Coated fabric demand increases

Demand for coated fabrics in the U.S. is forecast to increase 2.1 percent per year to 650 million square yards in 2020. Coated fabric usage is highly dependent on the production of end products and the level of competition from alternative materials such as leather, plastic and uncoated fabrics. These trends are presented in “Coated Fabrics,” a new study from the Freedonia Group, a Cleveland-based industry research firm. The transportation industry alone is expected to account for 24 percent of total additional coated fabric demand due to the production of a large number of components including airbags, seating upholstery, covers and trim.