Performance Apparel Markets - Grado Zero Espace Srl

Performance Apparel Markets, 1st quarter 2006
Product developments and innovations
The chairman, CEO and
president of Under Armour
says the footwear is “... a
true game changer ...”
Kevin Plank, the chairman, chief executive officer and president of
Under Armour, says “these cleats [studs] are a true game changer for the
industry. This is technology that does something for you—it makes you
[perform] better.”
PERSONAL PROTECTIVE APPAREL
Extreme Clothing Solutions
plans to produce protective
underwear
It will make thermal and
flame retardant
undergarments
Two items have met
European standards
EXTREME CLOTHING SOLUTIONS: PROTECTIVE
UNDERWEAR
UK-based Extreme Clothing Solutions is a new company which has
been set up in 2006 with plans to focus on producing a range of
protective underwear.
The company will make thermal and flame retardant undergarments—a
sector of the protective clothing market which, it believes, is underrepresented.
It will also extend its workwear line to protective polo
shirts, jackets, fleeces, and trousers.
Two of its items of underwear have met European standard EN 531 for
protective clothing.
SMART FABRICS
Active Protection System
hardens on impact
It is made of a threedimensional
spacer textile
treated with a coating
It has a number of benefits
It can be stitched directly
into garments—
—it is breathable, flexible
and lightweight—
—it is washable—
—and it exceeds European
Standards
IMPACT PROTECTION TEXTILE SYSTEM
USA-based Dow Corning, a specialist in silicone-based products, has
launched Active Protection System—a new, intelligent textile which
hardens upon impact.
Active Protection System is made of a three-dimensional spacer textile
treated with a coating. Under normal conditions the textile is soft and
flexible. But upon impact it hardens instantly. The material returns to its
soft state once the force of the impact is removed.
The textile has a number of benefits for high performance apparel.
● It can be stitched directly into garments, in contrast to rigid systems
which require the use of removable components.
● It is breathable, flexible and lightweight—which means that it is also
comfortable and allows freedom of movement.
● It is washable.
● It exceeds European Standards EN 1621-1:1997 (2 layers) and EN
1621-2:2003 (3 layers) for impact protection requirements of
motorcycle clothing.
© Textiles Intelligence Limited 11