Water-Repellent Functional Textiles

Water-Repellent Fabric

Water-repellent fabric is treated with a special surface finish that lowers the surface energy of the fibers, causing water to bead up and roll off instead of being easily absorbed. Unlike fully waterproof fabrics, water-repellent treatments generally do not completely block the fabric’s pores, helping maintain breathability and wearing comfort. This technology is widely used in outdoor apparel, jackets, sportswear, workwear, and other functional textiles.

Water Repellency Evolution: C8 → C6 → C0 / Fluorine-Free

Traditional C8 long-chain fluorinated DWR provides excellent water, oil, and stain repellency. However, due to environmental concerns associated with long-chain PFAS, including PFOA, C8 technology has been subject to strict regulatory restrictions in the European Union and other major markets.

The textile industry subsequently shifted toward C6 short-chain fluorinated DWR. C6 technology can maintain excellent water repellency and provide a certain level of oil repellency, but it is still based on fluorinated chemistry. Therefore, C6 does not necessarily mean PFAS-free or automatically compliant with current and future environmental regulations.

The EU has introduced further restrictions on PFHxA, its salts, and PFHxA-related substances. For consumer clothing, related accessories, and footwear, relevant restrictions will apply from October 10, 2026. Exporters to the EU should therefore carefully verify that their DWR chemicals and finished fabrics comply with the latest REACH requirements.

Today, the textile industry is increasingly moving toward C0 / Fluorine-Free DWR. Modern fluorine-free technologies can provide very good water repellency while reducing concerns associated with PFAS-based treatments. Although oil repellency is generally lower than that of C6 or C8 systems, fluorine-free DWR represents an important direction for more sustainable functional textiles.

The evolution from C8 to C6 and ultimately to C0 reflects the textile industry’s transition from performance alone toward a better balance of performance, environmental responsibility, and regulatory compliance.

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Wrinkle-Resistant Functional Textiles

 

Wrinkle-Resistant Fabric

Wrinkle resistance is an important performance characteristic of apparel and functional textiles. Its primary purpose is to reduce wrinkles and creases caused by wearing, washing, folding, or prolonged use, helping garments maintain a smooth and neat appearance while improving comfort, convenience, and overall product quality.

Wrinkles generally occur when fibers are bent or compressed by external forces, causing changes in their internal molecular structure and preventing them from quickly returning to their original shape. Fibers such as cotton, rayon, and viscose tend to wrinkle more easily, while polyester fibers offer better elasticity and shape recovery, giving them naturally superior wrinkle-resistant properties.

Common wrinkle-resistant technologies include resin finishing, crosslinking finishing, fiber blending, yarn engineering, and fabric construction design. These methods improve the fabric's ability to recover after compression or folding. Appropriate finishing treatments can further enhance easy-care and non-iron performance, making garments easier to maintain in everyday use.

Wrinkle resistance can be evaluated through various testing methods, including wrinkle recovery angle, appearance after laundering, and dimensional stability. A high-quality wrinkle-resistant fabric should not only provide effective crease recovery but also maintain softness, breathability, wash durability, and wearing comfort.

Wrinkle-resistant fabrics are widely used in shirts, suits, uniforms, trousers, dresses, workwear, and travel apparel. They are particularly suitable for today's apparel market, where consumers increasingly value garments that combine a neat appearance with durability, easy maintenance, and everyday convenience.

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Waterproof & Breathable Functional Textiles

 Waterproof & Breathable Fabric

Waterproof and breathable fabrics are important materials for outdoor apparel and functional textiles. Their primary function is to prevent external rainwater from penetrating while allowing body moisture and water vapor to escape, helping the wearer stay dry and comfortable in rainy weather, during physical activities, or in high-humidity environments.

Common waterproof and breathable technologies include laminating PU (Polyurethane) or TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) waterproof breathable membranes onto woven or knitted fabrics. Special coating technologies can also be applied to create a waterproof barrier. These structures effectively block liquid water from the outside while allowing moisture vapor generated by perspiration to pass through the fabric, reducing heat and moisture buildup inside the garment.

The fabric surface can also be treated with a DWR (Durable Water Repellent) finish, which causes rainwater to bead up and roll off the surface, reducing water absorption and further enhancing outdoor performance.

The performance of waterproof and breathable fabrics is commonly evaluated by Hydrostatic Pressure for waterproofness and MVTR (Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate) for breathability. By selecting different fabric constructions, membranes, coatings, and finishing technologies, waterproofness, breathability, wash durability, and softness can be customized according to customer requirements.

Waterproof and breathable fabrics are widely used in outdoor jackets, hiking wear, ski wear, rainwear, sportswear, and functional workwear.

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Moisture-Wicking & Quick-Dry Functional Textiles

Moisture-Wicking & Quick-Dry Fabric

Moisture-wicking is an important technology in functional textiles. Its primary function is to quickly transfer perspiration generated during physical activity or in hot environments away from the skin to the outer surface of the fabric, where it spreads over a larger area and evaporates more rapidly, helping the wearer stay dry and comfortable.

The key mechanism is capillary action, created by the structure of the fibers and fabric. Special-shaped polyester fibers, multi-channel fibers, or specially engineered yarn structures can create numerous microscopic channels that efficiently transport moisture through the process of absorption → transfer → spreading → evaporation. Hydrophilic moisture-management finishes can also be applied to conventional polyester fabrics to improve their moisture-wicking and quick-drying performance.

