Versarien Plc (LON: VRS), the advanced engineering materials group, has announced that global sportswear brand Umbro will integrate Versarien’s Graphene-Wear™ technology into its Elite Pro-Training Kit range, initially for the 2023 spring/summer collection.
Versarien has been working on several projects with Umbro since 2018 and this is the first to lead to products being launched. Versarien’s Graphene-Wear™ ink formula will be printed on the inside of the new Elite Pro-Training Kit garments. The Graphene-Wear™ formula features novel properties that will allow wearers to experience enhanced thermal transmittance, increased moisture management, with improved drying rate, without compromising air or water vapor permeability. The garments will also have Versarien’s Graphene-Wear™ trademark applied.
In developing the Graphene-Wear™ technology, Versarien has invested in extensive wearer trials in partnership with The University of Gloucester, product testing to international standards with a recognised testing house and the publication of a white paper, all aimed at giving the Company’s partners, such as Umbro, confidence in the technology.
The Company looks forward to providing further updates in due course as Umbro’s new Elite Pro-Training Kit range is rolled out.
Colin Lomas, Head of Global Product for Umbro, commented: “As a brand, we are dedicated to constantly pushing the boundaries of our product innovation. In the nearly 100 years since Umbro was founded, we have created many world-firsts, such as the introduction of Sportswool and X-Static on football kits in the early 2000s or more recently the use of ProWeave on football boots. This is another major step forward for us and we are pleased that after a long experimentation phase with Versarien, we can now introduce this innovation.”
Commenting, Versarien plc CEO, Neill Ricketts, said: “Graphene-Wear™ is a novel technology with benefits for the wearer in terms of performance and comfort. This technology was developed in Manchester, which is also the home of Umbro. We are very excited to work with a brand with Umbro’s deep-running experience in performance products and we look forward to the products going on sale to consumers.”
Wherever there is Football, there is Umbro – since 1924. Founder Harold Humphreys believed that if you look smart, you play smart. He believed that products crafted with style and true insight gave Umbro athletes a competitive advantage. It’s a principle Umbro still celebrates today.
Confidence in yourself and the product you are wearing is the ultimate performance booster. For this reason, the design of Umbro’s collections is never just about the look, everything has been applied for a reason, blending insight and innovation with style and experience gained over many decades. With this in mind, Umbro create apparel, footwear and equipment for lovers of the game, from pro to grass roots players, from fans to those inspired by Football Culture.
More than 120 teams around the world choose Umbro for their unique passion and understanding of the game. Teams include: West Ham United, Brentford, Burnley (English Premier League); FC Schalke 04, Werder Bremen, Dynamo Dresden (German Bundesliga); Rayo Vallecano (La Liga); Stade de Reims (French Ligue 1); Heart of Midlothian (Scottish Premiership); Club Atlético Rosario Central (Argentinean Primera Division); Santos, Grêmio, Fluminense, Club Athletico Paranaense, Sport Club do Recife and Chapecoense (Brazilian Série A); América de Cali S. A. (Colombian Primera A); Nacional (Uruguayan Primera División); Herediano (Costa Rican Liga FPD); Gamba Osaka (Japanese J1); Seongnam FC (South Korea); Al Ahly SC (Egyptian Premier League); National teams – Benin, Botswana, El Salvador, Eswatini, Guatemala, Jamaica, Lesotho, Iraq, Namibia, Republic of Ireland, Sierra Leone, Uganda, Zimbabwe.
