Technical textiles approximately 21 percent of all textiles. The main markets are: Traditional fabrics, for example, canvas, fens etc (43%), transportation and automotive(23%), leisure (12%), Geo textiles (10%), medical textiles(10%) and protective apparel 12%
Two thirds of automotive materials go into interior trim, for seat covers, roof and door liners and carpets, where woven fabrics still dominate. Other uses include tyres, air bags and filters.
Although non woven and woven fabrics account for the majority of technical textiles, warp knitted and to lesser extent, weft knitted structures have captured some special end use markets. These are particulars where interfile properties such as durability, mouldabitity, knitting to shape , open -work, extensible, strength, lightness of weight and cost are at a premium and can be tailored for requirements.