Horgen - October 24, 2005
Uniform manufacturers, laundry suppliers and leasing companies are looking for more durable, longer-lasting garments - to lower costs and positively affect the bottom line. At the same time, uniform and career apparel wearers are demanding more comfort and flexibility than current uniforms provide. To meet these demands, Dow Fiber Solutions introduces DOW XLA™ HTT - a revolutionary, high temperature tolerance fiber - the first and only stretch solution that is inherently resistant to the high heat and harsh chemicals used in industrial laundering, tunnel drying and dry cleaning.
DOW XLA HTT is the world's first olefin-based stretch fiber to withstand temperatures up to 220 degrees Celsius without compromising stretch performance. Uniform manufacturers, in the workwear and careerwear sectors, have begun producing garments with DOW XLA HTT fiber because the fabric withstands temperatures optimal for thermosol dyeing of polycotton and polywools, and maintains dimensional stability and stretch - all while providing lasting stretch performance through boil, UV, chemical and chlorine resistance.
"We are looking at DOW XLA HTT fiber as one key channel to increase our business," said Yacov Cohen, Chief Technology Officer at Polgat, which started developing careerwear fabrics with DOW XLA HTT in 2003. "DOW XLA HTT has soft stretch and excellent dimensional stability and durability - and unlike conventional stretch yarns, this fiber can be yarn dyed - shortening our lead time by two weeks."
"We are very pleased to be among the first to introduce both flexible and durable stretch in workwear," said Luc J. Perquy, Product Manager at Alsico. "DOW XLA HTT fiber allows us to offer our customers garments that possess the right combination of stretch and industrial wash- and dryability."
Durability, comfort and safety are factors that determine which uniforms a leasing company or laundry supplier will choose. That's why Utexbel, a textile mill, has been weaving with DOW XLA™ HTT fiber since 2003. According to Patrick Merchiers, "We wanted to offer our customers durable, high heat resistant fabrics that feel as comfortable as personal clothing. We realized that if we want workers to work effectively, the garments have to be comfortable and fit correctly."
In addition to the benefits to workwear manufacturers and other uniform suppliers, DOW XLA HTT provides valuable benefits to end users. An externally conducted wearer focus group shows that 100 percent of uniform-wearing participants, including food service, hospitality, airline, medical, laboratory and industrial plant workers, rank "comfort" and "not restricting" as the characteristics they seek most in their uniform - since wearers are in almost constant motion throughout the day. Further, participants feel they would be more productive during their workday if they had more comfortable, "move with you" garments. With DOW XLA HTT stretch and comfort - as well as long-lasting durability - is finally possible in uniforms.
Visitors to the Dow Fiber Solutions booth 3C42, hall 3, at the A+A Düsseldorf show have the opportunity to see workwear and careerwear fabrics containing DOW XLA HTT fiber.
For more information, please refer to the DOW XLA backgrounder or visit www.stretchforwork.com.
For Editorial Information:
Bettina Grabher
Dow Fiber Solutions
+41 44 728 2319
Amanda Willius
Porter Novelli
+1 617 897 8267
