ISPO provides push for innovation, 3M says
One of the companies whose technology features in the latest ISPO Textrends Top Ten Award, 3M, has said the forward-looking nature of these awards helps bring innovation into sports and outdoor products.
The latest top-ten list features technologies that the ISPO jury believes will be in demand by finished product brands for the autumn-winter 2023-2024 season.
It includes 3M Thinsulate’s Xerogel Insulation, which the company describes as an ultralight, solid insulation material, particularly suitable for use in boots and gloves. It has a porous structure that can inhibit air circulation, making it effective in retaining warmth while preserving a high level of breathability. Of the fibres 3M uses to make Xerogel, 60% are recycled.
An initial announcement about the technology came from the company in May 2021 and it launched Xerogel Insulation in November. However, its global director for research and development, Mike Mandanas, said he welcomed inclusion from the ISPO Textrends jury in its list of top ideas for autumn-winter 2023-2024.
He said the sell-cycle for a product like Xerogel Insulation is 18 months and that the work organisations such as ISPO do to highlight good ideas ahead of each cycle helps push innovation into the market.
“ISPO is excellent when it comes to spotting the products that are going to make an impact on the market,” Mr Mandanas added, “and we’re honoured they recognised the potential of Xerogel Insulation to revolutionise performance apparel and footwear.”
