Thread Market Report 2026

Thread Market Overview

• Thread market size has reached to $18.3 billion in 2025 • Expected to grow to $19.15 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9% • Growth Driver: Growing Demand From Textiles And Apparel Industry Fueling The Growth Of The Market Due To Rising Consumer Preference For High-Quality, Durable, And Innovative Fabric Materials • Market Trend: Sustainable Elastic Threads Driving Innovation In Performance Textile Manufacturing • Asia-Pacific was the largest region and fastest growing region.

What Is Covered Under Thread Market?

A thread refers to a fine, continuous strand of fibers, either natural or synthetic, that is spun or constructed to provide the necessary strength, flexibility, and uniformity required for stitching, weaving, or forming textile structures used in garment production and assembly. It is utilized to join fabric components, enhance structural integrity, support decorative detailing, and ensure durability and functionality throughout the lifecycle of textile and clothing products. The main product types of thread include cotton thread, polyester thread, nylon thread, silk thread, and others. Cotton thread refers to a fine, continuous strand made from natural cotton fibers that are spun together to be used for sewing, stitching, embroidery, or textile manufacturing. The various distribution channels include online and offline channels. It finds applications in sewing thread, embroidery thread, weaving thread, knitting thread, and specialty thread, serving end-users such as the textile industry, automotive industry, medical sector, and others.

What Is The Thread Market Growth Forecast?

The thread market size is expected to see steady growth in the next few years. It will grow to $23.18 billion by 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.9%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rising demand for high-performance industrial threads, expansion of automotive and medical textile applications, shift toward lightweight durable materials, rising global apparel consumption, growth of export-led textile supply chains. Major trends in the forecast period include rising demand for high-performance industrial sewing threads in apparel manufacturing, increasing adoption of antimicrobial and medical-grade stitching threads in healthcare applications, growth in decorative and premium embroidery threads across fashion industries, expansion of automotive upholstery and airbag stitching thread applications, rising usage of blended fiber threads for enhanced durability and flexibility in textile products.

Global Thread Market Segmentation

1) By Product Type: Cotton Thread, Polyester Thread, Nylon Thread, Silk Thread, Other Product Types 2) By Distribution Channel: Online, Offline 3) By Application: Sewing Thread, Embroidery Thread, Weaving Thread, Knitting Thread, Specialty Thread 4) By End-User: Textile Industry, Automotive Industry, Medical, Other End-Users Subsegments: 1) By Cotton Thread: Combed Cotton Thread, Carded Cotton Thread, Organic Cotton Thread, Mercerized Cotton Thread, Glazed Cotton Thread 2) By Polyester Thread: Spun Polyester Thread, Filament Polyester Thread, Core Spun Polyester Thread, Textured Polyester Thread, Recycled Polyester Thread 3) By Nylon Thread: Bonded Nylon Thread, Monofilament Nylon Thread, Multifilament Nylon Thread, Textured Nylon Thread, High Tenacity Nylon Thread 4) By Silk Thread: Mulberry Silk Thread, Tussar Silk Thread, Eri Silk Thread, Spun Silk Thread, Filament Silk Thread 5) By Other Product Types: Wool Thread, Rayon Thread, Acrylic Thread, Metallic Thread, Blended Fiber Thread

What Is The Driver Of The Thread Market?

The growing demand from textiles and apparel industry is expected to propel the growth of the thread market going forward. Textiles and apparel refer to the broad industry encompassing the production, design, and distribution of fabrics, clothing, and accessories used for personal, commercial, or industrial purposes. The growing demand from textiles and apparel industry is driven by the increasing consumer preference for high-quality, durable, and innovative fabric materials, as consumers seek long-lasting, comfortable, and stylish clothing that offers improved performance and sustainability. Thread strengthens the textiles and apparel industry by providing essential material for stitching and fabric assembly. It improves garment durability, finish quality, and overall manufacturing efficiency. For instance, in June 2024, according to the International Trade Administration, a US-based government agency, the imports of textiles and apparel for the year-to-date period ending in April 2024 reached 30,095.1 million square meter equivalents (MSME), marking a 9.5% increase compared to the same period in 2023. Therefore, the growing demand from textiles and apparel industry is driving the growth of the thread industry.

Key Players In The Global Thread Market

Major companies operating in the thread market are American & Efird LLC, Coats Group plc, Gunze Limited, Amann Group, Threads (India) Limited, Dollfus-Mieg & Compagnie (DMC), Guangzhou Hengxin Thread Co. Ltd., FUJIX Ltd., Huamei Thread Co. Ltd., A&E Gütermann, Durak Tekstil Sanayi ve Ticaret A.Ş., HP Threads, Fil-Tec Inc., The Thread Exchange Inc., Gunold GmbH, Champion Thread Company, Somac Threads Limited, Superior Threads Inc., KDS Thread Ltd., Modi Threads International, Shishi Flying Wheel Thread Co. Ltd.

Global Thread Market Trends and Insights

Major companies operating in the thread market are focusing on developing innovative products, such as elastic recycled threads, to meet sustainability goals while maintaining high performance standards. An elastic recycled thread is a sewing filament made from recycled polymer materials designed to provide stretchability and resilience in textile applications. For instance, in May 2025, a Switzerland-based industrial thread manufacturer launched Sabaflex Recycled, a sustainable elastic thread. The product utilizes 100% recycled Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and is certified under the Global Recycled Standard (GRS), ensuring compliance with sustainability benchmarks. It delivers high elasticity and durability, making it suitable for performance apparel such as sportswear and outdoor garments. Additionally, the thread is engineered to maintain consistent stretch and recovery even after repeated washing and prolonged use. Its compatibility with modern textile manufacturing processes allows seamless integration into knitting and weaving operations without compromising efficiency. Furthermore, the product supports brands in meeting circular economy targets by reducing reliance on virgin materials and lowering the overall environmental footprint of textile production.

What Are Latest Mergers And Acquisitions In The Thread Market?

In June 2025, The Michaels Companies Inc., a US-based arts and crafts retail company, acquired the intellectual property and private label brands of JOANN Inc. for an undisclosed amount. With this acquisition, Michaels aims to expand its product portfolio and strengthen its position in the fabric, sewing, yarn, and thread-related crafts market while attracting JOANN’s existing customer base. JOANN is a US-based provider of fabrics, sewing supplies, yarn, thread, and other crafting materials.

Regional Insights

Asia-Pacific was the largest region in the thread market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in this market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in this market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

What Defines the Thread Market?

The thread market consists of sales of viscose thread, rayon thread, acrylic thread, wool thread, polyester-cotton blended thread, high-tenacity thread, conductive thread, elastic thread, metallic thread, and embroidery thread. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

How is Market Value Defined and Measured?

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified). The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

What Key Data and Analysis Are Included in the Thread Market Report 2026?

The thread market research report is one of a series of new reports from The Business Research Company that provides market statistics, including industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with the market share, detailed market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the thread industry. The market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future state of the industry.