THE PERFORMANCE FORUM

Various detailing solutions in textile processing and marketing. For example, special processing and printing techniques, special sewing methods, or even all sorts of packaging, like boxes, displays, or banderols.

Products that cannot be used independently and require a carrier material, such as padding materials, meshes, linings, shock absorption, or trimmings. These also include textile workmanships that combine padding with bonding or padding with quilting, and the special production methods required for such material designs. 

Fillers for clothing that allows climate management, i.e., warming or cooling properties. “Insulation + Fibres” indicates synthetic fibres, natural fibres, and blended fibres.

Fibres or fabrics can receive additional functions such as wicking properties, UV protection, anti-bacterial/odor management, a special soft touch and more by special finishes or treatments. The properties are added into to the yarn or washed into the fabric.

Knitted fabric produced on a multi-filament basis, which is brushed on one or both sides to achieve better thermal retention through air entrapment. The fineness of the fibres and height of the pile determine the insulation effect. “GRID” structures increase the air circulation on the side next to the skin.

Garment makers supply the manufacturing/assembly of clothing. There are specialists for each product category and process, for example, stretch, downs, waterproofing, and knits.

Knits are either active or circular knits, with or without nap or pile. Knit is worn in all layers of the clothing systems, for example, as fleece or softshells. Knit products can be produced from all types of materials, whether natural fibres, mix qualities, or synthetic fibres.

All elements added to the fabric or clothing for the purpose of rounding out the design or to highlight information or the brand. In this category you find other logo elements, size or model distinctions, design elements, hang tags, and labels. The labels and patches can be made of various materials like leather, cork, cloth, synthetics, or silicon and can be either sewn or glued.

A company in the textile supply chain that does not perform any of the traditional work like the manufacture of fabrics or accessories. These include, for example, the companies that perform product and process certification or trend analyses.

Bonded and laminated materials for jackets and pants that combine the features of the second and third layers of functional clothing systems. It is claimed to be used in 80% of all activities. Softshells may be made of woven or knit fabrics, however, the seams may not be taped. Softshells usually have elastic properties.

All elastic or non-elastic fabric tapes that in the context of manufacturing of textiles or accessories, are glued, bonded or sealed. Selected applications include: As a design element in sealing seams or in waistbands of snow guards or bike pants.

All print products for clothing, bags, and shoes – transfer printing with the feel of textiles or applied to textile surfaces. These are high quality, fine print transfer printing techniques or 3-D prints on fabric.

Small detail accessories on clothing, backpacks, bags, and shoes such as buttons, pressure snaps, strings, stoppers, zipper pullers, eyelets, rivets, and rubber strips. However, not for accessories that belong to one of the categories: zippers, tapes, labels, and transfers.

All reflective elements that support the idea of visibility and are not made of cloth. This includes items like labels, patches, piping, tapes, cords, zippers, and zipper pullers. The reflective elements can be cut out, tailored, pressed, or printed.

Bonded and laminated materials for jackets and pants that combine the features of the second and third layers of functional clothing systems. It is claimed to be used in 80% of all activities. Softshells may be made of woven or knit fabrics, however, the seams may not be taped. Softshells usually have elastic properties.

All kinds of zippers for use in clothing, bags, backpacks, or shoes. A most diverse range of materials can be used, all sorts and sizes of teeth and sliders. Offered with various advantages such as in waterproof designs, solutions for stretch fabrics, or even special designs like uneven zipper designs.

Fabrics are appropriate for processing with down and padding because of their structure or coating. Migration of the down fibres is only prevented in these fabrics if the right material is used with the matching down. The manufacturer should be consulted for a processing recommendation. Reference points are provided by the down standards (of special importance are the air permeability of the fabric and the IDFL (International Down and Feather Testing Laboratory) values for materials and fillers).

