At CHINAPLAS 2026, BASF will showcase an outdoor jacket produced in collaboration with Niber Technologies, a leading electrospinning specialist. The jacket incorporates the newly developed Freeflex E 130, a thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) based electrospun nano membrane.

Outdoor jacket by Niber Technologies made with newly developed Freeflex E 130 TPU-based electrospun nano membrane.

With BASF’s material, the ultralight and soft-touch comfort outdoor jacket offers excellent membrane uniformity with high Moisture Vapor Transmission Rate (MVTR) and increased membrane application possibilities enabled by higher lamination temperature resistance.

Made without the intentional use of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS), the TPU-based membrane is a sustainable alternative to traditional ePTFE (Expanded Polytetrafluoroethylene).

The outstanding performance characteristics were based on BASF’s Freeflex to form 100-600 nanometer ultrafine fibers through electrospinning, creating a high surface-to-volume ratio and a highly porous morphology.

See also: PP/PET sports apparel at CHINAPLAS

Alongside its electrospun innovations, BASF will also showcase PP/PET sports apparel containing 15% Freeflex melt spun TPU fibers, delivering excellent wearing comfort, quick drying performance, as well as enhanced elasticity and durability for activewear.

Freeflex melt spun fibers are REACH compliant and certified with the Oeko Tex Eco Passport, meeting stringent safety and chemical transparency standards for textile applications.

Supporting sustainability in performance apparel

The electrospun nanomembrane capability and melt spun fiber versatility of Freeflex empower producers to design and develop the next generation of performance apparel.

Additionally, Freeflex is advancing through Bluesign certification and is set to be ready by 2026, meeting the growing regulatory and sustainability requirements of the global apparel and textile industries.

“With the addition of Bluesign certification across Freeflex portfolio, BASF aims to drive sustainable transformation together with customers in apparel and textiles industries seeking high performance, compliant and environmentally conscious material solutions,” said Rohit Roop Ghosh, Vice President, Business Management TPU, Performance Materials Asia Pacific, BASF.