INVISTA, one of the world’s largest integrated producers of polymers and fibers, has teamed up with Gokak Textiles Ltd. and RSWM Ltd. to develop spun yarns that can be qualified for developing COOLMAX fabric in India.
COOLMAX fabric is a unique performance fabric that moves moisture away from the body whilst enhancing fabric drying rate, thus keeping the wearer feeling cool and dry. INVISTA launched COOLMAX fabric brand in India earlier this year realizing that temperature regulation and sweat management in clothing is one of the growing demands in the country due to its tropical climate.
Now the association with Gokak and RSWM can develop yarns with various blends, e.g., cotton & COOLMAX fibers, polyester & COOLMAX fibers, and 100 per cent COOLMAX fibers, in various blend ratios and in various counts.
Mr. Andrew Evans, Managing Director, South Asia, s
aid: “We believe that with COOLMAX fabric we can add another dimension of cool-comfort clothing for the Indian consumer. We have got encouraging response from the Indian apparel industry and are happy to announce that we will be working closely with Gokak Textiles Ltd. and Rajasthan Spinning & Weaving Mills.”
Mr. H.S. Bhaskar, Executive Director & CEO, Gokak Textiles, commented: “The consumer is becoming much more aware and demands better quality products suited to his specific needs. We will be working closely with INVISTA so that we can provide them premium fabric for their garment range. COOLMAX fiber will provide more comfort and is value for money given that it is a high performance fabric and is suited to the Indian weather conditions.”
Mr. J.C. Laddha, Executive Director & CEO of RSWM Ltd., said: “Partnership on merits between two business entities is the prerequisite for the success of value chain. The association of RSWM Ltd. with INVISTA opens up a new possibility in functional textile. INVISTA is a leader in the industry and has a good team to strengthen the brand value of COOLMAX fabric. Similarly, RSWM Ltd. is synonymous with innovation and functionality as a textile manufacturer. We at RSWM provide tailor-made solutions for customer-specific requirements. RSWM develops and produces special yarns with inherent functional properties that remain permanent throughout the lifetime of ultimate products such as sportswear, leisurewear, T-shirts, shirts, trousers, denim, intimate apparel, socks, etc. I believe this association will go a long way and mutually benefit both the organizations.”
Application of COOLMAX fabric is not limited to sportswear and activewear. It has a variety of applications ranging from ready-to-wear, e.g., denims, shirts, trousers and T-shirts to Intimate apparel, e.g., undergarments, vests, etc., to socks and various other garment types. The specialty fibers for COOLMAX fabric can also be blended with cotton, polyester and wool.
COOLMAX fabric delivers performance and comfort to the wearer through the use of polyester fibers with special micro channel cross-sections that transfer sweat from the body to the outside very effectively.
According to a survey done by Strategic Insights, 69 per cent of avid runners and 69 per cent of avid golfers in the US say that a garment with COOLMAX fabric is “much better” than a garment with another type of moisture management, while 57 per cent of avid runners and 55 per cent of avid golfers said that COOLMAX fabric makes sport garments “much more desirable”. In Europe, 90 per cent of the respondents agreed that clothes with COOLMAX fabric provide greater comfort and performance.
Fabric features
COOLMAX fabric has unique features. It enables moisture to reach the fabric’s outer surface where it evaporates quickly. It effectively moves perspiration away from the body, and through the fabric. The thermo-regulatory effect of moisture transport helps keep skin temperature low, allowing the wearer to feel cooler and more comfortable.
The multi-channel cross-sections of COOLMAX fibers create a fabric with large surface area versus circular fibers. The larger fiber surface area, combined with proper fabric construction, leads to a fast rate of evaporation, causing cooling. The moisture management performance of the fabric is inherent to the fiber structure itself. Therefore, the performance cannot be washed off.
Users of COOLMAX fibers have access to technical support from INVISTA to help them maximize the performance of their fabrics, as well as the confidence of having their fabrics tested by INVISTA against a demanding set of moisture management performance criteria to help ensure they meet or exceed consumer expectations.