Textiles Are Changing, What About Us?
In the past, our wardrobes were filled with cotton t-shirts, wool sweaters, and linen trousers. Today, synthetic fabrics, functional textiles, and recycled materials dominate the fashion world. 7 out of 10 garments we purchase today contain synthetic fibers entirely or partially!
How Did This Transformation Begin?
Thanks to fast fashion, sustainability, and sportswear trends!
🎯 Changes in Numbers:
📌In 1975, 75% of textile production consisted of natural fibers, whereas today this rate has dropped below 30%.
📌By 2025, the sportswear market is expected to reach $450 billion, as people now seek both comfort and style.
📌In 2023, polyester accounted for 54% of the textile market, whereas in the 1980s, this was only around 20%.
💡 The rise of synthetic textiles in the fashion world is reflected not only in brands but also in celebrity choices. Lady Gaga's latex gowns on the red carpet, Kendall Jenner’s sheer polyester dresses, Billie Eilish’s sustainable collections, and brands like Nike, Adidas, and Patagonia producing collections from recycled PET bottles… All of these point to a shift from natural fibers to synthetic and functional fabrics.
How Did New Fabric Technologies Enter Our Lives?
While cotton, wool, and silk were once the primary choices, today we have much more technical and functional fabrics. Here are some of the key fabric technologies:
✔Polyester & Recycled Polyester (rPET): Durable, lightweight, quick-drying, and a sustainable alternative.
✔Elastane (Spandex/Lycra): Indispensable for flexibility and comfort! Commonly used in sportswear and yoga outfits.
✔Polyamide (Nylon): High-strength, water-resistant, and lightweight. Frequently used in windproof and waterproof sports jackets.
✔Technical and Smart Fabrics: UV-protected, water-repellent, temperature-regulating, or sweat-resistant fabrics are now part of our daily lives.
✔Hybrid Fabrics: Innovative blends of natural and synthetic fibers, such as cotton-polyester and modal-viscose combinations.
More than 50% of the garments we put in our washing machines today are entirely or partially made of synthetic or blended fabrics. Polyester, spandex, polyamide, and functional fibers require specialized chemical treatments not only for washing but also for maintenance.
Have Our Chemical Solutions Evolved?
In a world where fabrics have transformed so dramatically, are we still using the same conventional chemical solutions?
Using the same fabric softener for a polyester sports legging and a cotton shirt is an outdated practice from 20 years ago! Synthetic fabrics don’t require conventional esterquat-based softeners.
To enhance the longevity of synthetic fabrics, preserve their performance, improve texture and feel, prevent color fading, and minimize static charge, our chemical solutions must also evolve.
Will we continue using outdated solutions in changing textile trends, or will we differentiate with innovative chemical solutions tailored for next-generation textiles?
Now is the time to develop solutions together! 🚀
Expectations are endless, of course, but let's talk about the essentials:
Synthetic fabrics are increasingly preferred in everyday fashion and sportswear. However, due to their unique physical and chemical properties, they require special care and protection. So, what are the top expectations from synthetic fabrics? Here are the key aspects!
✔ Breathability & Sweat Management: Synthetic fabrics are typically hydrophobic, meaning they do not absorb water, leading to discomfort caused by trapped sweat. However, when given a hydrophilic structure, fabrics can quickly wick away moisture, improve air permeability, prevent odors, and enhance comfort levels.
✔ Silkiness & Smooth Feel: Some synthetic fabrics may feel stiff or plasticky. Particularly in polyester and polyamide fabrics, achieving surface smoothness creates a silky touch. This also reduces friction against the skin, ensuring a more comfortable wearing experience.
✔ Elasticity & Shape Retention: Especially in sportswear (leggings, tights, sports t-shirts, yoga outfits), fabric elasticity is crucial. Over time, elastic fabrics may loosen, sag, or deform at the knees and elbows. Applying chemical treatments that enhance "bouncing" elasticity helps retain shape for extended wear.
✔ Wrinkle-Free & Memory Fabrics: Synthetic fabrics thin out and become glossy when ironed at high temperatures. However, with memory textile surfaces, fabrics can "remember" applied pressure and return to their original form. This means they stay wrinkle-free, require no ironing, and maintain a smooth appearance for longer.
✔ Heat Protection Barrier & Surface Durability: Durability is crucial for sportswear, street fashion, and everyday clothing. The right chemical application creates a protective barrier on the fabric surface, increasing resistance to heat and friction. This prevents synthetic fabrics from thinning out or becoming glossy over time.
Breathable, Protective, and Elasticity-Enhancing Special Care Solution!
As synthetic fabrics dominate activewear, sports clothing, and daily fashion, maintaining their elasticity, breathability, and durability in the long term has become a significant challenge. Standard fabric softeners merely provide temporary effects on the fabric’s surface, failing to meet the specialized needs of modern synthetic textiles.
At Latro Kimya, we developed the "Breathable Protective Care" formulation, an innovative solution designed to extend the lifespan of synthetic fabrics, maintain elasticity, and maximize comfort.
🔬 Chemical Composition & Key Ingredients:
✔ Charma Hill → Protects polyester and synthetic fabrics, enhances elasticity, and preserves fabric shape for extended wear.
✔ Charma Self → Increases breathability, allowing air to circulate freely and preventing sweat entrapment within the fabric.
✔ Thickener TK 900 → Enhances formulation stability, ensuring long shelf life.
✔ Maxant PWR → Prevents excessive foaming, delivering optimal performance in washing machines.
✔ Procide NEP → Prevents microbial growth, prolonging product lifespan.
✔ Acetic Acid → Optimizes pH balance, ensuring fabric-friendly treatment.
💡 This special formula is designed for polyester and elastane-based sportswear, leggings, yoga outfits, windproof garments, and flexible textile products!
⚙️ How Is It Produced?
This formulation, manufactured using a cold process method, reduces both energy costs and environmental impact.
- Add water to the main tank and start mixing at a low speed.
- Add Charma Hill and Charma Self, ensuring homogeneous distribution.
- Incorporate the thickener and defoamer to improve stability.
- Adjust the pH by adding an acidic regulator.
- Finally, add preservatives and optional fragrance or color pigments.
📌 The final product can be formulated with 50% active ingredients, reducing the amount of product needed in washing machines by 1/10.
♻️ Environmental & Economic Advantages
💰 Energy Savings: Cold-process production reduces energy consumption by 30-40%.
🌍 Reduced Plastic Waste: More concentrated formulas lead to up to 50% less packaging consumption.
🧺 Lower Chemical Usage: Requires 10 times less product per wash than standard fabric softeners, making it both cost-effective and eco-friendly.
🚀 Extends Fabric Lifespan: Maintains elasticity and shape, keeping garments looking new for longer.
🌟 At Latro Kimya, we continue to lead the industry with innovative solutions that keep up with modern textiles!
🎯 Will you stick to outdated solutions in a changing textile world, or will you differentiate with next-generation fabric care solutions? 🚀