Biopolymer Integration Towards Smart and Functional Textiles: Advanced Application and Future Trends

The intersection of biotechnology and textile engineering has ushered in a transformative era, characterized by the development of smart and functional textiles, with the incorporation of biopolymers marking a significant move toward sustainable innovation. This detailed chapter examines the diverse applications of biopolymers—such as chitosan, cellulose derivatives, alginate, and collagen—in textile functionalization, focusing especially on advanced coating technologies and their potential integration with wearable electronics. The global market for antimicrobial textiles, which is estimated at around USD 11-12 billion in 2023, shows substantial commercial potential, with expected growth to approximately USD 18-21 billion by 2030-2032, reflecting a compound annual growth rate of 6-7%. Meanwhile, the smart textiles sector demonstrates even more rapid growth, with market forecasts ranging from USD 2.41 billion in 2025 to possibly USD 28.5 billion by 2033, driven by advances in healthcare applications, IoT integration, and sustainability needs. Significant technological achievements include antimicrobial coating systems that can achieve over 99% pathogen reduction, advanced UV protective features with UPF values exceeding 50, as well as conductive biopolymer matrices suitable for wearable electronics. However, the path to widespread commercialization is still challenged by several key issues, including enhancing durability against industrial washing, scalable mass production methods, and maintaining competitive costs compared to established synthetic alternatives.