Ralph Lauren推出智慧衫結合生物識別技術 | Ralph Lauren's Futuristic Fashion: The PoloTech Smart Shirt

Ralph Lauren推出智慧衫結合生物識別技術

美國成衣巨擘Ralph Lauren推出突破性的新型智慧衫，該款結合先進的成衣和數位健身技術為一體所開發的成衣，具有即時的生物識別技術，能夠幫助人們更瞭解自己的身體和健康狀況。

該款令人耳目一新的智慧衫擁有訓練應用程式，使用詳細數據來制定個人培訓計畫。以銀纖維直接編織而成的布料，可即時偵測讀取最準確的統計數據，包括人體的心跳變化、呼吸頻率、壓力程度及卡路里消耗等資料。

該款智慧衫嵌有一個含有各種感測器的黑盒子，內裝有5個連接器及一個3D加速度計，運用3個重力加速度感測器來測量，蒐集和處理使用者的身體活動數據。

全球廣告行銷及企業溝通執行副總裁David Lauren稱，「Ralph Lauren智慧衫(PoloTech Shirt) 將改變人們看待時尚服飾的方式。可使人們獲得知識，並可用它來過更好的生活，是綜合科技、健身和風格，促進健康和福祉的橋樑」。

與Ralph Lauren合作開發該款智慧衫的Omsignal執行長Stéphane Marceau表示，「PoloTech Shirt指出下一代運動服的發展，超越今日健身平臺只提供數位體驗，是第一個將先進成衣技術和數位化健身技術結合為智慧型的產品」。

該款智慧衫已於本(2015)年8月27日在Polo Ralph Lauren公司紐約市全球旗艦、網站以及美國門市發售。定價約295美元。

【相關文章】
》讀取你的身體資料！世界名牌Ralph Lauren Polo推智慧穿戴科技服飾 | Ralph Lauren Polo Tech shirt reads wearer's biological and physiological info
》「智慧衣」自主管理您的健康
》哪裡受傷？智慧衣服馬上告訴你。
》谷歌攜手Levi's 打造智慧服飾 智慧生活近在眼前 | Google and Levi’s are teaming up to make computerized pants

【新聞來源：台灣紡拓會】

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Ralph Lauren's Futuristic Fashion: The PoloTech Smart Shirt

After testing out the technology on ball boys at the 2014 United States Open, Ralph Lauren is selling a PoloTech™ smart shirt for men that is embedded with sensors to track vital signs like breathing and heart rates, stress levels and calories burned. The shirt streams that information to an app that will generate customized workout programs.

Conductive threads woven into the black nylon compression shirt and a lightweight module that snaps into the shirt around the left rib cage relay information to a Bluetooth-connected smartphone. The readings track a range of stats, including heart rate and variability, breathing depth and recovery, intensity of movement, energy output and stress levels, steps taken and calories burned. The free app, available through iTunes, offers live fitness monitoring, reporting and a “push rate,” which measures exertion, power and effort.

From all this data, the shirt will, essentially, tell you how to exercise.

The United States Army has used similar technology for years, followed by sports performance companies, like Zephyr, that equip professional athletes and athletic apparel lines that appeal to consumer fitness. Ralph Lauren marks a milestone in luxury fashion brands entering the market with devises that are wearable and clothes that do more than accessories.

PoloTech is at the heart of a planned relaunch of Ralph Lauren’s Polo Sport line, which started in 1992 and was closed in 2000. It was developed in partnership with proprietary technology from Canadian-based OMSignal, whose team includes experts in neuroscience, sports medicine and engineering. NCAA singles champion Marcos Giron wore prototypes during his practice sessions for the 2014 U.S. Open. Now, the shirt is flaunted in Ralph Lauren’s flagship store on 5th Avenue at a price of $295.

“People are just information addicts today,” says Salvatore Giardina, an adjuct professor at the Fashion Institute of Technology. “My gut feeling is it will do well because it’s not just something that looks nice, it gives you information.”

“What seems science fiction now may be the norm in 10 years,” Giardina points out.

If a shirt can instruct a workout, perhaps someday soon it will wash and fold itself too.

