This report analyzes the US coated fabric industry from 2001 to 2021. It provides historical demand data and forecasts coated fabric demand by coating, substrate, and market. The report finds that US coated fabric demand is forecast to increase 3.5% annually to 635 million square yards in 2016, driven by economic growth and rebounding construction and auto production. Polymer-coated fabrics such as vinyl, polyethylene, and polypropylene will see the fastest gains. The motor vehicle market accounts for 27% of demand, with airbags providing the best growth opportunities. The report also profiles 40 US industry competitors.
1. Coated Fabrics to 2016
Report Details:
Published:October 2012
No. of Pages: 321
Price: Single User License – US$5100
This study analyzes the US coated fabric industry. It presents historical demand data for the years
2001, 2006 and 2011, and forecasts for 2016 and 2021 by coating (e.g., vinyl, polyethylene,
polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, polyurethane, pyroxylin, polychloroprene, silicone-
rubber, fabric-backed wallcoverings), substrate (e.g., polyester, nylon, cotton, fiberglass, fabric
blends) and market. The study also considers market environment factors, details industry
structure, evaluates company market share and profiles industry players.
US demand to rise 3.5% annually through 2016
US demand for coated fabrics is forecast to increase 3.5 percent annually to 635 million square
yards in 2016, an improvement from the declines of the 2006-2011 period. Gains will be driven by
a rebound in motor vehicle production, a significant outlet for coated fabrics. In addition, renewed
economic growth, along with rising manufacturing output, and rebounding construction activity will
provide opportunities for coated fabrics. In value terms, coated fabric demand is projected to
expand slightly faster than in area terms, based on price increases. Nevertheless, price increases
will moderate from the 2001-2011 period, when costs of certain raw materials, such as crude oil-
based polymers, rose substantially. Greater competition from lower cost imports, especially from
China, will also work to restrain pricing gains.
Growth in airbags to spur motor vehicle market gains
In 2011, 27 percent of all coated fabric demand was dedicated to the motor vehicle market in
applications such as airbags, upholstery, headlining, trim, tops, and covers. Airbags are projected
to provide the best growth opportunities, driven by an increase in the number of airbags per
vehicle. This is partially due to government regulations and the inclusion of more airbags into a
larger number of types of vehicles at varying price points.
Among other markets, those that are most closely tied to renewed construction activity (e.g.,
wallcoverings, furniture, and awnings and canopies) will achieve above-average growth. The
protective clothing market will also achieve above-average gains, benefiting from accelerating
manufacturing output, where processes in industries such as chemicals, pharmaceuticals, and
electronic, require employees to wear protective gear, as well as ongoing spending on such
equipment for military personnel and first responders.
Polymer-coated fabrics to remain dominant in value
In 2011, coated polyester held the largest share -- 46 percent -- of coated fabric demand. Sales of
coated polyester will benefit from its low cost and versatility. While used in a variety of markets,
2. the light vehicle, furniture, and industrial markets account for the largest share of coated polyester
sales. Through 2016, coated polyester will remain the largest substrate category, but coated nylon
will achieve the fastest gains in sales. Demand for coated nylon will be spurred by its use in
several above-average growth markets, such as airbags and protective clothing.
In 2011, polymer-coated fabrics comprised the largest share of coated fabric demand in value
terms, accounting for 88 percent of the total. Within this category, vinyl-coated fabrics are the most
commonly used materials, accounting for 40 percent of total polymer-coated fabric demand in
2011. The significant share of vinyl-coated fabrics is primarily due to its relatively low cost and
adequate durability for many applications. Among the major types of polymer-coated fabrics, vinyl-
, polyethylene-, and polypropylenecoated versions will post the fastest gains through 2016. The
rubber-coated fabric product category is much smaller, but growth will benefit from the use of
silicone varieties in airbag production. Advances will be fastest for fabricbacked wallcoverings,
which will be promoted by a recovery in the building construction sector, especially in the
institutional and office segments where wallcoverings find significant use.
