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Global active insulation market will record robust gains through 2027, led by multifaceted application in textiles and building & construction. The industry growth is primarily driven by the increasing investments in energy-efficient infrastructure across the globe. The rising adoption of sports and physical fitness routines among consumers is propelling the demand for performance clothing, a key application area of active insulation materials.
Active insulation products are characterized by exceptional insulation properties and offer significant performance benefits. In building and construction applications, these materials help improve energy-efficiency by eliminating the need for heating and cooling systems as well as lowering carbon emissions associated with these systems. In the textile industry, active insulation is used to design breathable fabrics which are widely used in sportswear and activewear. The rising energy costs and growing consumer awareness towards the benefits of these materials will bolster the active insulation industry outlook.
In terms of the end-use landscape, the market is segmented into building & construction and textile sectors. The textiles segment is further bifurcated based on the product into cotton, wool, nylon, and polyester; and on the basis of application into activewear, sportswear, and others.
The active insulation market share from textile applications will expand at a steady rate between 2021 and 2027. The increased consumer focus on health and physical fitness has led to increased participation in outdoor sporting activities such as hiking, running, jogging, walking, and others. The number of people working out in gyms as well as at home has also increased significantly. These factors are creating a huge demand for breathable clothing.
Clothing and apparel with active insulation are also witnessing robust demand from the military sector where the army personnel may need to encounter extreme weather conditions. The ongoing technological advances in the design of active insulation materials such as layered fabrics and advanced finishing treatments will further boost the performance and durability of clothing materials.
From a geographical point of view, North America is slated to capture a substantial share of the global active insulation industry by the end of 2027. The increased government and regulatory focus on green buildings will be a major factor driving the regional product demand. Due to the need to reduce carbon emissions as well as lower the carbon footprint across the construction sector, the adoption of thermal insulation materials is increasing. Besides promoting sustainability, these materials also help reduce noise pollution and promote energy savings. The introduction of strict energy efficiency norms and ambitious green infrastructure projects will propel the regional market forward in the forthcoming years.
Ecological Building Systems, Polar Tech Industries, Inc., HDWool, and Primaloft are some of the leading manufacturers of active insulation products. The active insulation market is continuously witnessing innovative product launches as manufacturers adopt sustainable manufacturing practices. In September 2020, for example, PrimaLoft, Inc. had partnered with a number of outdoor sports, lifestyle, fashion, and home furnishing brands to launch the new PrimaLoft Bio, an environmentally friendly, completely recycled synthetic insulation and performance fabric.
COVID-19 crisis and its impact on active insulation industry forecast
Active insulation products have experienced a decline in demand, especially during the initial stages of the pandemic, when major construction and infrastructure projects were temporarily halted and gyms and fitness centers were shut down. However, with gradual ease of containment measures, construction activities have picked up pace in many regions. Also, despite the closure of gyms, participation in sports and physical fitness activities has increased due to the adoption of home workout regimes. Due to these factors, the product demand has remained fairly steady and is expected to increase in the future, driving the active insulation market forward over 2021-2027.