Outlast Wins Innovation Prize: Outlast® Polyester Fiber with PCM

HEIDENHEIM, Germany (May 31, 2011) – The technology company Outlast illustrates its innovative nature: The pioneer and market leader around temperature regulation phase change materials (PCM) impressed the international jury of Techtextil (International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens) and won the Techtextil Innovation Prize 2011 in the category “New Materials” for the development of the world’s first heat managing polyester fiber with PCM.

The Innovation Prize brings the latest developments into view, encourages unconventional thinking, and intensifies the dialogue between research, manufacturers and users, says Messe Frankfurt. Awards go to outstanding achievements in research, materials and product development, and new technology. This year, seven innovation prizes were granted selected among 84 entries. “We are proud that our newly developed polyester fiber was chosen by the international jury,” says Mark Hartmann, Technical Director of Outlast Technologies, Inc., Boulder, Colorado/USA. “It was challenging to incorporate the climate controlling Outlast® technology into a polyester fiber and required years of development work, but we are very satisfied with the end result,” says Volker Schuster, Technical Director of Outlast Europe GmbH, Heidenheim/Germany.

The newest member of the Outlast fiber family is a bi-component fiber for which already various patents are issued. Staple fibers are launched in market first, followed by filament fibers. The new fiber with temperature management aligns particularly well with underwear and other products worn next to skin such as socks, t-shirts, shirts and trousers.

The new Outlast® polyester fiber offers the added value of balancing temperature coupled with the characteristics of a conventional polyester fiber (e.g. low moisture absorption; ability to transport moisture; improved wrinkle resistance; superior light, water and wind resistance and an above average durability). The result is increased comfort–chilling and sweating are reduced due to optimum climate regulation.

Outlast® Technology
Outlast® technology was originally developed for NASA to protect astronauts from temperature fluctuations in space. Outlast® phase-change materials (PCMs) absorb, store and release excess body heat. The benefits of Outlast® Adaptive Comfort® products at a glance:

• Absorbs excess body heat
• Manages moisture
• Reduces overheating
• Reduces chilling
• Reduces perspiration
• Continuously adapts to thermal changes

Everybody’s sensitivity to temperature changes is different, which means everyone sweats or becomes chilled at different rates – quickly or slowly. The temperature corridor in which we feel comfortable is relatively narrow: when the body core temperature of 37°C fluctuates only 2°C upwards or downwards we are subject to fever or hypothermia. Here is where Outlast® products help. They reduce temperature swings and influence the comfort zone efficiently. The microclimate is well balanced – one sweats less and is less chilled. You feel not too hot, not too cold, but just right®.

Outlast
Outlast Technologies, Inc., a privately held U.S. corporation, is the worldwide leader in phase change materials and applications. Outlast® technology is the heat management technology originally developed for NASA that enables any textile to absorb, store and release heat. Outlast® technology proactively responds to changes in skin temperature to manage heat and reduce moisture for everyday comfort.

For over 20 years, Outlast has been committed to the development of new fibers, fabrics and coatings incorporating phase change materials, expanding the use of Outlast® technology across more than 200 brands and a multitude of products in apparel, footwear, bedding, packaging and labels, and accessories. For more information, please visit www.outlast.com.

Outlast®, Adaptive Comfort®, Thermocules™ and …not too hot …not too cold …just right® are trademarks of Outlast Technologies, Inc.

# # #

Contact:
Barbara Fendt
Marketing & PR
Outlast Europe GmbH
In den Seewiesen 26/1
D – 89520 Heidenheim . Germany
Phone: +49.7321.272 27 13
Fax: +49.7321.272 27 10
Mail: [email protected]
URL: www.outlast.com