FEEL GOOD. PERFORM BETTER.

How the next generation of materials is redefining odor control.

When temperatures rise, so do the demands on functional apparel. Whether during sports, travel or everyday life, consumers expect garments to stay fresh for longer. At the same time, wearing clothes more often before washing has become an important sustainability goal, helping to reduce water and energy consumption while extending the lifespan of textiles.

For many years, odor control was largely synonymous with antimicrobial finishes. Today, however, a much broader picture is emerging. The future of odor control will not be shaped by a single technology, but by an increasingly diverse range of material solutions.

Manufacturers are integrating odor-control properties directly into fibers and yarns, developing durable antimicrobial technologies, exploring naturally derived ingredients and combining freshness with additional performance benefits such as thermoregulation or moisture management. Rather than competing with one another, these approaches complement each other, offering brands and designers a growing toolbox of solutions for different applications and consumer needs.

The following material innovations demonstrate how diverse the field of odor control has become and why keeping textiles fresh is no longer just about preventing odors, but about enhancing comfort, extending wear time and supporting a more sustainable way of using clothing.

Material Section

There is no universal solution to odor control. Instead, manufacturers are pursuing a wide range of approaches, integrating functional particles into fibers and yarns, developing innovative antimicrobial technologies or harnessing the power of natural materials. The following material innovations showcase how diverse today's odor-control solutions have become and how they are helping textiles stay fresher for longer.

Industry Perspectives

How odor control is evolving beyond traditional technologies.

Keeping garments fresh for longer requires more than a single technology. As material solutions become increasingly diverse, new approaches are emerging that combine performance, durability and sustainability in different ways. We invited experts from research, textile innovation and product development to share their perspectives on the future of odor control.

Odlo, Hohenstein and Polygiene.

Read more: Beyond Antimicrobial.

Three halls. More innovations. More inspiration.

The October 2026 edition of PERFORMANCE DAYS marks a new milestone: For the first time, the leading sourcing platform for functional textiles will expand across three exhibition halls at Messe München. Driven by record demand from the global industry, visitors can expect more than 590 exhibitors, an even broader range of material innovations and new dedicated areas focusing on garment technologies, material developments and technical solutions.

With the Focus Topic "Biobased Materials – From Fiber to Fabric", the expanded event offers even more opportunities to discover the latest innovations shaping the future of the functional textile industry.