Fire-resistant fabrics, namely fire-retardant treated (FRT) and inherent, are used as flame-retardant substances due to the chemical treatment of these fabrics. FRT fabrics are converted into fire-resistant materials by using fire-resistant chemicals. These fabrics are widely used in the electrical, oil and gas, and electrical industries, which are excessively prone to heat and risk of fire. These fabrics are primarily used in law enforcement service uniforms and fire-fighting uniforms. Moreover, these fabrics are also required in the transportation sector and commercial and residential furnishings to reduce the occurrence of fire hazards.

The adoption of these fabrics has surged in developed and developing nations, due to the strengthening of safety norms in these countries. Safety of industrial workers has become the top-most priority in various countries, due to the implementation of stringent regulatory guidelines of the governments. Owing to this reason, manufacturing plants are adopting fire-resistant cloths. This will, therefore, escalate the fire-resistant fabrics market at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2016–2022. According to P&S Intelligence, the market was valued at $3,950.6 million in 2015.

Key players like Kaneka Corporation (Japan), PBI Performance Products Inc., E.I DuPont de Nemours & Co., Gun Ei Chemical Industry Co. Ltd., Huntsman Corporation, Teijin Ltd., Royal TenCate N.V., Westex, Lenzing AG, and W.L. Gore & Associates Inc. use fire-resistant fabrics to produce apparel for firefighters and law enforcement personnel. These companies produce industrial protective clothing in large quantities to cater to the rising demand from the petrochemical and oil and gas industries. These sectors are ensuring safe-working conditions to adhere to the stringent government regulations for safety in industrial units.

Geographically, the European region adopted the highest volume of fire-resistant fabrics in 2015, due to the surging concerns regarding safety in industrial settings. On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific (APAC) fire-resistant fabrics market is expected to register the fastest growth in the coming years. This can be ascribed to the growth of the chemical, oil and gas, and petrochemical sectors in the region. Moreover, the growing need for fire-resistant commercial and residential furnishings will boost the adoption of these fire-retardant materials in the foreseeable future in APAC.

Thus, the strengthening of industrial safety norms in several countries has led to the widescale adoption of fire-resistant fabrics, globally.