The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) recently announced the winners of the 2020 IFF Innovation Award. The IFF Innovation Award encourages companies around the globe to weave tomorrow’s ideas into the fabrics of today. The first-place winner was awarded to Propel LLC for their project “Propel LLC Smart Integrated Shirt”. 

Propel’s U.S. Navy funded smart shirt includes 3-patent pending innovations to monitor physiology of the wearer in a garment that looks and feels no different than any other first layer garment. This shirt is made with Propel’s proprietary electrically enabled yarn that looks, feels and behaves like a traditional yarn but has the conductive elements needed for transmitting data and power. 

The shirt has solder-free textile connectors that are soft and flexible for wearer comfort and user-transparency. All components within this shirt are U.S. sourced. This project led to 3 patent pending technologies.

The second-place, Honorable Mention, award was given to MMI Textiles for their project “EcoThriv ™ Environmentally Preferred Performance Fabrics”. EcoThriv™ is a made in the U.S. line of environmentally preferred performance fabrics. It was developed using some of the most responsible and innovative fibers and finishes on the market. These fabrics are better for the environment and perform at a high level. 

Both of the winning projects are recognized in the ATA Hub at ATA Virtual Expo 2020. To learn more about each of the winning projects, you can view a video that describes each project in depth. View the video here.

About Industrial Fabrics Foundation

The Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) is the non-profit 501(c)(3) organization of the industrial fabrics industry, dedicated to education and research in specialty fabrics. IFF partners with the Advanced Textiles Association to support growth and innovation. 

About Advanced Textiles Association 

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) is a member-owned, member-driven trade association representing the global industrial fabrics industry since 1912. ATA provides members with relevant information, sourcing solutions and networking opportunities to sustain and grow their business. For more information visit ATA.com.