Textile Insight

feel stronger — mentally, emotionally, physically? If we think about performance in this way we can start to re-envision all types of apparel from athletic wear to workwear to professional wear." States Hemmer, "If we can understand the current limitations in these spe- cific categories, and really grasp the mental, emotional, and physical needs of consumers, we can begin to ideate around and solve for these problems. Ultimately we can create new products and even categories that lift wearers to a new ability." These concepts are taking hold in research and development at leading global textile firms with companies now leveling up technologies based on what the whole performance picture looks like today. Here's a snapshot of what's new, and the trends influencing market direction: Changing Sweat Perception "The industry is ravenous for new; people want something unique, and they want the ability to customize, and they want something to talk about," com- ments Carrie Cornelius, Ph.D., director of technology, APJeT, Inc., Morrisville, NC. The company checks all the boxes with its latest development that approaches finishing in a whole new way. "I have to admit I'm quite excited about the pros- pect," adds Cornelius. APJeT's DriStream Technology is digi- tal finishing for sweat management. The process goes beyond conventional body mapping both in terms of performance and aesthetics, in addition to providing a strong sustainability story. APJeT's area of expertise is a Dry Plasma Process that can be applied to knits, wovens and nonwovens. Chemistry is applied and bonded to fabric that is "cured" by the dry plasma process – instead of an oven-like conventional process. The fundamental sustainability features of APJeT's plasma technology apply to DriSteam: no heat, no water used in the finishing process. The company elevates the customiza- tion aspect with the ability to digitally print a patterned application of the wick- ing/repellent compounds that allows fluids – like sweat – to flow in a desired location(s). With DriStream custom- ers can create ways to channel sweat to enhance functionality and comfort — by moving moisture effectively and efficiently — and/or use sweat as a vehi- cle for added visual appeal. "Practically speaking, what the technol- ogy allows is that when the fabric color gets darker as it gets wet, we can make images appear," Cornelius explains. For example, sweat can be channeled spe- cifically to highlight a logo on the front of a t-shirt, or channeled on the back to make a corporate slogan appear. Cornelius points out how "changing the perception of sweat" is an APJeT goal. "This is a place where we are quite dif- ferent from what is available now. With our tech we make beautiful patterns even with the sweat channels. We normally think of sweat as unsightly, but with DriStream we can make beautiful imagery and verbiage like 'I work hard,'" says Cornelius. "It's a new way of thinking." Another goal of the company is to sell its machinery. "If you want to change the 24 • Textile Insight ~ May/June 2019 textileinsight.com A HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE "How can we build better products that enable people to perform at their highest ability? How are we making products that enable people to feel stronger — mentally, emotionally, physically? Jessica Hemmer, Hemmer Designs "The industry is ravenous for new; people want something unique, and they want the ability to customize, and they want something to talk about." Carrie Cornelius, APJeT, Inc.

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