, for infusing antimicrobial functionality into textile fibers. The effect is very effective and resistant odor control even at low levels of active ingredients. Nanoparticles provide a large surface area for antimicrobial activity and can be integrated more stably into the fabric structure, resulting in sustained freshness and performance without affecting the feel or breathability of the textile.
• Bio-Based and Botanical Treatment Introduction: There is also the striking trend in the use of bio-based and plant active ingredients for odor management, instead of artificial chemicals. The effect is more eco-friendly textiles that win over environmentally sensitive consumers as well as meet more stringent regulations. Such examples include those based on peppermint oil, chitosan (from shellfish), or other plant extracts that suppress bacterial multiplication or adsorb odors, providing a greener and usually skin-soothing alternative to conventional antimicrobial agents.
• Evolution of Odor Adsorption Technologies (such as Activated Carbon, Zeolites): One of the important developments is the incorporation of sophisticated odor adsorption materials such as activated carbon, zeolites, and cyclodextrins into fibers of textiles or as surface coatings. The effect is physical entrapment and neutralization of odor molecules, giving instant and efficient odor removal. The technology is especially useful for applications where the presence of strong odors is expected, such as work clothing, sports wear, and industrial uniforms, since it catches the volatile organic compounds causing the smells directly.
• Enhanced Wash Durability and Regenerability of Treatments: New advances are towards improving the wash durability and regenerability of odor control finishes so that they remain effective throughout the life of the garment. The effect is longer product life and lower requirement for frequent washing, saving water and energy. Examples are treatments that are more strongly attached to the fibers on a permanent basis, or treatments that are "rechargeable" or can be reactivated by easy washing or air exposure, retaining effectiveness after numerous cycles.
• Intelligent Textiles with Embedded Odor Control and Sensing Properties: One new development is the incorporation of odor control functions into intelligent textiles, sometimes in conjunction with sensor functions. The effect is strongly functional textiles that not only regulate odor but are also able to detect, potentially, environmental odors or shifts in body odor, enabling new applications. Although still in its infancy, this convergence suggests future textiles that are more responsive and yield real-time data, especially applicable for specialized sportwear, medical apparel, and protective wear.

These advancements are significantly influencing the odour control textile market by promoting innovation along the entire value chain, ranging from raw materials to end-products. The emphasis on nanotechnology, bio-based solutions, advanced adsorption, improved durability, and smart integration is central to addressing the changing needs for high-performance, sustainable, and intelligent textiles that provide better odor control and contribute towards overall hygiene and comfort.

Strategic Growth Opportunities in the Odour Control Textile Market

The odour control textile market provides enormous strategic development potential in each major application, fueled by growing consumer knowledge, a worldwide emphasis on hygiene, and the need for greater comfort and durability in many textile products. These opportunities range across various sectors, from high-performance sportswear to casual clothing, residential textiles, and niche industrial and medical uses, demonstrating the diversity and increasing applicability of odor control technologies.

• Sportswear and Activewear: This is the biggest and most mature growth opportunity. End-users engaging in physical activity strongly prize clothing that controls sweat and suppresses odor accumulation, allowing comfort and freshness while and after exercise. The effect is sustained, high-volume demand for odor-controlling performance fabrics. Opportunities include incorporating high-tech moisture-wicking, quick-drying capabilities, and long-lasting anti-odor treatments into athletic garments such as t-shirts, leggings, socks, and sporting gear, both for professional athletes and fitness enthusiasts.
• Everyday Apparel and Fast Fashion: There is now increased potential to incorporate odor control technologies into mainstream, everyday fashion, such as casual wear, denim, and even fast fashion. The effect is longer-lasting freshness for everyday wear, eliminating the need for constant washing and increasing garment life. Potential exists in making cost-effective and scalable odor control technology that can be incorporated into mass-produced textiles and appealing to a wider consumer base looking for convenience and hygiene in their everyday clothes.
• Home Textiles (Bedding, Towels, Upholstery): The home textiles market offers a large, untapped growth potential. Customers are increasingly looking for odor-resistance in bedding, pillowcases, towels, and upholstery to keep living spaces fresh and clean. The effect is greater comfort, less laundry, and a healthier home environment. Opportunities include treating such products with durable odor control finishes to address pet odor concerns, sweat, and overall freshness in home products.
• Medical and Healthcare Textiles: With increased focus on hygiene in healthcare environments, the healthcare and medical textile industry represents a key area of opportunity. Odor control materials must be used in hospital scrub uniforms, patient gowns, bedding, and even wound dressings. The effect is better hygiene for patients and healthcare professionals, limiting the transmission of bacteria and increasing comfort in healthcare settings. Opportunities exist in creating extremely resilient, sterilizable, and effective antimicrobial odor control that fulfills high healthcare standards.
• Industrial Uniforms and Workwear: For sectors with employees who are exposed to physically taxing conditions, varying environments, or longer wear, workwear and industrial uniforms offer a worthwhile growth prospect. Odor control fabrics promote workers' comfort, morale, and cleanliness, particularly in occupations with high physical labor or exposure to mixed odors. The effect is better working conditions and possibly lower laundry bills for companies. Opportunities entail creating strong, long-lasting, and highly efficient odor control solutions for uniforms in industries such as construction, hospitality, and manufacturing.

