Technology is Changing the World for Women

03 June 2016

At the China Underwear Industry Annual Awards Ceremony at SIUF in May, Tengfei Technology Company won the Intima Asia’s Favorite Award 2016.

The SIUF ceremony is known as the Oscars of the Chinese underwear industry, representing the sector's highest honor. What set Tengfei apart in order to win this award? We talk with Mei Xianming, Tengfei's CEO.

Tengfei won Intima Asia’s Favorite Award at the China Underwear Industry Annual Awards Ceremony at SIUF. What kind of innovative quality made Tengfei receive this award?
Mei Xianming: We are very honored to receive this award, and we thank Intima for the recognition. Since the company's founding, its development philosophy has been "intelligence, technology, quality, and innovation." During nearly a decade of development, we have been committed to the innovation and R&D of cutting-edge underwear technology: from first generation seamless technology, such as one-piece molded bras; to the second, including adhesive film technology; and finally the third phase, with the development of patented technologies, such as SensElast; the bionic honeycomb cup; intelligent underwear; and the use of 3D printing for underwear, among others. Tengfei always makes it a mission to lead technological innovation in the industry and build a first-rate global underwear research team. Innovation is the motivating force behind Tengfei's development, and what makes it standout from the rest.
Can you give our readers more details on the origin and technology behind the UU-Fiber, the non-foam bra cup that won you the Intima Asia Award?
Mei Xianming: We found that the majority of filler material found in bra cups available on today's market is molded polyurethane (PU) foam. Its manufacture is very bad for the environment, and it may also release toxic, irritant, and sensitive chemicals in use. It quickly breeds bacteria because of its tight structure, which is a risk to human health. In order to overcome the shortcomings of traditional foam cups, we developed bionic honeycomb cups, which make lingerie more breathable and lighter. It truly embodies our motto "use technology for beauty care." Bionic honeycomb foam, as the raw material of bionic honeycomb cups, is the best alternative to traditional foam. Its use is not limited to lingerie, but can also be widely applied to household items, baby products, cars, shoes, the aviation sector, and medical beds, to name a few. It has been proven, through testing in Environmental Protection Agencies at home and abroad, that bionic honeycomb foam is non-toxic and has no unwanted side effects on the human body. This absolutely environmental and healthy foam also received the Swiss Oeko-Tex certification. We presume it has great market prospects in the future.
How did this technology find inspiration in honeycombs?
Mei Xianming: Nature inspires our bionics. Bees can build the largest, strongest hives with the least amount of material. The geometry of a honeycomb forms an overall arch structure, which creates a 100 percent increase on the surface in terms of strength. That is where the design inspiration comes from. Based on this bionic concept, after years of painstaking research, we successfully developed bionic honeycomb fiber foam cups with minimal material consumption, as well as maximum volume and strength.

What are the core strengths of UU-Fibre compared to other materials like foam?
Mei Xianming: First of all, what is most critical is that bionic honeycomb materials are nontoxic and environmental. It is a kind of pure fiber product that is harmless, healthy and environmental; it is recycled and will not waste resources or add to environmental pollution. Secondly, it is durable. With its core-like structure, it performs stably and will not be easily oxidized or turn yellow. Meanwhile, it is so light that it weighs only 50% of PU foam under the same conditions, and seems almost weightless to the wearer. It also has high elasticity and breathability, in terms of air and water. In addition, the fiber's characteristics make it highly scalable. Its formulation can be changed, by adding differing functional fibers – such as protein fiber or hemp – to increase the function and value of the end product.
As a main domestic producer of seamless lingerie, what is the company's strategy to maintain its leading position in the industry?
Mei Xianming: The development of the company will be driven by continuous innovative technology. Externally, we plan to set up international joint-research institutions. Internally, we will set up an innovative technological commercialization center, which will continuously translate our wealth of technical reserves into productivity and economic benefits. Thusly, we will turn the company into the largest open-technology, brand-exporting platform in the world. Our technology will be applied to the underwear industry, as well as the large-scale health industry.
Who are your current main domestic partners?
Mei Xianming: By understanding the market, the company grew, gaining top corporate customers, such as: Decathlon, CK, Aimer, Embryform, and GuJin. The company has always adhered to the concept that quality is the only way to survive. We are in strict accordance with the international standards system and meet our customer's special demands; we also allow our customers to supervise production. The company has been committed to technological innovation, optimization of product performance, and the production of healthier and more comfortable lingerie. Excellent quality and constant innovation is what makes our products standout.
What are the lingerie performance trends in China? What is the future direction of R&D technology in the underwear sector?
Mei Xianming: “Intelligent, comfortable, healthy" would be the future development trend of lingerie in China. Tengfei will mainly focus on four areas in research and development: new technology; new materials; intelligent wearing; and biotechnology. First, we will focus on new technology, such as the research of 3D printing technology for underwear, and the automation of the underwear industry. Secondly, we will concentrate on developing new materials for underwear and making lingerie more comfortable and healthy. Next, intelligent wearing will bring increased functionality to underwear and use underwear to manage health. Finally, we will combine biotechnology with underwear, so that underwear has a healthcare function.