The majority of people, when you say comfort, automatically think of the weight of the cloth or the hand feel. Nevertheless, consumers no longer find these qualities to be satisfactory in sufficient quantities. The use of lightweight materials can only do so much to protect us from overheating in an environment where average temperatures throughout the world are growing. Soft materials don’t always provide the finest support. The bottom line is that in order for companies to keep up with shifting needs and guarantee that they remain on top, they need to embrace more comprehensive approaches to the concept of comfort.
As a direct result of this, a number of well-known sportswear companies have begun using functional materials. Because of the structure of the fabric or the chemical qualities of the yarn, they provide additional benefits to the person who is wearing them, such as wicking away sweat. Pailung, a producer of knitting machines based in Taiwan, is one of the companies that is helping to propel the trend of practical cloth while also integrating it with aesthetics. It debuted its AlterKnit knitting technique in June at ITMA 2023, which is the biggest textile equipment exposition in the world. The reception it received from major clothing manufacturers was very positive.
Because it knits different colours together in one step, AlterKnit is hailed as a game-changer because it produces patterned textiles while also lowering energy usage by removing finishing tasks like splicing and stitching. This results in materials that are silky to the touch and very breathable. However, something that is just as astounding but not as well recognized is the fact that AlterKnit is also capable of producing useful materials.
The functional fabric produced by AlterKnit not only increases the wearer’s level of comfort but also contributes to an increase in their level of athletic performance. For instance, it is capable of using elastic yarn in order to generate textiles that are stretchy and flexible. Pailung is poised to dominate the athletic and athleisure categories, especially those pertaining to football, running, and gym apparel, by fusing designs that are not only colourful but also functional and environmentally friendly.
