Textile Insight

image, or go to a different pattern, you can push a button. Ours is customizable in a way that is practical that isn't in conventional printing," says Cornelius. Currently APJeT is marketing DriStream within the athletic wear category, but the technology is applicable to swimwear as well. Additionally, DriStream has appeal in any apparel space; if it's hot outside, you sweat whether you are working out or walking to work. Unique Looks and Responsive Tech Providing brands the ability to differ- entiate in today's competitive market remains a driver in the market, and Unifi is heavy in the development of yarns to create unique looks, says Jay Hertwig, global brand sales/marketing manager. For instance, within the largest seg- ment of the business — performance t-shirts — it's all about solid, heathers, and novelties. He says, "People want something different; brands want distinc- tive looks — and we will ride that trend with finer denier product, lighter-weight unique looks and fiber blends that fea- ture pattern, color variation and tonal dye differences." In the synthetics market comfort and performance are what people are talking about and underlying that is sustain- ability, according to Hertwig. To that end Unifi has Tru Eco Dye. While there are challenges to overcome, Hertwig believes solution dye is the future. New technologies allow reduced minimums, expanded color range and microfibers. "Right now solution dye costs a little more, but we believe with mills figuring it out, there will be cost neutrality," he explains. Also on the radar at Unifi is the develop- ment of yarns that offer health benefits. He states, "This kind of product is driving development," adding that next up would be technologies outside the additive market, with different yarns and differ- ent knit constructions to give health/ recovery benefits. A good example of this trend is Under Armour's RUSH performance apparel with fabric that improves performance and energy return. According to the brand, RUSH is intended to provide the same benefits to the body as an infra- red sauna. The mineral-infused fabric absorbs the energy the body emits and reflects it back into tissues and muscles, promoting more speed, more strength and more stamina. Or, as Under Armour explains: "giving athletes that extra edge by recycling the body's energy during moments of performance." Celliant is the ingredient technology at the heart of this new responsive fabric. Minerals found naturally in the earth are extracted and broken down into active particles, which are then melded together to form a proprietary blend. The blend is then infused into the fibers that are knit into the performance fabric that make up the gear in the UA RUSH collection. "Following the phenomenal success of our collaboration on the Celliant-powered 2018 Athlete Recovery collection, we are taking the science of responsive apparel to the next level," states Celliant, CEO Seth Casden. "Under Armour's ethos has always been to push performance boundaries, and Celliant's scientifically- tested, clinically-proven responsive textiles technology is optimizing athletic performance along the training contin- uum — pre, during and post workout." Creating Value in New Ways "Innovation is no longer just about denier, filament and type," explains Mike Simko, global marketing direc- tor, Hyosung. "It is having an effective, integrated supply chain. The trend is close-to-market sourcing as a way to add value." For example, Simko recalls a conver- sation he had with a factory partner recently. "He says to me, 'I can sew a bra in two minutes, but it takes two weeks to deliver the fiber. Who needs to work on innovation?'" With sourcing efficiency in mind, Hyosung will open a new production site in India in Q3 of this year. "We see 26 • Textile Insight ~ May/June 2019 textileinsight.com A HEALTHY PERSPECTIVE "It used to be two separate worlds — Fashion and Sport — but that is no longer the case. Now there is a meeting in the middle as fashion and sport come together." Michelle DeCourcy, Studio 317

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