November 28, 2022
There is an abundance of information available about sustainability that, while conveying much, can lack clarity and simplicity. A simple and clear directive regarding sustainability is needed: if you produce something, anything, to be “sustainable” (leaving aside the social aspects for the moment) you need to: Use renewable and/or recycled materials Create zero waste to …
November 28, 2022
Due to resource scarcity and intense pressure to become carbon neutral, companies in industries like textile, packaging and construction are looking for alternative materials to replace unsustainable ones and improve the performance of their products through new, improved designs. VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland has expanded the application of its Integrated Computational Materials Engineering …
November 28, 2022
Designer duo Tian Wang and Teague Miller have launched “Kickback,” a line of bullet-resistant loungewear and accessories prompted by the more than 100 firearm fatalities a day in the U.S. Handcrafted from heavy duty Kevlar©, the ‘Kickback’ bathrobes are lined with bulletproof body plates, offering protection and peace of mind. The collection also includes slippers and a …
November 28, 2022
The 2023 Smart Fabrics Summit is set to take place April 11–12, 2023, at North Carolina State University (NC State), Raleigh, N.C. The two-day event, sponsored by the Advanced Textiles Association and the Wilson College of Textiles, NC State, will feature educational sessions, product showcases, tours of the college’s facilities, and networking opportunities. Industry participants …
November 28, 2022
Starting November 2022, the OEKO-TEX® RESPONSIBLE BUSINESS tool and certification will support brands, retailers and traders in the textile and leather sector with due diligence compliance. This requires companies to take legal responsibility for all human rights and environmental violations in their global supply chains. Faced with multiple interests of worldwide stakeholders with different points …
November 23, 2022
Sentinel Capital Partners, a private equity firm that invests in promising midmarket companies, today announced the acquisition of L2 Brands, a designer, manufacturer, and marketer of custom apparel and headwear for the collegiate, destination and leisure, and corporate markets. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed. With a heritage dating back more than 30 …
November 22, 2022
Rainier Industries announces the acquisition of Outdoor America Images (OAI) Corporation, located in Tampa, Fla. Together, Rainier Display and OAI offer a full suite of services nationwide, including design, print, dimensional fabrication (wood and metal), project management and installation. Each organization is well established with designers and other wholesalers, and this merger is will strengthen …
November 21, 2022
Arvind Limited, India’s largest textile to technology conglomerate, and PurFi Global LLC, a sustainable technology company specializing in rejuvenating textile waste into virgin quality products, announced a joint venture to reduce the amount of textile waste going to landfills. Significant transformations across the fashion industry have led to a dramatic rise in “fast fashion.” The …
November 17, 2022
Material Exchange is proud to announce the strategic acquisition of design and sales textile company Studio M.V. This expansion of the Material Exchange team helps to accelerate more sustainable, Earth-friendly practices across fashion’s supply chain. “Throughout my many years in the industry, I’ve been looking for a way to digitize the sourcing process, from the …
November 14, 2022
Zena Holloway has launched a collection of biodesigns grown entirely from grass root. The London-based designer and multi-disciplinary artist is exploring the possibilities for root-grown textiles for fashions that are sustainable and compostable. In essence, Holloway is turning grass root into wearable art in a collection named “Rootfull.” The root itself forms botanical skeleton that …
July 7, 2021
Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …
May 10, 2021
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …
November 16, 2020
In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries. Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries …
November 13, 2020
The U.S. textile industry has stepped up to meet the demand for face masks, medical gowns, wipes and other products necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but it needs policy changes from Washington so that the U.S. is not caught off-guard again in a future crisis, according to association leaders speaking at Industrial Fabrics Association …
November 12, 2020
Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, …
November 11, 2020
All surgical gowns are not created equal, and a Nov. 11 presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020 helped sort out the differences. The finer points of surgical gowns were discussed by Dr. Martin King, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, and Jing Liang, president of Medical PPE Consulting LLC. …
November 11, 2020
How do you create a channel from research to application? How do you create a pathway toward understanding complex human problems across supply chains and market sectors? STEM—a curriculum based on teaching science, technology, engineering and math—has branched out from basic chemistry and biology and physics classes, into collaborative efforts, including textiles, according to Stephanie …
November 11, 2020
