The global textile chemicals and dyes market continued to face a challenging environment in 2009 and 2010 as depressed demand for garments and apparel cast a dampener on the textiles business. Textiles, a high volume traded commodity, also witnessed a slowdown in exports and imports in comparison with previous years. Further exacerbating the situation was shift in demand towards lower quality and relatively cheaper textiles from the garment industry.

 With demand declining to unprecedented levels, companies also resorted to plant closures that resulted in significant drop in inventory throughout the textile value chain. Excess production from China and India exerted a deep impact on global market dynamics. With weak demand conditions, pricing pressure remained a key challenge, as producers struggle with overcapacity and diminishing operating margins.

Though, currently the textile dyes market is on a recovery mode, complete recovery to the pre-recession levels is only anticipated towards the end of 2011. Industrialized nations such as the US and Europe are expected to witness increased shifting of operating base to emerging markets in Asia. Future growth of the industry is dependent on changing customer preferences and rising infrastructure demand in emerging countries, as stated by the new market research report on Textile Dyes. Development in technical expertise and achievement in R&D activities are expected to bring about new dyeing technologies in the industry.

Asia-Pacific represents the largest and fastest growing market for Textile Dyes. China, Taiwan and Korea possess stronghold in disperse dyes, while India holds dominant position in production of reactive dyes. In Europe, disperse dyes represents the largest segment in terms of volume. In value terms, reactive dyes represents the largest product segment.

With ecological concerns gaining attention in the textiles industry, the global dye industry is undergoing a change in product mix. The recent years witnessed various dyes being banned across the globe due to environmental concerns. With the increasing demand for eco-friendly textile chemicals from textile manufacturers, companies are recognizing the need to increase R&D spending on development of innovative chemicals and dyes.

Select major players profiled in the report include Allied Industrial Corp., Clariant AG, DyStar, Huntsman Corporation, Sumitomo Chemical, among others.