E‑soft-shell
Electrically heated clothing which makes it possible for us to stay pleasantly warm in winter has long been a dream of the textiles industry. Projects in this field have hardly made it beyond the development and trial phase hitherto. But now Schoeller Textil has created E-soft-shell, a material that makes this utopia a reality. E-soft-shell is a laminate consisting of bi-elastic tissue, machined lining and a functional corkshell coating. The heating technology is integrated with the fabric in a diamond-shaped geometrical pattern. It is based on metallic yarns, making it possible for the material to be evenly heated at standard voltages. The fabric is designed to be sold off the roll, and can be cut up without affecting the embedded technology. It is suitable above all as clothing for outdoor activities or motor cycling – but applications in the fashion or wellness worlds could also come into consideration.
Comments of the nominators
An exemplary textile development that meets high technological standards, and could have considerable economic potential. E-soft-shell has an impressive lightness and elasticity, is surprisingly thin and promises to be very comfortable to wear. This textile clearly extends the possibilities of garment design in both functional and aesthetic respects.
Comments of the jury
Electrically heated clothing has undoubtedly been a longstanding dream of humanity, and it has been a challenge with which a great many textile specialists have grappled in recent years. Now Schoeller Textil, a company specialising in functional textiles, has succeeded in coming up with a global innovation: a material suitable for garment design which could make this dream come true for many people in the near future. This achievement demonstrates yet again the expertise and innovative strength of the Swiss textiles industry. E-soft-shell is a technically sophisticated material, which in view of its specific properties can find a place in many different categories of clothing, and so possesses considerable market potential.
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