At the 2020 Virtual Expo session, “Ask the Expert: Textile Electronics Testing and Standards,” Jesse Jur, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, discussed how standards and testing continue to evolve due to the evolution of textile-based electronics (e-textiles). Jur said that standards have long been a vital resource for …
November 10, 2020
Wildfires, hurricanes, a pandemic and civil unrest have wreaked plenty of chaos on the commercial insurance market in 2020. Steve Christenson, with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, offered guidance to business owners Nov. 9 at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020. “The business insurance market has been going through several changes this year,” says Christenson, with U.S. …
November 6, 2020
Thinking about selling your business—either to an outside party or the next generation? Then it’s time to start considering how your equipment and processes fit into your succession plan. Jonathan Palmer, the second-generation owner and CEO of equipment supplier Autometrix, and Autometrix director of global sales Truy Pham, led an educational session at IFAI Virtual …
November 28, 2022
There is an abundance of information available about sustainability that, while conveying much, can lack clarity and simplicity. A simple and clear directive regarding sustainability is needed: if you produce something, anything, to be “sustainable” (leaving aside the social aspects for the moment) you need to: Use renewable and/or recycled materials Create zero waste to …
November 14, 2022
At the Advanced Textiles Conference in October in Charlotte, N.C., Anil Kircalianli, head of automation, Orbital Composites (OC), discussed the important role of textiles as a driver for sustainability, particularly in footwear design. Kircalianli argued that the company’s use of 3D printing and robotic manufacturing has created a more sustainable and efficient means of making …
October 24, 2022
In the midst of the industry’s push to be more sustainable, one expert says, “There are no sustainable materials.” What Dr. Andrew Dent means is the goal for achieving circularity is to make the best choice in material (or materials) for that application. There are many variables in understanding circularity, and the path towards a more sustainable …
October 10, 2022
Global markets have been unsettled, at least, with fears of recession following steep inflation that needed monetary intervention for correction. Meanwhile, governments are proposing fiduciary interventions for growing the economy. Support in terms of R & D tax incentives and investments to support science and technology (S & T) development are measures taken by some …
September 26, 2022
Manufacturing to scale is arguably the most significant challenge facing the smart materials and wearable technology industries—and it’s not just desirable, but essential for growth and survival. Without full commercialization, the drive for new developments and research are in jeopardy. There is no shortage of interest and enthusiasm amongst stakeholders, which begs the question of …
September 12, 2022
Historical branding of textiles has led the general population to think that textiles are anything but advanced. As anyone in the textile industry can appreciate, textiles are not simple or basic, but are platforms that facilitate a human’s ability to blur the line between creativity and engineering to elicit remarkable advanced functional capabilities from textile …
August 22, 2022
As the e-textiles industry continues to grow, it will be essential that there are consensus-based international standards to support the industry to ensure reliability of materials and products and best practices used in design and manufacture. As an industry trade association with decades of standards development for the electronics manufacturing industry, IPC has a collection of …
August 9, 2022
Unexpected demand, raw material price volatility, market fluctuations and other factors have created a stressful scenario for the commodity textiles sector. In countries like India, where textile exports contribute significantly to export income, such volatile situations create a panic in the entire supply chain. Solutions, in part, lie in enhancing the availability of raw materials …
July 25, 2022
In seeking to promote growth in the textile industry, it’s important to identify value-driven markets that our capabilities, or core competencies, can address. Our inspirations concerning the industry come from different sources. Most recently, a blog post on this site, by Advanced Textiles Source editor Janet Preus, “You call that a textile?”, as well as Pulitzer Prize-winning …
July 11, 2022
A safe, clean and pollution free workplace is important in offering quality of life for a labor force, which also enhances worker productivity. With multiple risk factors in a work environment, including mechanical or electrical hazards, extreme heat or cold, toxic chemicals, noise and air pollution, providing for worker physical and psychological comfort is a …
November 22, 2022
Rainier Industries announces the acquisition of Outdoor America Images (OAI) Corporation, located in Tampa, Fla. Together, Rainier Display and OAI offer a full suite of services nationwide, including design, print, dimensional fabrication (wood and metal), project management and installation. Each organization is well established with designers and other wholesalers, and this merger is will strengthen …
November 21, 2022
