Report Summary

Market Overview



It is estimated that the global home textile market (consumption) was worth around US$105 bn in 2006. The largest market was the USA but its value remained static in 2006 due to intense competition from low cost countries. The largest market for home textiles in 2004 was the USA. In 2006 the US market was worth an estimated US$16 bn—one billion more than the previous year, despite a slight increase in the volume of sales. This is because there has been considerable price erosion as a result of intense competition from producers in low cost countries.



Cotton has been dominating the home textile market as a whole. Its share of total fibre usage in 2006 exceeded 95% in the case of towels. Before the introduction of man-made fibres, home textiles were predominantly made from cotton and wool. Today natural fibres are blended with man-made fibres, in a variety of combinations, to enhance the fabric’s performance.



Cotton is often combined with polyester to create a more durable fabric. This combination is particularly important for items which are commonly laundered at high temperatures—such as bed sheets—because the polyester reduces the risk of wrinkling and shrinking.



In addition to these advantages, polyester is strong, warm and abrasion resistant, and it also resists moths and mildew. As a result, polyester dominates the carpet and curtain segments.



In 2006, nearly 11,500 thousand tons of fibres were consumed to produce home textiles. Cotton and manmade fibres accounted for respective 38% and 37% of total fibre consumed to produce home textiles. Information on around 20% of the fibre usage was unidentifiable as their formal fibre usages were either not classified or not specified in the fibre categories. About 6% of home textiles were made of wool and animal hairs. Flax accounted for only 0.1% of all fibres consumed in producing home textiles.



Highlights of Fibre Usage in Home Textiles



Home textiles play an important role in the comfort, protection and decoration of furnishings in the home. Although fashions have changed, the styles and fabrics used several hundred years ago still have a distinct influence on those used in the modern home today. There have been a number of significant developments in home textiles over recent years. The global market offers consumers a broader range of fibre combinations, fabrics, designs, textures and colours than it did in the 1990s.



Manufacturers have successfully adapted performance apparel technologies for use in home textile products. For example, bed sheets are being made from Coolmax and Thermolite fabrics. Coolmax fabric incorporates a moisture management technology and has traditionally been used in active performance wear. Thermolite is a lightweight insulation material which was originally designed for outdoor performance apparel. Home textiles are also being made from various functional materials, including Lycra stretch fabric, thermally adaptive bedding, environmentally-friendly textiles, antimicrobial fabrics, stain protective treatments, flame retardant materials and fragrance encapsulating technologies.

Product Categories covered



In this report, the following home textile product categories are examined:

* Bed linen

* Bedspreads

* Blankets

* Curtains

* Floor-cloths, dish-cloths, dusters & sim. cleaning cloths

* Table linen

* Textile furnishing, and

* Toilet linen & kitchen linen

* Supply of Home Textiles



The majority of home textiles are produced in Asia, where manufacturers specialise in lower priced, high volume products. Low cost manufacturing will lead to a surge in exports from China and India. China and India enjoy a dominant position in global trade in home textiles. Moreover, it has been projected by several experts in the industry that low cost manufacturing will pave the way for a surge in exports from these two countries between 2006 and 2011.