Sympatex to introduce heating and lighting workwear

September 30th, 2016

German textiles company Sympatex Technologies® will present smart textile innovations at the Nov. 7-9 Expoprotection work-safety trade show at Paris’ Porte de Versailles Exhibition Centre. The company has a new heating and lighting system developed especially for use in jackets, waistcoats and gloves in the workwear sector. The heating system contains battery-powered heating modules in […]

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TENCEL offers cotton-waste fabric

September 29th, 2016

Austrian textiles and nonwovens innovator Lenzing AG is launching a new TENCEL® fiber made from cotton waste fabrics. According to a report in the online industry newsletter Textiles Updates, the initiative will drive “circular economy” solutions in the textile industry. The new generation of lyocell fibers will the most ecological wood-based fiber on the planet, […]

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INVISTA expands S.C. facility

September 28th, 2016

A $30 million expansion at INVISTA’s fiber manufacturing plant in Camden, S.C., will enable the company to rapidly respond to small-lot carpet fiber demands. The investment represents the industry’s first offering of one-step, small-lot capability specifically for solution-dyed nylon 6,6. Wilmington, Del.-based INVISTA developed the proprietary small-lot technology by working closely with German equipment manufacturer, […]

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IFAI Japan seminar to be offered at Expo 2016 in October

September 23rd, 2016

A Japan Technical Seminar will be offered at IFAI Expo 2016 in Charlotte, N.C., on October 18 from 9:30-11:00 a.m. to introduce attendees to Japan’s advanced textile technologies, markets and products. Mr. Tamon Akiba, Japan Chemical Fiber Assoc. and Toray Industries Inc., will speak on “The Future of Japanese high-functional and performance fibers. His talk will […]

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Nano Dimension uses 3D printing to add conduction to fabric

September 23rd, 2016

Nano Dimension Technologies Ltd., subsidiary of Israel-based 3D printed electronics developer Nano Dimension Ltd., has successfully tested 3D printing of conductive traces onto a treated fabric. The project was completed in collaboration with a European functional textiles company, unnamed in a company press release. The test was carried out using Nano Dimension's unique AgCite™ silver […]

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Change characterizes the military market for textiles

September 23rd, 2016

Decreased budgets are a reality, but markets exist for new and innovative products. While it’s fair to say that portions of the military textile market are shrinking—the U.S. now has far fewer troops overseas—it is also true that some segments are changing, which is an open door for innovation. Despite a decline in the U.S. […]

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Texas team’s “smart glass” controls heat and light

September 23rd, 2016

University of Texas-Austin (UTA) researchers have developed a flexible “smart” window material that could revolutionize architecture and vehicle design. The researchers say that the material makes it possible to control heat and light to improve efficiency, and it has the potential for opening up new solutions for as-yet-unrecognized problems, as well. According to blogger David […]

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New bacteria can spin highly conductive wires

September 23rd, 2016

Thin and tough “biowires” offer an inexpensive and eco-friendly conductive material. Scientists at the University of Massachusetts–Amherst have reported that they have genetically designed a new strain of bacteria that spins out extremely thin and highly conductive wires made up solely of non-toxic, natural amino acids. Researchers led by microbiologist Derek Lovley say the wires, […]

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Welspun secures patent for augmented reality home decor

September 22nd, 2016

Indian home-textiles specialist Welspun has secured a patent for its TILT product line. The patent covers a system that has textile material with a design motif and an augmented-reality software application. The software allows a user to scan the design motif on the textile material, and enter an augmented-reality (AR) portal that is thematically related […]

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Microban expands testing services to non-partners

September 21st, 2016

Microban® International Ltd., an odor-control and antimicrobial solutions provider based in Huntersville, N.C., has expanded its Microban Microbiology Testing Services to non-partners. The program provides independent testing and verification capabilities for evaluating the antimicrobial performance of products for textiles and polymers. Experts from Microban’s Center of Excellence research facilities will lead companies, associations, universities and […]

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