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Fibres/​Yarns/​Fabrics

Invista presents Thermolite innovations for winter denim at Kingpins Show

Denim fabrics made with Thermolite Infrared technology are said to increase their temperature when exposed to solar or artificial light.

18th April 2016

Innovation in Textiles
 |  London

Sports/​Outdoor, Clothing/​Footwear

Invista, the leading integrated producer of polymers and fibres, has launched two new Thermolite brand technologies at the Kingpins denim show that took place from 13-14 April in Amsterdam.

Both products are said to offer a high level of performance that may change the way we think about what jeans to wear in colder conditions, the company reports.

Thermolite Infrared technology and patented Thermolite Dual Layer technology are the first offerings under a new brand category called Thermolite Pro. At Kingpins, the company demonstrated how these technologies provide a higher level of warmth and insulation than traditional denim fabrics.

Consumer interest

“The Thermolite Pro innovations were driven by consumer research that showed that more than 70% of respondents were interested in the concept of a winter jean,” commented Jean Hegedus, Global Segment Director for Denim at Invista.

“The Thermolite brand was the most preferred option in terms of a technology name that would generate consumer interest in purchasing such a garment. Thermolite Infrared and Thermolite Dual Layer technologies can be used independently or in tandem for enhanced warming and insulating properties.”

Infrared technology

Denim fabrics made with Thermolite Infrared technology are said to increase their temperature when exposed to solar or artificial light. Special ceramic pigments are added to the fibre that transfer the energy of infrared rays into heat the body can feel.

For example, after three minutes under infrared light, surface temperatures of fabrics with infrared yarns increased 2 to 4 degrees Celsius, depending on the content of the infrared yarn in the fabric, the company reports.

Insulation

The patented Thermolite Dual Layer technology structure also creates open spaces within the fabric, trapping air to help keep the wearer warm. A fabric’s ability to insulate is measured by its CLO value, and fabrics with Thermolite Dual Layer technology can achieve CLO values that are typically 25% to 30% higher than standard denim fabrics can, according to the manufacturer.

The Thermolite Dual Layer technology is also engineered to enable faster drying next to the skin, helping the wearer stay warm and dry.

New technologies

Along with the new technologies, Invista is launching new imagery, hangtags, a new website, and promotional campaign for both the Thermolite and Coolmax brands. Under the theme Embrace the Elements, the new campaign taps into the wearer’s ability to be a part of his/her environment rather than fighting against it.

At the Kingpins Show that was held at the Gashouder Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam, Invista also held a seminar featuring new technologies and consumer insights on warming denim, as well as a demonstration of the new Thermolite technologies.

www.thermolite.com

www.invista.com

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