Microfibres respond to a growing market demand for materials that offer a combination of comfort, ease of care, and style. Commanding a premium price in comparison with most traditional textiles, these high-tech fibres have not been created to compete with natural alternatives, even though the average thread diameter is less than that of the finest silk.

In markets like Europe, in which the purchase of polyamide microfibres has tripled in 6 years, extremely fine materials like Nylstar's Meryl microfibre play a key role - it is so fine that just 10kg of the fibre could be wrapped around the Equator.

Nylstar claims that, over recent years, Meryl has redefined the concept of clothing comfort, making garments the cornerstone of "well-being".

The Italian soccer-team's Kombat 2002 jerseys, designed by Kappa, were worn at the World Cup competition in Japan and Korea, and are one example of the high performance features of Meryl microfibre. The Kombat 2002 jersey was specially designed for the region's hot and humid climatic conditions. Nylstar claims extraordinary results with the new Meryl microfibre, which it says unites high-level technical performance with unsurpassable thermophysiological and sensory comfort.

The main features of Meryl Microfibre are:

Low specific weight. The reduced weight of Kombat 2002 is achieved with the intrinsic lightness of Meryl, and it is 20% lighter than polyester and 30% lighter than cotton.

The 2002 S/S Benetton Undercolors collection made with Meryl Skinlife

Fineness and thermal exchange. Every filament is approximately 10 microns in diameter. Therefore, the weave of a Meryl Microfibre fabric is made up of extremely fine threads, which means that every jersey contains almost 30 sq m of exchange surface (30 sq m for every kilogram), allowing for maximum thermal exchange. Moreover, the extremely fine filaments are an essential component for the sensorial ("tactile") comfort of the material.

Transfer of moisture: Meryl Microfibre accumulates and transfers moisture to the surface of the filaments, which is 5% of its weight. This ability, which is lacking in most other synthetic fibres (such as polyester and polypropylene), together with its ample exchange surface, allows it to easily absorb and transport perspiration without having to subject the fabric to chemical treatments.

Fast drying time. Liquids only accumulate on the surface of the Meryl Microfibre filaments rather than inside the thread (as occurs with cellulose fibres), which allows the fabric to quickly release perspiration. Therefore, Kombat 2002 dries four times more quickly than its cotton counterpart.

Durability. Meryl Microfibre is 10% more resistant to breakage than polyester and polypropylene. Each one of the filaments, which are approximately 10 microns in diameter, can sustain up to 6 grams. Therefore, Kombat 2002 easily meets the continual performance requirements of the playing field.

Over recent years, Nylstar's exclusive hollow fibre technique has also been one of the industry's most important technological innovations.

Meryl Nexten is the world's first hollow polyamide fibre. Thanks to the air contained inside each fibre, fabrics weigh 30% less than others of equal thickness. It can also be used to make "intelligent" garments that guarantee a constant microclimate regardless of the outside temperature.

Also noteworthy in the Meryl polyhedral family is the new entry Meryl Nateo, a microfibre with a crisper feel, like cotton, and greater volume, thanks to the use of a special finishing treatment. The swift movement of perspiration toward the surface helps Meryl Nateo to dry faster and protects the wearer from the cold sensation that results from evaporation both during and after athletic activity.

Meryl UV Protection is an extremely opaque microfibre that provides greater UVA and UVB protection than cotton and most other common, man-made fabrics. Comparative studies carried out with the Institut Textile de France, in compliance with the AZ/NZS 4399 norm of 1996, have shown that Meryl fabrics provide exceptional levels of protection.

Nylstar's Meryl Skinlife is the first bacteriostatic microfibre in 6.6. polyamide that maintains the natural bacteriological balance of the skin even during intense physical activity. The result of advanced polymer studies, conducted by Rhodia, it has a unique polymer matrix, which means the bacteriostatic effect remains a permanent characteristic of the clothing (it is present even after more than 30 washes).

Meryl Skinlife is said to be perfect for garments that remains in contact with the skin, like underwear, stockings, shoe liners, and athletic clothing, and it is also lends itself to a number of uses in the paramedic and industrial clothing sectors.

Lastly, Meryl has achieved notable success in the seamless sector. This fast-expanding sector unites the lightness, hand, and performance of Nylstar microfibre with the sleekness of a seamless garment that fits like a second skin.

Meryl is currently the leader for seamless fibre technology in Europe. Moreover, for those companies that are experimenting with seamless, Nylstar claims to offer the qualities of microfibre with the largest product range and selection, which allows clients to better respond to the numerous needs of the final consumer. An important example of seamless technology is the 2002 S/S Benetton Undercolors collection made with Meryl Skinlife.

Textile Horizons - November 2002