Heat and flame protection: Flame retardant fabrics for clothing or accessories for use in work clothes and protective garments, for example, road and building construction, or blast furnaces, or firefighting. This feature can be found in fabrics for the base, mid, or outer layer. Based on area of application, the materials are expected to meet one or more of the following standards:

• EN ISO 11612 – Protective clothing – for protection against heat and flames
• EN ISO 11611 – Protective clothing ­ for welding and related processes
• EN 61482-1-2 – Protective clothing ­ for protection against the thermal hazards of an arc welder (Class 1 electric arcs).

Highly robust, abrasion resistant and even cut resistant fabrics for use in motorcycle or alpine clothing collections and work clothes (especially, forestry work) - processed either as full surface or as reinforcement. Abrasion resistant fabrics are characterized by high ratings in the Martindale method (EN-ISO-12947-2). Cut resistant fabrics may be so designated by the FPA or must comply with DIN EN 381, Parts 2 and 5.

Fabrics, which are able to prevent the growth of odor causing bacteria through the use of biocidal agents due to their fibre qualities or special treatments. Application areas are in the base and midlayer.

Printable carrier fabrics. The printing method is dependent on the respective base material. Various print methods include digital, transfer, and roll pressure.

Materials that distribute absorbed moisture over a larger area, effectively allowing them to evaporate faster. The quick drying properties can be achieved by the type of fibre, fibre cross section, fabric construction, or treatment.

Fabrics that have a very high wind resistance. This is measured in air volume over time (CCS).

Products that ensure better visibility at dusk or darkness. Appropriate for use in workwear clothing or various kinds of sport, either as reflectors (passive reflection), active emitters that emit pre-absorbed light (glow-in-the-dark), or even high-vis(ibility) colors as per DIN-ISO-20471 for workwear purposes.

Safety clothing for hazardous activities or for professions where special protection is required. Depending on the application area, it must comply with the Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) categories or show compliance with multiple standards. Also to be used for mountaineering and other application areas with extremely high standards.

Fabrics that are elastic because of their fibres inserts and/or fabric structure. This category is further sub-divided in two or four way stretch (bi- and multi-stretch).

Fabrics that regulate (cool or warm) the body temperature of the wearer, for example by fibre type, fibre cross section, etc. Can also be achieved by fabric construction or finishes/ treatments.

Fabrics that protect against the harmful UV rays and demonstrate a sun protection factor of UPF 50 or greater. Fabrics that have been tested and certified in accordance with relevant standards such as the Australia-New Zealand standard, Hohenstein Standard 801, or European Norm EN-13758. The sun protection may be achieved either by fibres, colors, or construction as well as by additional treatments or particles in the fibres.

Fabrics and agents for the production of waterproof clothing. The term waterproof implies coated or laminated materials, which can achieve the minimum water column requirements (in mm). Whether a fabric is classified as waterproof depends on the relevant standard. In Europe, the standard is EN-ISO-811, which specifies a minimum value of 1500 mm. The Japanese JIS method demands the attainment of a minimum value of 3000 mm. The height of the water column is application dependent, so higher values are sometimes necessary.

A functional fabric should provide good breathability. This is expressed by the MVTR. The value is given in g/m²/24h – the higher the value, the better the breathability.

Materials (including fibres, fabrics, and accessories) that are produced with the bluesign® system using certified bluesign technologies can be awarded the label “bluesign® approved.”The application of the bluesign® system guarantees the use of safer chemicals and proper handling as well as providing protection for humans and the environment. The bluesign® system covers the entire chemical supply chain to the end brands.

Fabrics that achieve water repellant properties without the use of harmful per fluorinated chemicals that may pose a risk to health and the environment. This information is of special interest with coated or laminated base materials since they frequently involve working with PFC’s.

Materials, fabrics, fibres, and yarns that are recycled. The raw materials, natural materials, and synthetic materials come from either post-consumer-waste like PET bottles, or from post-industrial-waste such as paper manufacturing, and are then reworked either chemically or mechanically.