#Yarn & Fiber

2015-05-08

Outlast launches new PCM acrylic fiber

The new generation of PCM acrylic fibers: Outlast and TAF succeeded in producing a heat managing Outlast® acrylic fiber with a four times higher performance (c) 2015 Outlast Technologies LLC

Outlast Technologies, Inc., a market leader in phase change materials (PCM), and the renowned fiber manufacturer Thai Acrylic Fibre Co. Ltd., Bangkok/Thailand, announce they have succeeded in developing a new generation of a PCM acrylic fiber with Outlast® technology. This new fiber provides four times the performance and offers perfect climate comfort for apparel and home textiles.

Second generation with four times higher performance

A new production process has allowed the Outlast® acrylic fiber to perform four times better than the existing version. “We are using now a non-encapsulated pPCM system and we no longer work with encapsulated mPCMs here,” says Martin Bentz, President of Outlast Technologies LLC, Golden/USA.“This change allowed us to improve the performance of the new Outlast® acrylic fibers enormously. With that, the spinning and dyeing properties are enhanced."

This especially plays a positive role for dark colors - darker tones are easier to achieve now through a better color absorbance.

The new Outlast® acrylic fiber blends very well with wool. It is well suited for use in socks, knitwear (e.g. pullovers) and home textiles (blankets) offering the significant added value of a dynamic heat and moisture management. The new Outlast® acrylic fibers absorb excess body heat, store and release it.

Pic: "We are proud of our new PCM acrylic fiber with a four times higher performance," says Martin Bentz, President of Outlast Technologies, Golden/USA.

The performance fibers regulate the climate proactively – in contrast with other technologies that only wick away humidity. Outlast® technology proactively manages heat while controlling the production of moisture before it begins, so less humidity is produced inside the apparel. This Outlast® difference also results in more comfort as well as improved hygiene, which is important especially when it comes to socks.

Outlast® technology

Outlast® technology was originally developed for NASA to protect astronauts from temperature fluctuations in space. Outlast® technology utilizes phase change materials (PCM) that absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort. Outlast® technology is comparable to ice in a drink; as it changes from solid to liquid, it absorbs heat and cools the drink, keeping that drink at the desired temperature for a longer period of time. Outlast® phase change materials work in the same way.

The PCMs have the capacity to absorb, store and release excess heat. This gives any product containing Outlast® technology the ability to continually regulate the skin’s microclimate. As the skin gets hot, the heat is absorbed, and as it cools, that heat is released.

Outlast® technology is not wicking technology, which manages moisture by reacting to your sweat and pulling it away from the skin. Outlast® technology will proactively manage heat while controlling the production of moisture before it begins. That’s the Outlast® difference. The benefits of Outlast® products at a glance:

Absorbs excess body heat
Manages moisture
Reduces overheating
Reduces chilling
Reduces perspiration
Continuously adapts to thermal changes

Outlast presented the newest innovations at Techtextil.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Expansive innovations converge in Shanghai as Yarn Expo Autumn 2026 opens doors next week

With just days to go, industry enthusiasm is building for the opening of Yarn Expo Autumn, Asia’s premier yarn and fibre trade fair, running from 25 – 27 August at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). Across 27,000 sqm in Hall 8.2, buyers will find nearly 600 exhibitors from 14 countries and regions, spread across seven specialised zones that range from cutting-edge man-made and regenerated fibres to time-honoured cashmere and silk. Beyond the extensive sourcing options, a fringe programme of trend showcases, presentations and product launches rounds out the three¬day event with design, innovation and market intelligence.

Dornbirn GFC 2026 expands conference program with new thematic sessions

For 65 years, Dornbirn GFC has stood for innovation and is one of the world’s leading conferences in the fiber industry. From September 16 to 18, 2026, the international fiber community will meet in Dornbirn, Austria, to discuss current trends, technological developments, and forward-looking solutions. More than 600 experts from industry and academia from over 30 countries are expected to attend. With around 100 presentations by renowned speakers, a 2,5-day conference program, and three parallel presentation rooms with moderated sessions, Dornbirn GFC provides a first-class platform for knowledge exchange, networking, and international collaboration. Together, participants will generate ideas and impulses that will sustainably shape the future of the global fiber industry.

KARL MAYER invites the Global Textile Industry to celebrate its 90th anniversary at its German Headquarters in 2027

KARL MAYER is turning its anniversary year 2027 into a milestone for the textile sector. To mark its 90th anniversary, the industry leader is inviting customers, partners, and experts from around the world to a unique event series in September aimed at pushing boundaries, unlocking new opportunities, and jointly setting the course for a new era in textiles – just as KARL MAYER has done throughout its history. The company’s headquarters in Obertshausen, near Frankfurt, is the place to be.

ITMF names three winners of the Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026

Three projects from the UK, Korea and China have been selected as winners of the ITMF Sustainability & Innovation Award 2026. The projects address textile-to-textile recycling, chemical recycling for automotive textiles and a regenerative approach combining silk production with ecological restoration.

Durak Maxibalance thread supports users’ movement and balance comfort

Durak Tekstil, a leading brand in its industry, has developed Durak Maxibalance, a new product engineered with bio-ceramic and FAR IR technology. Ushering in a new era for sportswear, activewear, and medical textiles, this technology offers features designed to support balance and movement comfort by reflecting the energy absorbed from the body back into it.