Outlast, the pioneer and market leader in temperature regulation phase change materials (PCM) impressed the international jury of Techtextil last month winning the Techtextil Innovation Prize 2011 in the New Materials category for the development of the world's first heat managing polyester fibre with PCM. To date Outlast's phase change materials have been available in textile fibres such as viscose and acrylic but not polyester.

The Innovation Prize aims to bring the latest developments into view, encourages unconventional thinking, and intensifies the dialogue between research, manufacturers and users. Awards go to outstanding achievements in research, materials and product development, and new technology. This year, seven innovation prizes were granted and selected from 84 entries.

"We are proud that our newly developed polyester fibre was chosen by the international jury," says Mark Hartmann, Technical Director of Outlast Technologies Inc. "It was challenging to incorporate the climate controlling Outlast technology into a polyester fibre and required years of development work, but we are very satisfied with the end result," says Volker Schuster, Technical Director of Outlast

The newest member of the Outlast fibre family is a bi-component fibre for which various patents are said to have been granted. Staple fibres are being launched in market first, followed by filaments. The new fibre with temperature management is said to align particularly well with underwear and other products worn next to skin such as socks, t-shirts, shirts and trousers.

The new Outlast polyester fibre is said to offer the added value of balancing temperature coupled with the characteristics of a conventional polyester fibre (e.g. low moisture absorption; ability to transport moisture; improved wrinkle resistance; superior light, water and wind resistance and an above average durability). The result, Outlast says, is increased comfort-chilling and sweating are reduced due to optimum climate regulation.

Outlast technology was originally developed for NASA to protect astronauts from temperature fluctuations in space. Outlast phase-change materials (PCMs) absorb, store and release excess body heat.