Original Article: ForbesLife

Quiksilver在美申請第11章破產保護 | Bummer...Quicksilver files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US

Quiksilver在美申請第11章破產保護

衝浪服飾零售企業Quiksilver正陷入困境，為其美國子公司申請第十一章破產保護。

Quiksilver已經向美國德拉瓦州(Delaware)破產法院提出破產保護申請，與橡樹資本管理附屬公司和美國銀行尋求批准1.75億美元的融資協議。該公司表示，該份協議將有助於Quiksilver公司財務和經營的轉型，重新恢復Quiksilver朝向長期健全財務方向發展。

該集團強調，Quiksilver在歐洲和亞太地區的業務仍保持強勁狀態，不受破產保護申請影響。

Quiksliver的執行長Pierre Agnes表示：「經過慎重考慮後，我們已經採取了艱難但必要的步驟，以確保Quiksilver光明的未來」。

他補充說明，破產法給予的保護和橡樹資本提供的融資，將提供公司經營更具靈活性，以完成其美國業務的周轉和重新建立Quiksilver繼續成為極限運動產業的領導者。

「我們的行業有著非常低水平的債務，我們新的資本結構將使我們推動投資及振興我們的品牌和產品。我們有信心，我們將湧現出實力較強的業績，更好地發展定位和繁榮的未來」。

公司將持續進行現有的門市關閉計劃，以合理化調整位在美洲地區的門市。

今(2015)年6月，Quiksilver的表示，儘管銷售和利潤下降，其第二季的業績很大程度上符合預期。去(2014)年其淨虧損從0.531億美金縮小至0.376億美金，而銷售額下降了16.1％，至3.33億美金，和毛利率同比下降自48.9％至47.1％。

今年早些時候，Consac私募投資公司的總裁和身兼Quiksilver的股東Ryan Drexler，提議董事會考慮出售。

Quiksilver在2013年初推出了多年期計劃，試圖藉由專注於Quiksilver、Roxy 及DC三個核心品牌來恢復盈利，推動關鍵功能全球化，並降低成本。然而，該公司仍持續報告公司的虧損狀況和銷量下滑。

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》Gap關閉175家分店，力拼轉型 | Gap closing 175 stores to be more 'vibrant'
》GIORDANO佐丹奴淪為廉價品牌

【新聞來源：台灣紡拓會】

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Bummer...Quicksilver files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in US

Quiksilver, a ubiquitous clothing brand at surfing hot spots from the U.S. to Australia, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection for its U.S. division.

The brand, founded in 1969 in Australia, enlisted a stable of huge names to represent its image over the years, including surfers Kelly Slater and Tom Carroll.

Yet after what turned out to be its golden decade in the 1990s, Quiksilver has faced rising competition, particularly in the U.S.

The company said Wednesday that its European and Asia-Pacific businesses are going strong and are not part of the bankruptcy filing.

"After careful consideration, we have taken this difficult but necessary step to secure a bright future for Quiksilver," said CEO Pierre Agnes in a printed statement.

Quiksilver Inc. listed assets of more than $100 million and liabilities of more than $500 million in the filing.

Chapter 11 bankruptcy allows a company to continue operating while it executes a reorganization plan. Quicksilver asked the court to allow Oaktree Management to provide more than $175 million in financing for the company as part of the "debtor-in-possession" plan.

The company, based in Huntington Beach, California, plans to continue with an ongoing store-closing plan in the Americas. It is scheduled to report third-quarter financial results later Wednesday.

Shares have plunged almost 80 percent this year as the company wrestled with both shipping and accounting issues. It was forced to delay its first-quarter earnings report in March due to a "revenue cut-off issue," and CEO Andy Mooney left the company that same month.

Trading in shares was suspended at the opening bell Wednesday.

Original Article: CNBC

全台登革熱肆虐！衣褲拿來，宏遠幫你防蚊加工

衣褲拿來 宏遠幫你防蚊加工

位於台南的布料大廠宏遠 (1460) 推出為民眾「防蚊加工」的創舉，民眾可將不限品牌的長袖衣褲，送到宏遠幸福台灣各門市，然後再送回宏遠工廠浸泡防蚊劑，共同對抗登革熱。

根據疾管署發布本土登革熱病例統計，再刷新今年入夏以來單日新高紀錄。宏遠興業總經理葉清來表示，身為在地企業，疫情嚴重的南部地區，宏遠幸福台灣有防蚊衣幫助大家一起共同防疫登革熱；同時提供「防蚊加工服務」。

葉清來指出，民眾把不限品牌的長袖上衣、襯衫、長褲拿到幸福台灣全台各門市，再送回宏遠台南工廠增加「防蚊」的機能加工，只酌收工本費一件150元，共同對抗對登革熱。

宏遠表示，這些衣褲送到台南工廠後，會先浸泡防蚊劑，隨後脫水烘乾，再送回原門市；對於防蚊效果，大多數的尼龍和聚酯人造纖維衣褲，可耐水洗15到20次，還能保有80%的防蚊效果。

