(Andover, Mass.) - December 17, 2019 - ​Polartec®​, the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions, is proud to receive a 2019 R&D 100 Award for ​Polartec® Power Air™​, the first fabric technology engineered to reduce fiber shedding. Honoring the latest and best innovations since 1963, the R&D 100 Awards identify the top revolutionary technologies introduced to the market in the past year.

Polartec® Power Air™ is an innovative new platform offering advanced thermal efficiency by encapsulating lofted fibers within a multilayer, continuous yarn fabric construction. Insulation that effectively regulates core body temperature has traditionally been achieved via lofted or high-pile knit structures that hold warm air. Although Polartec® is a leader in making resilient materials, it has recognized that any exposed fiber is susceptible to shedding as a function of normal wear.

As the first fabric construction to encase air with a continuous yarn, initial versions of Polartec® Power Air™ are proven to shed at least five times less than other premium ‘mid-layer’ weight fabrics. The foundational technology platform will eventually provide shedding reduction to all existing apparel categories (including insulation, lightweight next to skin, and extreme weather protection).

"It’s a great honor to receive a R&D 100 Award," says Steve Layton, President of Polartec®. "Polartec® Power Air™ is a step forward in reducing the environmental impact of what we make and wear, and it’s also a whole new experience with its distinctive aesthetics and drag-free, lively performance."

The R&D 100 Awards have served as the most prestigious innovation awards program for the past 56 years, providing accolades for great R&D pioneers and their revolutionary ideas in science and technology. Honoring the top technologies of the past year, winners are selected for one of six categories. This year, Polartec® Power Air™ won for the Mechanical/Materials category.

"These 100 winning products and technologies are the disruptors that will change industries and make the world a better place in the coming years," says Paul J. Heney, Vice President, Editorial Director for R&D World.

This year’s R&D 100 winners will be recognized at the annual black-tie awards dinner, to be held on December 5th at the San Mateo Marriott in San Francisco.

Polartec® Power Air™ has received numerous awards around the world for its breakthrough future fabric construction technology. Now including the R&D 100 Award, a full list of recognitions is below.

• Outdoor Retailer Innovation Awards
• Trail Magazine Ethical Choice
• ISPO TexTrends - BEST PRODUCT
• 2019 SKI Gear of the Year
• 2019 R&D 100 Award
• 2019 Sourcing Journal ‘Sustaining Voices’ Honoree
• EcoSport Awards
• Backpacker 2019 Editors’ Choice Awards - Green Award
• World Textile Information Network ‘Future Textile Award for Best Innovation: Sustainable

Polartec® Power Air™ product is currently available from Adidas, Burton, Houdini and NOBULL.

About Polartec

Polartec is the premium provider of innovative and sustainable textile solutions. Since inventing modern technical fleece in 1981, the engineers at Polartec continue to advance the science of fabric, creating fabric technologies that solve problems and improve the way products are designed and used. Polartec products range from lightweightwicking and cooling fabrics, to insulation and weather protection textiles, and are utilized by leading consumer brands, the U.S. Militaryand other global militaries, flame resistance, workwear, and contract upholstery markets. For more information, please visit Polartec.com and follow Polartec on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.