Innovative Products Based on High-Tech Textiles

published in Issue 57, 2nd quarter 2004   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

The future of the West European textile and clothing sector lies not in constant price cutting but in more intelligent products with additional functionality. Forschungsinstitut Hohenstein (Hohenstein Research Institute) classifies intelligent clothing into five major areas: transfer systems; adaptive systems; smart clothing; transponder systems; and microtechnology and nanotechnology. To exploit new technologies fully, however, a multidisciplinary approach is required involving networks and a dialogue between researchers, manufacturers, applications specialists and marketing professionals.

Innovators are responding to the challenges with a plethora of developments. Products include those developed for climate control such as: the vAIRis membrane jacket with integrated variable heat insulation; Gore Airvantage inflatable clothing; the Corpo Nove clothing range from Grado Zero Espace, including a jacket incorporating Aerogel and sold under the Hugo Boss label; and items containing the fluff and seed fibres from poplar trees. ?Feelgood clothing? is being made from SeaCell, derived from algae. Healthcare products include: LifeShirt; SmartShirt; and knee bandages and gloves with artificial muscles and stretch sensors. Protective clothing includes: SwissShield, containing a thin silver-plated single copper filament to protect against radiation; the ABS avalanche airbag; and D?Appolonia?s cooling jacket. In the field of integrated textiles and electronics, products include: France Telecom?s flexible text screen for integration into clothing; Wearaphone, a hands-free telephone system which does not need ear plugs, developed by Orange in cooperation with Clothing+; Luminex, which distributes light throughout the fabric of a dress; and the Infineon jacket with an integrated MP3 player.

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Four times a year, Technical Textile Markets provides an overview of the global man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile industries. It provides market data and analysis of new and established markets for technical textiles, and is essential reading for senior executives in (or supplying) the man-made fibre, nonwoven and technical textile sectors ? as well as for those who are not involved in the industry on a day-to-day basis, but who need an authoritative source which helps them to quickly gain an understanding of the key issues facing the companies which are actively involved in this fast-growing sector.
Reports in Technical Textile Markets include:
	company and country profiles ? giving you the opportunity to learn from strategies employed by others, in terms of production, sourcing, import/export, infrastructure and development, and plans for the future.
	profiles of the world's top 40 producers of nonwovens ? updated each year with details of developments from each of the leading producers, including acquisitions, investments and divestments, and analyses of trends which the "rising stars" are using to their advantage.
	statistical reports ? including consumption data, by fibre and end-use applications. Regular updates are published for fibre consumption in Japan, the rest of Asia, the USA, and Western Europe.
	market sector information ? analyses of important commercial end-user applications, and profiles of both established and emerging markets which take into account such innovations and developments as nanotechnology and intelligent textiles.
	regular updates on innovations in fibres, technical textiles, apparel and machinery ? including developments in the following categories: fibres and yarns; technical textile fabrics for industrial applications; machinery; technical textiles for apparel; composites; other technical textile products; and technical textile treatments and finishes.
	reports on new technological developments and other topical issues ? with clear, authoritative comments on their economic and commercial significance. The reports bring to your attention the key issues which you can use to develop your business, and provides contact details of useful organisations.
So whether you are involved in man-made fibres, nonwovens or technical textiles ? in manufacturing, converting, import/export, or end use ? or if you are in education or consultancy or investment or finance ? a subscription to Technical Textile Markets will tell you what you need to know about the key trends in the industry.
Technical Textile Markets is available on subscription ? either in printed format only, or in printed and electronic format. If you choose the printed only option, you will receive 4 printed publications a year. Each issue contains five research-based reports (see above) and an editorial.
Electronic supplement If you choose the printed and electronic option, you will receive an extra service. You will still receive each issue in printed format, delivered to you by traditional post. In addition, you will be able to download PDF files containing the same information ? but the PDF files will be available immediately on publication, so you don?t have to wait for the printing and mailing. You also have all the benefits of electronic files: instant access even when you are away from the office; convenient storage in your PC or laptop; portability; electronic search facility; and copy/paste facility. You will also receive a monthly update of business news, called "Technical Textiles Business Update" delivered to you by email, free of charge.
Technical textiles are used in a wide range of end-use applications and markets, including agricultural; automotive; building/ construction/ engineering; medical and hygiene; packaging; protective clothing; sports and sportswear; and transport. A subscription to Technical Textile Markets will support your decision making, and provide the information you need to expand into new markets.