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2005-10-31
Revolutionary New Product Helps Asian Textile Market Service Global Brands
With consumers continuing to seek ways to simplify their lives and cut back on time-consuming domestic activities, Dow Fiber Solutions presents DOW XLA™ fibe--a revolutionary fiber-- the first and only stretch solution that can be combined with true non-iron finishes to create the ultimate shirt for today's busy lifestyles. This unique fiber is being distributed through Asian textile manufacturers and suppliers, helping them to differentiate and grow their businesses.
Dow Fiber Solutions is working in partnership with top Asian mills such as Lu Thai Textile Corporation, LTD. and TAL Corporation to produce non-iron stretch fabrics and garments made withDOW XLA, which are being purchased by global brands around the world. Stretch fabrics and garments made with the fiber are non-iron and retain their fit and shape -- even after multiple launderings.
Brad Miller, commercial director for Dow Fiber Solutions, said, "We are delighted to be partner-ing with Lu Thai and TAL to provide truly differentiated solutions for brands, retailers and consumers around the world. Research has shown that consumers don't like to iron and are seeking products that help simplify their lives. DOW XLA fiber is the perfect complement to easy-wear, easy-care textiles."
Lu Thai Corp. is the largest cotton yarn-dyed fabric producer in the world and one of the leading mills for woven production in Asia. Lu Thai fabrics partner with TAL non-iron garment technology to create these revolutionary non-iron stretch shirts.
Fujiwara San, senior advisor in charge of export business at Lu Thai, said, "Demand for our products with DOW XLA is strong and we have requests from many famous, global brands. We look forward to growing our relationship with Dow and developing future innovations."
DOW XLA fiber is the world's first olefin-based stretch fiber that is inherently resistant to harsh chemicals and high heat -- enabling it to be combined with true non-iron finishes. Other elastic fibers can't survive the process and chemicals required to become non-iron. DOW XLA is the only fiber that behaves perfectly in this environment and the only stretch fiber to allow achievement of a Durable Press (DP) rating of 3.5, even after 50 washing cycles. This rating defines a true non-iron fabric.
Dow Fiber Solutions presents DOW XLA™ fiber -- a revolutionary fiber -- the first and only stretch solution that can be combined with true non-iron finishes to create the ultimate shirt for today's busy lifestyles.
DOW XLA™ is the only stretch fiber to allow achievement of a Durable Press (DP) rating of 3.5, even after 50 washing cycles. This rating defines a true non-iron fabric.
DOW XLA™ Fiber: Product & Market Backgrounder
Product Overview
When Dow Fiber Solutions, a business unit within The Dow Chemical Company, launched DOW XLA™ fiber three years ago, it was drawing on more than 50 years of Dow leadership in polymer and material science to develop an industry-first, differentiated fiber that directly addresses the heat and chemical-related limitations of traditional stretch fibers.
DOW XLA fiber, based on INSITE™ technology from Dow, is a revolutionary stretch fiber that provides the freedom to break away from the status quo. This proprietary technology was one of two cited when Dow was awarded the distinguished National Medal of Technology by President George W. Bush in June of 2002. The technology includes both catalyst and process capabilities that, when combined, allow Dow to rapidly create unique polymers that meet the exact performance specifications that the market requires.
DOW XLA fiber is the first olefin-based stretch fiber to be successfully introduced to the global textile marketplace. The fiber, which possesses advanced molecular properties, is resistant to extreme chemicals and heat -- even temperatures up to 220C. These advanced capabilities offer several benefits to yarn and textile manufacturers since they enable DOW XLA fiber to withstand severe dyeing, bleaching, mercerizing, and garment washing conditions, and tolerate the thermosol dyeing process using standard conditions. Additionally, processors will appreciate that DOW XLA fiber can be chemically finished as the base 'rigid fiber'. These unique attributes result in a new level of innovative, differentiated, comfort stretch fabrics.
For example, DOW XLA CP fiber is the world's first stretch fiber that is Chlorine Proof™. It is inherently resistant to harsh chemicals, high heat and UV light-making DOW XLA CP fiber the premier choice for the swimwear market. While other products see deterioration with exposure to chlorine, DOW XLA CP fiber has the inherent properties needed to resistharsh chemicals for more than 1,000 hours -- or longer than the majority, host fiber -- providing the ultimate shape retention over time.
DOW XLA fiber is also the first olefin-based stretch fiber that can be combined with true non-iron finishes to create the ultimate shirt for the on-the-go consumer. It is resistant to harsh chemicals and high heat. Other elastic fibers don't survive the process and chemicals required to become non-iron.
DOW XLA is the only fiber that behaves perfectly in this environment and the only stretch fiber to allow achievement of a Durable Press (DP) rating of 3.5, even after 50 washing cycles. This rating defines a true non-iron fabric. In addition to eliminating many technical and economic processing hurdles, DOW XLA fiber can be engineered to produce fabrics that retain their shape and stretch performance even after repeated launderings. This results in a wider array of stretch clothing choices for consumers who seek soft-stretch and non-snap recovery comfort and durability in their clothing.
