The numbers behind carbon in textiles
These figures are indicative estimates that vary by scope and year.
Where carbon fits in textiles
Graphene has the most active commercial presence among in-scope carbons in smart and functional textiles. Graphene-coated yarns and fibres carry electrical current for heated garments that run at 3 to 12 volts, for biometric sensing wearables, and for anti-static workwear, where graphene-coated fibre reaches a surface resistivity of ten to the fifth through ten to the eighth ohms without the degradation of metal fibre. Carbon nanotubes are used as printed or coated conductive threads in electronic textiles.
Graphene electrodes printed onto fabric detect electrocardiogram, electromyography and skin-temperature signals for connected health garments. MXene-coated fabrics add electromagnetic shielding of about 50 to 60 decibels at thin coatings for military and electronics protective wear, while biochar-derived fibres are an emerging natural ingredient with claimed odour-control and moisture-management properties. Carbon fibre fabrics, woven or non-crimp, serve mainly as dry reinforcement preforms in composite manufacturing rather than as consumer textiles.
The global electronic textiles market, across all conductive materials, was valued at about $3.73 billion in 2024 and is growing at roughly 7.7% a year to 2034. Graphene in flexible and wearable electronics, which includes electronic textiles, was about $124 million in 2025 and is forecast to grow at around 27% annually to 2034. Carbon fibre technical textiles used as structural fabrics, a construction end-use, were separately valued at about $1.6 billion in 2025.
Key carbons used in textiles
Drawn from materials ACC has linked to textiles coverage and producers. Each links to its full material profile.
