The US department of commerce and the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) will co-host the Smart Fabrics Summit 2016 on April 11, in Washington, D.C.

The summit would provide a forum for public and private sector leaders in apparel, textiles and technology to highlight recent developments in the smart fabrics industry, identify opportunities for collaboration, and discuss key industry challenges.

Recent advances in technology have brought together the apparel, technology and textile industries to develop new capabilities in fabrics with the potential in the fields of defense, fitness, health, and public safety.

“As America’s innovation agency, the department of commerce plays a unique role in facilitating greater collaboration between the public and private sectors on emerging technologies. Working together, we can spur advancements and address challenges with respect to new industries such as smart fabrics. I am proud that the department will serve as a partner in this event that showcases new smart fabrics technology, inspires partnership among industry leaders, and encourages the creation of manufacturing jobs in the US,” said Penny Pritzker, US secretary of commerce.

The summit would feature a series of lively panel discussions on urgent policies affecting the development of the smart fabrics industry and demonstrations of innovative new smart fabrics products by private companies like Globe, First Line Technology, DuPont, and PurThread. (NA)