Innovative Nano voided polyester fibres creating the next generation of lightweight textiles

自20世纪80年代以来，全球对产业用纺织品的需求一直在快速增长，2014-2019年将继续以18.20%的复合年增长率增长。表现出上级性能的产品将增长最快，这可能是由于生产商能够根据特定应用（运输、医疗、运动、包装）定制化学和功能特性。技术纺织品进一步发展的最大机会之一在于能够在多功能纺织品中实现更大的轻量化，同时保持强度、耐用性和舒适性。由于功能之间的权衡，很少有纺织品能够实现这一点-随着重量的减少，强度通常会牺牲。实现聚酯轻质化的主要方法（纺织品中最广泛使用的合成聚合物）目前是中空纤维生产（HFP），这导致横截面积减小=>拉伸强度、顶破强度和耐磨性降低。为了抓住这一重大商机，（2012年全球产业用纺织品市场为1340亿英镑），Void Technologies Limited（VOID）正在寻求进一步开发其新颖的、多项专利的工程纳米蜂窝，复合材料（ENC）将纳米细胞结构（空隙）设计到聚合物中，以定制和增强产品性能：-与标准聚酯纤维相比，纤维重量减少30%-与聚酯纤维相比，纤维强度增加10%-多功能性能，包括：增强隔热性、透气性和舒适性-与标准聚酯相比，每根纤维的聚酯含量减少了约30%。在项目期间，ENC将在聚酯上进行演示，因为聚酯是运动/户外服装中纺织品的主要材料。（市场规模194亿美元）&航空航天/汽车（市场规模295亿美元）行业;由于规模可观的业务机会而被选为初始目标& VOID的既定市场路线，预计将于2017年第三季度进入市场。

Global demand for technical textiles has been increasing rapidly since the 1980s & willcontinue to grow at a CAGR of 18.20% from 2014-2019. Growth will be greatest in productsshowing superior performance, likely to be delivered by producers’ ability to tailor chemical& functional characteristics to specific applications (transport, healthcare, sport, packaging).One of the biggest opportunities for further advancements in technical textiles lies within theability to deliver greater lightweighting in multifunctional textiles whilst maintaining strength,durability & comfort. Few textiles are able to achieve this due to a trade-off betweenfunctionalities - as weight decreases, strength is normally sacrificed. The primary method toachieve lightweight polyester (the most widely used synthetic polymer in textiles) is currentlyhollow fibre production (HFP), which leads to a reduction in cross-sectional area => reducingtensile strength, bursting strength & abrasion resistance.To address this major business opportunity (Global Technical Textiles market £134bn in2012), Void Technologies Limited (VOID) are seeking to further develop their novel,multiple-patented Engineered, Nano-Cellular, Composite (ENC) which engineers nanocellularstructures (voids) into polymers to tailor & enhance product performance:- Reduction in weight of the fibre by 30% compared to standard polyester fibre- Increased strength of the fibre by 10% compared to polyester- Multifunctional performance incl. enhanced thermal insulation, breathability & comfort- Reduced amount of polyester per fibre by ~30% compared to standard polyesterDuring the project the ENC will be demonstrated on polyester as this is the principle materialused for textiles within the sports/outdoor apparel (market size $19.4bn) &aerospace/automotive (market size $29.5bn) sectors; chosen as initial targets due to sizeablebusiness opp & VOID’s established route to market, Market entry expected in Q3 2017.