New Zealand-based TMC Ltd. has already marked itself out as one of the world's most exciting innovators in the high-performance fiber and apparel space with the advent of its Nuyarn spinning technology, but the company continues to move forward at rapid pace with the introduction of Herculan, a brand new and patented fiber that offers a groundbreaking balance between performance, durability and eco-friendly credentials.
Herculan is the result of five years of meticulous research, development and innovation and was created by evolving the machines that TMC uses for its Nuyarn fabrics, tweaking them to be able to work in conjunction with ultra-coarse wool fibers, the likes of which are typically reserved for carpets and upholstery rather than clothing. While this so-called carpet wool has traditionally been consigned to the landfill, TMC Ltd. is looking to change that with its new technology, which situates these fibers around a performance filament in order to create a yarn that offers unmatched abrasion-resistance.
On top of its exceptional ruggedness, Herculan also leaves both synthetic fibers and natural wool trailing in its wake when it comes to quick-drying capability, breathability, stretch and odor-resistance. Such a marvelous lineup of attributes on top of durability and fineness makes Herculan ideal for use in best-in-class outdoor apparel ranging from footwear and socks to jackets, pants and other apparel and gear.
"Herculan is the total package," said TMC Ltd CEO Andy Wynne in a news release. "We took an underutilized and overabundant natural fiber and turned it into a durable yarn to meet the abrasion demands that only synthetic fibers could previously meet, all while increasing the natural performance benefits of wool."
While the notion of utilizing carpet and upholstery wool for high-performance outdoor apparel may have sounded crazy at first, TMC Ltd has been rewarded for its vision and determination, with the Herculan high-performance fiber poised to eventually become a staple in the most premium, desirable and long-lasting sport and outdoor apparel.
Sustainable High-Performance Fibers
The 'Herculan' Fiber Repurposes Carpet Wool In Outdoor Apparel
Trend Themes
1. Eco-friendly High-performance Fibers - The development of Herculan fiber offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to create eco-friendly, durable and high-performance fibers from underutilized natural resources.
2. Repurposing Underutilized Wool Fibers - Herculan fiber's use of coarse wool fibers typically reserved for carpet and upholstery offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to repurpose underutilized wool fibers in apparel and other textile products.
3. Innovative Yarn Technology - The development of Herculan fiber through the evolution of Nuyarn spinning technology offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to create innovative yarn technologies for high-performance fabrics.
Industry Implications
1. Outdoor Apparel - Herculan fiber's durability, quick-drying capability, breathability, stretch, and odor-resistance properties offer a disruptive innovation opportunity to create high-performance outdoor apparel products with eco-friendly fibers.
2. Textile Manufacturing - The development of Herculan fiber through innovative yarn technologies offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to create sustainable, high-performance fibers that can meet the demands of the textile manufacturing industry.
3. Sustainability - The use of underutilized wool fibers in the creation of Herculan fiber offers a disruptive innovation opportunity to advance the sustainability efforts of various industries by reducing waste and repurposing natural resources.