葉清來指出，台南登革熱疫情嚴重，日前獲悉一位台南市北區的消費者到幸福台灣門市購買衣服，透露出家中有5人有4人罹患登革熱，心情非常沉重。他認為，宏遠應該利用自家製造高科技機能布料的專長，幫助民眾一起防疫登革熱，所以才要求所有門市協助收集民眾衣褲來防蚊加工，若民眾有任何問題，可洽專線0800-006-266。

宏遠表示，幸福台灣EverSmile採用宏遠興業自行研發的七合一高科技機能布料製作成襯衫，結合防蚊、抑菌、消臭、吸排、透氣、抗UV及涼感等7大功能，夏日出門也可當防曬外套穿著。

休閒防蚊襯衫有分男、女款，從紗線、織布、染整到成衣，全程100% MIT台灣環保製造，並通過美國EPA、WHO及Oeko-Tex的合法認證使用。

【新聞出處：中央通訊社】

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萊卡塑美布料將於秋季推出 | Invista focuses on Lycra Beauty brand shaping denim in NY

萊卡塑美布料將於秋季推出

美國纖維生產商英威達公司表示，今年秋天將推出第一個使用萊卡塑美(LYCRA® BEAUTY)品牌的牛仔布料，而最近也展示了男友風牛仔褲和新功能布料的選擇。

於2015年7月展出的紐約Kingpins牛仔布料展會，英威達展出了來自世界各地最新的萊卡塑美(LYCRA® BEAUTY)品牌塑形的布料，也展現了Coolmax與Thermolite最新功能的布料，包括利用Lycra lastingFIT技術，為男友風牛仔褲提供新的選擇。

根據英威達全球單寧布事業總裁Jean Hegedus指出，對萊卡塑美品牌牛仔布料一直是很強勁。"今天我們有超過200個萊卡塑美品牌的認證牛仔布料，和在今年秋天首批將在零售通路上市成衣。藉由採購符合萊卡塑美質量標準的布料，品牌和零售商有開發成衣的工具提供舒適的塑形，造成消費者高滿意程度。"

在英威達攤位內，最新的Coolmax和Thermolite布料成為功能性牛仔布日益成長的品項，使其全球布料系列展出更圓滿。Jean Hegedus總裁補充說明："今天的消費者正在尋找成衣和可有部份功能的布料能提供某種形式的附加價值，無論是塑形牛仔像萊卡塑美布料、吸濕排汗布附加涼爽及乾燥的舒適性的Coolmax布，或有助於保持溫暖的Thermolite布料等功能。"

今(2015)年初英威達透過調查顯示，超過80%的女性在美國、英國、法國、德國和義大利有興趣購買牛仔服飾，是希望牛仔布料本身可以達到塑形或加強身體塑形的效果，而不是透過內衣。

為了幫助滿足這些需求，英威達採用科學的過程和人體掃描技術來確定織物能提供舒適的塑形能力。經過數月的測試，纖維生產商開發的布料質量標準。利用該織物製成的服飾是通過這些標準，才有資格吊掛萊卡塑美的圖案或吊牌。

【相關文章】
》認識Coolmax | What is Coolmax?
》谷歌攜手Levi's 打造智慧服飾 智慧生活近在眼前 | Google and Levi’s are teaming up to make computerized pants
》H&M的新單寧產品實現了回收再利用閉環循環 | H&M launches new collection of recycled cotton denim

【新聞來源：台灣紡拓會】

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Invista focuses on Lycra Beauty brand shaping denim in NY

American fibre producer Invista, co-sponsor of the Kingpins denim show in New York City, will be showcasing the latest Lycra Beauty branded shaping fabrics from around the world at Kingpins on July 21 and 22, it said in a press statement.

In addition, the company will feature the latest performance offerings with Coolmax and Thermolit fabrics, as well as new options for the boyfriend jean using lasting Fit technology by Lycra brand.
Invista is one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers.

Response to the Lycra Beauty branded platform has been excellent according to Jean Hegedus, Invista’s global business director for denim. “Today we have over 200 certified Lycra Beauty branded denim fabrics and the first garments will appear at retail later this fall,” he said. “By sourcing fabrics that meet Lycra Beauty quality standards, brands and retailers have the tools to develop garments that provide comfortable shaping, resulting in a high degree of consumer satisfaction.”

