India Mobiltech Textile Market Assessment, By Material, By Application, By Region, Opportunities and Forecast, FY2019-FY2033F

India mobiltech textile market is projected to witness a CAGR of 8.84% during the forecast period FY2026-FY2033, growing from USD 2.32 billion in FY2025 to USD 4.57 billion in FY2033. Mobiltech is a division of technical textiles, which is primarily focused on the application of high-performance textile material in the automotive industry. Seat upholstery, carpets, airbags, and others are part of the mobiltech portfolio for vehicle safety and comfort. The Indian automotive industry accounts for more than 7% of the total GDP in FY2024; hence, it is a very important sector that is driving the demand for mobiltech textiles. Many companies are investing in innovative materials and technologies to improve vehicle performance and efficiency.

Mobiltech fabrics are essential in making designs and functionality of all types of transportation vehicles, more effective. The sector has seen rapid growth because of increasing demand for safety, convenience, and sustainability. Mobiltech products, through improvements in materials such as nylon and polyester, offer stability, resilience, and impact resistance, essential for their many applications. In addition, mobiltech textile industry is propelled by the growing demand for airbags in vehicles. Compliant safety standards, technological innovations, and escalating consumer awareness have prompted the application of innovative, high-strength, and long-lasting textiles utilized in airbags and other vehicular safety components.

For instance, in September 2024, ZF Rane Automotive India Pvt Ltd, a joint venture between Rane Group and Germany's ZF Group, has opened a new inflator plant and sled test facility in Tiruchirappalli, Tamil Nadu. The facility aims to enhance local content in airbags and strengthen the company's 'Make in India' efforts. The company has invested nearly USD 12 million in the plant, initially producing driver and passenger versions from the Tiruchirappalli plant. The sled facility enhances testing capabilities and reduces lead time, allowing the company to capitalize on the sustainable growth potential of the passive safety systems market.

Government Initiatives for Improving Safety in the Automobile Fueling the Demand for Mobiltech Textile

The policies of government concerning improved automobile safety are significantly influencing the automobile industry with strict regulation and safety guidelines. This is compelling manufacturers to pay extra attention to safety features while designing the vehicle. Hence, high-performance materials like Mobiltech textiles are in heavy demand. The technical fabrics are critical for uses such as seat coverings and airbags because they offer more occupant protection and better overall performance of the vehicle. The need for safety also encourages the use of new technologies, such as smart textiles that track driver conditions and changes to enhance safety. Furthermore, as automakers aim to lighten the weight of their automobiles to improve mileage and lower emissions, technical textiles are increasingly being used as replacement materials to this effect. This trend not only falls within the safety parameters but also serves the broader sustainability goals within the automotive sector. The regulatory environment of government intersects with material innovation, which will transform the automotive climate to one of increased safety and efficiency. That future will be a fountainhead for the ongoing demand for advanced materials that further guarantee safety and improved performance.

In August 2023, Indian government introduced Bharat New Car Assessment Programme (Bharat NCAP) to uplift the safety standards for less than 3.5-tonne capacity vehicles. It enhances consumer awareness and encourages manufacturers to build safer cars. In essence, the stringent crash test under Bharat NCAP enables the consumer to choose a better vehicle and elevates the overall safety of roads in India. Such initiatives will increase the demand for mobiltech textile.

Technological Innovation Fueling the Demand for Mobiltech Textile

Technological innovation is the driving force behind demand for mobiltech textiles in the automotive industry, thereby enhancing safety, comfort, and performance. Advanced materials science development has led to the creation of lightweight and robust textiles, like those with nanotechnology and carbon fibers, which substantially reduce vehicle weight while maintaining standards of strength and safety. Innovations in manufacturing processes, such as laser technology, allow for the precise cutting and shaping of textiles for various applications, from seat covers to airbags. Smart textiles with functionalities such as temperature regulation and pollution sensing are also becoming more popular, which further enhances the role of mobiltech in modern vehicles. Sustainability is also pushing manufacturers to adopt more eco-friendly materials, in line with consumer demand for greener products. As the automobile industry develops and becomes safer as well as better in terms of beauty, demand for innovative mobiltech textiles increases as they will remain an integral part of future car designs.

The Indian government has promised incentives worth USD 3.5 billion by 2026 for encouraging the production and export of clean technology vehicles. This will open avenues for greater demand for advanced composite materials, innovative fabrics, and sustainable textiles that are vital in the manufacture of lightweight and durable electric vehicles (EVs). Mobiltech textiles like seat upholstery, airbags, and interior fabrics will be an integral part of the EV segment.

