Profile of Schoeller: Textiles for Protective Apparel and High-Tech Sportswear

Schoeller, based in Switzerland, has undergone a major transformation in recent years—from an innovative fabric manufacturer to a textile technology specialist. Today its main focus is on the development of “smart” textiles and textile technologies designed for physiological comfort and environmental compatibility.

Schoeller is probably best known for its visionary spirit and high-tech approach—attributes which have led to important innovations over the last 20 years. These include the development of highly functional and high quality stretch fabrics, the incorporation of hard wearing Kevlar fibres into protective fabrics, and the creation of fabrics with in-built reflective properties. In 1999 Schoeller successfully introduced fabrics for sport and fashion apparel applications based on phase-change technology—which had originally been developed for NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration). Featuring DCC (Dynamic Climate Control), these fabrics react to changes in temperature by balancing out thermal deviations, thereby creating a comfortable temperature around the wearer’s body. According to Schoeller, this technology represents one of the first major changes in the textile sector since the introduction of the waterproof membrane.

With its innovative approach to textile design, and a strong emphasis on ecologically safe production methods, the company should remain competitive in selected niche markets for the foreseeable future.

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