Arvind Limited, India’s largest textile to technology conglomerate, and PurFi Global LLC, a sustainable technology company specializing in rejuvenating textile waste into virgin quality products, announced a joint venture to reduce the amount of textile waste going to landfills. Significant transformations across the fashion industry have led to a dramatic rise in “fast fashion.” The …
November 10, 2022
Retailers expect a busy holiday season the next two months but imports at the nation’s major container ports should continue to slow from records set earlier in the year, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates. “Cargo levels that historically peak in the fall …
November 7, 2022
Celebrating its 50-year anniversary, the Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) has teamed up with Gaston College to create a scholarship fund that will help support Gaston’s new Textile Technology program students. SYFA members produce technically advanced yarns and fabrics for use in important industries, such as health care, military, automotive, apparel, and furnishing sectors. …
November 4, 2022
In recognition of his outstanding service to the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists, AATCC named Gang Sun the 2021 recipient of the Harold C. Chapin Award. The award was presented at the recent AATCC Textile Discovery Summit in Charlotte, NC., USA. AATCC Involvement A member of the Association since 1995, Sun has been …
November 3, 2022
For the seventh consecutive year, PRINTING United Alliance and the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) will jointly present the Digital Textile Printing Conference, taking place Dec. 7-8 at the Sheraton Imperial Hotel in Durham, North Carolina. With education led by industry experts, the Digital Textile Printing Conference connects leaders and innovators in …
November 1, 2022
Economic activity in the manufacturing sector grew in October, with the overall economy achieving a 29th consecutive month of growth, say the nation’s supply executives in the latest Manufacturing ISM® Report On Business®. The report was issued November 1st by Timothy R. Fiore, CPSM, C.P.M., Chair of the Institute for Supply Management® (ISM®) Manufacturing Business …
October 31, 2022
Recognizing the urgent need to accelerate the adoption of Smart Manufacturing in the United States, CESMII, (the Smart Manufacturing Institute) and SME (the Society of Manufacturing Engineers) have announced the official launch of the Smart Manufacturing Executive Council (SMEC). Described as “a national think tank of smart manufacturing leaders,” the SMEC has been created to …
October 28, 2022
The 16th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS, formerly known as ITMF Corona-Survey) shows deteriorating business situation and expectations in the global textile industry in September 2022. The indicators for order intake and backlog, and capacity utilization rate also fell, globally. According to the survey, the business situation was relatively worst in Asia, although improving. …
October 14, 2022
Yiqi Yang is the 2021 recipient of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Olney Medal for outstanding achievement in textile science. Yang is being recognized for his work on the research and development of sustainable, greener textiles. He received the medal from friend and previous Olney recipient Gang Sun at the AATCC …
November 28, 2022
Designer duo Tian Wang and Teague Miller have launched “Kickback,” a line of bullet-resistant loungewear and accessories prompted by the more than 100 firearm fatalities a day in the U.S. Handcrafted from heavy duty Kevlar©, the ‘Kickback’ bathrobes are lined with bulletproof body plates, offering protection and peace of mind. The collection also includes slippers and a …
November 14, 2022
Zena Holloway has launched a collection of biodesigns grown entirely from grass root. The London-based designer and multi-disciplinary artist is exploring the possibilities for root-grown textiles for fashions that are sustainable and compostable. In essence, Holloway is turning grass root into wearable art in a collection named “Rootfull.” The root itself forms botanical skeleton that …
October 10, 2022
British performance apparel brand Vollebak has released details of a new Thermal Camouflage Jacket, which could lay the foundation for an “invisibility cloak” that could conceal its wearer on the infrared spectrum, as well as the on the visible spectrum. The jacket is made with 42 patches of graphene, individually controlled via microcomputer to emit …
September 26, 2022
Jenny Sabin Studios, Ithaca, N.Y., is known for using knitting technologies to create structural and architectural applications. Sabin’s “exoKnit” at Neue House in New York City is a recent example of the designers pushing knitting beyond its traditional boundaries. The exoKnit project is a community-centered, public pavilion pergola designed to embody the kind of urban …
May 9, 2022
Researchers at the University of California, Irvine have invented a new insulation material designed to shield hands from heat, but, because it can be economically mass produced, the adaptive fabric could potentially have a range of uses. Drawing inspiration from cephalopod (squid) skin, the engineers in the Dept. of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering have shown that the …
April 25, 2022
NASA has agreed to test SpinLaunch’s technology, designed to launch a satellite into space at hypersonic speeds with an electric centrifuge instead of a rocket. The company says that modern carbon fiber is one of the main reasons why the technology was not possible until recently, as the fiber has transitioned to more widespread industrial …