In addition to Lycra Beauty branded fabrics, Invista will also showcase new fabric options for boyfriend jeans. Made with lasting Fit technology by Lycra brand, these fabrics incorporate Lycra T400 fibre for comfort stretch and long lasting shape retention, the statement said.

“By using fabrics with corespun Lycra T400 fibre, brands and retailers can achieve authentic denim aesthetics, along with the freedom of movement their consumers desire,” said Rita Ratskoff, Invista’s North America marketing manager. “Women – and increasingly men -- have become accustomed to the comfort and performance that fabrics with Lycra brand technologies provide. Now they don’t have to sacrifice that comfort and can still get the look of traditional denim.”

Rounding out the global fabric collection at the Invista stand are the latest Coolmax and Thermolite fabrics for the growing category of performance denim. “Today’s consumers are looking for garments and fabrics that “do” something -- offer some kind of added value, whether it be shaping denim like Lycra Beauty fabrics, or Coolmax fabric with cool, dry comfort, or Thermolite fabric that helps keep you warm,” Hegedus said. “As a leading provider of solutions to the textile and apparel industries, Invista can offer its customers the tools to provide this value.” (SH)

Original Article: Fibre2Fashion

FibeRio和VF已達成奈米纖維布料的合作開發 | FibeRio and VF Corporation to work on next generation fabrics with nanotechnology

FibeRio和VF已達成奈米纖維布料的合作開發

FibeRio是奈米纖維的專家，而VF公司是一家成衣公司，兩家公司的總部都設在美國。

藉由合作，兩家公司將為機能性成衣、鞋類和牛仔褲開發奈米纖維布料。具體而言，此合作將集中使用FibeRio公司的Forcespinning技術進行奈米纖維布料的開發。

FibeRio的Forcespinning技術利用高速旋轉噴絲頭，收集貯藏奈米纖維於徑向收集器上。此項技術可以用於生產由大規模的聚合物製成的奈米纖維，並且能夠熔融紡絲。此外，該技術與傳統的奈米纖維生產製程電氣紡絲相比較，使用非常少量的溶液。

VF全球創新、功能性成衣和鞋類副總裁Dan Cherian表示，「本公司與合作夥伴FibeRio公司朝向共同開發專有及高性能奈米纖維材料跨出一大步，這將有助於推動打破機能的界限，探索建立新成衣和鞋類市場的類別產品」。

【相關文章】
》日本Omikenshi開發用陽光、人體遠紅外線發熱的纖維“Solar Touch”
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》研究人員開發出新的太陽能紡織技術 | University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers team up to develop solar textiles
》把RFID晶片紡成紗線將顛覆成衣業發展 | RFID chips, antennas are woven into a yarn

【新聞來源：台灣紡拓會】

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FibeRio and VF Corporation to work on next generation fabrics with nanotechnology

FibeRio Technology Corporation, the nanofibre solutions company, has announced a strategic partnership with VF Corporation, a leader in branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories, to develop and commercialize next generation, performance apparel fabrics leveraging FibeRio’s proprietary nanotechnology.

The partnership is based around the FibeRio’s Forcespinning technology platform and its ability to produce unique nanofibre material in high volumes.

VF Corporation intends to incorporate FibeRio’s capabilities and expertise across its three Global Innovation Centers, which focus on advancements in performance apparel, footwear and jeanswear.

High-performance nanofibre materials

“VF’s Global Innovation Center strategy is centred on the pursuit of disruptive design and materials that will meaningfully redefine the future of apparel and footwear for our consumers,” said Dan Cherian, Vice President, VF Global Innovation Centers.

“Our partnership with FibeRio is a great step toward the co-development of proprietary, high-performance nanofibre materials that will help push the boundaries of performance and explore the creation of new apparel and footwear market categories.”

Ellery Buchanan, FibeRio CEO, commented: “We are excited to partner with VF Corporation on our Forcespinning-based advanced nanofiber textiles. VF’s long history of brand strength and operational excellence along with our leading commercial scale nanofibre production expertise creates an excellent opportunity to proactively shape the competitive landscape.”

Lighter weight and lower cost

Nanofibres’ higher surface area and smaller pore size is said to improve the characteristics of fibrous material. This, according to the companies, enables performance levels in any given application to be improved using significantly less material in the end product, which also allows for lighter weight and lower cost.

FibeRio’s Forcespinning technology is capable of both commercial scale melt and solution spinning nanofibres. This is said to provide a more sustainable method of production because melt spinning does not require solvents.

Additionally, Forcespinning can be used to solution spin with vastly smaller amounts of solvents than traditional nanofibre production processes, such as electrospinning.

