The textile industry has been experiencing explosive growth over the past few decades primarily due to increasing global population and rising disposable incomes in developing countries. As textile production rises to keep up with demand, manufacturers are under increasing pressure to adopt sustainable practices and reduce environmental impact. One area where technology is helping drive more eco-friendly textile manufacturing is in the use of enzymes.
The Global Enzyme Opportunity
Enzymes are specialized proteins produced by living organisms that catalyze chemical reactions. In the textile industry, enzymes are used at various stages of the manufacturing process from preparation of natural fibers to dyeing and finishing. Their application offers several advantages over traditional chemical techniques. For one, enzymes are effective even at mild temperatures and neutral pH levels, allowing for significant energy savings since high temperature processing is not required. They are also more environmentally-benign as they decompose to non-toxic elements after use. With growing emphasis on sustainability in the supply chain, textile enzymes are emerging as an attractive natural alternative.
It comes as no surprise then that the Global Textile Enzymes Market has been gaining strong traction in recent years. According to a recent report by Fact.MR, the market is projected to progress at an impressive CAGR of over 6% during the forecast period of 2021 to 2031. Region-wise, Asia Pacific currently dominates demand thanks to the large presence of textile hubs in China and India. However, Europe and North America are also witnessing rising uptake as manufacturers in these regions pivot towards greener production methods.
Textile Pre-Treatment Applications
One of the major applications of enzymes in textile manufacturing is in the pre-treatment of fabrics before dyeing and finishing. At this stage, enzymes are used for functions like desizing, bio-polishing, and denim finishing.
Desizing refers to the removal of excess starch from woven fabrics after the weaving process. Traditionally, this was done using chemicals which posed risks. Enzymatic desizing using amylases provides a more eco-friendly alternative by breaking down and degrading starch granules back to sugars. With alpha-amylases emerging as mainstream desizing agents, it is estimated the global market for amylases in textiles will surge at a healthy 7% CAGR through 2031.
Another pre-treatment process where textile enzymes are gaining ground is bio-polishing. This involves the use of proteases to gently erase fuzz, pills and hairiness from fabric surfaces for a smooth hand-feel. As consumers demand softer garments, bio-polishing with enzymes is fast becoming the norm compared to sanding or emerizing which damages fibers. The bio-polishing enzyme market is projected to expand at a 6-7% pace over the next decade.
Denim manufacturing is a major end-use segment andtextile enzymes help impart a worn-out or destroyed look to denims without the use of toxic pumice stones or chemicals. Enzymatic stonewashing creates a vintage appearance through controlled fiber degradation to give that authentic used look. This applications accounts for over 25% share of the global textile enzymes demand currently.
Dyeing And Finishing With Enzymes
The dyeing and finishing segments contribute majorly to worldwide textile enzyme consumption. In dyeing, laccases and peroxidases are employed for dye fixation onto cellulosic and natural fibers respectively. They aid deep penetration of dyes into fabrics even at room temperature. This offers 30-40% savings in energy and water usage compared to conventional high temperature dyeing processes.
In textile finishing, the use of cellulases, lipases and oxidoreductases is rising. For instance, lipases act as bio-stonewash agents providing a worn-out effect on cellulose-based fabrics like denim. Oxidoreductases are utilized for improving the hand feel and appearance. Furthermore, cellulases help minimize pilling and fuzz formation on garments after numerous washes for improved longevity. All these finishing applications together account for over 60% of the global textile enzymes demand currently.
Focus on Sustainable Innovation
Looking ahead, the textile enzymes market is poised for continuous growth driven by the industry's increasing focus on eco-friendly production methods. Manufacturers are investing heavily in R&D to develop new tailored enzyme solutions targeting specific applications as well as newer fibers like technical textiles. Genetic engineering techniques are enabling the design of robust industrial enzymes with high activity and stability.
As environmental regulations become more stringent globally, adoption of green textile technologies like enzymes will further accelerate. Initiatives towards circular fashion will also boost enzyme penetration into recycling applications. With their advantages, textile-specific enzymes are emerging as a key ingredient in the industry's sustainability transformation. If innovative solutions keep pace with the growing demands of the textile markets, the textile enzymes landscape promises an exciting future ahead.
For more details on the report, Read- https://www.trendingwebwire.com/global-textile-enzymes-market-growth-demand-and-overview/