February 21, 2022
Scientists have believed it’s impossible to induce polymers to form 2D sheets, but using a novel polymerization process, MIT chemical engineers have created a new material that is stronger than steel, as light as plastic, and it can be easily manufactured in large quantities. According to press information from MIT, the material is a two-dimensional …
February 3, 2022
Italian company Lapitech has created a cooking system that could be completely concealed under a modern sintered stone kitchen counter. Activated by a high-tech cooking mat, the Lapitec Chef features an electrothermal component developed in collaboration with the University of Padua. To operate the induction cooking system, the Lapitec Chef silicone mat is placed on …
January 24, 2022
Canadian designer Sarah Roseman is working in a new material that straddles the boundary between textile and glasswork. According to a story on designboom.com, Roseman began her research experimenting with knitting glass fibers, working to find innovative and sustainable industry alternatives in materials. The result is a material called “soft silica,” that can be formed into …
December 20, 2021
German design studio WertelOberfell, in collaboration with a consortium of technical partners, sought to find a way to protect people from a very modern hazard: CCTVs that are equipped with AI human-recognition algorithms. With today’s sophisticated technology, CCTV doesn’t just record video footage, it also uses artificial intelligence with human detection and facial recognition algorithms to track our behavior …
November 14, 2022
Burlan Manufacturing exhibited its conductive narrow fabric at IFAI Expo in Charlotte this fall. The narrow fabric is the newest in its line of conductive fabrics, which provide conductivity woven into the structure of the fabric, so it will not wear off or wash off over time. Because of its size and construction, the company’s …
October 24, 2022
Prof. Gozde Goncu-Berk, University of California Davis, and graduate student researcher Ruoyu Zhang received the Advanced Textiles Association 2022 Award of Excellence, Best in Category Protective & Functional Apparel, for the team’s “CalmWear,” a new smart, tactile sensory stimulation clothing. CalmWear is novel, reactive smart clothing that uses the versatility of textiles to embed pneumatic actuating and vital sensing systems …
October 10, 2022
Researchers at Imperial College London have embedded new low-cost sensors, designed to monitor breathing, heart rate and ammonia, into t-shirts and face masks. The wearable sensors are spun from a new Imperial-developed thread called Pecotex, which is a polystyrene sulfonate-modified cotton conductive thread that is compatible with computerized embroidery. At about $0.14 per meter, the researchers …
October 10, 2022
Manhattan, N.Y.-based virtual reality (VR) startup Surplex has recently launched a body-movement tracking system that requires nothing more than a pair of shoes. The insole of each shoes contains 240 pressure sensors that detect the changes in foot pressure that occur not only as the user walks, runs or stands in place, but also as …
September 26, 2022
Scientists at the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech) have reported the development of a microneedle patch that can be self-administered and painlessly deposit a tattoo onto skin within minutes. The technology is initially proposed for simple human medical or animal uses, but a number of cosmetic uses may be possible in the future. Microneedle …
September 12, 2022
A new kind of reusable face mask promises to be light, comfortable and as protective as commonly used disposable masks. Other reusable face masks, known as elastomeric respirators, do exist. Most people would be familiar with the two-chambered gas mask, for example, but that is not a design that could succeed in health and wellness …
September 12, 2022
An experimental graphene-infused mesh has been designed that could help prevent a recurrence of a rotator cuff injury. The University of Connecticut’s Dr. Cato Laurencin says that surgical repairs are often only a short-term solution. “The real problem is that the muscle degenerates and accumulates fat,” he says. “With a tear, the muscle shrinks, and …
August 22, 2022
Using a novel fabrication process, MIT researchers have produced smart textiles that snugly conform to the body so they can sense the wearer’s posture and motions. By incorporating a type of plastic yarn and using heat to slightly melt it (a process called thermoforming) the researchers were able to improve the precision of pressure sensors …
August 22, 2022
The lung function of patients with respiratory problems is typically monitored with a stethoscope, which requires a health care provider and usually a trip to a clinic. An experimental new vest, however, has been designed to monitor lung function continuously and reliably throughout the day. A report on newatlas.com says that the Pneumo.Vest is a …
August 22, 2022
In a reinterpretation of classic shoe design, Berlin- and Munich-based design studio Wertel Oberfell’s Auxetic Wear introduces a 3D printed shoe that utilizes an auxetic structure to adapt itself to the ergonomics of its wearer’s foot. Combining traditional shoemaking with modern technology, the designers emulate techniques from classic shoe craftsmanship to design a boot with low-profile, two-dimensional shapes. Made …
