We wanted to let you know about new
eco textiles launched in
the U.S. this week, at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake
City.
A few of the highlights:
- A new eco fabric dye that dramatically cuts water use and carbon dioxide production
- The world’s first textile and bio-foam made from coffee
- A new fabric that measures vital signs and motion data, so you can leave your Fitbit at home
- World’s first PFC-free polyester filament that’s naturally water-repellant
- Environmentally-friendly activewear, including a hood that also functions as a pillow
New product categories included
cutting-edge fabric printing technology; smart textiles measuring heart rate and
motion data; textile innovations utilizing fewer chemicals, water and raw
materials while preserving function and complex colors; and the world’s first
PFC-free durable water repellant (DWR) polyester filament, PFC-free soil release
polyester filament, and bio-based membrane and foam from coffee oil.
The program began with distinguished
speakers presenting welcome remarks and the vision for Taiwan’s textile
industry.
Simon Lai, executive
director, Taiwan Trade Center, San Francisco thanked attendees for their interest
in Taiwan’s new product showcase. “Today, we are introducing breakthrough
products and materials that represent the best of Taiwanese textile innovation.
The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is the perfect setting for new
partnerships.”
Joseph C.L. Ma,
director-general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, San Francisco remarked, “With a global growing
trend in eco-friendliness, Taiwanese suppliers have devoted research and
development to green technologies to meet customer demands and achieve goals of
sustainability and corporate social responsibility.” Mr. Ma emphasized Taiwan’s
competitive advantage in functional, environmental, and smart fabrics comes from
its strong development of functional artificial fibers, which helps produce a
wide variety of fabrics. Taiwan’s fabric industry also incorporates
semiconductor, biomedical and cross-industry innovations. “Today’s event
provides a good platform for Taiwanese manufacturers and the global outdoor
industry to foster more collaborations,” he concluded.
Melissa Wang, deputy director, Market
Development Department, Taiwan Textile Federation presented
“The Vision of Taiwan Textile Industry,” including product differentiation,
design and creativity, function combined with eco-consciousness, and
branding. Special guest, Derek Miller,
president of the World Trade Center, Utah spoke about the importance of
international trade to Utah and its successful relationship with
Taiwan. Four of Taiwan’s leading textile
manufacturers presented innovative products.
Far Eastern New Century Corporation presented two world-first
products. FENC ® TopDry® Zero is the world’s first
PFC-free DWR polyester filament. The polymer is intrinsically water-repellent,
offering permanent and superior DWR
performance. FENC®TopClean is the world’s first PFC-free
polyester filament allowing for easy soil removal. The polymer naturally eases
removal of soil and stains when soaked in pure water, while offering superior
nylon-like comfort. Additionally, the company
showcased FENC® DynaFeedTM which uses a highly
durable ultra-thin organic matrix to seamlessly and sustainably integrate the
textile world with the digital. The DynaFeedTM directly measures
real-time performance information during training, which is then displayed in an
app the athlete can use to fine-tune performance.
QMI Industrial Company, Ltd.
presented The Aqua Terra
fabric and the Roam Anywear Hood, two of the latest VAST Tech developments.
Created with the user in mind, they allow active nature lovers to get closer to
nature in their busy lives. Marrying function with form, the Aqua Terra fabric
and Roam Anywear Hood offer minimalist designs, fusing multiple functions into
singular products. They effectively limit the amount of production resources
needed, making them environmentally friendly. Aqua Terra is a fabric for
garments that go from the mountains, to the oceans, to the office. The Roam
Anywear Hood easily inflates to become a pillow.
Singtex Industrial Company, Ltd. presented three products.
The AIRMEM™, the latest innovation from S.Café®, pushes
textiles to a new level. Twenty-five percent of the material is comprised of
coffee oil extracted from spent coffee grounds. Its membrane replaces
petroleum-based materials with a more sustainable alternative. Twenty-five
percent of S.Café®'s bio-foam, The AIRNEST™, is derived from
the sustainable source of coffee oil. The AIRNEST™ presents a new alternative to
petroleum-based ingredients, while providing a high-performance textile. The
AIRNEST™ applies to a wide range of functionality and end-user markets.
S.Café®'s innovation continues with its cutting-edge fabric printing
technology, the P4DRY™. Repurposed coffee grounds give the print layer
four key attributes: it dries quickly, controls odor, reduces the rate of
condensation, and is tremendously sustainable.
Tex-Ray Industrial Co., Ltd., by 2020, will improve its
environmental footprint by reducing water usage and decreasing CO2 emissions
during raw material production. Texray Performance Green House supplies and
presented a series of collections that maintain their beauty and performance
while being non-toxic. The Eco series can be divided into three categories: less
chemicals with more function, represented by T-Cool and T-Hot fabrics; less
water with fancy colors, represented by the ECO-lor dyeing technology; less raw
material usage, represented by Recycle Poly with Blue Dye products.
Exhibitors and attendees from the
industry remarked it was impressive to hear the overview of Taiwan’s textile
industry and learn about the innovative eco-products and materials discussed in
the presentations and displayed in the demos.
According to estimates of the Taiwan
Textile Research Institute's ITIS research team (April, 2017), the output value
(including overseas production) of Taiwan's functional fabrics accounted for
roughly 50 percent of the global output value of functional fabrics, making
Taiwan the world's largest functional fabric production base.
About the Taiwan Excellence
Award
The symbol of Taiwan Excellence
honors Taiwan’s most innovative products that provide tremendous value to users
worldwide. All products carrying this symbol have been selected for specific
Taiwan Excellence Awards based on their excellence in design, quality,
marketing, and R&D. Initiated by Taiwan’s Ministry of Economic Affairs
(MOEA) in 1992, the symbol of Taiwan Excellence is recognized in 100 countries.
The Taiwan Excellence Award is sponsored by Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BOFT), MOEA, and is organized by the Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
View the Taiwan Textile Industry Overview and Taiwan New Products Launch at the Taiwan Textile Industry Report port at our Fashion Blogger site.
View the Taiwan Textile Industry Overview and Taiwan New Products Launch at the Taiwan Textile Industry Report port at our Fashion Blogger site.
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