These growth opportunities of strategic nature are significantly influencing the odour control textile market by aligning innovation and investment in a wide variety of high-demand applications. In addressing the unique requirements of sportswear, casual wear, home furnishings, medical applications, and workwear, the market can continue its strong growth trend and emphasize further the vital contributions of odor control technology to improving hygiene, comfort, and sustainability across the textile sector.

Odour Control Textile Market Driver and Challenges

The Odour Control Textile Industry is influenced by a multifaceted interaction of key drivers and challenges encompassing numerous technological, economic, and regulatory aspects. Each of these factors individually and collectively affects product innovation, adoption levels, and total market expansion. It is important for stakeholders to understand these forces in order to better navigate the industry, allowing ongoing development and successful incorporation of this increasingly significant textile capability.

The factors responsible for driving the odour control textile market include:

1. Increased Consumer Consciousness and Demand for Cleanliness and Freshness: The key driver is growing world consumer awareness of personal hygiene and the need for freshness in their clothes and home environments. Body odor that is unpleasant or lingering smells on fabrics are biggest concerns. This increased awareness creates demand for fabrics that actively combat or resist odors, resulting in greater use of odor control technologies across a broad array of product categories from activewear to casual wear and home furnishings.

2. Development of the Sports and Activewear Market: The lucrative international sports and activewear market is a major stimulant. Users of physical activity put on clothes that can deal with sweat and odor accumulation during extended wear. This segment always requires high-performance odor-control fabrics with comfort, durability, and good odor neutralization, and hence there is ongoing research and development in this field and a steady market for the specialty fibers.

3. Technological Developments in Odor Control Treatments: Ongoing developments in odor control technologies, such as enhanced antimicrobial agents, advanced adsorbing materials, and novel application technologies, are driving market growth. These developments create more efficient, long-lasting, and multifunctional odor control technologies. Seamless integration of these technologies into diverse fiber types and fabric constructions improves overall performance and marketability of odor control fabrics.

4. More Emphasis on Sustainability and Lower Washing Frequency: Another increasing driver is the focus on sustainability, which prompts consumers to minimize their impact on the environment by washing clothes less. Odor control fabrics, by being fresher for a longer time, explicitly enable this trend. This offers a compelling value proposition to consumers looking for greener solutions, as washing less saves energy, water, and prolongs garment life, making the textile industry more sustainable.

5. New Application Areas Outside Apparel: The industry is more and more pushed by the growth of odor control fabrics into various applications outside the conventional garments, including home textiles (bed linen, towels, carpets), medical textiles (workwear, patient gowns), and industrial work clothes. This diversification is stimulated by a common need for enhanced hygiene, comfort, and cleanliness in various environments, creating new market segments and propelling general market development.

Challenges in the odour control textile market are:

1. Issues About the Environmental Impact and Safety of Active Agents: One major challenge is the constant question and attention surrounding the safety and the environmental influence of some active ingredients employed in odor control fabric, especially heavy metals such as silver. Environmental activists and regulatory authorities are advocating for tighter controls and substitutes, which contribute to higher costs of research and development and may impose restrictions on utilizing some proven technologies. This calls for more environmentally friendly and non-toxic alternatives.

2. Cost-Effectiveness and Scalability for Mass Market Adoption: Though high-performance odor control fabrics are common in high-end segments, cost-effectiveness and scalability for mass market adoption is not yet easy. State-of-the-art technologies and advanced materials may drive production costs up, rendering them less viable for day-to-day wear or low-budget consumers. Achieving an optimal balance between performance, longevity, and cost is the key to wider market development

3. Durability and Wash Fastness Limitations of Some Treatments: Even with developments, certain treatments for odor control might still have compromises in terms of durability and wash fastness. Consumers want the odor control feature to endure the garment's lifetime. If the wash-out is too rapid, it degrades the value proposition and may result in consumer dissatisfaction, which is a challenge for manufacturers to provide consistent and long-lasting performance over several cycles of laundering.

Overall, the influence of these drivers and issues on the odour control textile market is one of constant innovation and strategic adjustment. Consumer demand for hygiene and freshness combined with the rise of active lifestyles are very strong drivers. But the market must work hard to meet the environmental and safety issues of its active agents, pursue cost-effectiveness and scalability at higher levels, and transcend the constraints of treatment longevity to sustain its growth and adoption in the changing textile environment.

List of Odour Control Textile Companies

Companies in the market compete on the basis of product quality offered. Major players in this market focus on expanding their manufacturing facilities, R&D investments, infrastructural development, and leverage integration opportunities across the value chain. With these strategies odour control textile companies cater increasing demand, ensure competitive effectiveness, develop innovative products & technologies, reduce production costs, and expand their customer base. Some of the odour control textile companies profiled in this report include-

• Indorama Ventures
• Crypton
• Schoeller Textiles
• Milliken
• Herculite
• FilSpec
• Lenzing
• Unitika
• Tiong Liong
• Kleen Fabrics

Odour Control Textile Market by Segment

The study includes a forecast for the global odour control textile market by type, application, and region.

