Outlast is continuously working on the development of new products and the improvement of the material’s performance. The transfer of the PCM technology into new fibre families is in the foreground offering new end uses and product categories. One new development is the first PCM polyester fiber fill.

„This is another milestone for us and we are proud of this new, high performing development, which helps regulate the climate in an optimum way,” says Martin Bentz, Managing Director of Outlast Europe GmbH, Heidenheim/Germany. There are first brands using the PCM polyester fiber as filling for duvets, pillows or sleeping bags to help to actively balance temperature and humidity during the night. «But we are also looking at the apparel market at the moment», says Bentz. Here, Outlast is planning to develop a new fiber fill as insulation for jackets and other products.

Outlast® technology manages the climate proactively, in contrast with other technologies that only wick away humidity. Tests with the independent system THG SleepView (from C. Russ) indicated that for example a duvet with an Outlast® PCM fiberfill can reduce absolute humidity by 48% compared to a traditional duvet.

Outlast® technology was originally developed for NASA to protect astronauts from temperature fluctuations in space and utilizes phase change materials (PCM) that absorb, store and release heat for optimal thermal comfort. The PCMs have the capacity to absorb, store and release excess heat. This gives any product containing Outlast® technology the ability to continually regulate skin’s microclimate. As the skin gets hot, the heat is absorbed, and as it cools, that heat is released.