Performance layer expert

FibeRio is the efficiency and performance layer expert offering composite media improvement services, including nanofibre membrane development, pilot production for limited launches and performance layer supply.

The Fiber Engine series delivers on the industry’s need for high output, versatile, yet economic nanofibre production solutions, the company reports.

Branded lifestyle apparel

VF Corporation is a leader in the design, manufacture, marketing and distribution of branded lifestyle apparel, footwear and accessories.
The company’s diversified portfolio of 30 brands spans various different product categories, consumer demographics and sales channels. The company's largest brands are The North Face, Vans, Timberland, Wrangler, Lee and Nautica.

Sourece: www.fiberiotech.com

H&M的新單寧產品實現了回收再利用閉環循環 | H&M launches new collection of recycled cotton denim

H&M的新單寧產品實現了回收再利用閉環循環

H&M在其成衣系列使用20%取自舊衣回收的回收棉花。

瑞典時尚服飾零售商Hennes & Mauritz（H&M）準備推出使用回收棉花製成的丹寧系列，作為其打造紡織品回收再利用閉環循環系統使命的一部分。

今（2015）年9月H&M將在全球及線上推出16種男性、女性及兒童款式。這些商品是由H&M集團舊衣回收計畫回收而來的棉花所製成。

H&M執行長Karl-Johan Persson說：「紡織品閉環循環系統能回收被淘汰的成衣並製成新衣，不但可以減少紡織廢料，也能大大降低對原始資源的需求及時尚產業對我們星球造成的衝擊」。

新商品使用了回收棉花及有機棉花，包含三種女性牛仔褲款式，即skinny到仿舊款的女朋友牛仔褲、單寧夾克、喇叭工作服及單寧連身褲。

男裝方面則有拉鍊式單寧夾克、兩種仿舊修身褲，以及丹寧布覆蓋的jogger褲。兒童服裝包含了有動物耳朵的拉鍊式連帽衣、膝蓋處有亮片的直筒褲、街頭風格的連帽襯衫，以及仿舊牛仔褲。

閉環循環系統技術及回收議題越來越受關注，特別是H&M新系列商品使用了20%回收自舊衣的棉花所製成。H&M投資了上述技術，以提升市占率到300%。

去（2014）年4月，H&M永續發展負責人Helena Helmersson針對公司的閉環循環系統使命表示：「我們與客戶一同努力延長成衣的生命。長遠來看，我們希望找到結束紡織纖維循環的方式。目前我們已經成功在一些單寧成衣上做到，但我們想要擴大使用範圍」。

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【新聞來源：台灣紡拓會】

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H&M launches new collection of recycled cotton denim

Swedish fast-fashion retailer H&M, which has a store at Providence Place, has rolled out a 16-piece denim collection that recycles the items collected via its in-store garment-collection program, the company announced.

The collection, which uses 20-percent recycled cotton, includes six pieces for women (three jean styles, a flare-leg denim overall, denim jumpsuit and a denim jacket), five for men (including two jean styles, a zipup denim jacket and a sweat pant silhouette in coated denim) and a handful of children’s items, including a totally adorable zip-front hoodie with animal ears. The men’s and women’s collections range in price from $39.99 to $59.99 and the kids’ pieces range from $17.99 to $29.99.

The Denim Re-Born collection brings the company closer to its stated goal of “closing the loop” in the apparel manufacturing process by turning old fabric from recycled garments into new textiles and diverting them from the landfill in the process. It’s also the next logical step for the company, which started an in-store garment collection program back in 2013.

As that program currently stands, customers who donate a bag of clothing at any H&M store nationwide will receive a voucher worth 15 percent off their next purchase. A local charity in each country (in the United States it’s Global Green USA) receives a donation that works out to roughly a penny per pound and I:CO (the same company that recently partnered with Levi Strauss & Co. on an in-store recycling program) receives the clothes, which then go through a triage process that sees some moving on to a new life as-is (in second-hand stores for example), some being turned into cleaning cloths or insulation material and some being recycled into yarn that can then be used to make new garments.

According to H&M's announcement, the company has collected more than 14,000 tons of garments globally to date.

The Denim Re-Born collection is scheduled to launch in brick-and-mortar stores and online this month.

