Performance Days, the leading functional fabric fair that takes place this year from 28-29 April in Munich, will feature the brand new Eco Performance Award for the best sustainable development for the first time, in addition to the already existing Performance Award for the best innovation.

When the doors to Performance Days open this month, trade visitors from around the world will find the latest trends from the world of functional fabrics and accessories, as well as discovering the winners of the Performance Award and the new Eco Performance Award.

The number of submissions for the popular Performance Forum continues to grow, according to organisers. Each season, a first-class jury of experts selects the best fabrics and accessories for presentation at the Forum, as well as the top innovations for display on the Perfromance Wall and, in the process, also votes for the winner of the coveted Performance Award.

New gripper technology

The current Performance Award goes to Italian manufacturer Penn Textile Solutions, who is introducing a new system to produce an elastic, reinforced waistband with gripper, but without the irritating seams.

The fabric, with high elastane content, is especially well-suited for bike wear, for example, pants or shirts. The gripper strips incorporated during the knitting process are said to prevent the waistband from slipping: the waist of the shirt or pants stays securely in place on the skin. At the same time, the pleats and seams previously required the application of additional gripper bands have been eliminated.

The theme of bike wear is also taken up by other fabrics on the Performance Wall. Piave Maitex, for example, presents a bike wear fabric that can be incorporated to fit various knitting zones, depending on the need for muscular support or ventilation. Schoeller Textil also presents an innovative, highly elastic grade with a ceramic coating for an excellent abrasion resistance rating, and first time exhibitor Teo Sport presents its new bicycle saddle.

Revolutionary dyeing technique

The initial launch of the Eco Performance Award recognizes a bonded mid-layer material from the Swiss exhibitor ATAG, which combines wearing comfort (thanks to merino wool) and top-technology (thanks to the Drydye dyeing process).

Drydye has been recognised for the ability to dye fabrics completely without the use of water, requiring only half the energy consumption. There is no harmful waste water and the carbon footprint can be significantly reduced, according to the manufacturer.

Drydye uses so called supercritical CO² as the carrier material for the colour pigments. When subjected to high pressure and paired with a specific temperature, the physical state of the CO² changes and it becomes a supercritical fluid. This is designed to allow the colour pigments to penetrate into the fabric (polyester) without using any water.

Environmental and functional innovations

Other items on the Performance Wall are also relevant to the sustainability topic. A particular highlight are the buttons, buckles, and cord locks from manufacturers Rudholm & Haak and Hartmann, which are made from the waste products of the paper industry.

As an update for sports enthusiasts, two other important innovations have been included among the functional topics on the Performance Wall. Organisers are once again featuring the Cooling topic, which is in big demand for the summer.

The topic of Visibility has also been further developed. In addition to offering colourful illumination with reflective prints, other new developments expertly mix reflective elements with visible fabric print motifs for a self-protective as well as a very fashionable look at sundown.

www.performancedays.eu