“Textile technologies providing additional performance characteristics for clothing are gaining popularity worldwide. Each year, the Technology and Innovation Department of Utenos Trikotažas offers new textile finishes that enrich the products with smart features, for example, ultrafast evaporation, thermal adaptation or antimicrobial characteristics. Since these finishes often contain a large number of different chemicals, customers have been looking for sustainable alternatives. The new finishing technology that offers protection from insects is one such solution,” Jolanta Streižienė, Head of Sales Department of Utenos Trikotažas, said.
Unlike most conventional repellents, this technology has been developed without using any toxic substances, is odourless, and suitable for pregnant or breastfeeding women and their babies. The active substance adapted in this technology is recommended by the World Health Organization as environmentally friendly and safe for human health.
The functional clothing finish with insect repellent properties drives insects about 40-50 cm away and acts as a shield from various pests without killing them. Therefore, the insects do not develop resistance to the technology. The special fabric finishing remains effective for up to 100 washes and is biodegradable without any adverse environmental effects.
Utenos Trikotažas has already introduced the innovation to its export clients. According to Streižienė, designers of children’s clothing show greatest interest in the product. “Our clients note that parents are most interested in such technology for their children’s clothing. Children usually dislike using usual protective measures, like creams or sprays, so smart clothing is a very convenient alternative in such cases,” Streižienė added.
About Utenos Trikotažas
Utenos Trikotažas is the largest and one of the most state-of-the-art knitwear manufacturers in Central and Eastern Europe. In addition to contract manufacturing, the company manages two of its own retail brands – UTENOS and ABOUT. ABOUT consists of the About Baltic Underwear and About The Sensory of Wear garment lines. The Utenos Trikotažas Group includes the companies Šatrija, Gotija and Mrija (Ukraine). SBA Group holds a 92.31% shareholding in Utenos Trikotažas.
The major shareholder of Utenos Trikotažas, SBA Group is one of the largest groups of companies in Lithuania. In addition to textiles, it operates in the furniture manufacturing and real estate sectors. The SBA furniture manufacturing business includes Kauno Baldai and SBA Baldų Kompanija, which comprises 5 manufacturers: Klaipėdos baldai, Šilutės baldai, Germanika, Visagino Linija and Mebelain. SBA also owns Urban Inventors, a real estate innovation company developing the Green Hall business valley in Lithuanian capital Vilnius and the BLC Business Centre in Kaunas. SBA group also is the major shareholder at the investment management company Capitalica Asset Management, which operates the Kauno Dokas Business Centre in Kaunas, 135 Business Centre in Vilnius and the Verde complex of modern offices in the district of Skanste near the centre of Riga. SBA has also established SBA Modular, which plans to build a factory in Lithuania and produce modular multi-storey houses. Also, the group has recently acquired the robotics and automation solutions company Robotex. The group’s companies employ close to 5,000 employees.
