The French company has developed a range of high performance moisture management jersey fabrics made on gauge 62 circular knitting machines, some of the finest gauge machines available today. Though extremely lightweight, the compact knit construction of these fabrics is said to make them opaque and not transparent. Sofileta says the fabrics also boast high elasticity and have a very smooth and soft hand.

Founded in 1911, Sofileta is celebrating its centennial in 2011, while still producing all fabrics in the Isere region of France. Domestic production is said to be a deliberate strategy implemented by the family-owned company to guarantee a high quality and sustainable business. Sofileta's many activities cover knitting, weaving, dyeing, finishing and laminating. The company employs 230 people and 70% of its products are exported.

High performance cooling fabric  

Also on show in Munch this week and Annecy at the weekend will be the Sofileta Cooling Fabric a new line of high performance cooling fabrics. "For athletes, keeping the body cool is one of the most important aspects of performance and comfort.

Sofileta Cooling Fabric provides a highly effective and innovative solution, based on the properties of Luxicool, a copolymer developed by the Belgian fiber producer Luxilon, in partnership with Sofileta," the company says. Sofileta Cooling Fabric is said to be capable of reducing skin temperature by about 1.5 degrees below standard performance fabrics (in tests conducted by the Swiss textile institute EMPA).

The effect is said to be immediately transmitted to and felt by the skin. The results led to an innovation award at TechTextil Frankfurt in this year. Sofileta Cooling Fabrics are available in a variety of knit patterns, including open structures and spaced or double spaced knits designed to offer the best combination of moisture management, ventilation and durability.

The cooling effect of Sofileta Cooling Fabric is said to be increased by high evaporation, a process that absorbs heat and high performance moisture management therefore boosts the sensation of coolness. Since the cooling effect is based on a polymer and not on a finish, it functions for the life of the fabric, and is not impacted by washing, Sofileta claims.