MUNICH – Textile technology business Polartec has launched the first ever fabric technology engineered to reduce microfibre shedding. The business is showcasing the solution, which is claimed to see a five times reduction in fibre shedding, at this week’s Performance Days show. “By using the efficiency of encapsulated air to shelter lofted fibres, Polartec Power Air will drastically improve how fabrics perform over their lifetime with respect to versatility, comfort and sustainability,” Gary Smith, Polartec CEO said. “We’re only beginning to realise the potential for this new type of fabric construction.”
Polartec Power Air is said to incorporate lofted fibres within a multi-layer, continuous yarn fabric construction. It achieves reduced fibre shedding by encasing its insulated fibres within the knitting process.
The initial release features an internal grid structure on one side, similar to a fabric bubble wrap which simultaneously holding air and increasing breathability. On the other side there is a smooth, durable outer surface that resists piling and minimises drag.
Added Mike Rose, Polartec’s vice president of product development: “Polartec has never shied away from solving tough, intractable problems. Power Air has the potential to be our most significant development since pioneering the process to knit fabrics made of post-consumer plastic bottles.”
Elsewhere at the show, of particular note has been the large interest in environmentally benign antimicrobials as an alternative to silver finishes.
While known for its antibacterial qualities, silver is also classified as a biocide by the European Union. As we recently reported, Swedish researchers analysed sportswear garments treated with silver and found that up to 90 per cent of the silver contained was washed away from the clothing after just ten machine washes. The research also claims the spread of silver in the environment may be contributing to the rise in antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
We understand this area is now clearly in the sights of EU regulators.
Thailand business Life Material Technologies and British business Odegon Technologies are among businesses presenting non-silver anti-odour alternatives in Munich, and both indicated to us that there is a large and growing interest from brands in their respective solutions.
With little if any difference in price between silver anti-odour finishes and more environmentally benign alternatives, we suspect this particular market space could be set for some serious realignment in the next 18-24 months.