Odour Control Textile Market by Type [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

• Odor Capture Technologies
• Antimicrobial Technologies
• Others

Odour Control Textile Market by Application [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

• Apparels & Footwear
• Home & Medical Textiles
• Others

Odour Control Textile Market by Region [Value from 2019 to 2031]:

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• The Rest of the World

Country Wise Outlook for the Odour Control Textile Market

The odour control textile market is witnessing vibrant growth as a result of growing awareness among consumers about hygiene, active lifestyles, and freshness in casual wear and niche applications. The fabrics are designed to eliminate or suppress bacteria that cause odour, rather than producing unpleasant odours. The latest trends aim at higher-level technologies, such as antimicrobial treatments, adsorption technologies, and eco-friendly solutions, increasing the lifespan and functionality of clothing in different industries ranging from sportswear to healthcare and domestic textiles, ultimately ensuring user comfort and a healthier living environment.

• United States: The United States odour control textile market is dominated by its strong sports and activewear sector, as well as an increasing focus on personal hygiene. Recent trends have involved greater investment in bio-based and sustainable odor control technologies in response to moves away from traditional silver or heavy metal treatments on environmental grounds. There is a high demand from consumers for long-lasting freshness in workwear, performance clothing, and footwear, which has driven innovations in integration processes to provide durability even after repeated washing, and openness about the active ingredients employed.
• China: China's odour control textile market is growing very quickly, driven by a huge population with rising disposable incomes and a growing passion for health and well-being, especially in sportswear and athleisure. Recent growth involves local textile companies actively building their own odor control technologies, frequently incorporating nanotechnology for increased performance and durability. The market experiences a large production volume for casual wear, work clothing, and home textiles, with increasing demand for value-based solutions to deliver effective odor neutralization, fueled by industrial needs as well as consumer choice.
• Germany: Germany's Odour Control Textile Industry, characterized by its focus on technically qualified technical textiles and the adoption of sustainable methods, is dedicated to sophisticated and eco-friendly odor control technologies. The latest innovations include German companies spearheading the development and use of cutting-edge, frequently silver-free, antimicrobial compounds and odor adsorption technology. There is a compelling push towards making odor control treatments meet stringent European environmental legislation and Oeko-Tex standards, serving the high-end brands and niche applications in sports, workwear, and healthcare markets.
• India: India's odour control textile market is at an early stage but is set to grow dynamically, driven by growing consciousness of hygiene, growing participation in sports, and a booming textile industry. Some of the recent advances comprise indigenous textile producers trying and implementing different odor control technologies, both chemical treatments and natural fiber blends. The emphasis is on creating cost-effective and long-lasting odor control solutions for mass fashion garments, sports wear, and military uniforms to cater to the interests of a large and heterogeneous customer population in different climatic conditions.
• Japan: Japan's odour control textile market prioritizes high-performance materials science, controlled application, and high-tech functionality. Some of the recent advancements include Japanese textile manufacturers leading the way in highly resistant odor control technologies that provide great wash fastness and wear comfort. Strong interest in combining odor control with other smart textile features, like moisture management and temperature control, especially for high-performance sportswear, intimate wear, and specialized uniforms, is indicative of Japan's attention to innovative and multi-functional textile solutions.

Features of the Global Odour Control Textile Market

Market Size Estimates: Odour control textile market size estimation in terms of value ($B).

Trend and Forecast Analysis: Market trends (2019 to 2024) and forecast (2025 to 2031) by various segments and regions.

Segmentation Analysis: Odour control textile market size by type, application, and region in terms of value ($B).

Regional Analysis: Odour control textile market breakdown by North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and Rest of the World.

Growth Opportunities: Analysis of growth opportunities in different types, applications, and regions for the odour control textile market.

Strategic Analysis: This includes M&A, new product development, and competitive landscape of the odour control textile market.

Analysis of competitive intensity of the industry based on Porter’s Five Forces model.

This report answers following 11 key questions:

Q.1. What are some of the most promising, high-growth opportunities for the odour control textile market by type (odor capture technologies, antimicrobial technologies, and others), application (apparels & footwear, home & medical textiles, and others), and region (North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World)?

Q.2. Which segments will grow at a faster pace and why?

Q.3. Which region will grow at a faster pace and why?

Q.4. What are the key factors affecting market dynamics? What are the key challenges and business risks in this market?

Q.5. What are the business risks and competitive threats in this market?

Q.6. What are the emerging trends in this market and the reasons behind them?

Q.7. What are some of the changing demands of customers in the market?

Q.8. What are the new developments in the market? Which companies are leading these developments?

Q.9. Who are the major players in this market? What strategic initiatives are key players pursuing for business growth?

Q.10. What are some of the competing products in this market and how big of a threat do they pose for loss of market share by material or product substitution?

Q.11. What M&A activity has occurred in the last 5 years and what has its impact been on the industry?

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