From the Sector

Trends such as fitness lifestyle and vitality, the quantified self movement, active ageing and the outdoor boom will significantly change the sports, health and wellness sector in the coming years. In addition, technical innovations will redefine the way people stay fit and healthy. The DiMo - Digital Motion joint project aims to help shape the transformation process. It ran in its first round in 2023 and will be continued for another four years with DiMo-NEXT.

The project aims to conduct transdisciplinary research into how people's experience of exercise can be improved, performance increased and a sustainable lifestyle made possible. The potential offered by digital technologies, particularly in the field of sensors, plays a key role here. The topic of clothing is also important as an interface between technological solutions and people. This is why KARL MAYER and Grabher are among the 26 project partners from industry and research, representing the textile industry.

The textile machinery manufacturer KARL MAYER is contributing its expertise in the field of wearables to the project work. The TEXTILE CIRCUIT team of its TEXTILE MAKERSPACE has already successfully implemented various projects in this area. In addition, an MJ 52/1 S from KARL MAYER is used at V-Trion, Grabher's research company in Lustenau, for the production of electrically conductive textiles.

DiMo-NEXT will be launched on April 1, 2024, shortly before Techtextil 2024 in Frankfurt am Main. KARL MAYER will present its contribution to the project work at the trade fair for the sector.

Hologenix®, creators of CELLIANT®, is pleased to announce CELLIANT® with REPREVE® – introduced with global textile solutions provider UNIFI®, makers of REPREVE® – has been awarded a Selection in the Fibers & Insulation Category of ISPO Textrends Fall/Winter 2024/25.

Twice a year, ISPO recognizes innovative fibers, fabrics and components that are used to manufacture sports apparel. Both companies are excited that CELLIANT® with REPREVE®, whereby CELLIANT infrared (IR) technology is embedded into REPREVE, a brand of recycled fiber, has achieved the honor. CELLIANT® with REPREVE® is a performance fiber made from recycled materials that have been enhanced with IR technology to provide wellness benefits to the consumer.

CELLIANT is a natural blend of IR-generating bioceramic minerals, which, when embedded into textiles, allows them to convert body heat into infrared energy, returning it to the body and temporarily increasing local circulation and cellular oxygenation. This aids significantly in muscle recovery, increases endurance, and improves overall performance in healthy individuals, among other benefits.

REPREVE recycled performance fiber consists of high-quality fibers made from 100% recycled materials, including post-consumer plastic bottles and pre-consumer waste. It is also certified and traceable with UNIFI’s U TRUST® verification and FiberPrint™ technology, which provide assurance that the product comes from recycled materials. Compared to virgin fiber, REPREVE helps to offset the use of petroleum, conserving water and energy and emitting fewer greenhouse gasses.

This award marks the third year in a row that Hologenix has had its CELLIANT technology recognized in the Fall/Winter Textrends Awards. CELLIANT in pure white was a Top Ten Winner in last year’s awards. The prior year, CELLIANT Viscose was a Selection Winner as well.

Bremen-based Statex Produktions- und Vertriebs GmbH, a company founded in 1978 and currently in its 3rd generation of family management, is reinventing itself. One of the leading manufacturers in the field of silvered and metallised textiles has focused on the field of technical textiles and will in future place its brand name Shiledex at the centre of its corporate identity.

In accordance with the principle "Metallised Textiles for Challenges that matter", the new website is to transport the company's know-how in the areas of technical textiles, automotive, intelligence and military, medicine as well as fashion and design with a clear structure.

The sorting of the different application areas such as sensor technology, heating and lighting, EMC shielding, wellness and lifestyle as well as health and hygiene simplifies the access to the Shieldex product worlds.