With a market share of 28%, mobile textiles make up the largest segment. Experts see chances for growth in medical textiles, building textiles and industrial textiles (filters, lifting and conveying systems, roller coverings).
Mobile textiles with a share of 22% are by far the biggest market segment. The estimated sales in Germany in 2005 were Euro 1.18 -1.32 billion. In the EU it is about Euro 2.36 – 2.64 billion.
Across the world, market share of mobile textiles, in which aircraft construction and railroads are considered, is around 16% which translates to revenues of approximately US $17.09 billion. It is estimated to reach US $20.35 billion by 2010.
Textile usage in a mid-range car is about 25 kg and in the luxury class between 35 and 42 kg. It is assumed that in a couple of years the mid-range car will use up to 30 – 35 kg of textile. The reasons are to be seen in the savings of weight, functional advantages with building parts, increases of security convenience with additional airbag-systems, and increased use of fuel cells.
Of all textiles used in a car, percentage of technical textiles is around 50 – 60%. Area-measured fabrics (woven fabrics, laid webs, knitted fabrics, ribbons, braiding) account for the rest 40 – 50%.
Natural fibres are lighter by 30 – 40% than chemical fibres; however, they have the disadvantage of not reaching the sound insulation properties of man-made fibres. Therefore research is continuouslygoing to develop new chemical fibres with lower weight or natural fibres with better insulating properties.
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