#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2019-11-07

W.L. Gore & Associates presents new versatile GORE-TEX 3-Layer products

W. L. Gore & Associates (Gore) unveiled their new GORE-TEX 3-Layer laminate at the Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Denver, Colorado. This innovative product continues the journey of developing fit-for-use performance fabrics offerings that improve the environmental footprint of outdoor apparel while meeting expectations regarding durable comfort and protection.

These versatile, durably waterproof, windproof and breathable outdoor jackets made with new GORE-TEX 3-Layer laminates feature a new recycled and solution-dyed polyester backer, and a durable water-repellent treatment (DWR) of the face fabric that is free of PFCs of Environmental Concern (PFCEC Free DWR). The launch of the new GORE-TEX 3L products with a PFCEC Free DWR is another important step towards achieving the goal of eliminating PFCs of Environmental Concern from the entire life cycle of its consumer fabrics portfolio as announced in February 2017 (www.gore-tex.com/pfcgoal). The new 3-Layer garments engineered with GORE-TEX product technology provide everyday versatility by delivering the right level of durable protection and comfort for a wide range of urban and general outdoor activities.

These range from camping, hiking and adventure travelling to golfing, skiing, and other sporting activities. The new 3-Layer jackets are waterproof and come with the GORE-TEX GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRYTM promise. “Our latest innovation is extremely versatile for everyday use and offers a lot of benefits,” said Ryder Pingry, Product Specialist at Gore Fabrics. “Certainly, it is durably waterproof, windproof and very breathable with a comfortable touch and feel. The new 3-Layer versatile hard shells provide an optimal combination of performance and improved environmental footprint.” The new PFCEC Free DWR has been thoroughly tested by Gore with excellent results and has been in the market with GORE-TEX 2-Layer products since AW18.

The selected PFCEC Free DWR is approved by bluesign® systems and meets the criteria set forth in the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100. To evaluate and compare DWR chemistries, Gore utilizes proprietary test methods. These tests are conducted in Gore’s labs and rain room that simulate consumer usage. In addition to Gore´s lab tests, extensive field trials in Scotland and the USA with general outdoor user (hiking, outdoor walking, casual outdoor, outdoor working, and urban commuting) have demonstrated that more than 90% of the test users are satisfied with the performance of the new PFCEC free DWR featured in 3-Layer GORE-TEX garments.

“From a sustainability perspective, the new GORE-TEX 3-Layer is a key product: It comes with a PFCEC Free DWR plus a backer made from recycled and solution dyed materials,” explained Bernhard Kiehl, Gore Fabrics Sustainability Leader. “This product innovation demonstrates our intent to offer fit-for-use products while continuously improving their environmental footprint through application of state-of-the-art technologies and utilization of safe and durable materials.” Gore worked for more than a year with their supply chain to develop a completely new recycled and solution dyed yarn, the lowest denier they have ever produced.

About 4000 recycled plastic bottles are used to make 1000 meters of the new backer textile. Solution dyeing is a yarn-dyeing technology with a simple, but smart difference to conventional dyeing techniques. During the solution-dyeing process, dyestuffs are mixed with the nylon or polyester pellets prior to spinning into yarn. The resulting yarn is permanently, deeply colored and ready to be woven into fabrics. The process saves about 96% of Global Warming Potential and 88% of Water Scarcity compared to conventional jet dying (according to the Higg Material Sustainability Index).

Gore revolutionized the outerwear industry with waterproof, breathable GORE-TEX fabric 40 years ago and remains a leading innovator of performance apparel. Gore fabrics products provide comfort and protection in challenging environments and in everyday life, enabling wearers to safely and confidently achieve and experience more. From hiking in downpours to military operations and fighting fires, Gore’s deep understanding of consumer and industry needs drives development of products with meaningful performance advantages. www.gore-tex.com

“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.

Mario Jorge Machado re-elected President of EURATEX

The EURATEX General Assembly has re-elected Mario Jorge Machado as President of EURATEX, renewing its confidence in his leadership at a crucial moment for the European textile and clothing industry. The sector is facing rising costs, global competitive pressure and an increasingly challenging transition towards sustainability and digitalisation.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

2026 general meeting of the Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen at ITA

The Friends and Supporters of RWTH Aachen e. V. (proRWTH) looked back on a successful year of support at their 2026 general meeting. The meeting took place at Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen and was combined with a joint session of the Executive Board and the Administrative Board. Before the general meeting began, participants were given a guided tour of ITA, providing them with fascinating insights into current research and development topics in textile engineering.

Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brings supply chain leaders together around cotton innovation

Cotton Incorporated’s Cotton ConneXions Insight to Impact brought together more than 300 industry leaders from 140 companies across 10 countries, including more than 45 top global brands and sourcing organizations, underscoring strong global interest in cotton-rich product development, sourcing and supply chain collaboration.

Footwear innovation enabled by warp knitting technology– insights from New Balance

The future of the athletic shoe is increasingly being shaped on warp knitting machines. For KARL MAYER, the footwear industry is one of the most important growth markets – and one of the sectors where innovative textiles can realize their full potential. In his keynote address at the opening of KARL MAYER’s TEXTILE INNOVATION CENTER in Obertshausen in April, Vishnu Prakash Muthusamy, Senior Textile and Materials Engineer at New Balance, explained the opportunities that warp knitting technology opens up for performance, sustainability, and faster development processes, and why textile manufacturers are transitioning from suppliers to development partners.