Latest news with #RheonLabs'
Fashion United
2 days ago
- Business
- Fashion United
Decathlon partners with Rheon Labs on next-gen sports apparel
Global sporting goods retailer Decathlon has announced a global partnership with British materials technology company Rheon Labs to bring advanced material science to apparel for 'everyday sport'. The collaboration will allow Decathlon access to Rheon Labs' technology platform, including current and future innovations in strain-rate sensitive materials, to power next-gen sports apparel by enabling the development of apparel that enhances control, comfort and performance during physical activity. The result will be performance-driven apparel built to meet the needs of athletes, as well as accessible to all, explains Decathlon in a statement. Aurelien Corbier, textile innovation leader at Decathlon, said: 'Innovation truly matters when it empowers everyone. By partnering with Rheon Labs, we're taking materials designed for athletes and making them accessible to all. 'This aligns perfectly with our focus on providing excellent products for everyone, leading to better comfort, control, and performance.' The first launch from the partnership will be a 'Kiprun' running tight, slated for release in autumn/winter 2025. The running tights will be designed to focus energy and reduce muscle movement. Decathlon adds that it is also working on innovations across other categories, including with its fitness sports specialist Domyos, with the first technologies expected to arrive in 2026. London-based Rheon Labs is a collective of scientists, engineers, and designers focused on creating products that were previously thought impossible with conventional static materials. At the core of every product is its patented energy-absorbing super polymer, Rheon, which remains soft and flexible during everyday movement but stiffens dynamically in response to movement or impact. The innovation adapts to the body's needs in real-time – improving comfort, control, and performance without sacrificing freedom of movement. Stephen Bates, chief executive at Rheon Labs, added: 'Decathlon's belief that innovation should serve everyone aligns perfectly with our own. Rheon started in elite sport – now, this partnership will unlock that same level of performance for millions more.'
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Decathlon, Rheon Labs to bring material science to sports apparel
As part of this collaboration, Decathlon will have access to Rheon Labs' entire technology platform, which encompasses both existing and forthcoming advancements in materials that are sensitive to strain rates. This will facilitate the creation of performance-oriented sportswear that improves control, comfort, and performance during physical exertion. It is intended to meet the requirements of athletes in motion, while ensuring its accessibility to a broad consumer base. The initial product to emerge from this partnership will be a Kiprun running tight, slated for release in autumn/winter 2025. The tight is designed to channel energy and minimise muscle movement. Further innovations are being developed across various categories, including Decathlon's fitness sports brand Domyos, with the first technologies expected to debut in 2026. Decathlon textile innovation leader Aurelien Corbier said: 'Innovation truly matters when it empowers everyone. By partnering with Rheon Labs, we're taking materials designed for athletes and making them accessible to all. This aligns perfectly with our focus on providing excellent products for everyone, leading to better comfort, control, and performance.' Rheon Labs' patented 'energy-absorbing super' polymer, Rheon, is designed to be soft and flexible during normal movement but becomes dynamically stiffer under stress or impact. The company explains this smart adaptation provides customised support for enhanced comfort and performance, while ensuring freedom of movement remains unhampered. Originally conceived within a Nasa project, the technology has been refined over 15 years at Imperial College London. Rheon, which is created by Dr Daniel Plant, can be used on products to dissipate high levels of energy or give them unique responsive properties. Rheon Labs CEO Stephen Bates said: 'Decathlon's belief that innovation should serve everyone aligns perfectly with our own. Rheon started in elite sport – now, this partnership will unlock that same level of performance for millions more.' Both Decathlon and Rheon Labs are committed to co-creating a future where sports play an even more inclusive, inspiring, and indispensable role — a future where today's innovations continue to remain relevant. In October last year, Decathlon Pulse, the investment arm of global sports brand Decathlon, partnered with Unspun, a fashion-tech company known for its 3D weaving technology, Vega, to bring sustainable apparel manufacturing to Europe. "Decathlon, Rheon Labs to bring material science to sports apparel" was originally created and published by Just Style, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
