Performance apparel markets: developments in military clothing, 3rd quarter 2008

26 pages, published in Issue 26, 3rd Quarter 2008   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

Military clothing is an integral part of a soldier?s fighting kit. It plays a key role in protecting soldiers during combat, and must therefore perform several functions in the most rugged of wearing conditions. At the same time, it must remain durable.

Developments in military clothing have been driven mainly by changes in the ways in which wars are fought. Because modern warfare is more likely to take place in congested urban streets than on battlefields, today?s military clothing has an appearance and performance characteristics which contrast sharply with those of uniforms worn by soldiers fighting in the trenches during the First World War.

Since the terrorist attacks on the USA on September 11, 2001 (9/11), and the consequent war on terror, the demand for military clothing, body armour and other military equipment has risen sharply. In turn, this rise has greatly benefited a number of clothing manufacturers in the Western world. The ever present threat of terrorism has raised concerns about the vulnerability of military forces in general, and troops in war zones in particular. Governments around the world have sharpened their focus on military preparedness?including how best to clothe and equip their countries? soldiers. They have invested heavily in the development of military uniforms which improve a soldier?s performance and comfort and offer the potential to save lives during combat.

As a result, developments in military clothing are being made today at a faster pace than at any time in history. New battledress concepts which harness nanotechnology and other advanced technologies have been devised with a view to helping the performance of soldiers on the battlefield by improving their ballistic protection, reducing the weight they carry, optimising their camouflage and amplifying their physical strength.

For the future, scientists have designed concepts for highly advanced multi-functional combat wear. However, it many take several years before these technological breakthroughs can be translated into wearable products.

Developments in military clothing

• Summary
• Introduction
• Demand for military clothing
• Development of military clothing
• Essential properties of military clothing
• Research into materials which will improve the performance of military clothing
• Battledress of the future
• Conclusions

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• Profile of TenCate: a supplier of high-tech fabrics for military wear, (3rd Quarter 2008)
• Global markets for smart fabrics and interactive textiles, 2nd quarter 2008, (2nd quarter 2008)
• New Uses for Wearable Textile-Based Health Monitoring Technology , (May-June 2008)

Four times a year, Performance Apparel Markets provides an overview of the sector for performance apparel and corporatewear. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for performance fibres, fabrics and clothing, and is essential reading for executives who are working in (or supplying) this fast growing sector. It is also an invaluable one-stop-shop where people who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis can find an authoritative source of relevant information which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies in this sector.
Reports in Performance Apparel Markets include:
	reports on major developments in the global performance apparel market, focusing on new products and technologies, innovative fibres and key players;
	detailed, independently-researched reports on one of the following topics: antimicrobial fibres and fabrics, anti-static technology, flame resistant fibres and fabrics, high strength fibres and fabrics, high visibility apparel, microencapsulation, moisture management fabrics, performance swimwear, seamless knitting and stitch-free seaming technologies, smart and interactive textiles, stain protective apparel, stretch fibres and fabrics, surfwear and surf-inspired clothing, temperature regulation, UV protective fibres and fabrics, and waterproof breathable fabrics;
	company profiles, outlining the business, product, market and manufacturing strategies employed by key players in the performance apparel industry; and
	business news and developments affecting global performance apparel markets, majoring on innovations, mergers and acquisitions, investments, joint ventures, and financial performances.
Performance apparel represents one of the fastest growing sectors of the international textile and clothing industry ? and market growth is being fuelled by the emergence of new fibres, new fabrics and innovative process technologies. The market is also being boosted by changes in consumer lifestyles. People are living longer and spending more time on leisure activities. New high-tech fabrics are being developed for a wide range of active sports such as aerobics, athletics, ballooning, cycling, hiking, mountaineering, parachuting, sailing, skiing, snowboarding, swimming, and windsurfing.
Exciting innovations are emerging in smart textiles and nanotechnology ? and the sector?s growth prospects are helped by the trend in increasing demand for performance features in mainstream fashion.
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