December 6, 2019
Pharr, a diversified provider of differentiated textile products and assorted real estate businesses, has reached agreements with Coats Group to purchase Pharr High Performance and Mannington Mills to purchase Pharr Fibers & Yarns and Phenix Flooring, a recent news release said. Pharr High Performance manufactures yarns primarily for the protective apparel industry, providing technical yarn …
December 5, 2019
Lycra has launched its new Lycra FitSense technology for swimwear. A recent article in KnittingIndustry reported that the technology is screen-printed onto fabric containing Lycra fiber. The aim is to eliminate extra weight and seams that could restrict movement or cause discomfort. Lycra FitSense contains the same molecule as Lycra fiber, but in liquid form, which can be screen-printed for …
December 4, 2019
Ahlstrom-Munksjö has agreed to sell its glass fiber reinforcement business in Mikkeli, Finland, to Vitrulan Composites Oy, a fully owned subsidiary of Vitrulan Group and part of the family-owned industrial holding ADCURAM Group, a recent news release said. The Mikkeli plant produces glass and carbon-based reinforcement fabrics, including specialty glass fiber reinforcements for wind energy, …
December 3, 2019
Developing countries, refugee camps and disaster relief zones often do not have the resources needed to establish Neonatal Intensive Care Units, so that low birth-weight babies face a much higher risk of death. Fergus Vaux, a recent product design graduate at Nottingham Trent University, U.K., has designed a product to address this need. Offering a …
December 2, 2019
Futurecraft.Loop 2, the second generation of the adidas 100 percent recyclable sneaker, has been unveiled. The company launched its first Futurecraft.Loop April 2019, releasing 200 pairs to content creators, influencers, employees and others. Now the company has gathered up those sneakers and recycled them to create components for the new shoe. “The material is melted and …
November 25, 2019
Tech-based clothing startup Vollebak has launched a T-shirt made entirely from wood pulp and algae. The shirt will break down in soil or in a composter within three months. Vollebak sources wood from eucalyptus, beech and spruce trees, which are chipped and pulped before being turned into fiber, then yarn and finally into fabric for …
November 25, 2019
What’s driving sustainable practices in today’s textile industry. by Marie O’Mahony The story of sustainability in the textile industry has grown and evolved, particularly in the last decade, with circularity now driving sustainability across the materials sector. According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, “A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste …
November 25, 2019
Ford Motor Co., based in Dearborn, Mich, is exploring the idea of letting customers design their own seat covers, add custom touches such as pockets and padding, and use more breathable materials for summer, made possible by 3D, flat-knitting technology. According to knittingindustry.com, the group’s European subsidiary Ford of Europe is using the technology to …
November 25, 2019
Otratex, the next generation of the VinylLife collection from Fil Doux Textiles introduced in 2016, has been reengineered, the company reports. The degradable vinyl alternative is engineered phthalate-free and incorporates enzymes that react with microorganisms found in landfills, acting as the catalyst for its eventual decomposition. The goal for Otratex is to create a closed …
November 25, 2019
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) and Hohenstein have announced a collaboration to utilize the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification system in the LS&Co. supply chain. This will amplify the capabilities of the Screened Chemistry program developed by LS&Co., helping to establish a clearer pathway toward safer chemistry in the apparel industry by providing enhanced levels …
October 4, 2019
Keynote speaker Thom Singer hosted IFAI’s annual award ceremony October 3 at Expo 2019, continuing his message to “see people.” As Expo exhibitors and attendees entered the breakfast event, Singer encouraged people to separate from familiar colleagues and sit with new people. This year’s award ceremony was infused with an additional goal—that of networking with …
October 4, 2019
“The building block is fabric, but there are a million possibilities to utilize solar,” says Pvilion founder and CEO Colin Touhey. Touhey gave an introductory presentation October 3 at Expo 2019 on cases for energy generation in fabric products. One of his first projects using solar cells in fabric was architectural in nature when he …
October 3, 2019
Amid the latest fabrics, equipment, technology and services for the specialty fabrics industry, Lorenzo, Lilo, Lolo, and Lulo stole hearts, and, according to some dog lovers—the show—at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. For this Expo, the Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) and the Pet Alliance of Greater Orlando came together to promote two great causes. …
October 2, 2019
The U.S. government is the largest buyer of goods and services in the world, and there are enough opportunities available for everyone to participate in military contract bidding, if you follow the right steps, according to Jennifer Fennell, CPM, director of procurement for Polo Custom Products, Topeka, Kan. Fennell and Jeff Papalia, textiles program manager …
October 2, 2019
Bud Weisbart, vice president of AR Tech, Fontana, Calif., led the advanced textiles conference session “Growing through diversification into technical markets: from trash covers and truck covers to ground support and flight hardware,” presented Tuesday, Oct. 1, at IFAI Expo 2019 in Orlando, Fla. The session explored how diversification based on core competencies—capabilities or advantages …
October 2, 2019
