Waterproof breathable fabrics: balancing performance and environmental sustainability

January 2020 | 46 pages | ID: W5EB2E23D9D2EN
Textiles Intelligence Ltd

Abstracts

Waterproof breathable fabrics have gained huge popularity in a number of applications-including outdoor apparel, workwear and sportswear products-due to the levels of protection and comfort they provide. Today, the variety of waterproof breathable fabrics available is extremely broad, and includes coated textiles and laminates in a variety of fibre compositions. Consumers of waterproof breathable apparel are prepared to pay a premium for the best performing products but the market is not without its challenges. Competition in the market is fierce and there are issues associated with environmental sustainability. In particular, many waterproof breathable fabrics incorporate membranes and/or durable water repellent (DWR) finishes which are associated with chemistries based on polyfluorinated and perfluorinated compounds (PFCs), and these are considered to be harmful to human health and the environment. As a result, there has been significant pressure on manufacturers to develop safer alternatives without compromising on performance. Several companies have risen to the challenge, and a number of these have opted to use bio-based materials or take inspiration from biomimicry in developing environmentally sustainable DWR finishes. Some progress has also been made in developing environmentally sustainable membranes, some of which are made from recycled waste materials. This report provides a wealth of information on recent developments in the market for waterproof breathable fabrics, and discusses the opportunities and challenges facing producers and users. Topics explored in the report include: the development of waterproof breathable constructions; markets for waterproof breathable fabrics and apparel; waterproofness and breathability in performance apparel; testing standards for waterproofness, water repellency and breathability; environmental sustainability; waterproof breathable garments; and applications of waterproof breathable fabrics. The report also provides an outlook for the future and discusses the latest innovations in DWR finishes, waterproof membranes and fabrics, with particular reference to developments from a number of industry leading companies including BenQ Materials, Bolger & O'Hearn, Directa Plus, Evolved by Nature, Green Theme Technologies, HeiQ, Huntsman Textile Effects, The North Face, Ventile, and W L Gore & Associates.

Contents

SUMMARY

INTRODUCTION

DEVELOPMENT OF WATERPROOF BREATHABLE CONSTRUCTIONS

MARKETS FOR WATERPROOF BREATHABLE FABRICS AND APPAREL

Challenges and opportunities in the market for waterproof breathable fabrics
Leading providers of waterproof breathable fabrics and durable water repellent (DWR) finishes

WATERPROOFNESS AND BREATHABILITY IN PERFORMANCE APPAREL

Waterproofness
Water repellency
Breathability

TESTING STANDARDS FOR WATERPROOFNESS, WATER REPELLENCY AND BREATHABILITY

Waterproofness
Water repellency
Breathability
Standards used in assessing the properties of waterproof breathable fabrics

WAYS OF ACHIEVING WATERPROOFNESS AND BREATHABILITY IN PERFORMANCE APPAREL

Tightly woven fabrics
Waterproof breathable technologies
Coated fabrics
Laminated fabrics
Coatings and membranes
Durable water repellent (DWR) finishes

ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

Perfluorinated and polyfluorinated compounds (PFCs) and environmentally sustainable alternatives
Actions taken to eliminate PFCs by two market leaders
Recycled materials
Natural materials
Organic materials
Compliance with environmental standards

WATERPROOF BREATHABLE GARMENTS

Materials used in the manufacture of waterproof breathable garments
Design features of waterproof breathable garments
Aftercare of waterproof breathable garments

APPLICATIONS OF WATERPROOF BREATHABLE FABRICS

Comfort

INNOVATIONS IN DURABLE WATER REPELLENT (DWR) FINISHES

Bolger & O’Hearn: Altopel F3 water repellent and OmniBloq
Europlasma: PlasmaGuard S
Evolved by Nature: Activated Silk
Green Theme Technologies: EMPEL
HeiQ: HeiQ Eco Dry FW and DWR finishes which are resistant to dry cleaning
Huntsman Textile Effects: Phobotex RSY and Zelan R3
Schoeller Textil: 3XDRY Bio and ecorepel Bio

INNOVATIONS IN WATERPROOF BREATHABLE MEMBRANES AND FABRICS

BenQ Materials: Xpore
Xpore Extreme laminates
Xpore Xtra laminates
Dimpora: Dimpora membrane
Directa Plus: G+ (Graphene Plus) membranes
Far Eastern New Century (FENC): FENC TopGreen Membrane
Singtex: Stormfleece fabric and Airmem membrane
The North Face: FutureLight
Vaude: Ceplex Green membrane
Ventile: Ventile Eco 400 RCO
W L Gore & Associates (Gore): new Gore-Tex Pro fabrics

OUTLOOK

List Of Tables

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Leading providers of waterproof breathable fabrics, membranes and durable water repellent (DWR) finishes and their products, 2020
Table 2: Examples of waterproof technologies developed by selected outdoor apparel brands, 2020
Table 3: Waterproof ratings and levels of resistance provided
Table 4: Correlation between RET values, breathability and comfort
Table 5: Selected standards for assessing the water resistance, water repellency and breathability of textiles, 2020

List Of Figures

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Directa Plus G+ membrane
Figure 2: FutureLight membrane
Figure 3: Vaude Miskanti Softshell Jacket II
Figure 4: Explorer Mollie Hughes wearing Mountain Equipment apparel incorporating new Gore-Tex Pro fabrics