Increasing Awareness for Sustainable Material in Tire Manufacturing Boosting the Demand

The increasing concern for eco-friendly and sustainable materials in tire manufacturing is significantly boosting the demand for mobiltech textiles, especially nylon tire cord fabrics. With this trend, which is not only focused on environmental issues but also improves the performance of the tyres, the electric cars will find it suitable to run on these, which need low rolling resistance and high energy efficiency. The market is expected to grow slowly, mainly because of the incentive of the auto industry in looking to reduce emission of greenhouse gas and embracing circular economy. The growing tendency towards sustainability has raised the demand for materials, including tire cord fabric. Due to exceptional strength, good fatigue resistance and impact resistance, 100 % technological textile nylon tire cable fabric replaces the polyester and rayon cords for bus and truck tires. These give a set of fabric properties, ply-twists, adhesion, elongation and breaking strength.

For instance, in January 2023, Century Enka Ltd, producer of nylon filament yarn & tire, developed a new sustainable material for Apollo Tyres for the selected range. The company has launched commercial production of nylon tire cord fabric from 100% recycled nylon waste. Nylon tire cord fabric was unveiled in November 2022 at the companies Bharuch facility in Gujarat India, when the consignment of the commercial supplies was dispatched to Apollo Tyres. The two companies have worked together on this project.

West and Central India is the Fastest Growing Region for the Mobiltech Textile

West and central India is expected to register significant growth during the forecast period, owing to well-developed technical textile and automotive production infrastructure. In the western region, Gujarat is the powerhouse in the Indian textile market, accounting for 50% of the manmade fiber production in the country and holding a 37% share in cotton production, which further establishes its strong hold in the textile sector. Also, technical textile production in Gujarat accounts for 25% of the total production in India, which reflects the diversified textile production capacity of the state. Gujarat has well-set-up auto-clusters in Ahmedabad (Sanand), Vadodara-Halol, Mandal-Becharaji, and Hansalpur-Vithalpur, which provide automotive excellence.

The state houses the first lithium-ion battery plant in India, marking an industrial milestone. Apart from these, Gujarat also counts specialized centres of excellence like iCreate EV and I-ACE that encourage innovation and skill development in the automotive field. This makes Gujarat's textiles and auto sectors the perfect place for a mobiltech textile, which, in turn, will help further facilitate improvements in clean technology vehicles and strengthen its standing in the domestic and international markets. The integrated textile and automotive industries of western India thus put the state in a strategic position for the advancement of mobiltech textiles. This singular combination is sure to propel growth and innovation even further. This thus supports the sustainable and efficient production of vehicles while also making western India stand at the top of the domestic and international markets.

Future Market Scenario (FY2026 - FY2033F)

India is currently meeting most of its domestic mobiltech demand without relying on imports, and this trend is expected to persist, reinforcing the country's self-sufficiency in this sector.

The outlook for India's mobiltech textile market indicates sustained growth, driven by the expanding automotive industry and increasing applications of technical textiles in vehicle manufacturing.

Indian manufacturers are increasingly investing in research and development to create innovative mobiltech products, such as lightweight, eco-friendly, and high-performance materials, to cater to evolving market needs.

The Indian government is actively promoting the technical textiles sector through initiatives like the National Technical Textiles Mission (NTTM), which aims to enhance domestic production capabilities and support innovation within the industry.

Key Players Landscape and Outlook

India mobiltech textile market is presented by established corporations and emergent players. Key participants, therefore, focus on innovation, developing advanced materials to enhance performance, safety, comfort, and applications including protective gear and automotive interiors. These companies also invest heavily in research and development to create lightweight, durable, and multifunctional textiles responsive to changing mobility solutions. Strategic partnerships and collaborations are becoming more common than ever, which allows the companies to embrace technology and expand the market as much as they desire. More firms embrace a greener model through the implementation of eco-material to meet increased consumers' demand for an environmentally responsive product. The sector is highly innovation oriented as demand for safety, comfort, and durability in vehicles is witnessing growth. For the Indian automobile industry, a great growth opportunity exists in terms of government schemes such as PLI Scheme, policies supporting technical textiles, and development of Gujarat and Maharashtra as production hubs due to robust industrial ecosystems. With growing demand from consumers for comfort, safety, and durability in cars, innovation that comes with it, especially for sustainable materials and lightweight solutions, will continue driving mobiltech textiles. The prognosis remains favorable since companies have not stopped investing in research and development or partnerships to supply domestic markets and export opportunities.

For instance, in October 2024, Freudenberg Group inaugurated two advanced manufacturing facilities in Morinda, India, operated by Freudenberg-NOK India Pvt. Ltd. The strategic move consolidates operations from existing plants in Basma and Mohali, enhancing production efficiency and supporting long-term growth plans. The investment of over USD 47.95 million in Morinda marks Freudenberg's largest financial commitment to India, catering to key sectors like automotive and industrial manufacturing.