Market Overview

Global Cationic Modifying Agents Market reached US$ 134.2 million in 2023 and is expected to reach US$ 172.7 million by 2031, growing with a CAGR of 3.2% during the forecast period 2024-2031.

The fasion industry is currently witnessing a trend of customized clothing, where conusmers can simply select customizations online and have the completed clothes delivered directly to their home. A growing desire among consumers to differentiate themselves from the crowd is underpinning this trend. Many of the big fashion retail brands have now started their own customizable clothing range.

Concerns about the pollution caused from textile processing could become a major factor in hindering the growth of the global market. Many western governments are drafting laws to only allow textile imports that are certified to be sustainably produced. To avoid being blacklisted, many companies are looking for alternatives to conventional cationic modifying agents.

Market Dynamics

Growing Popularity of Fast Fashion

The fast fashion trend first took hold in the early 2000s, when brands started shortening clothing lifecycles by going from concept to store shelves as little as 3 months. Such a short period is timed to coincide with the spring and autumn fashion editions of global fashion shows. The quick response has allowed companies to gain a high influence in shaping fashion trends.

The main point of attraction for consumers is the low-cost of fast fashion clothing. Well-known brands like Zara and H&M have adapted their products for fast fashion. The trend of fast fashion requires garment manufacturers to produce large volume of clothes at razor-thin margins, which increases demand for cationic modifying agents. As more clothing brands switch over to the fast fashion model, it will only increase demand for cationic modifying agents in the future.

Growth in Fashion E-Commerce

The global fashion industry has been upended by the rise of new e-commerce startups over the past decade. The new startups focused on the direct to consumer (D2C) model, which entailed purchasing directly from distributors and selling online. It allowed them to keep operational costs low due to the absence of middleman and physical retail space. However, with time, most of these startups pivoted towards launching their own, in-house fashion brands.

The inhouse brands had a disruptive impact on the fashion industry, since they offered relatively good quality clothing at prices much lower than traditional brands. As the market share of these companies grows, it will entice more players to enter the e-commerce brand sector. The rise in textile production for e-commerce brands will be a major factor in driving global market demand during the forecast period.

Growing Concern About Fast Fashion Waste

In inspite of its immense popularity, fast fashion has been highly detrimental for the environment. A study by earth.org, an environmental NGO, estimates that nearly 94 million Tons of waste is generated by fast fashion annually, which could soar to 134 million Tons annually by the end of the decade if current trends continue. Given current projections, the fast fashion industry is likely to increase its carbon emissions by 50% by 2050.

Such a pressing waste problem has led to calls from activists to move away from fast fashion clothing towards more durable options. Already, some fashion brands have curtailed or suspended their fast fashion product lines. As producers switch to more durable clothing items, it will lead to a decrease in the volume of garmet and production and hence, consequently reduce demand for cationic modifying agents.

Segment Analysis

The global cationic modifying agents market is segmented based on type, application and region.

Cotton Blend Fabric Remains the Largest Application

Among all clothing types, cotton blend fabric remains the preferred choice for manufacturers. Cotton blended with polyester is the main type of fabric used for suits, formal shirts, t-shirts and trousers. Pure cotton fabric is much more expensive and is hence mostly used for premium range of clothing articles.

Denim fabric is mostly used for making jeans jackets and pants. It is mostly popular with the younger demographics, whilst older people generally prefer something different. Therefore, denim fabric only has a limited appeal among certain age groups. As such, cotton blended fabric will continue to account for a large share of the global market.

Geographical Penetration

Asia-Pacific Will Experience Difficult Market Conditions in the Short Term

With the growth of trade liberalization starting from the early 2000s, many garment manufacturers shifted production entirely to Asia-Pacific, with countries like China, Bangladesh, Cambodia and Vietnam have established sizeable garment manufacturing industries. Amongst all these countries, China and Bangladesh have the most thriving industries. However, in the post-pandemic period, the garment industry is witnessing a bit of a crisis, leading to stagnant demand for cationic modifying agents.

Rising labor costs, increase in gas and electricity has meant that Bangladeshi textile exports have remained flat throughout 2023. Many smaller textile manufacturers had to shut shop due to difficult market conditions. Furthermore, due to overproduction by Chinese producers, the price of cationic modifying agents has gone down significantly. With demand loss and low prices, market conditions are likely to remain tough in the short term.

COVID-19 Impact Analysis

The pandemic was a really tough period for the global cationic modifying agent market. Demand from the garment manufacturing industry witnessed a massive decline, as it reeled from labor shortages and shut production due to lockdowns. Many producers of cationic agents had to scale back production due to reduced demand.

The post-pandemic period saw a gradual growth in demand, as global textile exports rose once again. However, the market continued to be affected by stubbornly high energy prices and reduced profit margins for exporters. How well the global market navigates these challenging conditions will determine its future growth trajectory.

Russia-Ukraine War Impact Analysis

The major impact from the Russia-Ukraine war on the global markets was chiefly in the form of high energy prices. Much of the global garment production is carried out in developing countries dependant on energy imports. An increase in global energy prices led to a steep rise in input costs for local manufacturers, thus reducing their profitability and depressing demand for cationic modifying agents.

Chinese garment manufacturers have such large spare capacity that they have been completely unaffected by rise in input costs. As such, if the current situation continues, we could see a shift in textile production from countries like Bangladesh and Cambodia to China. Over the long term, China might come to account for a large share of the global demand for cationic modifying agents.

Key Developments

  • In January 2024, a study published in the Journal of Coatings Technology and Research, highlighted the development of a new anti-fouling textile additive based on a new type of cationic modifying agent with reduced toxicity.
  • In September 2023, a study published by researchers from the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro in Brazil detailed the development of a new cationic modifying agent made from polysaccharides.

Competitive Landscape

The major global players in the market include Shandong Tiancheng Chemical Co., Ltd, Qingdao Dayin Chemicals Industry Co., Ltd, Zhongshan Hongsheng Biological Technology Co., Ltd, HT Fine Chemical Co., Ltd, Dongguan Taiyang Textile Chemicals Co., Ltd, Zhejiang Tai Chuen New Material Technology Co., Ltd, Fineotex Chemical Limited, Yanzhou Tiancheng Chemical Co. Ltd, Sheng Chuan Technology Co. Ltd and Dongying Guofeng Fine Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Market Segmentation

  • By Type
    • Active ≥65%
    • Active ≥70%
    • Others
  • By Application
    • Denim Fabric
    • Cotton Fabric
    • Cotton Blend Fabric
    • Others

Why Purchase the Report?

  • To visualize the global cationic modifying agents market segmentation based on type, application and region, as well as understand key commercial assets and players.
  • Identify commercial opportunities by analyzing trends and co-development.
  • Excel data sheet with numerous data points of pouch tapes market-level with all segments.
  • PDF report consists of a comprehensive analysis after exhaustive qualitative interviews and an in-depth study.
  • Product mapping available as excel consisting of key products of all the major players.

The global cationic modifying agents market report would provide approximately 54 tables, 49 figures and 182 Pages.

Target Audience 2024

  • Automotive Manufacturing Companies
  • Aerospace Companies
  • Medical Equipment Manufacturers
  • Home Furnishing Companies
  • Industry Investors/Investment Bankers
  • Research Professionals