ABSTRACT
The market share of industrial textiles has increased tremendously. The major factors for this increase include new developments in synthetic fibers, new manufacturing processes, new developments in non-textile technologies and increase in human activities. Technological innovation in polymers, fibers, fabrics and manufacturing processes and equipment will continue to be the driving factor for the growth of industrial textiles. Research will continue to be an important factor to solve new textile or non-textile related problems. Textile technology can combine several characteristics in a product that probably no other industry could provide: flexibility or stiffness, light weight and strength. Barrier fabrics for safety and protection of humans as well as products from virtually every type of hazard have great potential to growth. With the advancing and more sophisticated technologies in non-textile markets, other industries may look at industrial textiles for solutions to their specific problems. Mitsubishi developed a Shape Memory Polymer which is a thermoplastic polyurethane with "elastic memory."
