Some Colombian companies have made headway in the technical textiles industry in recent times. While companies like Plastextil and Enka have become 100 percent technical textiles oriented, other firms like Pat Primo and Lafayette, which are known for manufacturing of textiles and garments, are now entering the technical textiles market, according to an El Espectador report.

 

Pat Primo has ventured into production of flame retardant and UV-protective clothing, whereas Lafayette is working on technology for sports clothing.

 

Another company, Geomatrix, is betting on geotextiles and is constructing its own manufacturing plant. 

 

Moreover, in April this year, the Colombian Government launched the Productive Transformation Program (PTP), in collaboration with the Spanish institute Aitex, with an investment of US$ 70,000, to train 15 entrepreneurs and an equal number of instructors on development of finishes, natural and synthetic fibres, and nanotechnology.

 

Further, for the first time a Forum on Technical Textiles is being introduced at Textiles2, as part of Colombiamoda, scheduled to be held from July 22-24, 2014, in Medellin.

 

In future, the Forum would be detached from the Fashion Week and would be held as an independent event.