Original Article: ProvidenceJournal

復仇者盔甲下的祕密，Under Armour 特製高科技機能緊身衣

復仇者盔甲下的祕密，Under Armour 特製高科技機能緊身衣

說大家可能未必知道，復仇者聯盟的演員們其實靠著一樣祕密武器，支撐他們在長時間穿著厚重盔甲和裝備下，應付大量武打動作。據國外科技網站《GIZMODO》報導，漫威（Marvel）與美國功能性運動品牌 Under Armour 合作，為復仇者聯盟量身訂製祕密武器──高科技機能緊身衣，兼具保護力與舒適度。

Under Armour 以獨家高科技編織技術打造機能緊身衣，其結構為彈性透氣網層設計，能吸濕排汗並保持乾爽；強力伸縮布料貼身保暖，同時避免摩擦、防止肌肉過度緊繃而扭傷。Under Armour 的產品負責人 Neal Goldman 表示，這批機能緊身衣極具未來感，就像史塔克企業（Stark Industries）所出產的高科技產品那樣。

▲ Marvel 與 Under Armour 合作，為《復仇者聯盟 2》各要角設計機能緊身衣

▲ 快銀（Quicksilver）款式為長袖無縫流線型編織，能襯托該角色所擁有的高速能力

這次其實是漫威與 Under Armour 在《美國隊長2：酷寒戰士》（Captain America: The Winter Soldier）後，第二次攜手合作，設計由復仇者聯盟續集的服裝造型師 Alexandra Byrne 與漫威團隊操刀。漫威經過先前拍攝的經驗，深知機能緊身衣對演員的重要，尤其超級英雄們得長時間全副武裝戰鬥，緊身衣必須具有良好的保護性及舒適度才行。

▲ 美國隊長（Captain America）款式

▲ 雷神索爾（Thor）款式

▲ 鋼鐵人（Iron Man）款式

▲ 鷹眼（Hawkeye）款式

▲ 浩克（Hulk）款式（不是綠的?）

▲ 黑寡婦（Black Widow）款式

【原文出處：科技新報】

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Südwolle推出環保羊毛加工處理技術 | Sustainable plasma-treated machine washable wool

Südwolle推出環保羊毛加工處理技術

Südwolle集團推出一項新的環境永續發展的羊毛加工處理技術，號稱“羊毛加工新標準，對環境是一項大躍進”。

全球最大的羊毛及混紡梳毛紗梭織、圓編針織及針織布的紡紗集團，其Naturetexx電漿處理利用赫科塞特羊毛防縮法是目前產業處理氯及防縮羊毛標準程序的替代方案。

根據Südwolle行銷部經理Hamish Allan表示，該公司於2014年收購位於德國Stadtallendorf市的Richter F+A染色處理設備技術精確的紗線電漿處理製造程序，其技術利用電力及空氣“為羊毛加工設立新標準，為環境帶來一項大躍進”。

並解釋：“除了耐洗性，Naturetexx電漿讓纖維具有相同的強度，一樣或更好的起球性能以及改善常規加工紗線纖維的吸濕能力”。

電漿是透過跨越非導電氣體的電動壓控放電產生。電壓離子化的氣體成為多個反應性基本狀態。當毛條穿過電漿場時，會在纖維的表面產生通電氣體，改變所述角質層鱗並除去毛氈效果。

該技術已獲得全球有機紡織品標準(Global Organic Textile Standard；GOTS)和IVN最好的系統驗證，目前正進行Bluesign驗證。

Südwolle說，正從事這項“有意義的資源”投資以加速產能擴充，而一旦完成後，一條專用生產線將能處理每年多達150萬公斤。Allan補充“這個規模將帶來一致性和效率，使該項技術真正的商業化。

該Naturetexx電漿處理技術獲得2015戶外產業”永續創新”金獎。

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》Google著手開發高科技「觸碰型布料」| Google developing smart fabrics
》把RFID晶片紡成紗線將顛覆成衣業發展 | RFID chips, antennas are woven into a yarn

【新聞來源：台灣紡拓會】

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Sustainable plasma-treated machine washable wool

Südwolle Group, a spinner of wool and wool blend worsted yarns for circular and flat knitting and weaving, has launched a new technology called Naturetexx Plasma for treating wool fibres, which will make resultant garments machine washable.

According to Südwolle, Naturetexx Plasma is an environmentally sustainable alternative to the current industry standard Superwash, chlorine-hercosett process.  In 2014, Südwolle Group purchased the Richter F+A dye house and treatment facility in Stadtallendorf, Germany, which possesses the technology, and has since refined the process for producing the plasma treated yarns.

'We are now investing significant resources to speed production capacity. Once modifications are complete, we will be able to process up to 1.5 million kilos per annum on a dedicated production line.  With this scale will come the consistency and efficiency which will make this technology a real commercial alternative," says Hamish Allan, Marketing Manager at Südwolle Group.

