Smart Fabrics & Interactive Textiles Market Driven by Actuation & Response Applications

Natick, MA May 1, 2004--According to a report by Venture Development Corporation (VDC), "Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles: Global Market Opportunity Assessment," Actuation and Response applications provide the greatest near-term potential for Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles (SFIT).

Five-Year SFIT Consumption by Application
(Revenues from SFIT Materials and Solution Shipments - Thousands of US$)

Location/Position
2003: $0
2008: $5,388

Information, Entertainment & Communications
2003: $119
2008: $32,787

Actuation & Response
2003: $303,271
2008: $606,219

Sensing & Monitoring
2003: $450
2008: $75,606

Overall Market
2003: $303,840
2008: $720,000

Actuation and response applications include:

- Temperature control & energy management - includes resistive heating, thermal curing, fuel cell technology, etc.)
- Environmental management - includes biostatic/biocidal, chem./bio protection, EMI, RFI thermal shielding
- Movement and phase change technologies

According to Rick Barnard, Electronic Components/Advanced Materials Practice Director at VDC, "Sensor-based triggering of electrical response in garments - starting with military use for soldiers uniforms - is expected to transform from a $3 million segment to about a $6 million segment by 2008."

Barnard goes on to provide another real world example: "Also within the actuation and response segment resides the application of resistive heating utilizing conductive fibers, as seen in the MET5 jacket, manufactured and marketed by the NorthFace. This jacket is marketed to skiing and mountain climbing enthusiasts. The goal is to displace market share from both traditional winter wear such as down parkas, and heated outerwear garments that utilize older technology. We see this as a viable product, that has shown great potential."

To view the press release, including graph, go to:
http://www.vdc-corp.com/components/press/04/pr04-26.html

Report Availability:
http://www.vdc-corp.com/components/reports/03/br03-02.html

About VDC

Founded in 1971, VDC is a technology market research and consulting firm that specializes in industrial and commercial electronics, computing, communications, software and power systems markets.

For further information about "Smart Fabrics and Interactive Textiles: Global Market Opportunity Assessment" contact:

Rick Barnard, Group Manager, 508-653-9000, Extension 146, rickb@vdc-corp.com

Marc Regberg, Vice President, 508-653-9000, Extension 111, msr@vdc-corp.com

Join the VDC mailing list to receive future updates at: http://www.vdc-corp.com/subscriptions



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