After a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, sports trade fair ISPO Munich returned in November with the guiding theme ‘New perspectives on sports’, which aimed to examine topics including technology, sustainability, diversity and retail. Brands and suppliers displayed a wide range of recycled and bio-based materials, and presented solutions to accelerate the transformation towards a circular sports and outdoor industry.
The ISPO Award honours the industry’s highlight products and services, including textile innovations. The award serves not only the media and retailers, but also the consumers as an orientation aid and basis for purchasing decisions in a multi-layered market. Here are some winners that used new technologies for their products.
The Feathertop Ultralight Hooded LS Tee from Australian brand Lé Bent: not only is it lightweight at 125 grams, but also sustainable. Instead of petroleum-based fibers, the hoodie consists of the regenerative fibers merino wool and bamboo, which work in perfect harmony. The merino fibers absorb moisture vapor, while the bamboo fibers absorb water droplets. The result is maximum moisture management and breathability while retaining warmth.
NXT-Level BioDown jacket by Kathmandu: New Zealand-based outdoor brand Kathmandu has committed to designing, developing and manufacturing 100 % of its products using elements of circularity principles by 2025. With the NXT-Level BioDown jacket, Kathmandu presents a biodegradable insulated jacket. It uses nylon 66 to develop the fabric, lining, sewing thread and zipper, and treats these elements with a biodegradable polymer called ‘AmniSoul Eco’. All other materials are also biodegradable: the filling is made from PrimaLoft-Bio and with Responsible Down Standard (RDS) 600fill power duck down, traceable with TrackMyDown. Elements external to the jacket were highly considered too, with cotton was used for the labels and 100% recycled card and printed soy ink used for the swing tag.
RETR’X by Löffler: Austrian knitwear specialist Löffler presented sustainable functional underwear made from recycled polypropylene and sustainable recot2 cotton. This cotton fiber consists of 25 percent recycled cotton and 75 percent GOTS-certified organic cotton. The recot2 cotton is neither dyed nor bleached, is GRS certified as well as Standard 100 by OEKO-TEX®. The processing of the cotton is particularly resource-friendly, especially with regard to water consumption. transtex technology is based on a two-layer knit: the polypropylene on the inside transports moisture away from the skin, while the second layer stores it and releases it to the outside. This two-layer material mix ensures natural body climate management.
At the moment, sustainability is an add-on in the purchasing decision for most people and sports companies have only just begun to welcome sustainability. However, though it proves to be a slow process, this attitude is beginning to change, especially as younger target groups start consuming more.
