Tocco Report: Second Skin/Smart Textile

Fabric as Interface—Sensors, Structures, and Bioengineered Matter

In an era of wearable tech and sustainable design, textiles are no longer passive. A new generation of materials can sense, react, and adapt – blurring the boundary between clothing (or furnishings) and the body or environment. These advanced textiles often earn the moniker “second skin” for their ability to behave dynamically, almost biologically.

In this report, the Tocco team explores each material category in depth—highlighting key innovations and technical details, profiling prominent suppliers, and showcasing recent applications (2022–2025) through case studies. A data and metrics section will present market trends, adoption rates, certifications, and sustainability benchmarks. Finally, we’ll conclude with an assessment of the current state, barriers to adoption, future outlook, and recommendations for stakeholders.