High-Tech, Nanotech and Smart Fabrics Proliferate

With the advent of Rayon in the 1920s, high-tech fabrics were born. Rayon, introduced by DuPont as a “continuous filament viscose fiber,” is durable and silky-soft, and costs much less than organic fabrics made of silk. Today’s high-tech fabrics are either treated with chemicals, polymers or combinations thereof, or specially engineered for durability, stain-proofing, wrinkle-resistance or weather protection. In addition to these wonders, scientists are producing “smart fabrics,” which are engineered for wearability advantages as well as an astounding array of potential protective and clinical abilities. Through the use of special fabrics capable of conducting data flow, telecommunications and computing abilities may also be enabled in apparel.

The abilities of synthetic fabrics and high-tech materials to keep athletes dry and comfortable have sparked a multi-billion dollar market for high-performance outdoor apparel. An excellent example of the power of this niche is the wildly successful Gore-Tex fabric produced by W.L. Gore & Associates, Inc. The fabric is a fluoropolymer, a manufactured fiber that forms a barrier to wind and water but still allows air to pass through it. Body heat and moisture can evaporate through Gore-Tex even while it protects from wind, rain, sleet or snow. It's used in everything from jackets to shoes to backpacks, and it generates impressive sales since apparel treated with Gore-Tex often costs three times as much as non-treated pieces. W.L. Gore’s annual revenues are about $3 billion, and it employs more than 9,500 people.

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum.

Become a Plunkett Research Online subscriber to gain unlimited access to our massive amount of vital industry data and market research.

✔ 100,000 Industry Statistics
✔ 500 Industries Analyzed for Market Size, Profits and Forecasts
✔ 150,000 Industry Executives Profiled
✔ 25,000 Companies Profiled, Ranked and Analyzed
✔ 1,000 Vital Trends Analyzed, totaling 1,000,000 words

Learn More

High-Tech, Nanotech and Smart Fabrics Proliferate, Business and Industry Trends Analysis

A Representative List of Organizations that Have Used our Research and Products:

How to access Plunkett Research data.

What data challenge can we help you solve today?

Take a Tour

Contact

Testimonials