For circular, warp and seamless knit applications, DOW XLA fiber provides:
· Full range of stretch -- from performance to comfort
· Survival through multiple launderings with no appreciable loss of stretch
For swimwear, DOW XLA fiber provides:
· Chlorine-proofing as long as the majority fiber in the swimsuit can survive
· Resistance to the damaging effects of combined UV light and sunscreen
· Survival through multiple launderings with no appreciable loss of stretch
For ready-to-wear, DOW XLA fiber provides:
· DP rating of 3.5, even after 50 washings, providing a true non-iron finish
· Survival through multiple launderings with no appreciable loss of stretch, shape, texture or color
DOW XLA fiber is produced in Dow's manufacturing site in Tarragona, Spain, where the company opened a dedicated world-scale plant in October 2004. The new advanced fiber plant benefits from Dow's capability to develop proprietary, state-of-the-art technologies and has the capacity to serve fast-developing markets anywhere in the world.
The Market for Stretch Fiber
Like many industries, the textile value chain is challenged to contain costs while remaining on the cutting-edge of new product development. In a diversified, competitive apparel market, manufacturers, designers, and retailers are seeking textile products that offer processing advantages, as well as differentiation on the sales floor.
Until recently, the use of stretch fibers in garments containing cotton and polyester has been constrained, due largely to processing limitations and the inability of traditional stretch fibers to withstand polyester and cotton's normal processing conditions -- conditions which necessitate resistance to high heat and harsh chemicals. DOW XLA fiber has been designed to withstand these extreme conditions.
Fiber innovation is driven primarily by polymer and material sciences. Dow Fiber Solutions, drawing upon the global strength of Dow as a world leader in these sciences, is well positioned to introduce differentiated fibers -- such as DOW XLA fiber -- to the high-value stretch fiber segment.
About the Business and Company
Dow Fiber Solutions, a business unit of The Dow Chemical Company, is dedicated to pioneering innovations for the global textile industry by matching pro-active research and development expertise with the creative vision of retailers, designers, and manufacturers -- to meet consumer needs. The business has established a customer base in Europe, Asia/Pacific, the United States and South America to produce fabrics made with DOW XLA™ fiber.
Dow is a leader in science and technology, providing innovative chemical, plastic and agricultural products and services to many essential consumer markets. With annual sales of $40 billion, Dow serves customers in 175 countries and a wide range of markets that are vital to human progress: food, transportation, health and medicine, personal and home care, and building and construction, among others. Committed to the principles of sustainable development, Dow and its 43,000 employees seek to balance economic, environmental and social responsibilities. References to "Dow" or the "Company" mean The Dow Chemical Company and its consolidated subsidiaries unless otherwise expressly noted.
[Appendix] DOW XLA™ Fiber for the Ready-to-Wear Market: Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is DOW XLA fiber?
A: DOW XLA™ is the world's first olefin-based stretch fiber that is inherently resistant to harsh chemicals and high heat -- properties that provide benefits to the textile value chain and to the consumer. The move-with-you stretch can be engineered to provide desired stretch ranges from comfort to performance.
Q: What benefit does DOW XLA fiber offer the ready-to-wear market?
A: DOW XLA is the only stretch solution that can be combined with true non-iron finishes to create the ultimate shirt for the on-the-go consumer. It is the perfect complement to easy-wear, easy-care textiles. Additionally, DOW XLA fiber maintains the personality of the base fiber, allowing cotton to feel and breathe like cotton, wool like wool, performance fibers like performance fibers. Hand, drape and texture are not compromised.
Q: What makes DOW XLA fiber compatible with non-iron treatments?
A: It is olefin-based and inherently resistant to harsh chemicals and high heat. Other fibers don't survive the process and chemicals required to become non-iron. DOW XLA is the only fiber that behaves perfectly in this environment and the only stretch fiber to allow achievement of a Durable Press (DP) rating of 3.5, even after 50 cycles of washing. This rating defines a true non-iron fabric.
Q: Is DOW XLA the only non-iron stretch fiber compatible with non-iron finishes?
A: Yes. It is the only stretch solution that can be combined with true non-iron finishes. It is the perfect partner for wardrobe essentials for today's busy lifestyles. With its resistance to harsh chemicals and high heats, DOW XLA is the only stretch fiber to allow achievement of a DP rating of 3.5 even after continued use. Other stretch fibers are unable to achieve this outstanding DP rating and maintain it through many laundering cycles.
Q: What benefits does DOW XLA offer to the Asian textile market?
A: The opportunity to offer truly differentiated product at prices that global brands demand.
Q: What is DOW XLA fiber's direct benefit to consumers?
A: Ironing is one of consumers' least favorite activities. According to research in the U.S.,1 seventy-five percent of clothes are sent to the dry cleaners to remove wrinkles and odors, not to remove visible stains. By providing a fiber that textile companies can incorporate to create a shirt that offers true non-iron stretch, Dow Fiber Solutions offers consumers great convenience, without sacrificing fit or comfort.
Q: What is non-iron versus easy-care when defining the "finish" of a garment?
A: True non-iron fabric has a DP rating of 3.5 or higher which means that after five washing cycles, the fabric still must maintain a DP rating of at least 3.5. Easy-care fabrics have a DP rating of 3.0-3.4. DOW XLA fiber maintains a DP rating of 3.5 even after 50 washings, which means that clothes maintain their smoothness -- or desired durable press 'look' over time.
Source: Dow Europe GmbH, Dow Fiber Solutions
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