New high-performance denim is lightweight, durable and Moisture-wicking

Press Contact:
Tracey Campbell (800-925-0668) (twcampbell@afyarns.com)
John Avant (919-676-4115)(john.avant@avant.com)

Chapel Hill, NC (February 15, 2006) – American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) has teamed with Avondale Mills to develop a new high-performance denim targeted for active lifestyles.  Featuring a 24% blend of AF&Y’s Innova^® yarns, the denim is lightweight, durable and moisture-wicking.

“For active lifestyles, consumers will find this denim much more comfortable than traditional cotton denim,” said Mike Brown, director of denim product development at Avondale Mills.  “During warm weather or vigorous activity, traditional cotton denim can feel heavy and uncomfortable under the weight of absorbed perspiration.  The Innova yarns eliminate the problem by wicking moisture away from the body, making this denim ideal for active youth and adults, for sports and other outdoor activities, and for work.”

Brown added the new denim is also stronger and more durable than traditional cotton fabric, with cotton/Innova^® tensile and tear strengths are approximately 50% greater when comparing the same fabric construction.

Innova yarns are manufactured exclusively by AF&Y and can be engineered to have the look and feel of virtually any natural or man-made fiber. Inherent performance characteristics include stain and fade resistance, durability, moisture control, and bacteria and odor resistance.

About American Fibers and Yarns Company
American Fibers and Yarns Company (AF&Y) is the world’s leading supplier of solution dyed filament yarns.  With thousands of yarns in its product portfolio and the ability to engineer yarns to customer specifications, AF&Y is a dominant supplier to the residential and contract furnishings marketplace, and has a growing presence in the hospitality, apparel, automotive and industrial markets.  Headquartered in Chapel Hill, NC, AF&Y maintains a Technology Center that specializes in engineering filament yarn with innovative combinations not available from other suppliers.  The company also operates two U.S. production facilities totaling six hundred thousand square feet of manufacturing space.  For more information on AF&Y and its products, please visit www.afyarns.com or call 800-925-0668.