The Sustainable Textile industry is constantly evolving with innovations and cutting-edge technologies emerging all the time, as evidenced by 790 unique patents, spread across 2479 patents/applications in the last 10 years.
Nike is the top innovator and accounts for 22% of the innovation followed by Toray & Lenzing Ag.
China is the hotspot for sustainable textiles – both as a R&D hub and as market.
The analysis also revealed key inventors like Podhajny Daniel A, Meir Adrian and Dua Bhupesh as significant players in shaping the future of Sustainable Textiles. This article explores these trends, key players, and the key areas of focus for Sustainable Textile innovation.
This analysis is based on published patent data from 2010-2021. Interested in the updated analysis?
What is the patent filing trend in the Sustainable Textile Industry?
The chart below represents the patent filing trend in the Sustainable Textile Industry from the year 2010 to 2021.
The table below provides the number of applications filed and the number of patents granted from the year 2010 to 2020.
| Year | Applications Filed in Sustainable Textile Industry | Patents Granted in Sustainable Textile Industry |
| 2020 | 51 | 153 |
| 2019 | 108 | 99 |
| 2018 | 68 | 89 |
| 2017 | 82 | 88 |
| 2016 | 73 | 73 |
| 2015 | 66 | 58 |
| 2014 | 80 | 38 |
| 2013 | 81 | 51 |
| 2012 | 71 | 51 |
| 2011 | 53 | 25 |
| 2010 | 57 | 8 |
Technology Overview of Sustainable Textile Patents
The technology analysis of patents related to Sustainable Textile industry explores the diverse and evolving nature of innovations within the sector.
The patents have been classified into distinct technological categories such as Footwear & Apparel along with Artificial/Synthetic Materials among others with each representing key areas of innovation while serving as blueprints for technological progress in the domain.
Evolution of Automotive Technology: 2010-2020
The chart below showcases the technology through the years 2010 to 2020 for the Automotive Industry
Key companies filing patents in Sustainable Textiles
The chart below showcases the leading 15 companies actively involved in research and development in Sustainable Textile industry.
Nike has approx. 10X the portfolio of the 2nd ranked Toray and hence is the clear-cut leader in this space. Further, it also is responsible for more than 50% of the patents/applications.
Nike is focused on making recyclable products using knitting technology. And further showing interest in Cotton, Mycelium and Cultured leather.
The top innovators include a mix of sportswear and chemical companies. Further, there has been a recent influx of chemical/textile suppliers in the top innovators list, representing collaboration opportunities.
Technology Overview of key companies in Sustainable Textile Industry
This analysis provides an insight into areas of focus and innovations of companies thereby offering comprehensive snapshot of their contributions to the dynamic landscape of Sustainable Textile sector.
The technology overview reveals a focus on diverse areas such as Footwear, Product Lifecycle and Apparel.
New Entrants
When we looked at the recent innovations and the patent filers, 2 of them stood out, Anhui Anli Material Technology and Anta International Group. Apart from Nike, only these entities have filed patents continuously for 3 years, from 2018-20. Anta International Group has been filing continuously for 5 years in fact.
Anhui Anli Material Technology is a China-based company principally engaged in the manufacture and distribution of polyurethane (PU) synthetic leather. The Company provides ecology synthetic leather and ordinary synthetic leather, which are applied in the manufacture of men’s and women’s shoes, sports and leisure shoes.
Anta International via its subsidiary Anta China on the other hand is a sportswear company in China – which has been actively taking steps towards sustainability. They have actively disclosed their greenhouse gas emissions for four consecutive years. The carbon emission intensity has decreased year by year, with a cumulative decrease of 36.7%.
Who are the leading innovators in Sustainable Textiles?
The table below shows the number of patents assigned to the top 15 inventors involved in innovations and technological advancements in the Sustainable Textile industry.
| Inventor Name | Patents |
| Podhajny Daniel A | 40 |
| Meir Adrian | 24 |
| Dua Bhupesh | 24 |
| Lyttle Amy | 12 |
| Bell Thomas G | 11 |
| Huffa Bruce | 11 |
| Cross Tory M | 10 |
| Shaffer Benjamin A | 13 |
| Huffman Julie A | 11 |
| Carlyle Tom | 11 |
| Dojan Frederick J | 8 |
| Molyneux James | 7 |
| Liao Yibin | 6 |
| Lo Hinrich | 6 |
| Lu Xin | 6 |
Where are the Research Centers of Sustainable Textile patents located?
The chart below represents the major research and development centers contributing towards innovations and technological advancements in the Sustainable Textile industry.
China is the hotspot for sustainable textiles – both as a R&D hub and as market. It has been the biggest supplier of raw materials for the fashion industry for decades, which accounts for 70% of the total carbon footprint. So, it makes sense when China emerges as the top R&D hub for sustainable textiles.
It has doubled its innovation rate around sustainable textiles in the last 5 years – this is in sync with its 2016-20 plan of moving towards sustainability.
Leading companies in China filing patents in Sustainable Textiles
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 5 leading companies within China involved in the Sustainable Textile industry.
Technology Overview of key companies in China
Leading companies in USA filing patents in Sustainable Textiles
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 10 leading companies within United States involved in the Sustainable Textile industry.
Technology Overview of key companies in USA
Leading companies in Japan filing patents in Sustainable Textiles
The chart below depicts the distribution of patents owned by the 5 leading companies within Japan involved in the Sustainable Textile industry.
Technology Overview of key companies in Japan
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