Why the materials market matters now
Material choices shape cost, performance, compliance and the story a product can honestly tell. Textile Exchange’s Materials Market Report 2026, published in September, adds a clearer view of how much fiber the industry produced in 2025 and where those materials flow. It is useful for buyers because it separates broad market scale from the evidence needed for an individual fabric or product.
The report estimates that global fiber production reached 139 million tonnes in 2025, up from 132 million tonnes in 2024. That growth makes material planning more important: a large market does not automatically mean a resilient, traceable or lower-impact supply chain. Buyers still need a product-level brief, supplier records and a realistic plan for verification.
Five signals from the 2026 report
1. Polyester remains the largest fiber category
Polyester accounted for 59% of global fiber production in 2025, with volume rising to 82.5 million tonnes. Polyester is used across apparel, home textiles, blankets and technical products because it can deliver durability, easy care and consistent color. For a buyer, the headline is not simply “choose or avoid polyester.” Record the exact polymer, yarn or fabric construction, finish, recycled content claim and test requirements for the intended use.
2. Recycled polyester is growing, but feedstock matters
Approximately 9.7 million tonnes of recycled polyester were produced in 2025, compared with 9.4 million tonnes in 2024. The report says 97% came from plastic bottles. Ask whether the claim refers to pre-consumer or post-consumer input, which standard supports it, and whether the certificate or transaction record covers the material in your order. Keeping those details with the purchase specification reduces the risk of turning a broad market statistic into an unsupported product claim.
3. Textile-to-textile recycling is still a small share
Across all fibers, textile-to-textile recycled fiber represented about 0.76% of production in 2025, up from 0.61% in 2021. The increase is encouraging, but the share remains low. Brands planning circular collections should therefore ask early about feedstock availability, color limitations, minimum order quantities, mechanical or chemical processing, and what happens to blends at end of life.
4. Cotton remains a major buyer decision
Cotton represented 18% of global fiber production in 2025, while production through certified programs reached about 9.4 million tonnes, or 37% of virgin cotton fiber. A sourcing brief should name the program or standard rather than using a generic “responsible cotton” phrase. Also confirm composition, width, weight, shrinkage, hand feel and care performance with a sample.
5. End use is changing the growth story
Using a new methodology, Textile Exchange estimates that technical textiles grew fastest from 1990 to 2025, at about 4.1% compound annual growth. Home textiles grew about 3.2%, while apparel grew about 2.6%. This does not predict demand for every individual product, but it shows why performance specifications, testing and durability can matter as much as seasonal color direction.
A practical buyer checklist
Turn the market signals into a one-page specification before asking for a quote:
- Define the use: garment, blanket, bedding, bag, upholstery or technical application.
- Write the material facts: fiber composition, recycled or certified content, width, GSM, stretch, finish and care.
- Map the process: spinning, knitting or weaving, dyeing, printing, finishing, inspection and packing.
- Request evidence: test reports, certifications, transaction documents and the facility name for each relevant step.
- Sample before scaling: check color, handle, recovery, shrinkage and print clarity under the real use conditions.
Our fabric guide can help compare weight, stretch and end use. For custom artwork, the print-your-own-fabric workflow keeps the base fabric, artwork and production notes together. Buyers can also review solid fabric bases and contact the DEC Fabrics team for sample and delivery guidance.
How to avoid misleading material claims
Use market data as context, not as proof about a particular roll of fabric. A claim such as “made with recycled polyester” should identify the percentage, the input type and the supporting standard or documentation. A claim such as “traceable” should say what is traced and to which point in the chain. If the country of origin or recycled content is unknown, mark it as pending and assign a follow-up. Clear uncertainty is more useful than confident wording that cannot be checked.
FAQs
Does a large fiber category mean it is the best choice?
No. Market share describes volume, not suitability or impact for a specific product. Match the fabric to performance, care, durability, compliance and the customer’s use.
What should I ask about recycled polyester?
Ask for the recycled percentage, pre- or post-consumer feedstock, chain-of-custody evidence, test results and the facility connected to your order.
Is textile-to-textile recycling ready for every product?
Availability depends on fiber type, color, blend, quantity and processing route. Discuss feedstock and minimums before promising a circular material story.
Build a better materials brief
Use the 2026 report to frame the conversation, then make your decision at product level. Share the intended use, target hand feel, performance requirements, quantity and delivery destination with your fabric partner. DEC Fabrics can help you compare suitable bases, order samples and move from a clear specification to a confident production plan.