Thursday, 19 December 2019 11:39

Polartec Wins R&D 100 Award for Polartec Power Air

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Press Release: Polartec®, the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, is proud to receive a 2019 R&D 100 Award for Polartec® Power Air™, the first fabric technology engineered to reduce fibre shedding. 

Honoring the latest and best innovations since 1963, the R&D 100 Awards identify the top revolutionary technologies introduced to the market in the past year.

Polartec® Power Air™ is an innovative new platform offering advanced thermal efficiency by encapsulating lofted fibres within a multi-layer, continuous yarn fabric construction.  Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high pile knit structures that hold warm air.  Although Polartec® is a leader in making resilient materials, it has recongised that any exposed fibre is susceptible to shedding as a function of normal wear.

PowerAir

As the first fabric construction to encase air with a continuous yarn, the initial version of Polartec® Power Air™ has been proven to shed at least five times less than other premium mid-layer weight fabrics.  The foundational technology platform will eventually provide shedding reduction to all existing apparel categories [including insulation, lightweight next-to-skin and extreme weather protection].

“It’s a great honour to receive an R&D 100 Award”, says Steve Layton, President of Polartec®.  “Polartec® Power Air™ is a step forward in reducing the environmental impact of what we make and wear, and it’s also a whole new experience with its distinctive aesthetics and drag-free, lively performance.”

The R&D 100 Awards have served as the most prestigious innovation awards’ program for the past 25 years, providing accolades for great R&D pioneers and their revolutionary ideas in science and technology.  Honouring the top technologies of the past year, winners are selected for one of six categories.  This year, Polartec® Power Air™ won for the Mechanical/Materials category.

“These 100 winning products and technologies are the disruptors that will change industries and make the world a better place in the coming years,” says Paul J. Heney, Vice Present, Editorial Director for R&D World.

powerair 1

Polartec® Power Air™ has received numerous awards around the world for its breakthrough future fabric construction technology.  Now including the R&D 100 Award, a full list of recognitions is below:

  • Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards
  • Trail magazine - Ethical choice
  • ISPO TexTrends – BEST PRODUCT
  • 2019 SKI Gear of the Year
  • 2019 R&D 100 Award
  • 2019 Sourcing Journal “Sustaining Voices” Honouree
  • EcoSport Awards
  • Backpacker 2019 Editors’ Choice Awards – Green Award
  • World Textile information network “Future Textile Award for Best Innovation:  Sustainable Textiles”.

Polartec® Power Air™ product is currently available from Adidas, Burton, Houdini and NOBULL.