Light colored textiles reflect both visible and invisible rays of sunlight, while dark ones absorb both. Award-winning coldblack® finishing technology significantly reduces the absorption of heat rays, particularly by darker colored clothing. The result is greatly improved heat management, reliable protection from UV rays and a much wider design color palette for athletes who participate in outdoor competition. In addition, coldblack® contains only bluesign®1 approved components.

The benefits of coldblack® innovation are recognized by Under Armour, which has adopted the coldblack® technology in its sports apparel ranges for men’s and women’s running, golf, and training apparel categories. The US-based sports performance brand drives its mission to make all athletes better through science, design and the relentless pursuit of innovation, and is endorsed by athletes at all levels.

It is an approach that has seen the company go from strength to strength since its formation in 1996 by former University of Maryland footballer Kevin Plank, whose initial ambition was to bring to the market a superior tee-shirt providing both compression and moisture management.

Since then, a range of performance wear innovations has been rolled out, drawing on the latest developments from textile chemical and fabric innovators like Clariant and Schoeller.

Clariant and Schoeller mobilized their experts in Switzerland, Europe, the US and worldwide in order to deploy the intensive lab research, development and testing that was required for the coldblack® technology, along with close co-ordination with selected mill partners on four continents.

In total, some 144 separate coldblack® formulations have been developed to date and will be supplied for ranges that include 100% knitted and woven polyester fabrics, as well as blends with elastane and polyamide, in an extensive range of colors.