At Taipei Innovative Textile Application Show (TITAS), an array of examples was presented to showcase the future of textile applications. We live in an era of breaking boundaries and defying stereotypes. Electronics no longer have to come in one fixed shape or form; they can now be soft, stretchable, or even take on liquid forms.

If you’ve primarily worked with hard materials, this is the time to get yourself familiar with the future potential offered by soft materials. With the evolution of e-textiles, integrating electronic components into soft forms will soon become as effortless as a snap of the fingers.

So, come aboard. Join me on this train ride toward the future of fabric!

The future of e-textiles

The development of e-textiles has come a long way. What sets e-textiles apart is their unique position at the intersection of soft goods and the application in electronics. As electronic components break free from fixed forms, the field unfolds endless creative opportunities!

Imagine a control panel wrapped around a steering wheel, leaving the display free for other functions. Imagine a body suit that monitors your heart rate and provides real-time health updates. Imagine an electronic that eliminates the need for a backlight but instead illuminates directly from its surface. But wait, some of these concepts are already happening! The e-textile industry is accelerating and about to revolutionize our lifestyle in many ways!

Opportunities: Explore the potential of applying flexible materials into your hardware designs. Similarly, for those specialize in soft goods, remember that they now possess the potential to function as electronics.

Download report for full content: CMF Report on Future of Fabric

Sustainable initiative

For textile manufacturers, sustainability has become a ticket to enter major trade shows like TITAS. You can find traces of it at almost every booth at TITAS. As sustainability practices become more common, they raise greater awareness and encourage companies and consumers to embrace the concept.

From eco-friendly sources like cacao shells to recycled plastics, various solutions exist to achieve sustainable textiles. In the realm of textiles, sustainability is no longer an option; it is a necessity.

Opportunities: There’s no time to delay! If you haven’t already, now is the time to board the sustainable train! To explore sustainable textile options, check out Sustainable CMF Report from Première Vision and consult with a Sustainable CMF Specialist to find the most suitable choice for your needs.

Download report for full content: CMF Report on Future of Fabric

Pre-treated yarn

Traditionally, fabrics were crafted from materials like wool or linen, which were then spun and dyed to create yarn. However, contemporary processes have evolved to transform diverse materials, such as PET, into fine yarn. This broadens the scope for pre-treated possibilities for the textile industry.

Consider fluorescent textiles as an example. They no longer necessitate screen-printing of colors. The use of fluorescent masterbatch allows the creation of yarn already infused with a neon glow, and be made into final products like safety vests. This pre-treatment approach not only eliminates the need for color printing but also enhances color stability and durability.

Opportunities: Imagine all the other visual effects that once required post-processing. There is a potential that they can now, or in the near future, be directly produced from masterbatch!

Download report for full content: CMF Report on Future of Fabric

Textile deco parts

It is not new but still the future! We are in an era of breaking boundaries, where the digital and physical worlds intertwines seamlessly, alongside electronics becoming soft goods. In this evolving landscape, the presence of soft decorative parts on hard goods, or vice versa, doesn’t seem much of a surprise.

Buckles, zippers, straps… commonly found on fashion accessories, are equally relevant across diverse industries. Particularly with the previously highlighted opportunities (e-textiles, sustainable and pre-treated textiles), making deco parts hold significant potential for applications in hard goods. Many deco parts are crafted from metal and plastic, making them easily adaptable to hardware products.

Opportunities: Consider their use in areas where you desire the product to stand out, such as branding, patterns, or customizable details across different SKU’s.

Download report for full content: CMF Report on Future of Fabric

AI-awaited future

Since the launch of Midjourney and ChatGPT last year, 2023 has become the year of exercising artificial intelligence in every part of our daily life. Numerous platforms and software products are readily available for your consideration.

By partnering with AI, consumers can now preview how a fashion piece will look on them; designers can enhance efficiency in creating designs and technical specs; brands and manufacturers can reduce the actual materials needed to create each piece of clothing. Efficiency, cost-effective, sustainability – these represent just a fraction of the benefits that AI brings to the future.

Opportunities: Embrace AI in areas where you perceive shortcomings, and allow AI to co-partner with you in those aspects.

Download report for full content: CMF Report on Future of Fabric

Download CMF Report on Future of Fabric