Released on = June 2, 2007, 12:38 am

Press Release Author = Bharat Book Bureau

Industry = Marketing

Press Release Summary = Abstract/Report Summary
Business Update
Corporate restructuring
Corporate strategy
Mergers, acquisitions and divestments
Financial results
Investments
Joint ventures, cooperation and distribution

Press Release Body = Performance Apparel Markets - Issue 16

Abstract/Report Summary
Business Update
Corporate restructuring
Corporate strategy
Mergers, acquisitions and divestments
Financial results
Investments
Joint ventures, cooperation and distribution agreements
Markets
Mergers, acquisitions and divestments
Patent and trademark disputes
Trade fairs and conferences

Fast Track: environmental issues
We are investing in environmentally cleaner technology because it will increase our
revenue, our value and our profits ... Not because it is trendy or moral, but
because it will accelerate our growth and make us more competitive" said Jeff
Immelt, the chairman and chief executive officer of General Electric-one of the
world's largest companies. Growing pressure from consumer action groups and
governments, combined with growing consumer demand for "green" products, is forcing
other companies to consider their environmental impact too-including ones in the
textile industry. Harmful substances associated with textile production can have a
detrimental effect on human health or the environment. Consequently, the textile
industry is taking measures to eliminate or reduce the presence of these harmful
substances and finding ways to prove its environmentally-friendly credentials.

Product Developments and Innovations
Fabric treatments
Health promoting apparel
Performance footwear
Personal protective apparel
Smart fabrics
Sports apparel
Waterproof breathable technology
Wearable technology

Profile of Bemis
USA-based Bemis specialises in thermoplastic adhesives, coatings, tapes and
speciality film products which are designed to bond various materials together. The
company is small-but well known-and has remained privately owned since it was
founded. Its sales are growing, and are now approaching US$100 mn. Bemis's products
are found in a wide range of items, including bras, ski jackets, car headrests and
ready-to-assemble furniture. The company makes products for a variety of industries
but those designed for use in apparel with a seamless appearance have the greatest
market prominence.Bemis was originally founded in 1910 to make an adhesive base for
chewing gum. But soon afterwards it turned its attention to fabric coatings and
footwear adhesives. In 2002 it launched Sewfree film, which was made of elastic
polyurethane and designed specifically for stitch-free bonded garments. Sewfree is
capable of bonding almost any combination of fabrics and utilisation of the product
eliminates the need for sewing in garment construction. Originally, it was aimed at
the intimate apparel sector. But it also soon found favour in technical outerwear.
Exponential growth in Asia holds further opportunities for Bemis, but the company
can also expect more competition from this region. Bemis's response is to diversify
and look for alternative markets in which to apply its knowledge of adhesives.

Seamless Knitting
Apparel with a seamless appearance is gaining in popularity. The benefits-greater
comfort and durability, combined with reduced bulk-are finding favour in different
sectors of the apparel market, including performance apparel. In the performance
apparel sector there are two main reasons for the growing popularity of garments
with a seamless appearance. One is that close fitting active wear-such as running or
cycling apparel-needs to feel as smooth as possible when worn next to the skin in
order to minimise the possibility of chafing. The other reason is that technical
outerwear is becoming less bulky and more form-fitting while retaining the latest
advances in waterproof and breathable capability.

Apparel which has a seamless appearance is produced using two different approaches:
seamless knitting, and welding. Seamless knitting involves the production of a whole
garment in one piece on a knitting machine such that little or no sewing-up is
required. Welding involves the fusing together of layers of fabric by applying heat
and pressure-using technologies such as ultrasonic heating or high frequency
radiation. In addition, thermoplastic films or tapes-which are sometimes referred to
as adhesive films-are commonly used to reinforce the weld or to bond
non-thermoplastic materials such as cotton.

Using seamless knitting or welding, a garment without any stitched seams can be
made. Some commentators are going so far as to predict the gradual demise of the
needle and thread. But seamless and stitch-free seaming technologies still have some
way to go in terms of capability, quality control and market penetration before they
replace sewing.

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