RIYADH — Textile printing industry has come of age and is rapidly growing across the globe and the Middle East region. Saudi Arabia houses thousands of retail destinations, including several high-end furniture brands and these numbers are on the rise. According to Smithers Pira, the UK-based market intelligence, testing and consulting firm, this industry is slated to grow to $2.66 billion by 2021.

The key objective of textile printing is to produce fabric with an attractive design and defined pattern. This lucrative market expansion can be attributed to several factors such as the rise in customer demands, faster go-to-market strategy by companies and also the rapid expansion of the healthcare, real-estate, hospitality, education and retail sectors.

“We have seen a growth in demand from across various vertical industries and we foresee this growth due to the rapid expansion of retail malls and hospitality industries. Our trade show SGI Dubai witnesses new exhibitors each year and that is a key indicator for us,” said Sharif Rahman, CEO, International Expo Consults.

Currently the Asia Pacific region has the largest market share for textile printing, followed by Europe and North America. Within Asia, China and India alone hold the largest market share for textile printing globally. Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness highest growth and maintain its dominance in the forecasted period.

“It is important for the players within the kingdom to closely look at their markets and its potential and capitalize on the same by leveraging innovative cutting edge technologies. This will further help their own industry and thereby significantly contribute towards the economy. With the fast growing population not only in Middle East but across the globe would further increase the demand and should plan ahead to capitalize on this opportunity. Progress in technology paired with increasing method of printing is driving the global textile printing market,” added . Rahman.

SGI Dubai 2019, is one such destination, a unique trade show that actually addresses the needs of the textile printing industry stakeholders and will bring the best players in the industry from across the globe.

From among all the other forms of printing digital printing is expected to garner highest growth in the coming years. On the bases of technology the global market for textile printing can be split into direct printing, white/ color discharge and resist printing. Other forms of printing include block printing, roller printing, duplex printing, screen printing, stencil printing, transfer printing, blotch printing, jet spray printing and electrostatic printing.

SGI 2018 was a huge success with close to 330 international and regional exhibitors showcasing the latest in UV printing, textile printing, retail, LED and various signage technologies. Thousands of visitors graced the show from across the globe including the Middle East, Africa, Asia and Europe.

SGI Dubai is an ideal converging point where visitors and exhibitors can reach out with architects, sign makers, print and production manufacturers, media agencies, real-estate developers, brand and image consultants among others. The event is a well-established business forum, which is recognized globally and constitutes workshops and seminars held by industry experts. It is one of the most eagerly awaited events of the year in the region to cater to the needs of exhibitors and visitors in the signage, outdoor media, screen and digital printing, LED and textile printing industries. — SG