Knowledge generating features of intelligent textiles industry

The intelligent textiles industry uses the results of a wide range of scientific research fields which are multidisciplinary and cover the so called „key enabling technologies”. For the moment there are only a few countries generating and using this knowledge with impact on competitiveness, national development and creating high level paid jobs. The cultural differences among countries regarding the business approach and the ability to use certain knowledge bring more or less advantages for those countries. This paper covers two case studies, one about Elmarco from Liberec, Czech Republic, producing nanofiber and the other one about GreenYarn from Boston, Massachusetts, producing advanced materials. Both examples are using nanotechnology, one of the key enabling technologies.