Functional Fabric Fair USA - OCT 22-23, 2019 -  OREGON CONVENTION CENTER | PORTLAND OR, USA

Material Story

Jury Favorites of Summer 2023

In this Material Story we showcase the personal favorites of Marco Weichert, founder of PERFORMANCE DAYS, from the Digital Fair. The third-generation owner of the Munich based textile agency Weichert Agencies, has textile expertise in his DNA, including the construction, composition, lamination, etc. of functional fabrics.  

Marco’s choices are new, mainly natural, performance blends for example TENCEL™ with Kapok, Doubleweave with TENCELTM inside, cotton with pineapple leaf, recycled polyester with ECOVEROTM, drirelease® with Naia, cotton with hemp from wastage yarn, merino with Eco Viscose as well as the new Sensil® Biocare Nylon 40% biodegrading in marine water after 300 days. Two other developments can be pointed out: Softshell with a breathable PU coating outside and DWR free and a Pant fabric with recycled Nylon from old car tires.

One of his favorite choices was also the PERFORMANCE AWARD winner, the Waterproof Trenchant Textiles SlickrB fabric- an ultralight fabric concept where the membrane is on the outside. This Polypropylene fabric can help brands close the loop and achieve circularity by providing a PFC free solution for durable and technical outdoor garments.

Be inspired by these new innovative fabric developments over all categories:

LENZING AG

PYRATEX® tropic I

Double Knit Summer Midlayer

90% TENCEL™, 10% Kapok

170 g/sm

A collaboration with Lenzing, Flocus, Marchi&Fildi and Studio MLR, PYRATEX® tropic I is a double fabric that can be easily Recycled into reusable wood pulp to reach Circular economy.

Knit Fabrics, Quick Dry

3D FABRIC

SHINKONG TEXTILE

CX-P0008-1

Shirt Fabric

90% Cotton, 10% Pineapple

109 g/sm

This fabric came from the upcycled agricultural waste (Pineapple leaves) locally sourced in Taiwan, with reduced water consumption and carbon footprint in the manufactory process. 100% biodegradable Poplin.

Woven Fabrics, Cooling,

Biodegradable

LMA – LEANDRO MANUEL ARAÚJO

7510

Baselayer

6% Elastan/Spandex, 94% Polyester (6% EA, 94% PES)
170 g/sm

The unique drirelease® technology accelerates the water release rate of fabrics, pushing water and perspiration through and to the outside of the garment into the air.

Anti-Odor, Printable,

Quick Dry, Thermo-Regulation

OMNITEKSAS

Art. 5599S-1

Midlayer

68% Wool Merino, 32% Eco Viscose

230 g/sm

Wool is a natural, sustainable, biodegradable, and renewable fiber. While eco viscose is a sustainable alternative to cotton and polyester. This blend results in soft hand feel and extraordinary comfort.

Knit Fabrics, Thermo-Regulation,

Biodegradable

PONTETORTO SPA

9154/M/BIO

Midlayer Fleece

8% Elastan/Spandex, 92% Polyamide

206 g/sm

Pontetorto developed new biodegradable fleeces using Sensil® BioCare technology Sensil® Biocare Nylon is specially engineered to create more sustainable fabrics with the highest quality, durability, and aesthetics.

Fleece, Biodegradable

TRANS-TEXTIL GmbH

E21700000

Softshell & Outer Midlayer

58% Polyurethane, 42% Polyester ecycle.

335 g/sm

This Softshell fabric has a breathable PU coating, where no organic solvents are used.

Fleece, High Abrasion, Stretch,
Waterproof & Breathable, Windproof

Fluorocarbon-Free Repellent,

Recycled

3D FABRIC

Carvema Textil lda (Bloomati)

J.001.0011

Single Jersey

100% organic Cotton

137g

"Young Skin" treatment, which ensures in the meshes the ability to defend our skin against environmental aggressions. It moisturizes and improves blood circulation due to the Aloe Vera component.

Finishes – Treatments,

 Knit Fabric

3D FABRIC

Jiangsu Sunfeng Special Material Technology Ltd.

SUNFENG990TM BIODEGRADABLE FABRIC

Highdensity Woven Fabric

100% Polyester

78 g/m²

990TM contains organic additives integrated into polyester filaments to enhance the biodegradability. Lab test under ASTM D5511, 990TM polyester biodegradability is 40 times quicker than common polyester decomposition.

Woven Fabrics, Stretch,

Waterproof & Breathable, Biodegradable,

Fluorocarbon-Free Repellent

HEMP FORTEX INDUSTRIES

J20802

Lifestyle

70% Cotton, 30% Hemp

265 g/sm

Hemp Fortex collects all wastages from own garment factory and respin them into yarn, this fabric was knitted with this kind of recycled hemp/cotton yarn.

Knit Fabric, Recycled

TIARA TEXTILE

NN30148

Pants

5% Elastan/Spandex, 23% Polyamide,

44% Polyamide ecycle., 28% TENCELTM

156 g/sm

NN30148 is our sustainable item and made by recycled nylon weaving with TENCELTM on backside yarn. TENCELTM can absorb moisture efficiently and this support can keep skin cool & dry in daily life.

CAROL TEXTILE

K110204

Pants

10% Elastan/Spandex, 56% Polyamide ecycle.,

34% Polyester ecycle.

214 g/sm

The extremely comfortable double weave impress with a fashionable good looks and pleasantly light fabric are truly comfortable, which pays off on long journeys and in warm weather.

Woven Fabrics, High Abrasion,

Printable, Stretch,

UV Cut 50+, Bluesign,

Recycled

LONG ADVANCE

LTC-21013-104

Pants

2% Elastan/Spandex, 39% Polyester ecycle.,

59% ECOVEROTM

252 g/sm

New material ECOVEROTM by Lenzing is 50% lower emissions and water impact compared to generic Viscoce and it is also biodegradable.

Woven Fabrics, Biodegradable,  

Recycled

Best of Digital Forum May 2021

Join Alexa as she recaps all categories of the Digital Performance Forum for the LOOP by Performance Days and Functional Fabric Fair.

A Special thank you to Alexa Dehmel, Material Stories Curator, for providing the stories, imagery and incredible insight into our industry.

Alexa Dehmel
Active Sports Design & Consulting


Alexa Dehmel has over 30 years of broad and deep expertise in the fashion industry and a high level of professional competence. She maintains an extensive network of leading experts as well as personal connections to relevant cooperation partners and supporters, which she contributes profitably to her customers and the industry. Her work in various roles in the fashion, textile and sportswear industry with a focus on design and collection development, in teaching, as an independent entrepreneur and as a recognized contributor to the industry, makes her a valued contact. After her visionary start-up project, BARTENSTEIN Academy had to close due to the 2020 situation, she is now offering her market experience and service for new projects via her agency again.