The apparel industry continues to be a hotbed of patent innovation. Activity is driven by rise in e-commerce, demand for convenience, data analytics, and supply chain management and growing importance of technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI), blockchain, and automation. In the last three years alone, there have been over 2,600 patents filed and granted in the apparel industry, according to GlobalData’s report on Innovation in apparel: functional undergarments. Buy the report here.
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However, not all innovations are equal and nor do they follow a constant upward trend. Instead, their evolution takes the form of an S-shaped curve that reflects their typical lifecycle from early emergence to accelerating adoption, before finally stabilizing and reaching maturity.
Identifying where a particular innovation is on this journey, especially those that are in the emerging and accelerating stages, is essential for understanding their current level of adoption and the likely future trajectory and impact they will have.
20+ innovations will shape the apparel industry
According to GlobalData’s Technology Foresights, which plots the S-curve for the apparel industry using innovation intensity models built on over 41,000 patents, there are 20+ innovation areas that will shape the future of the industry.
Within the emerging innovation stage, reflective fabrics and body measurements AI are disruptive technologies that are in the early stages of application and should be tracked closely. Insulated composite fabrics, e-textiles, and personalized lookbooks are some of the accelerating innovation areas, where adoption has been steadily increasing. Among maturing innovation areas are wearable computers and breathable fabrics, which are now well established in the industry.
Innovation S-curve for the apparel industry
Functional undergarments are a key innovation area in apparel
Functional undergarments are designed to help wick away moisture and regulate body temperature. The most common types of functional undergarments are sports bra, undershirts, and long johns.
GlobalData’s analysis also uncovers the companies at the forefront of each innovation area and assesses the potential reach and impact of their patenting activity across different applications and geographies. According to GlobalData, there are 35 companies, spanning technology vendors, established apparel companies, and up-and-coming start-ups engaged in the development and application of functional undergarments.
Key players in functional undergarments – a disruptive innovation in the apparel industry
‘Application diversity’ measures the number of applications identified for each patent. It broadly splits companies into either ‘niche’ or ‘diversified’ innovators.
‘Geographic reach’ refers to the number of countries each patent is registered in. It reflects the breadth of geographic application intended, ranging from ‘global’ to ‘local’.
Patent volumes related to functional undergarments
Source: GlobalData Patent Analytics
Nike is one of the leading patent filers in functional undergarments. Some other key patent filers in the space include Wacoal and Clover Mystique.
Nike’s Dri-FIT Essential Cotton Stretch Boxer Briefs come with Nike's Dri-FIT technology that draws sweat away from the skin and quickly dries, which can help mitigate body odors and skin problems. Targeted at professional athletes, the Nike Dri-FIT boxers claim to enhance comfort and convenience when performing high-intensity activities for longer durations.
In terms of application diversity, Bain Capital leads the pack, while Utax and SK Square stood in the second and third positions, respectively.
By means of geographic reach, Fast Retailing held the top position, followed by Clover Mystique, and NIKE.
Innovations in functional undergarments are concentrated around the use of innovative materials, fabric construction, and design principles, focusing on ergonomics, antimicrobial properties and thermal regulation.
To further understand the key themes and technologies disrupting the apparel industry, access GlobalData’s latest thematic research report on Apparel.
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GlobalData, the leading provider of industry intelligence, provided the underlying data, research, and analysis used to produce this article.
GlobalData’s Patent Analytics tracks patent filings and grants from official offices around the world. Textual analysis and official patent classifications are used to group patents into key thematic areas and link them to specific companies across the world’s largest industries.
