Apparel manufacturers and retailers have responded to growing demand by consumers’ for ever greater levels of performance from their garments and this has helped moisture handling fabric technologies enter a new era.

Fabric manufacturers have concentrated their research effort on devising high-tech methods to enhance moisture handling properties, by incorporating properties such as ultraviolet (UV) protection, antimicrobial efficacy and stain resistance.

“Manufacturers are now able to modify fibres at the molecular level and alter fabric constructions in order to meet specific end user requirements,” says Textiles Intelligence.

For example, Canadian Garmatex Technologies uses advanced processes to manipulate molecules in the polymers from which microfibre filaments are subsequently extruded, by inventing a new system for manufacturing synthetic textile materials.

Textiles Intelligence says market for moisture management fabrics will witness continued growth in the years ahead, as there will be a significant increase in the affordability, availability and choice of multifunctional garments.

As fabrics and garment manufacturers compete to enhance the comfort properties of their product offerings by capitalising on advantages of biomimetic technology, nanotechnology and smart textile technology, pace of development in moisture management technology is likely to accelerate.

Garments capable of performing a multitude of functions while keeping the wearer cool and dry, will pave the way for development of garments, by the use of these technologies.

Textiles Intelligence informs that these technologies were originally targeted at the sportswear market. However, there is huge potential for them in the casual wear market -- which is substantially bigger.

Products that represent true innovations rather than new versions of existing products from companies are most likely to succeed in this expanding market. (AR)