The performance of moisture-wicking fabrics should not be evaluated solely by how quickly they absorb water. More importantly, moisture should move rapidly away from the skin-contact surface and spread efficiently across the outer surface of the fabric. Performance can be evaluated using the AATCC 195 Moisture Management Test, which measures parameters such as wetting rate, spreading speed, one-way transport capability, and Overall Moisture Management Capacity (OMMC).

In product development, moisture-wicking performance can be combined with other functional properties such as stretch, antibacterial performance, odor control, UV protection, and cooling effects. These fabrics are widely used in sportswear, T-shirts, polo shirts, yoga wear, outdoor apparel, workwear, and functional underwear.

With the continued growth of the athleisure and outdoor performance apparel markets, moisture-wicking technology has evolved from an added-value feature into an important performance requirement for modern functional apparel fabrics.

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Electromagnetic Interference (EMI) Shielding Textiles

With the rapid development of 5G, Wi-Fi, smartphones, computers, and various wireless electronic devices, the demand for functional textiles with electromagnetic shielding properties has been steadily increasing. EMI shielding fabrics utilize conductive materials and specially designed textile structures to reflect, absorb, and shield electromagnetic waves within specific frequency ranges.

Common technologies include the use of silver fibers, copper fibers, and stainless steel fibers, as well as metal coatings, conductive coatings, and conductive yarns. These materials can be incorporated into woven, knitted, or composite structures to produce functional fabrics for a wide range of applications.

The electromagnetic shielding performance of a fabric is generally evaluated by its Shielding Effectiveness (SE), expressed in decibels (dB). A higher SE value indicates greater electromagnetic shielding performance under specified frequencies and testing conditions. Therefore, professional EMI shielding products should not only provide SE values but also clearly indicate the frequency range, testing method, and applicable testing standard to ensure an accurate and objective evaluation of their shielding performance.

EMI shielding textiles can be used in protective workwear, curtains, interior decoration, electronic equipment protection, specialized industrial applications, and certain medical environments. In addition to effective electromagnetic shielding, high-quality EMI shielding fabrics should also provide a good balance of softness, breathability, washability, durability, and processability.

Future developments in EMI shielding textiles will focus on lighter weight, higher shielding effectiveness, improved wash durability, and greater comfort, achieving an optimal balance between advanced functionality and the practical performance expected from modern textile products.

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Common Antimicrobial and Deodorizing Methods for Textiles

Textile antimicrobial and deodorizing technologies can effectively inhibit bacterial growth, break down odors, and prevent the growth of mold and fungi, thereby improving fabric freshness, hygiene, and comfort.

1.Silver-Ion Antimicrobial Treatment: Disrupts bacterial metabolism and inhibits bacterial growth, thereby reducing perspiration odors. However, it cannot directly break down persistent odor molecules, and its effectiveness may decline after repeated washing or as the active substances are gradually depleted.

 

2.Quaternary Ammonium Antimicrobial Treatment: Uses positively charged compounds to damage bacterial cell membranes. It acts quickly and is relatively cost-effective, while its wash durability depends on how firmly the antimicrobial agents bond to the fibers.

 

3.Copper-Based Antimicrobial Treatment: Releases copper ions and generates reactive oxygen species that damage cell membranes and proteins. It is effective against various bacteria and molds but may cause fabric discoloration.

 

4.Zinc Oxide Antimicrobial Treatment: Inhibits microorganisms through metal ions and reactive oxygen species, providing antibacterial, antifungal, and UV-protection properties. If the particles are not firmly fixed to the fibers, effectiveness may decrease after washing.

5.Photocatalytic Antimicrobial Treatment: Generates reactive oxygen species under light exposure to break down bacteria, certain odor molecules, and organic contaminants. Its effectiveness depends on light intensity and the conditions of use.

 

6.Natural Polymer Antimicrobial Treatment: Uses positive charges to interfere with bacterial cell membranes and generally offers good biocompatibility. However, when used alone, its antimicrobial strength and wash durability are usually lower.

 

7.Adsorptive Deodorization: Adsorbs odor molecules and reduces their release into the air. It does not directly kill bacteria, and its effectiveness decreases once the material reaches its adsorption capacity.

 

8.Reactive Oxygen Antimicrobial Treatment: Uses oxygen and moisture in the surrounding air to generate reactive oxygen species. It can simultaneously inhibit bacteria, break down persistent odor molecules, and suppress the growth of mold and fungi, providing more comprehensive protection.

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Textile-to-Textile Recycling

As the European Union advances its Sustainable and Circular Textiles Strategy, the global textile industry is rapidly transitioning toward a circular economy. Future sustainability requirements will no longer focus solely on recycled polyester made from PET bottles; instead, greater emphasis is being placed on Textile-to-Textile recycling, where discarded garments are recycled into new textile products.

According to the EU's roadmap, by 2030, textile products sold in the European market are expected to contain approximately 20%–30% recycled content, supported by comprehensive traceability and verification systems. This will bring significant changes to global textile supply chains.

Taiwan benefits from a well-established textile supply chain and strong expertise in functional fabrics. However, there is still room for improvement in textile recycling technologies and the supply of recycled textile materials. Future competitiveness will depend on advancements in circular recycling technologies, material sorting capabilities, and low-carbon manufacturing.

For Taiwan's textile industry, this trend presents not only challenges but also new business opportunities. Companies that invest early in Textile-to-Textile recycling technologies and sustainable product development will be better positioned to meet international brand requirements, enhance product value, and strengthen Taiwan's role in the global market for high-performance and sustainable textiles.

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