#Textiles & Apparel / Garment

2021-01-28

More than 70 of the most outstanding new products in the sporting goods industry receive the seal of quality

Image credit: Munich Trade Fair Centre / Munich Trade Fair Centre

The results of the ISPO Award 2021 are in: As of now a total of 76 sports products bear the prestigious seal of quality for innovation and functionality in the sporting goods industry. A jury of international experts selected a total of 76 “Products of the Year,” “Gold Winners” and “Winners” from 250 submissions in the four segments of Snowsports, Outdoor, Running & Fitness and Urban Life. Six products were also awarded special recognition for their particularly sustainable concepts and ideas.

The highest award, “Product of the Year,” will first be announced during the official award ceremonies via live stream as part of ISPO Munich Online, from February 1 to 5, 2021. The Gold Winners, Products of the Year and Winners with the special Sustainability Achievement will be presented during the event in their own digital award showroom.

250 product submissions in four segments

76 prizes and special awards for sustainability

Award ceremony and digital showroom at ISPO Munich Online 2021

“Even in these particularly challenging times, product development didn’t come to a halt. We have got to know many innovative concepts all over again. One thing that has again been made clear is that awareness for sustainability topics within the industry has increased across the board. That’s why more and more manufacturers are committed to an advanced circular economy” said Jacqueline Eskandar, Senior Product Manager of ISPO Awards & Innovation at Messe München, summing up the most important findings from this year’s edition of the ISPO Award.

?Due to the prevailing coronavirus pandemic, the two-day jury meeting was held in a hybrid format for the first time – partly on site, partly by video call. A jury of 25 experts, consisting of representatives from retail, designers, product specialists and media representatives, selected winners from the 250 submissions in segment-specific teams. In addition to innovative nature, above all the assessment criteria included functionality, quality and choice of materials. Exceptional performance in terms of sustainability across all segments was honored accordingly with special prizes.

Grand stage for the awardees at ISPO Munich Online 2021

For maximum international visibility, the ISPO Award ceremony will take place as part of ISPO Munich Online 2021:

Tuesday, February 2, 3:30 p.m.: Snowsports

Wednesday, February 3, 3:00 p.m.: Running & Fitness, Urban Life

Thursday, February 4, 3:30 p.m.: Outdoors

All of the winning products can be experienced throughout the entire duration of ISPO Munich Online 2021 and all year round at ispo.com.

What the end consumers think: Premiere for the ISPO Public Choice Award

As part of the ISPO Award 2021, end consumers will also be involved for the first time and an additional public choice award will be presented: More than 70,000 members of the ISPO Open Innovation Community have been called upon to select their personal favorites from all of the Gold Winners. The product with the most votes will win and be honored with the first ISPO Public Choice Award, also at ISPO Munich Online 2021 on Friday, February 5.?Anybody can take part and cast their vote after registering in the community for free*. More information on the ISPO Award is available online.

*ISPO Open Innovation is an all-year platform on which enthusiastic athletes can actively contribute to the development of upcoming products with their know-how and their creativity via exclusive tests and surveys.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Next week’s focus: Intertextile Shenzhen & Yarn Expo Shenzhen fuse textile tradition with sustainable, digital trends

Fashion will not be left behind in one of the world’s undisputed tech and manufacturing capitals. Which is why next week, at Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics and Yarn Expo Shenzhen 2026, the organisers have made special efforts to integrate textile topics such as materials innovation, holistic sustainability, digitalisation and AI. Yet, from 9 – 11 June at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center, the platform also includes timeless tradition and heritage-inspired evolution in equal measure. Across both shows, over 600 exhibitors from 11 countries and regions are set to showcase everything from Peruvian alpaca wool fabrics to tea-derived fibres, while their fringe programmes will explore diverse solutions along the entire value chain.

DYNEEMA® and NP Aerospace advance personal protection for military servicewomen

Dyneema®, owned by Avient Corporation, an innovator of materials solutions, is supplying its high-performance unidirectional (UD) materials to world-leading armor manufacturer NP Aerospace, enabling the production of armor systems designed specifically to fit the female body. With 2,000 new armor systems, including 4,000 plates, made in the United Kingdom (UK) and delivered in June 2026, this collaboration addresses a long-standing lack of high-quality personal protection specially built for female defense and security personnel.

Textile Exchange publishes comprehensive polyester LCA study

Textile Exchange has released a new Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) study on polyester, providing detailed data on the environmental impacts of both virgin and recycled polyester production. The study aims to strengthen understanding across the fashion, textile and apparel industries and support more informed decision-making regarding polyester sourcing and production.

Keeping products moving with Swedish automation at FILTECH 2026

At FILTECH 2026, taking place in Cologne from June 30th to July 2nd, members of TMAS – the Swedish textile machinery association – will highlight how the country’s engineering expertise is enabling filtration manufacturers to increase productivity, improve traceability and reduce dependence on labour-intensive manual processes.