COMPANY PRO FILES
Profiles 40 US industry competitors such as Canadian General-Tower, OMNOVA Solutions, Saint-
Gobain, Spradling, Takata, and Trelleborg
Additional Information
This study covers the US coated fabric industry, defined here to include fabrics coated or
laminated with polymeric or elastomeric coatings or films. In addition, the study discusses
competing technologies, and environmental, regulatory and other market environment factors.
Historical data are provided for 2001, 2006, and 2011, with forecasts provided for 2016 and 2021.
Data are provided at the coated fabric manufacturer level. Coated fabric demand and shipments
are presented in current dollars by type of coating (e.g., polymers such as vinyl, polyethylene,
polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, acrylic, and polyurethane; and rubber). Coated fabric
demand is also presented in millions of square yards by substrate (e.g., polyester, nylon, cotton,
and others) and by market (e.g., motor vehicles, marine and other non-motor vehicle
transportation, protective clothing, furniture, industrial, wallcoverings, books, commercial and
rental tents, awnings and canopies, and others). Fabrics treated with chemical finishes, such as
SCOTCHGARD (3M) or other stain- or water repellent finishes, are not coated fabrics as defined
here and are therefore not included.
As used in this study, the term “sales” is synonymous with “demand” and is equivalent to coated
fabric production plus imports, less exports. In addition, major manufacturers of coated fabrics are
identified and profiled, and the key competitive variables are discussed. The entire study is framed
within the coated fabric industry’s economic, technological, and market environments.
Tabular details may not add to totals owing to rounding, and some ratios are based on unrounded
numbers. Macroeconomic indicators presented in this study were obtained from The Freedonia
Group Consensus Forecasts dated August 2012. Because of the Bureau of Economic Analysis’
use of chainweighted price indexes, inflation-adjusted Gross Domestic Product components (2005
dollars) do not necessarily add to the total.
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Major points covered in Table of Contents of this report include
TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION x
I. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1
II. MARKET ENVIRONMENT 4
General 4
Macroeconomic Environment 4
Manufacturing Outlook 7
Textiles Outlook 11
Consumer Spending Trends 13
Demographics 16
Environmental & Regulatory Considerations 20
III. OVERVIEW 24
General 24
Supply & Demand 25
Historical Market Trends 27
Pricing Patterns 31
International Environment 33
World Supply & Demand 34
US Foreign Trade 37
Coating Processes 40
Gap Coating 41
Reverse-Roll Coating 42
Rotary Screen Coating 42
Other Coating Processes 43
Competitive Products 45
Coated Fabrics’ Advantages 48
Technological Developments 50
Raw Materials 50
IV. PRODUCTS 55
General 55
Polymer-Coated Fabrics 59
Vinyl-Coated Fabrics 62
Characteristics & Applications 65
Suppliers 66
Polyethylene-Coated Fabrics 67
Characteristics & Applications 68
Suppliers 69
Polyurethane-Coated Fabrics 69
Characteristics & Applications 71
Suppliers 72
4. Polypropylene-Coated Fabrics 72
Characteristics & Applications 73
Suppliers 74
Polytetrafluoroethylene-Coated Fabrics 74
Characteristics & Applications 76
Suppliers 77
Acrylic-Coated Fabrics 78
Characteristics & Applications 79
Suppliers 81
Other Polymer-Coated Fabrics 81
Rubber-Coated Fabrics 82
Polychloroprene-Coated Fabrics 84
Silicone Rubber-Coated Fabrics 85
Other Rubber-Coated Fabrics 86
Fabric-Backed Wallcoverings 87
Characteristics 88
Suppliers 90
V. SUBSTRATES 91
General 91
Polyester 93
Nylon 95
Cotton 97
Other Substrates 99
Fiberglass 100
Fabric Blends 102
Nonwovens 102
All Other Substrates 103
VI. MARKETS 105
General 105
Motor Vehicles 109
Industry Outlook 110
Coated Fabric Demand 113
Light Vehicles 115
Airbags 119
Upholstery, Trim, & Accessories 121
Auto Tops & Light Truck Covers 123
Medium & Heavy Trucks & Buses 125
Truck Covers & Sides 127
Upholstery, Trim, & Other 129
Marine & Other Non-Motor Vehicle Transportation 130
Industry Outlook 131
Coated Fabric Demand 134