Finnish textile technology company Spinnova has signed a nonbinding letter of intent with Germany-based Outlast Technologies to explore the development of temperature-regulating and insulating textiles using Spinnova fibre. The proposed collaboration will investigate combining Spinnova’s mechanically produced cellulosic fibre with Outlast’s thermal management technologies for performance apparel and other technical textile applications.

The companies will assess the potential of integrating Spinnova fibre with Outlast’s phase-change materials, which absorb, store and release heat to help regulate temperature. They will also explore the use of Aersulate, Outlast’s aerogel-based insulation technology, to develop materials offering thermal insulation alongside the properties of Spinnova fibre.

Mikko Lassila, chief commercial officer at Spinnova, said the collaboration is intended to strengthen the fibre’s performance credentials while retaining its natural comfort. He added that combining it with Outlast’s established temperature-regulation and insulation technologies could open up new applications, expand Spinnova’s addressable markets and support its long-term commercial scale-up strategy. As the letter of intent is nonbinding, the proposed work remains at the exploratory stage.