Press Release Summary = Abstract/Report Summary Business Update Corporate restructuring Corporate strategy Mergers, acquisitions and divestments Financial results Investments Joint ventures, cooperation and distribution
Press Release Body = Performance Apparel Markets - Issue 16
Abstract/Report Summary Business Update Corporate restructuring Corporate strategy Mergers, acquisitions and divestments Financial results Investments Joint ventures, cooperation and distribution agreements Markets Mergers, acquisitions and divestments Patent and trademark disputes Trade fairs and conferences
Fast Track: environmental issues We are investing in environmentally cleaner technology because it will increase our revenue, our value and our profits ... Not because it is trendy or moral, but because it will accelerate our growth and make us more competitive" said Jeff Immelt, the chairman and chief executive officer of General Electric-one of the world's largest companies. Growing pressure from consumer action groups and governments, combined with growing consumer demand for "green" products, is forcing other companies to consider their environmental impact too-including ones in the textile industry. Harmful substances associated with textile production can have a detrimental effect on human health or the environment. Consequently, the textile industry is taking measures to eliminate or reduce the presence of these harmful substances and finding ways to prove its environmentally-friendly credentials.
Product Developments and Innovations Fabric treatments Health promoting apparel Performance footwear Personal protective apparel Smart fabrics Sports apparel Waterproof breathable technology Wearable technology
Profile of Bemis USA-based Bemis specialises in thermoplastic adhesives, coatings, tapes and speciality film products which are designed to bond various materials together. The company is small-but well known-and has remained privately owned since it was founded. Its sales are growing, and are now approaching US$100 mn. Bemis's products are found in a wide range of items, including bras, ski jackets, car headrests and ready-to-assemble furniture. The company makes products for a variety of industries but those designed for use in apparel with a seamless appearance have the greatest market prominence.Bemis was originally founded in 1910 to make an adhesive base for chewing gum. But soon afterwards it turned its attention to fabric coatings and footwear adhesives. In 2002 it launched Sewfree film, which was made of elastic polyurethane and designed specifically for stitch-free bonded garments. Sewfree is capable of bonding almost any combination of fabrics and utilisation of the product eliminates the need for sewing in garment construction. Originally, it was aimed at the intimate apparel sector. But it also soon found favour in technical outerwear. Exponential growth in Asia holds further opportunities for Bemis, but the company can also expect more competition from this region. Bemis's response is to diversify and look for alternative markets in which to apply its knowledge of adhesives.
Seamless Knitting Apparel with a seamless appearance is gaining in popularity. The benefits-greater comfort and durability, combined with reduced bulk-are finding favour in different sectors of the apparel market, including performance apparel. In the performance apparel sector there are two main reasons for the growing popularity of garments with a seamless appearance. One is that close fitting active wear-such as running or cycling apparel-needs to feel as smooth as possible when worn next to the skin in order to minimise the possibility of chafing. The other reason is that technical outerwear is becoming less bulky and more form-fitting while retaining the latest advances in waterproof and breathable capability.
Apparel which has a seamless appearance is produced using two different approaches: seamless knitting, and welding. Seamless knitting involves the production of a whole garment in one piece on a knitting machine such that little or no sewing-up is required. Welding involves the fusing together of layers of fabric by applying heat and pressure-using technologies such as ultrasonic heating or high frequency radiation. In addition, thermoplastic films or tapes-which are sometimes referred to as adhesive films-are commonly used to reinforce the weld or to bond non-thermoplastic materials such as cotton.
Using seamless knitting or welding, a garment without any stitched seams can be made. Some commentators are going so far as to predict the gradual demise of the needle and thread. But seamless and stitch-free seaming technologies still have some way to go in terms of capability, quality control and market penetration before they replace sewing.
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2025
