German Version
Cognis Textile Technology: focusing on functional textiles
The clothing market is a highly competitive one. Many retailers see functional textiles as a possible way of ensuring they continue to prosper in a saturated marketplace. By concentrating more on the active textiles market, drawing on the company’s expertise in the area of process aids for the textile industry as well as its years of experience in the cosmetics sector, the Textile Technology business unit of Cognis is well positioned to serve market demand.
Textiles with added functionalities justify higher margins, particularly for manufacturers of branded sports, outdoor and fashion clothing. However, consumers will only pay a premium price if they are convinced that these functionalities offer genuine added value. In a study conducted by the Bundesverband des Deutschen Textileinzelhandels in 2002, 60 percent of retailers believe that high-tech materials are a factor that will increase the value that consumers place on clothing. The functional textiles market is expected to grow strongly over the next few years in the USA, Germany and Japan, and indeed, the active sportswear market was already worth some 3 billion euros in 2002, in Europe alone. In China, experts expect sportswear to achieve crossover success in the general fashion market as a result of the 2008 Beijing Olympics, stimulating demand for active textiles.
As a result of these developments, the textile industry, and in particular manufacturers of fashion, outdoor and sportswear brands, are increasingly offering apparel with added functionalities. Cognis now offers four ingredient brands under the new “Active Textiles” label, with active ingredients derived from renewable natural raw ingredients. These make it easier for textile and fashion manufacturers to produce and market functional clothing:
- Skintex® is an innovative encapsulation technology that allows textiles to be treated with natural actives, so that clothing worn next to the skin (sportswear, tights, underwear etc) can offer caring, cooling or revitalizing. In tests conducted by an independent dermatological research institute, 67 percent of subjects were convinced of the effectiveness of Skintex, and 55 percent said they would buy products that used the Skintex treatment.
- Cyclofresh™ allows manufacturers to impregnate textiles with long-lasting fragrance molecules. Cyclofresh is particularly suited for use as a deodorizer in both sport and leisure wear.
- Securlana™ gives wool long-lasting pilling, color and form protection. Its effectiveness has been confirmed by an independent research institute.
- Repellan® provides fabrics with long-lasting protection against staining and water.
The innovations found in the Active Textiles range are the result of many years of research in the areas of cosmetics and textiles. Cognis is one of the leading manufacturers of process aids for the textile industry, and for decades has offered a range of products and solutions for every stage of the textile manufacturing process. It is also one of the world’s foremost suppliers of naturally derived raw ingredients to the cosmetic industry.
According to Martin Hampe, Vice President Textile Technology, “The importance of the finishing stage within the textile manufacturing process continues to increase, and this is why we have created the Active Textiles range. The development of our Ingredient Brand products draws on the extensive technological and process expertise we have accumulated."
About Cognis:
Cognis is a worldwide supplier of innovative specialty chemicals and nutritional ingredients. As at June 30, 2004, the company employed about 8,400 people, and it operates production sites and service centers in 30 countries. Cognis has dedicated its activities to a high level of sustainability and delivers natural source raw materials and ingredients for food, nutrition and healthcare markets, and the cosmetics, detergents and cleaners industries. Additionally, Cognis provides solutions for a number of other industries, such as coatings and inks, lubricants, textiles and plastics, as well as agriculture and mining.
Cognis is owned by private equity funds advised by Permira, GS Capital Partners, and Schroder Ventures Life Sciences. In 2003, Cognis recorded sales of 2.95 billion euros and an Adjusted EBITDA (earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items) of 312 million euros.
Contact:
Andrea Schamp, Global Marketing Textile Technology
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-8429
E-Mail: andrea.schamp@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com
Wulf Klüppelholz, Corporate Communications Manager
Cognis Deutschland GmbH & Co. KG
Phone: +49-211-7940-6679
E-mail: wulf.klueppelholz@cognis.com
Internet: www.cognis.com