The apparel industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by innovation in materials, demand for convenience, and data analytics and growing importance of technologies such as integration with new manufacturing techniques, artificial intelligence, and virtual and augmented reality. In the last three years alone, there have been over 2,600 patents filed and granted in the apparel industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Advanced materials in apparel: reflective fabrics. Buy the report here.
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According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which uses over 41,000 patents to analyze innovation intensity for the apparel industry, there are 20+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Reflective fabrics are a key innovation area in advanced materials
Reflective fabrics are fabrics that have been treated to increase their reflective properties, making them more visible in low-light conditions. Reflective fabrics are of two types – retroreflective fabrics and non-retroreflective fabrics. Retroreflective fabrics are used in safety clothing, traffic safety, and the fashion industry.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 60+ companies, spanning technology vendors, established apparel companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of reflective fabrics.
Key players in reflective fabrics – a disruptive innovation in the apparel industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to reflective fabrics
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Teijin is one of the leading patent filers in reflective fabrics. Teijin’s Nanofront uses ultra-fine polyester fibers to create lightweight fabrics that are designed to reflect heat from sunlight to keep the wearer cool in hot weather. Some other key patent filers in the space include Toray and Corteva.
In terms of application diversity, Teijin leads the pack, while Welspun and Mitsubishi Gas Chemical stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, Welspun held the top position, followed by Mitsubishi Gas Chemical and Albany International.
Reflective fabrics can be used to create fashionable yet functional clothing and accessories such as high-end jackets, and sporting gear, as well as to design biking equipment and professional safety apparel.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the apparel industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Apparel.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