"Naturetexx Plasma treatment is a really exciting development for us. The process uses electricity and air, is a huge environmental leap forward, and sets a new standard for wool processing. We call it the 'Tesla' of wool treatments.  In addition to washability, Naturetexx Plasma delivers fibres with the same strength, the same or better pilling performance, and improved ability to absorb moisture than conventionally processed yarns," says Mr Allan.

Plasma is created by controlled discharge of an electric voltage across a non-conducting gas. The voltage ionizes the gas into a more reactive fundamental state.  When the wool top passes through the plasma field, the surface of the fibre reacts with the energized gas, modifying the cuticle scales and removing the wool felting effect.  This process has been certified organic under the GOTS and IVN Best systems and is currently undergoing the bluesign certification.
The Naturetexx Plasma treatment has earned, from 329 applicants, the highly regarded Outdoor Industry Gold Award 2015 in the category of 'Sustainable Innovators'.  Südwolle will showcase the benefits of Naturetexx Plasma at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City, August 5-8.

The Südwolle Group is a well-established family owned business. It produces dyed and undyed worsted spun yarn for weaving, circular and flat knitting from pure wool and wool blends. The company owns six principal brands: Südwolle, Biella Yarn, Yarn in Motion, Richter, Stöhr, and Soey each focused on different segments of the global textile market. Located in the Nürnberg metropolitan area of Germany, it employs 2400 people globally with production facilities in Germany, Poland, Romania, and China.

Source: www.suedwollegroup.de

Huntsman與Pantone開發新染料配方 | Huntsman Textile Effects Launches 210 New Color Formulations With Pantone

Huntsman與Pantone開發新染料配方

亨斯邁紡織染化公司（Huntsman Textile Effects）與色彩專家Pantone合作，為紡織品開發210種新的染料配方。

Huntsman表示，聚酯活性染料提供棉及其他纖維素纖維和其混紡織物，更準確的染色及快速和非常高的吸盡率。這也將有助於工廠改善“首次表現”並提高25％以上的工作效率。

這些染料專為提供比任何傳統印染及水洗處理或當前最先進的技術更為“顯著”的環保足跡，節省水及能源的消耗，並減少50%的二氧化碳排放量。

新配方基於亨斯邁Avitera SE活性染料的範圍，延伸Pantone時尚、家居及室內裝飾紡織品色彩系統。

亨斯邁市場策略及規劃副總裁Jay Naidu表示：「對環境及經濟的永續發展需要劇烈改變全球紡織業，並呼籲積極的新解決方案，例如Avitera SE染料」。「隨著與Pantone合作，我們正在協助工廠滿足全球頂級成衣及家用時尚品牌對品質及性能的要求，同時達到具有成本效益的生產及更為潔淨的供應鏈」。

該配方可運用於廣泛的色調，旨在協助設計師、品牌商及工廠加速從設計到生產的時間，達到光亮、濕度及氯牢度的最高水平。該配方也符合國際工業標準和不含對氯苯胺（PCA）及其他限用化學品。

Pantone時尚、家居及室內裝飾行銷部門全球總監Mitchell Cole表示：「在紡織業中，能夠準確一致地重現世界各地生產所需要的顏色是必需的」。「品牌商及工廠需要先進的、環境友善型的色彩解決方案，以輕鬆、經濟高效地在今日的生產環境中重製。結合Pantone及亨斯邁的專業知識，我們正在協助紡織業面對多重挑戰」。

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Huntsman Textile Effects Launches 210 New Color Formulations With Pantone

SINGAPORE — August 18, 2015 — Huntsman Textile Effects today introduced 210 new dye formulations for textiles with color development from Pantone. The collaboration between the global leader in textile dyes and the worldwide authority on color aims to help the textile industry efficiently produce eco-friendly fashion, home furnishings and interior design products.

The new dye formulations extend the PANTONE FASHION, HOME + INTERIORS Textile Color System® and deliver exceptional color accuracy, production efficiency and product performance. Based on Huntsman Textile Effects’ award-winning groundbreaking range of AVITERA® SE reactive dyes, the new formulations enable designers and brands to select on-trend colors that meet their performance specifications and environmental responsibilities.

Using this color system, designers, brands and mills can speed the time from inspiration to production while consistently delivering high-quality products to achieve the highest level of light-, wet- and chlorine-fastness. Textiles dyed with these new formulations also conform to the most stringent international industry standards and are free of para-chloro-aniline (PCA) and other regulated chemicals.

