Karl Mayer is benefiting from the growing trend towards sun protection materials

Karl Mayer has developed new sun protection materials that hit the nerve of the times like no other comparable product, reports the company. The innovative fabrics are produced on an HKS 2-S in the new fineness E 44 and guarantee an excellent UV protection factor (UPF) and unique wearing comfort.

In addition, the productivity of the HKS 2-S is almost perfect with a daily output of 200 kg of material. With this performance, the E 44 jersey machine meets new trends, especially in the outdoor fashion sector, and was a highlight at the Karl Mayer stand at the recently concluded ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024 in Shanghai.

“Our E44 Tricot machine and its products for the outdoor area, which are characterized by their excellent UVA protection, are generating great interest among trade fair visitors,” said Xu Ying, Regional Product Owner Tricot Machines at Karl Mayer (China ), during the fair.

This is not without reason, explains Karl Mayer. Temperatures continue to rise worldwide. In the summer of 2024, the Copernicus Climate Change Service recorded the hottest June, August and day on record.

Effective sun protection during outdoor activities is therefore becoming increasingly important, especially in mountain sports. When hiking, climbing or cycling, UV radiation increases by 2 to 3% with every meter of altitude. At an altitude of 2,000 meters there is already around 40% more electromagnetic radiation, adds Karl Mayer.

Sun protection products are therefore booming. The market for UV protection products in China is estimated to grow from $10.3 billion in 2023 to $95.8 billion in 2026. Sun protection clothing is particularly popular. On the e-commerce platform Taobao, sales of items from this segment for women in May 2024 amounted to a quarter of the total annual sales for 2023. So it’s no wonder that the HKS 2-S was available in E 44 with its exceptional products a top topic of the Karl Mayer lecture at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2024.

The smooth fabrics enable outdoor fashion in a completely new quality. Especially for outdoor activities, the fine warp knitted fabrics offer two decisive advantages compared to their circular knit counterparts with almost identical fabric weight: Their breathability is said to be around 30% higher, which significantly increases wearing comfort in terms of clothing physiology and should better absorb the sun’s UV rays . Due to the dense structure, the Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) is said to be more than twice as high.

The light textiles also show how a touch of luxury, such as that found in high-quality clothing, can bring zest to the outdoor area. The soft fabrics are smooth, cool and silky on the skin, do not wrinkle when worn and are very resistant to pilling. And they ensure a carefree stay outdoors, adds Karl Mayer.

Karl Mayer is looking forward to lively discussions about the development of new product ranges with his customers, but also with international sportswear brands. “We can promote communication and collaboration with brands. “We offer a comprehensive range of expertise and equipment to support the successful development and implementation of innovations in the textile sector,” says Rachael Higgins, Vice President Global Business Development at Karl Mayer.

www.karlmayer.com