• In June 2023, Carel Industries reinforced its global stance by acquiring Italy’s Arion, Germany’s Sauber, USA’s Senva, New Zealand’s Eurotec, and Norway’s Kiona, strengthening its portfolio in advanced cooling and HVAC textile technologies.

• In January 2025, a University of Sydney team introduced a polyethylene cooling fabric infused with zinc oxide nanoparticles, showcasing an innovative passive radiative cooling effect—lowering surface temperatures by up to 13 °C.

In this report, the Cooling Fabrics Market has been segmented by Technology, Type, Textile Type, Application and Geography.

Cooling Fabrics Market, Segmentation by Technology

The Cooling Fabrics Market has been segmented by Technology into Active Cooling Fabrics, and Passive Cooling Fabrics.

Active Cooling Fabrics

Active cooling fabrics account for approximately 42% of the global market. These fabrics incorporate cooling technologies such as phase change materials (PCMs) and embedded cooling devices to regulate body temperature. They are widely used in sportswear, military uniforms, and medical garments for their dynamic thermal response.

Passive Cooling Fabrics

Passive cooling fabrics dominate the market with a share of nearly 58%, owing to their breathable, moisture-wicking, and light-reflective properties. These fabrics are preferred in everyday apparel, home textiles, and outdoor wear for offering comfortable thermoregulation without the need for external energy sources.

Cooling Fabrics Market, Segmentation by Type

The Cooling Fabrics Market has been segmented by Type into Synthetic Cooling Fabrics and Natural Cooling Fabrics.

Synthetic Cooling Fabrics

Synthetic cooling fabrics dominate the market with a share of nearly 72%, driven by their advanced moisture-wicking properties, durability, and ability to incorporate cooling technologies such as phase change materials (PCMs). These fabrics are widely used in athletic wear, outdoor apparel, and performance gear due to their functional versatility.

Natural Cooling Fabrics

Natural cooling fabrics account for around 28% of the market and are gaining popularity for their eco-friendly, biodegradable, and skin-friendly characteristics. Materials like cotton, bamboo, and linen are commonly used in casual wear and home textiles, offering passive cooling through breathability and moisture absorption.

Cooling Fabrics Market, Segmentation by Textile Type

The Cooling Fabrics Market has been segmented by Textile Type into Woven, Nonwoven and Knitted.

Woven

Woven cooling fabrics account for nearly 46% of the market, known for their structural stability, breathability, and durability. These fabrics are commonly used in sportswear, medical textiles, and uniforms, where consistent air circulation and moisture control are essential.

Nonwoven

Nonwoven fabrics represent about 29% of the cooling fabrics market, favored for their lightweight, disposability, and cost-efficiency. They are widely utilized in medical garments, industrial applications, and protective wear due to their ability to offer passive cooling and high permeability.

Knitted

Knitted cooling fabrics hold approximately 25% of the market, valued for their elasticity, comfort, and moisture-wicking capabilities. These fabrics are extensively used in athleisure, innerwear, and performance apparel where flexibility and body-conforming fit are key features.

Cooling Fabrics Market, Segmentation by Application

The Cooling Fabrics Market has been segmented by Application into Sports Apparel, Lifestyle, Protective Wearing and Others.

Sports Apparel

Sports apparel leads the cooling fabrics market with a share of approximately 48%, fueled by the rising demand for moisture-wicking, temperature-regulating, and performance-enhancing fabrics. These materials are extensively used in athletic wear, gym clothing, and outdoor sports gear to ensure comfort and endurance during physical activity.

Lifestyle

The lifestyle segment accounts for nearly 27% of the market, reflecting growing consumer interest in functional fashion and climate-adaptive apparel. Cooling fabrics are used in casual wear, sleepwear, and daily apparel to improve thermal comfort and support eco-conscious consumer preferences.

Protective Wearing

Protective wearing comprises about 18% of the market, where cooling fabrics are integrated into military uniforms, industrial safety gear, and firefighting apparel. These fabrics offer thermal regulation, breathability, and moisture management under high-risk, high-temperature environments.

Others

The others segment holds approximately 7%, covering applications such as medical garments, home textiles, and travel accessories. Cooling fabrics in these categories enhance user comfort through passive cooling and soft-touch finishes, especially in heat-sensitive or recovery-based settings.

Cooling Fabrics Market, Segmentation by Geography

In this report, the Cooling Fabrics Market has been segmented by Geography into five regions; North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa and Latin America.

Cooling Fabrics Market Share (%), by Geographical Region

North America

North America holds approximately 28% of the cooling fabrics market, driven by strong demand in the sportswear, military apparel, and advanced textile sectors. The U.S. leads regional growth with a focus on innovative, performance-based textiles and health-conscious consumer trends.

Europe

Europe accounts for nearly 25% of the market, supported by rising demand for sustainable fashion and eco-friendly cooling fabrics. Countries like Germany, France, and the UK are key adopters due to strict environmental regulations and a well-developed technical textile industry.