The 210 dye formulations launched by Huntsman Textile Effects today addresses evolving consumers’ tastes and significant market needs. These include shades with pale, medium, dark, intense dark and brilliant shades, and even deep black.

The poly-reactive AVITERA SE dyes ensure accurate dyeing and rapid and very high exhaustion rate for cotton and other cellulosic fibers and their blends. They help mills enhance Right-First-Time performance and improve productivity by 25 percent or more. At the same time, they provide a significantly better environmental footprint than any conventional dyeing and washing-off process or current best available technology. With AVITERA SE dyes, water and energy consumption along with carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions can be reduced by half.

Source: Huntsman Textile Effects

研究人員開發出新的太陽能紡織技術 | University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers team up to develop solar textiles

研究人員開發出新的太陽能紡織技術

美國的研究人員聯手開發一種新的太陽能紡織技術，他們聲稱，整合了技術並克服製造過程的諸多挑戰。

隨著威斯康辛大學校友研究基金會(WARF)的捐款，Wisconsin-Madison大學能源研究員和化學助理教授Trisha Andrew、人類生態學系的設計研究計劃助理教授Marianne Fairbanks以及太陽能充電手袋聯合創始人Noon Solar，已經連手發展太陽能紡織品。

儘管不是第一次創造太陽能紡織品，Andrew說，合作過程中，整合技術與製造過程所要克服的挑戰，在於逐漸降低價格，對消費者有吸引力的太陽能電池。

Andrew和她的團隊目前正在用高分子聚合物為不同的織物類型與結構做塗層，此舉可為布料增加10倍的導電性。一旦完全塗覆，該織物將作為底電極，在其上的基礎層則將做為構建太陽能電池的其餘部分。

到明年這個時候，研究人員希望能利用這個塗層技術開發出原型，他們的目標是希望能驗證這個概念的可行性，將每個元件織在一起，利用兩種染料、兩個電極，做出一個具有全功能的配備的連接點。

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University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers team up to develop solar textiles

A new faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Marianne Fairbanks, is bringing decades of experience with dyes, fibres and design to the development of a solar textile technology.

“I found myself on a campus full of brilliant people of all disciplines so I just Googled solar research UW-Madison,” said Fairbanks, assistant professor in the School of Human Ecology's design studies programme and co-founder of Noon Solar, a Chicago-based company that made solar-charging handbags.

The search led her to Trisha Andrew, specialising in energy research and assistant professor of chemistry at UW-Madison. Andrew draws from the fields of chemistry, materials science and electrical engineering to develop low-cost, lightweight solar cells. Her most recent innovation is an organic dye-based solar cell deposited onto paper.

Increasing fabric’s conductivity tenfold

Andrew and her team are currently coating different weave types and structures with a polymer that increases the fabric’s conductivity tenfold. Once fully coated, the fabric will serve as the bottom electrode, and a base layer on which to build the rest of the solar cell.
“The idea of building solar cells on fabric is potentially transformative,” explained Andrew. “If we take this technology to grow devices on material, then we could talk wearable technology, as well as solar curtains, solar umbrellas, solar tents, or applications for the military.”

Though Fairbanks and Andrew are not the first to conceive of solar textiles, their collaboration overcomes a manufacturing challenge that Andrew says is slowing the rollout of cheap, consumer-friendly solar cells, namely the early integration of technologies emerging from the lab with actual manufacturing processes, the University reports. “There's no one out there, there's no designer working with a device person trying to do this — that's us — and that's what really excites me about this project even today,” said Andrew.

Experimenting

With a recent grant funded by the Wisconsin Alumni Research Foundation (WARF) and awarded by UW-Madison's Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education, Fairbanks and Andrew have begun experimenting with different ways to create solar textiles.

One project has materials science and engineering graduate student Lushuai Zhang using vapour phase chemistry to coat different fabric weave types and structures with a polymer that increases its conductivity. Once the weave is at least 10 times more conductive than it was before coating, the fabric will act as the bottom electrode on which Zhang will deposit two different dyes and a top electrode — the contact between the four deposits making up a complete and functional solar cell.

A second idea grew from Fairbanks' knowledge of weaving. Since the four layers of a dye-based solar cell actually don't need to be placed down in sequence — the point being only to create the right contact between the four components — Fairbanks suggested they try creating a spool of thread for each of the components. If Fairbanks could then weave those threads together, two electrodes and two dyes, the weave's cross-sections would also create the contact points necessary for a fully functional device.

Original Article: Innovation In Textile