Textile Insight

July/August 2019 ~ Textile Insight • 25 textileinsight.com Speedo is another brand partner of note. Earlier this year, Speedo launched its new elite swimwear – Fastskin LZR Pure Intent and Fastskin Pure Valor suits –powered by HeiQ technology that modifies the surface of the fabric at a microscopic level to enhance drag reduction. The new swimwear resulted from a close collaboration between Speedo and HeiQ's research hubs in Australia and Switzerland. Systematic Science-based Solutions "RDM" stands for Research, Development, Marketing, and is the engine that drives HeiQ's innovation model allowing the company to get out of the gate fast and not miss a moment in today's fast-paced marketplace. The system is arranged to move from the "R1" stage of col- lecting and assessing ideas within the scientific world then seamlessly onward on to feasibility and proof of concept stages. The Research phase is designed for fast turnaround, explains Walter Nassl, chief technology officer. "The mindset within research is, "be my guest to fail, but fail fast and cheap. It needs to be "go, no go" decision making." As example, the "Yogurt Test." Developed in house by Rainer Lehmann, director of microbiology, the Yogurt Test is a simple, yet effective quantitative overnight test method that affords quick, accurate conclusions about whether bacteria metabolized, or not. "Most of the time it takes three days to reach a conclusion, but now we have a a simple pass/fail test," Lehmann explains. The Development phase follows Research. "You can't do disruptive things if R&D is lumped together," states Centonze. While speed is important, nowadays the work needed to abide by regulations and brand certifications has intensified. "There is a lot more work at this stage compared to six or seven years ago, and it is always changing," says Nassl. Marketing is the final stage, consisting of a pre-launch, product launch and post launch review. Nassl estimates that 48 projects are currently running from concept to launching -- the majority of which are in the Development phase, and some churning in the background. Ahlawat hints that Burton has some "game chang- ing" projects in pipeline with HeiQ, but says it's too early to discuss details. However, he notes, "Burton worked with HeiQ to custom develop the recipe for our PFC free DWR which we will be featured in FW19/20 youth outerwear and for FW20/21, we will solely be using HeiQ EcoDry our nominated PFC free DWR for all outerwear. Also, we will be using HeiQ Fresh Tech FFL as our sole non-biocide based anti-odor solution starting from FW20/21." Also coming to market from HeiQ is XReflex, a new range of fabrics and insulation featuring breathable heat retention. The innovative radiant barrier technol- ogy results in savings of up 50 percent in insulation material to create thinner and lighter garments, along with a strong sustainability story. The Spirit of the Hike HeiQ's "born on a hike" story is an oft-told tale about two young scientists, their smelly t-shirts, and the idea for a new kind of company. The young men were Carlo Centonze and Murray Height. When on a hike in the Swiss Alps their girlfriends encouraged the guys to walk ahead because of the smelly odor wafting off their sweaty t-shirts. "It was terrible," says Centonze, recalling the stink. "But Murray and I, we're both scientists, and asked ourselves, 'how do we solve this issue?'" The answer is HeiQ. The company name derives from riffs on "high-tech," "hi-quality," "highly intelligent mate- rial science," and "Height," Murray's last name. These qualities laid the foundation for what has become a multinational chemical corporation creating custom solutions to advance performance properties in outdoor as well as other product categories. Centonze describes this moment in HeiQ history as an "intense time" to push innovation and work to strengthen the structure and services HeiQ delivers to the market. "We should see this pay off down the road in the next 12-18 months," he says. And in true HeiQ style, that success is likely to happen fast. l "We have a Swiss mindset in that we are the only tool you need to make something happen. We want to be a tool to disrupt and we really want to innovate to make textiles better for everyone." Carlo Centonze, HeiQ co-founder and CEO Learn more about XReflex youtu.be/26layYTHcVE

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