Sports and leisure

After three years of collaborative research and development, BASF and Hagihara Industries have unveiled highly durable polyolefin yarns for the manufacture of artificial turf.

The developer of polyurethane (PU) nanofibre-based waterproof and breathable membrane for outdoor wear has received seed funding, enabling it to ramp-up production.

A dual-layer, knitted polyester (PES) fabric that is cool to the touch and works to prevent sweat from accumulating on the skin has been launched by Teijin Frontier of Osaka, Japan.

Allied Feather + Down of Montebello, California, USA, will be supplying its per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-free hydrophobic down (ExpeDRY) to Montane for the Montane Autumn 2025 down ap

Warp-knitted fabrics that protect their wearers from the harmful effects of solar radiation have been developed by Karl Mayer of Obertshausen, Germany.

A pair of waterproof laminates that are free from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been launched for use in outdoor apparel and footwear by eVent Fabrics of Kansas City, Mis

A waterproof, three-layer laminate that is free from perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) has been developed by Montane, of Ashington, UK, for use in outdoor apparel.

A sweat-wicking polyester (PES) fibre that can be made entirely from pre-consumer textile waste or recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles has been used to produce the Brazilian Volleybal

Windsurfers at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in France will compete on identical boards made by Cobra International using an epoxy resin from Sicomin.

A polyester (PES) fabric that is permeable to air while acting as a barrier to ultraviolet (UV) radiation has been developed by Teijin Frontier of Osaka, Japan.

A seamless knitted fabric that can be soft, warm, sweat-absorbent and quick-drying has been launched for the production of sportswear by Teijin Frontier of Osaka, Japan.

 Asahi Kasei is to showcase elastane fibres that are made using recycled material or degrade partially in industrial composting facilities, a per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS)-free waterpr

A crimped bicomponent fibre that imparts a durable, soft hand, low shrinkage and high uniformity to knitted fabrics has been launched by The Lycra Co of Wilmington, Delaware, USA. 

A jacket that features a metallic, radiant barrier-coated membrane made using aluminium from used coffee capsules has been developed by three companies in Switzerland.

Polymer fibres that dynamically stiffen when exposed to strain are being incorporated into sportswear by adidas of Herzogenaurach, Germany.

A range of strong, durable and lightweight laminates has been developed by Aluula for the production of fabrics for the canopies and sails used in wind sports.  

A waterproof jacket that features vents that open and close autonomously in response to the presence or otherwise of sweat, thereby helping to keep its wearer cool, has been developed by Nike of Eu

A knitted fabric (Solotex Liberte) that is stretchable, light in weight and exhibits good lustre has been developed for sportswear and casual wear by Teijin Frontier of Osaka, Japan. 

A treatment from Polygiene that inhibits the growth of odour-causing bacteria in textiles is being used in backpacks by Gregory Packs of Salt Lake City, Utah, USA. 

Waterproof, breathable three-layer hardshell and softshell laminates made using bio-based materials have been developed for outdoor apparel and workwear by Trans-Textil of Freilassing, Germany. 

An odour-neutralising treatment from Microban International is to be used by Jack Wolfskin in its outdoor apparel.

A novel three-dimensional (3D) carbon fibre reinforcement, which enables the production of impact-resistant and durable composites, is being used by We Are One Composites Inc, of Kamloops, British

A durable fabric made by Invista's Cordura brand from pre-consumer recycled polyamide (PA) has been used by Bach Equipment to produce a tote bag that will be launched at ISPO Munich 2022.

W.L. Gore & Associates is to launch two double-layer laminates (Gore-Tex) featuring a textile (Bionic) made from plastic waste collected from coastal environments. 

Water-repellent fabrics that incorporate wool from Chargeurs Luxury Materials are to be produced by Schoeller Textil AG, as it looks to use more sustainable materials in its products. 

A partially bio-based and perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substance (PFAS)-free waterproof membrane has been launched by Polartec of Andover, Massachusetts, USA.  

Two fabrics – one softshell and one hardshell – that are made from recycled materials and are readily recyclable themselves have been launched for the production of protective functional clothing b

Sportswear enhanced with graphene-based inks is to be sold by BiaBrazil following the signing of a commercial agreement by the Brazilian company and the UK-based developer of the inks, Versarien.

An expanded polyethylene (ePE) membrane is the latest addition to W.L. Gore & Associates’ product range.

A hooded fleece sweatshirt is being made using a needlepunching process by Nike, of Eugene, Oregon, USA, which claims that the technology is its most significant innovation in 30 years. 

Durable fabrics made from pre-consumer recycled polyamide (PA) by Invista's Cordura brand are now being used in the production of backpacks and anoraks.

A standard for determining the cut-resistance of undergarments for skiers has been developed at the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF).

Fibres that are made by Spinnova from cellulosic biomass are being used by adidas for the production of a knitted hooded sweatshirt. 

A thermally insulating nonwoven based on fibres extracted from milkweed (Asclepias syriaca), a plant native to North America, has been launched for use in outdoor clothing and equipment by

Jackets featuring a temperature-responsive fabric that – without the need for electronics – lofts automatically when cold will be worn by Team USA at the Opening Ceremony of the 2022 Winter Oly

LifeLabs of Sunnyvale, California, USA, has launched what it claims to be the world's warmest jacket. 

A comfortable knitted fabric that responds to the presence of perspiration by changing its structure three-dimensionally in order to increase its breathability has been developed by Teijin Frontier

A range of non-leaching, metal- and particle-free antimicrobial finishes that prevent the build-up of odour-causing bacteria on textiles has been launched by Sanitized AG of Burgdorf, Switzerland. 

An expanded-polyethylene (ePE) film is now part of the range of the Fabrics Division of W. L. Gore & Associates.

The performance of graphene-enhanced upper-body sports garments is to be evaluated by the University of Gloucestershire, UK, which has been commissioned to do so by graphene manufacturer Versarien.

Gloves designed to prevent goalkeepers in association football from overstretching – and thereby injuring – their fingers when making saves are being developed by researchers at the Institute of Te

Freudenberg Performance Materials of Weinheim, Germany, is to showcase two fabrics for sportswear made using recycled polyester (PES) at Performance Days (to be held online on 17–21 May 20

Fabrics featuring fibres of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, Dyneema Composite Fabrics) are being used by Moncler of Milan, Italy, for the production of skiwear.  

A fabric that is designed to capture heat from the sun and trap warmth has been launched for the production of jackets by Columbia Sportswear of Portland, Oregon, USA. 

A jersey that – when combined with a base layer – protects cyclists from abrasion-related injuries should they crash at high speeds has been developed by DSM of Heerlen, The Netherlands, and its pa

What is claimed to be the first company to manufacture surfboards using recycled carbon fibre has been established by three graduates of Deakin University of Geelong, Victoria, Australia.

Carbon fibres and thermoplastics from Teijin are being used by cocoa motors Inc for the production of a laptop computer-sized automated people mover (APM).

Technology that imparts a cooling function to textile- and foam-based consumer products, such as bedding, has been launched by Alexium International Group.