Asia Pacific

Asia Pacific dominates the cooling fabrics market with a share of around 34%, fueled by rapid growth in textile manufacturing, athleisure trends, and climate-adaptive apparel in China, India, and Southeast Asia. The region benefits from cost-effective production and rising disposable income.

Middle East and Africa

The Middle East and Africa represent about 7% of the market, with rising adoption of protective wear and temperature-regulating fabrics in regions with extreme heat. Growth is supported by military demand, outdoor wear, and increasing awareness of personal comfort technologies.

Latin America

Latin America contributes nearly 6% to the global market, led by Brazil and Mexico. The region is experiencing rising interest in sports apparel and casual cooling textiles, driven by lifestyle upgrades and climate-adaptive product innovations.

This report provides an in depth analysis of various factors that impact the dynamics of Cooling Fabrics Market. These factors include; Market Drivers, Restraints and Opportunities Analysis.

Drivers, Restraints and Opportunity Analysis

Drivers

• Increasing heat-related health issues
• Growth in sports apparel demand
• Technological advancements in fabric

• Rising awareness of cooling benefits - Significantly boosting the adoption of temperature-regulating textiles across various industries. Consumers are increasingly seeking functional clothing that offers comfort during physical activity, heat-intensive work conditions, and warmer climates. The shift from traditional fabrics to performance-enhancing textiles is evident in both sportswear and daily apparel choices.

  Technological innovations have introduced fabrics that offer moisture-wicking, breathability, and thermal regulation, which are being widely promoted by athletic and lifestyle brands. Growing health consciousness is driving interest in materials that support skin cooling and body temperature regulation. These materials are not only lightweight but also designed to offer long-lasting comfort in varied environmental conditions.

  The use of cooling garments is expanding in sectors like military, construction, and outdoor labor, where exposure to heat can impact worker safety and productivity. As consumer education and brand marketing highlight the performance benefits of such textiles, demand is expected to grow across regions with hot and humid climates.

  Companies investing in active cooling materials and integrating smart fabric technologies are likely to gain a competitive advantage. The growing preference for adaptive clothing that improves comfort, performance, and well-being is expected to continue reshaping consumer expectations in both fashion and functional wear markets.

Restraints

• High production costs
• Limited consumer awareness
• High price compared to competitors

• Lack of standardization - Performance measurement and product labeling is a significant barrier in the cooling fabric market. Consumers and buyers often struggle to differentiate between genuine cooling properties and basic marketing claims due to the absence of uniform testing protocols. This affects trust and slows adoption of advanced textile innovations.

  Manufacturers currently rely on proprietary methods to claim cooling efficiency, thermal comfort ratings, and fabric breathability. Without clear industry benchmarks, it becomes difficult to verify product quality and make accurate comparisons across brands. This inconsistency can lead to consumer confusion and reduced willingness to invest in premium-priced fabrics.

  The lack of standardization also impacts regulatory approval and international market expansion. Exporters must often adapt products to meet local compliance standards, which increases costs and delays commercialization. The absence of recognized global metrics hinders collaboration between manufacturers, research labs, and industry associations.

  To address this issue, stakeholders must push for universal testing guidelines, certification systems, and product transparency. Establishing a standardized framework for cooling performance validation will enhance market credibility and support long-term industry growth.

Opportunities

• Expansion in emerging markets
• Development of innovative materials
• Growth in outdoor sports activities

• Collaborations with apparel brands - Creating new opportunities for innovation and visibility in the cooling fabric market. Leading fashion and athletic companies are partnering with material developers to integrate advanced temperature-regulating technologies into their products. These collaborations enable faster market penetration and greater consumer reach.

  Brands like Nike, Adidas, and Under Armour are investing in performance fabrics that offer cooling benefits for athletes, outdoor workers, and everyday consumers. Through joint ventures and co-branded releases, textile manufacturers gain access to established retail networks and marketing platforms. This boosts adoption and strengthens product validation.

  Strategic alliances also drive R&D innovation by combining apparel design expertise with textile engineering capabilities. These collaborations foster the development of customized fabrics that address niche needs, such as moisture management, UV protection, and body temperature control. Cross-industry cooperation encourages the scaling of cooling technologies for mainstream use.

  As consumers seek high-performance yet stylish clothing, joint ventures with top fashion labels will be key to accelerating the commercial success of cooling fabric technologies. The continued blending of function and fashion will create long-term value for both manufacturers and brands in the evolving apparel ecosystem.

Key players in Cooling Fabrics Market include:

• Tex Ray Industrial Co. Ltd
• Coolcore LLC
• Hanesbrands Inc
• Under Armour, Inc
• Adidas AG
• Nike, Inc
• Columbia Sportswear Company
• Mizuno Corporation
• Sympatex Technologies GmbH
• W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc

In this report, the profile of each market player provides following information:

• Company Overview and Product Portfolio
• Market Share Analysis
• Key Developments
• Financial Overview
• Strategies
• Company SWOT Analysis