Portugal-based RDD Textiles was recently adjudged the winner of 7th Hightex Award. The company was awarded for the quality of its bonded double-sided jersey. It was particularly noted for its new bonding technique through an environmentally conscious mechanical process and newly developed without any additional adhesive. The jersey, first introduced at Munich Fabric Start, is breathable, warming, comfortable, extremely lightweight and absolutely fashionable.

The second prize was won by Italy-based Manifattura Tessile Toscanay for a wool quality with 14 per cent polyamide content currently offered at a high fashion level. This is ensured by a graphic PU print in a technically aesthetic vinyl look. Its abrasion and pilling are minimised by this fashionable way of coating.

Third place went to a fabric specialist Brugnoli, also based in Italy, for its highly functional three-layer technology. The first layer of this fabric is made of extra fine merino wool and bio-based polyamides. The second layer is said to offer a high degree of comfort and functional protection as an extra thin elastic membrane.

With the third layer featuring extremely thin polyamides plus elastane. The result is a soft-shell quality for jackets and pants that is already used by well-known Italian fashion and function brands.

The award is part of an overall conceptual approach by Munich Fabric Start as one of the world's largest textile fabric fairs for intelligent process solutions, innovative highlights, biotech, digitisation and sustainable innovation.