#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2019-12-19

Outlier introduces technical jacket with aerobrane

Schoeller, the global textile solutions manufacturer dedicated to innovation for more than 150 years, today announces that its electrostatic-spun membrane technology aerobrane will be introduced to the marketplace with its brand partner Outlier’s Experiment 200 – Ecstasy in the Rain jacket.

Schoeller’s aerobrane membrane offers optimum protection against wind and weather, along with exceptional breathability and will launch Thursday, December 12, 2019, as a component of Outlier’s new performance rainshell.

In development for 4 years and introduced to brand partners in late 2018, the Schoeller aerobrane membrane’s unique structure consists of an ultra-fine, hydrophilic polyurethane fiber composite that differs from other film-based membranes and offers a softer feel and beautiful, fluid textile characteristics.

"The electrostatic spun membrane technology is amazing because it allows for genuinely air permeable yet extremely water-resistant membranes that just couldn’t be made previously,” said Abe Burmeister, Outlier cofounder. “The air permeability is really what makes the difference for us. It’s like opening the window on a rain shell. It allows for air to circulate around the body as you move, even when you are fully sealed off from the rain. It just makes for a far more comfortable rain jacket."

To produce an electrostatic spun membrane, a large number of ultra-light, microscopic fibers are placed closely on top of each other, forming a clustered but firmly connected structure that can only be detected with the highest microscope technology, e.g., the scanning tunneling microscope. The membrane’s fibrous structure provides exceptional breathability while also allowing for ventilation. aerobrane features water-repellent qualities, as water droplets on the exterior are larger than the spaces between the fibrous structures; however, the fiber structures create an effective barrier against wind.

“At Schoeller, we are happiest when pushing the boundaries of innovation, and we are proud to stand by our partners at Outlier as they introduce our aerobrane technology,” said Stephen Kerns, president of Schoeller Textil USA. “Extreme breathability along with water and wind protection is something we have continued to strive for for many years. We continue to be grateful of and inspired by our entire team with this development.”

Outlier’s Experiment 200 – Ecstasy in the Rain jacket will only be available for a limited time and features a lightweight and elegant, 4-way stretch Schoeller woven that is laminated to the aerobrane membrane. It offers a 6000mm water-column rating and light weight at 135gsm, along with .5CFM of air flow.*

*Results per Outlier third-party testing source.

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.

Messe Frankfurt commits further to East Africa: three textiles trade fairs during Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week from 2027

Messe Frankfurt and its Texpertise Network continue their steady, successful trajectory in the region. As Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) opened today, Member of the Executive Board Detlef Braun announced that Messe Frankfurt is licencing its three leading international trade fair brands Texworld, Apparel Sourcing and Texprocess to Nairobi, Kenya for the first time in 2027. From now on, they will take place annually as part of the Africa Sourcing and Fashion Week (ASFW) Nairobi.

Indorama Ventures enables brands to scale circular textiles through proven, traceable supply chains

Indorama Ventures, a global leader in recycled polyester staple fibers and filament yarns, will exhibit at Textiles Recycling Expo in Brussels on June 24–25. At the event, the company will show how brands and textile manufacturers can build traceable, circular textile supply chains by working with proven partners who deliver recycled materials on an industrial scale.

RECOVER™ launches Recover™ Yarns to accelerate recycled cotton uptake

Recover™, a leading materials science company and one of the world’s largest producers of recycled cotton fiber, today announces the launch of Recover™ Yarns, a curated portfolio of ready-to-use yarn solutions designed to accelerate the adoption of recycled cotton across the apparel supply chain.

Barmag and Hitech Automation enter into partnership for an auto-doff system for texturing machines

Barmag (Suzhou) Technology Co., Ltd. and Hitech Automation Solutions PVT LTD. of Surat, India, have agreed to an exclusive partnership to jointly market Hitech’s Doffmatic automation solution for Barmag’s proven manual eFK texturing machines. In many texturing facilities, manual doffing processes remain heavily operator-dependent – resulting in issues such as increased scrap, inconsistent quality, and limited productivity.

Uster’s new Recycling Opening Index guides spinners to the perfect blend

Uster AFIS 6 now offers the key data for better decisions when blending recycled fibers. Process control is decisive in determining the quality and economic outcome. The new R Recycling Module of AFIS 6 introduces the Recycling Opening Index (ROI), so spinners can optimize their circularity credentials. It was officially launched at ITM 2026 in Istanbul, Türkiye.