"Besides making them more durable and climate resistant, brands are focusing on sustainability of their garments. They are opting for materials that offer more casual attributes to satisfy consumer’s need for comfort and flexibility. A prominent example of this is the CoolVisions’ dyeable polypropylene filament and staple launched by Indorama Ventures (IVL)."

Besides making them more durable and climate resistant, brands are focusing on sustainability of their garments. They are opting for materials that offer more casual attributes to satisfy consumer’s need for comfort and flexibility. A prominent example of this is the CoolVisions’ dyeable polypropylene filament and staple launched by Indorama Ventures (IVL).

Maximising moisture management and thermal performance

The CoolVisions by Indorama recently added a dyeable filament with recycled polyester to its innovative collection. These filaments maximise moisture management and thermal performance. This filament also brings forth polypropylene’s inherent properties of moisture management and low moisture regain, thermal regulation, durability, bleach-and-stain resistance, and improved coverage at a lower weight.

IVL has also launched Deja, a 100 percent rPET fiber brand, available in various forms, including recycled flake, pellet, fiber and filament for use in multiple applications. The products of this brand are derived from recycling post-consumer plastic bottles and transforming them into innovative product ingredients.

Responsible innovation through new fabrics

Collaborating with a multi-speciality company Solvay Group, Tencel producer Lenzing, has launched an innovative two-faced fabric made of Tencel lyocell and Amni Soul Eco polyamide. The new fabric enables the company to innovate responsibly while concentrating on performance, durability and comfort.

Lenzing has also collaborated with Hyosung Corp to launch a new sustainable active fabric collection .The collection showcases the benefits of Tencel Modal and Creora elastane from Hyosung. It offers Lenzing EcoVero with Creora eco-soft for a softer touch and more brilliant whites. EcoVero fibers are made from wood, a natural and renewable raw material that comes from sustainable forestry plantations, while Creora eco-soft is a low-heat settable spandex that offers reduced energy consumption.

Fabrics offering compression and support

The Lycra Company has incorporated environmentally friendly alternatives and innovations to its fibers. The Lycra fabric indexing system allows fabric and garment designers to select materials with the appropriate level of support or compressions. Lycra Fitsense, a new technology connected to this system allows it to be screen printed onto a fabric or garment for targeted support. It allows designers to create lighter weight, breathable, cooler fabrics that offer compression and support.

Fitsense has launched two adoptions of this technology for leggings at Marks & Spencer and Adidas’ Stella McCartney line, each of which has sold well. Lycra has also launched the Lycra Dual Comfort technology based on the firm’s T400 bi-component polyester fiber, which Under Armour and Nike initially adopted. The brand recently launched Eco Made T400 derived from post-consumer recycled polyester.

Brands combine designs, yarns, technical finishes to value-add

Catering to rising demand for comfort and eco-friendly clothes, brands are moving away from polyester and nylon and using more sustainable fibers. This includes Tencel lyocell and Micro Modal, as well as organic cotton. Laguna is producing varieties of Tencel fleece and rib knits, Tencel and organic cotton and French terry in tops, bottom and bodysuits.

As the market requires these brands to offer more variety and great complexity, brands are combining designs, specialty yarns and technical finishes that create value-added attributes for the consumer. For example, a combination of perforated web constructions, cooling yarns and finishes are being used to create open air channels to improve moisture management and temperature release. Besides, brands are also adopting mesh constructions or three dimensional geometric patterns combined with soft and flat edges way to achieve improved performance and a distinctive fabric design for the activewear user.