Domestic technical textiles Industry Segment-wise consumption of ...

Hook and Loop Tape Fasteners (Velcro)
Velcro is a brand name of the fabric hook-and-loop fasteners however today it is used as a generic
term for the product hook & loop tape fasteners. Hook and loop (H&L) fasteners consist of a
combination of two separate woven tapes, one called as hook tape and the other as loop tape. The
tapes display excellent fastening properties when placed in contact with each other and thus offer
hundreds of potential closure systems (fastening applications) for a wide range of applications. H&L
fasteners find application in industries such as:
• Leather garments/furnishings
• Surgical and orthopaedic apparatus
• Shoes and footwear manufacturing
• Luggage/bag manufacturers
• Toys
• Plastic goods
• Automobile upholstery and various other industry segments.
H&L fasteners are easy to use, safe and maintenance free. The effectiveness of the fastener is
maintained even after repeated fastening and unfastening. Thus, the product has achieved good
penetration in various application areas. Velcro held together a human heart during the first artificial
heart surgery. It is used in nuclear power plants and army tanks to hold flashlights to walls. Cars use it
to bond headliners, floor mats and speaker covers. It is used in the home when pleating draperies,
holding carpets in place and attaching upholstery, among many other things. It closes backpacks,
briefcases and Trapper Keepers, secures pockets and holds disposable diapers on babies. It is used in
surfboard leashes and orthopaedic braces. H&L fasteners made of Teflon loops, polyester hooks, and
glass backing is used on space shuttles.
Product Characteristics
H&L fasteners are generally made of Nylon and Polyester. The product is available in width ranging
from 12 mm to 125 mm and length of 25 meters though it can be produced in any length depending
upon the customer’s requirement. The H&L fastener of 1 meter length and 25 mm of width, weighs
7.5 grams.
Market dynamics and key growth drivers
H&L fasteners are used as fastening system in a variety of areas. Footwear industry is the major
consumer of H&L fastener accounting for around 20-25% of the total consumption. In the footwear
industry especially these fasteners are used in the kids and speciality sports category. Defence