#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2020-01-15

New environmentally-friendly solution for waterproof, breathable textiles

BenQ Materials’ safe, effective advances for clothing and other applications recognized by ISPO (c) 2020 Xpore

BenQ Materials is pleased to announce the launch of Xpore, a ground-breaking new technology for waterproof and breathable textiles. Xpore is the first genuine innovation in waterproof and breathable technology for many years, providing not only comfort – with an unprecedented “beyond dry” experience – but also environmentally-friendly safety.

Xpore, a refinement of BenQ Material’s AirySektor concept, has almost limitless applications in performance clothing, home care, and medical care. Xpore technology is ideal for natural fiber fabrics, such as silk, wool, and cotton, and even for special fabrics requested by designers, such as leather.

Unlike existing products, Xpore technology is safe and free of harmful PTFE/PFCs (Polytetrafluoroethylene and Perfluorocarbons). Xpore technology also provides fully chemical solvent-free processes from membrane manufacturing to lamination. Xpore not only sets a new standard for eco-friendliness from production process to final product, but also offers true breathability together with waterproofing.

BenQ Materials's nano-porous membranes have been recognized as exceptional by the industry-leading ISPO Textrends jury panel of journalists, designers, and independent professionals. When selecting outstanding membrane and coating products, the ISPO jury placed two of BenQ Materials’ products in the top 10, and three of them in the selection category.

In independent tests, Xpore has demonstrated remarkable and significant advantages over the existing dominant technologies in this market. BenQ Materials’s membrane innovations now control moisture with 10 billion nano-pores per square inch – each 20,000x smaller than a water droplet and 200x larger than a water vapor molecule – to keep wearers dry and comfortable in all conditions. As a result, compared to competing products, BenQ Materials’ hydrophobic nano-porous membrane offers better moisture vapor transmission, breathability and durability; is impenetrable to bacteria and mites; and is lighter and faster drying.

Certification and approval

Xpore technology materials including nano-porous membrane and glue have already received critical SGS and ITS certifications. BenQ Materials’ factory facilities already have ISO approval. Bluesign, OEKO-TEX, and TAF of laboratory approvals are in process.

Xpore offers such a compelling alternative to existing fabric comfort technologies that it promises to make possible entirely new product categories. Xpore will be formally launched and demonstrated with a major press event on January 27, 2020, at ISPO Munich, the leading international sports trade fair. You are also welcome to visit the BenQ Materials booth at ISPO Munich’s Hall C2 Booth 207, where staff will be available to answer inquiries, and selected membranes and coatings will be exhibited.

Key Facts:

Date: Jan. 27, 2020 from 16:00-17:30

Location: Messe München Fairground Conference Room Press Center West 2nd floor

For more information about Xpore, please visit:

http://www.xpore-global.com and Xpore brand video at https://youtu.be/ncsQ61Bfbb4

Texprocess 2026: Automation, digitalisation and AI redefine textile processing

Making investment decisions in textile processing has become significantly more demanding. Increasing energy costs, a shortage of skilled labour and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties are compelling companies to focus on technologies that deliver clear gains in efficiency and process reliability. This applies equally to apparel manufacturing and to the processing of technical textiles and high-performance materials. As a result, modernisation initiatives are assessed more carefully – even as the need to upgrade production systems continues to intensify.

Techtextil 2026: Between innovation pressure & market reality

From 21 to 24 April 2026, Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main will once again become the central meeting point for the international technical textiles and nonwovens industry. Running in parallel, Texprocess will focus on the industrial implementation of textile processing technologies as the leading platform in this field. Together, the two trade fairs form a closely integrated presentation and working platform along the entire textile value chain – from material development to finished applications.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Texhibition Istanbul signals stability and global connectivity

From 4 to 6 March 2026, Texhibition Istanbul once again brought together the international textile industry at the Istanbul Expo Center. Organized by İTKİB Fuarcılık A.Ş. in cooperation with the Istanbul Textile Exporters Association (İTHİB), the fair confirmed its role as one of the most important international sourcing platforms for fabrics and textile innovation. With 500+ exhibitors across 5 halls on 42,850 sqm, the trade fair attracted 19,325 visitors. Among them, 5.565 international visitors represented Europe, Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, North America, and other regions, underlining the show’s expanding global reach.

Val:ue Milan unveiled – a curated boutique business hub for high-end apparel textiles

Messe Frankfurt continues to expand its international textile network with the announcement of Val:ue Milan. Moving beyond the traditional trade fair model, Val:ue Milan debuts as a prestigious, boutique-style business hub exclusively dedicated to elected fabrics and accessories for apparel. Taking place from February 3 to 5, 2027, at The Mall in Porta Nuova, the event breaks away from conventional formats through a strictly curated environment designed for strategic networking. By bridging the gap between high-end international manufacturers and top-tier segment buyers, Val:ue Milan further strengthens the Group’s global portfolio with a unique, high-impact concept built around a refined and carefully selected offering.

Solving the Feedstock Gap: Unlocking Post-consumer Feedstocks for Textile-to-Textile Recycling in Europe

Fashion for Good launches Project FAE (Feedstock Activation Europe) to develop the sorting and pre-processing infrastructure needed to channel non-rewearable post-consumer textiles into textile-to-textile (T2T) recycling at scale. The project is a practical response to one of the most pressing problems in textile circularity: making post-consumer waste a viable, commercially competitive raw material for recyclers.

Italian Textile Machinery heads to Geneva for Index 2026

An important delegation of Italian companies will exhibit at the upcoming INDEX 2026, the world’s leading event for the nonwovens sector, taking place from May 19 to 22 in Geneva (Switzerland). Numerous Italian exhibitors will be present within the Italy Pavilion, organized by the Italian Trade Agency (ICE) and ACIMIT, an exhibition area of over 140 square meters dedicated to the latest innovations proposed by the Italian industry.