Performance Apparel Markets: Product Developments and Innovations

Table of Contents

Summary

Chemical Protective Clothing

• Researchers at the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) in Australia have developed a prototype chemical protective uniform which is made using nanofibres

Fabrics for Outdoor Apparel and Equipment

• Montane has developed a three-layer laminate fabric for outdoor apparel which offers advanced levels of breathability and water repellency
• Pertex has developed a range of lightweight fabrics for outdoor apparel and equipment which are made using polyamide (nylon) 6 derived from recycled materials

Flame Resistant (FR) Fabrics

• Hainsworth Protective Fabrics has developed a breathable flame resistant fabric containing merino wool for use in the manufacture of firefighting gear

Insulation Materials

• Outdoor apparel brand Mammut has developed a synthetic insulation material which contains pre-consumer production scraps
• Unifi has developed a synthetic insulation material for outdoor apparel and equipment which contains recycled materials derived from pre-consumer and post-consumer textile waste
• Thermore has developed a slimline insulation material which contains fibres derived from recycled post-consumer waste plastic bottles

Sportswear

• A range of sportswear which employs smart textiles in order to facilitate moisture management has been developed by researchers at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Stretch Fabrics

• Apex Mills has developed a novel stretch fabric which is made without the use of elastomeric fibres

Workwear

• Products made using Gore-Tex Crosstech Pyrad performance fabric have been launched by the workwear brands S-Gard, Van Heurck and Viking

List of Tables
Table 1: Brands employing Pertex fabrics in the designs of collections for the autumn/winter 2024/25 season

List of Figures
Figure 1: Prototype chemical protective uniform developed by CSIRO
Figure 2: Petrichor three-layer laminate fabric
Figure 3: Men’s Mammut Sender IN Hooded Jacket
Figure 4: Mr Shou during a presentation of the iActive sportswear range
Figure 5: Protective clothing and workwear styles launched by S-Gard, Van Heurck and Viking