Textile Industry

China leads by volume (over 50% of global textile production). India is second. Bangladesh, Vietnam, and Turkey are also major producers. The US remains a major producer of high-value technical and specialty textiles.

The US textile and apparel industry represents approximately $70 billion in annual shipments and employs over 500,000 workers. Strong in technical textiles, nonwovens, and high-value specialty fabrics.

Brands diversifying manufacturing beyond China to other Asian countries (Vietnam, Bangladesh, India, Cambodia) to reduce concentration risk, manage tariffs, and access different cost-and-quality profiles.

A business model that produces high-volume, low-cost apparel with rapid trend cycles. Examples: Zara, H&M, Shein. The model has significant sustainability and labor concerns.

A textile engineered for functional performance rather than aesthetics. Examples: geotextile (civil engineering), medical textile (healthcare), protective clothing (military, fire), automotive (interior fabrics, airbags), filtration (water, air).