Abstract
Clothing with anti-odour properties is one of the fastest growing segments of
the performance apparel market - reflecting the desire of consumers for
hygiene, freshness and a general sense of well-being. Moreover, in certain
apparel categories - including sportswear, underwear, socks and footwear
linings - antimicrobial finishing is rapidly becoming a standard treatment.
Most anti-odour technologies for clothing are based on chemical treatments or
the presence of silver, which has inherent antibacterial properties. However,
the use of natural anti-odour materials, such as bamboo fibre, is rising at
the expense of more established technologies, reflecting growing demand among
consumers for eco-friendly products.
Over the past five years, new technologies have emerged which hold the promise
of delivering more effective protection against odour in clothing. In
particular, advances in nanotechnology have led to the introduction of fabrics
containing silver nanoparticles, and these are penetrating the market rapidly.
Such fabrics have been widely embraced by sportswear manufacturers although
environmentalists have raised concerns about their effects on the environment
and human health.
Amid these concerns, researchers and scientists are stepping up efforts to
devise a method of producing self-cleaning apparel which would eliminate the
need for laundering and antimicrobial finishing. However, it is likely to take
some time before such apparel reaches mainstream consumers.
In the meantime, as anti-odour clothing is regarded as a luxury rather than a
necessity, the market may struggle to grow over the next two or three years as
a result of the economic slump.
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