In an era of high-tech warfare and security challenges, the invisible, yet crucial role of technical textiles is growing. From smart uniforms to light but impenetrable protection: the Belgian textile industry is at the global forefront of innovation for defence and security.
Although conflicts are increasingly decided remotely, the need for intelligent and protective textiles is growing exponentially. Think of visual and thermal camouflage, advanced ballistic protection, or uniforms that, thanks to data and AI, optimally protect the wearer — such as a firefighter or soldier. Belgium harbours a surprising number of leading niche players in this field.
The Belgian Defence Niche: Figures and Characteristics
The Belgian textile industry has long served as a specialist supplier to the defence and security sector. While concrete turnover figures specifically for textiles in defence are difficult to isolate from the general textile market, estimates sketch a clear picture of a technologically strong, yet concentrated niche:
- Scope: The broad Belgian defence industry counts approximately 138 companies (2023), including specialised textile producers.
- Core of the SME: The active textile companies in this sector are often SMEs that excel in highly specialised niche markets. Their expertise ranges from ballistic fibres and fire-resistant textiles to anti-chemical clothing and high-tech, air-permeable performance materials.
- Leading Players: Companies such as Sioen, Seyntex, Utexbel, and Concordia Textiles produce, among other things, fabrics for military uniforms, ballistic vests, and other protective clothing for armed forces and emergency services.
A Growing Share of Turnover
The total Belgian textile industry remains imporant, with an estimated market volume of over €7.1 billion by 2025 (including fashion, interior, technical textiles, etc.). The share of defence within this turnover is limited but shows clear growth potential:
- For a dozen large Flemish players, turnover from defence (direct or indirect) accounts for 5% to 15% of their total income.
- This share is set to grow, given the increased defence budgets within NATO in the coming years.
- Belgian producers mainly target NATO and EU partners, which underscores the competitiveness and internationalisation of the market.
Milipol Paris: The Belgian Textile Showcase
How this expertise looks in concrete terms was made clear at Milipol Paris, the largest international trade fair for safety and defence. Although the focus is increasingly on pure technology, technical textiles demand a prominent place there.
The Belgian representation was notable, with, among others, these companies showcasing their innovations:
- WARQ Pro Helmets (Ecaussinnes): Presented a specialised, patented Force-on-Force training helmet with a unique anti-fog system, designed for military personnel and law enforcement. Technical textiles are used to manage moisture, improve comfort, and ensure breathability during heavy training sessions.
- Utexbel: An integrated textile manufacturer, known as a reference supplier of camouflage and combat uniforms for, among others, the French and German armed forces, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and protection (RSE / Corporate Social Responsibility).
- Procotex Corporation: A unique company specialising in the demilitarisation and recycling of used gilets pare-balles (bulletproof vests), where the para-aramid fibres are converted into raw materials for civil applications.
- Sioen (Ballistics & Siocam): With their specialised brands Sioen Ballistics (ballistic protection) and Siocam (camouflage solutions), they presented their breadth in protective and tactical textile systems.
- Concordia Textiles: Toont hun expertise in camouflage en duurzaam en beschermend technische textiel voor militaire uitrusting. Tickmokiller® is een innovatief textiel dat bescherming biedt tegen teken- en muggenbeten door een speciale permethrine-impregnatie (conform EN17487:2024.
Conclusion: A Promising Future
The defence-related Belgian textile industry is a technologically strong, but relatively compact and specialised niche within the broader textile cluster. The sector encompasses hundreds of highly qualified jobs and a turnover estimated at several hundred million euros, which can grow significantly by successfully capitalising on European tenders and increasing investments in Defence and Security.
Belgian technical textiles prove that the future of protection and defence lies not only in chips and software, but also in smart, high-performance fibres and fabrics.