Thom Singer, the keynote speaker at IFAI’s annual meeting on Wed., Oct. 2, at IFAI Expo, is clear about one thing: People want to do business with people they know, like and trust. And that connection won’t happen through second-hand tools offered on social media or other electronic sites. Singer, a consultant to executives and …
October 18, 2018
Advanced Textile Products and the Narrow Fabrics Institute, divisions of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), recently selected the winners of the 2018 Advanced Textiles Student Design Competition. The awards were announced during IFAI Expo 2018, held in Dallas, Texas, Oct. 15-18. First Place First-place honors went to J. Walter Lee, Stephanie Wang and Caroline …
October 17, 2018
When you plan to sell a textile product, there are numerous reasons to test it before taking it to market. Many of those testing results tell you what you can ultimately communicate to others about your product, and what they can expect of your product. Dr. Emiel DenHartog, North Carolina State University, College of Textiles, …
October 17, 2018
All the best from Texas: Wednesday morning, Oct. 17, at IFAI Expo led off with lists of winners for the year, including the most popular products on the show floor. The seventh annual Show Stopper competition was designed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, from fabrics, equipment and chemicals to services …
October 17, 2018
Service Thread, based in Laurinburg, N.C., was awarded the 2018 Industrial Fabrics Foundation (IFF) Greater Good Award at IFAI Expo 2018 in Dallas, Texas. The Greater Good Award focuses on an IFAI member company that does good business—and strives to be a good neighbor, good citizen, and good partner. Nomination criteria were based on the …
November 25, 2019
What’s driving sustainable practices in today’s textile industry. by Marie O’Mahony The story of sustainability in the textile industry has grown and evolved, particularly in the last decade, with circularity now driving sustainability across the materials sector. According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, “A circular economy is based on the principles of designing out waste …
November 11, 2019
Environmentally friendly materials and processes can add value to textiles. by Seshadri Ramkumar The textile industry and the world of sustainability have evolved in the last four decades. The need to conserve resources for future generation, which has rightly become a movement, began with an examination of greenhouse gas emissions. The labels used to refer …
October 21, 2019
Businesses are challenged with making decisions in an uncertain trade environment. by Marie O’Mahony Editor’s note: The issue of U.S. trade is unusually dynamic and evolving today. This article represents information available when the speaker presented at IFAI Expo in early October. With international trade in a state of flux, it’s understandable that the advanced …
October 7, 2019
Presentations at IFAI Expo’s Advanced Textiles Conference explain textiles’ critical role in NASA’s missions. by Janet Preus NASA was among the exhibitors that also served as presenters at IFAI Expo in Orlando last week. In two presentations—an Advanced Textiles Conference education session, and a shorter, more informal “campfire” on the show floor— NASA representatives stressed …
September 23, 2019
New standards and test methods are needed for medical textiles. by Matthew Hardwick The spread of infection is a concern for all of us and in many circumstances, but nowhere is it more concerning than in health care. The spread of infection both to and from medical environments is an ever-present problem in hospitals and …
September 9, 2019
How Medical Device Master Files can support a productive business partnership. by Elaine Duncan Medical Device Master Files, known as a MAF, have value for textile contract manufacturers and the medical device developer in many ways. Most medical device manufacturers who incorporate a medical textile into their product will seek a knowledgeable textile contractor who …
August 26, 2019
Energy harvesting wearables offer an intriguing alternative in meeting energy needs. by Seshadri Ramkumar The topic of this article certainly exudes interest and intrigue, but while the nonconventional textiles sector has been well established for about 50-years, the energy harvesting field is yet nascent, and commercialization hasn’t reached a level that can be well quantified. …
August 12, 2019
New developments address power and its integration into the production process—for whatever applications can be imagined. by Marie O’Mahony The means chosen in energy provision for smart textiles is largely dictated by the application, or, more precisely, the needs and behavior of the user. This is a meaningful development, taking it from the typical questions …
July 29, 2019
The European market is influencing open international standards development through IPC. by Chris Jorgensen In spring 2017, companies representing the global e-textiles community formed the IPC D-70 E-Textiles Committee to develop IPC international standards for their industry. As word spread about the committee and its activities, the committee roster grew to more than 150 organizations …
July 15, 2019
Slash resistant clothing can reduce the risk of knife injuries and laceration. by Robert Kaiser People throughout history have sought and found the means to protect themselves with specially designed and constructed garments. From furs and chainmail, to leather, metals or fabric, a range of materials has been used creatively to protect against injury or …
October 21, 2019
Global yarn production has increased by 17 percent between the final quarter of 2018 and the first quarter of 2019, according to the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF), a recent article in knittingindustry.com said. Higher output levels were observed in Asia (+18 percent), Brazil (+18 percent), the U.S. (+3.2 percent) and Europe (+1.6 percent). The …
October 11, 2019
Governor Gina Raimondo recently joined with University of Rhode Island (URI) President David Dooley to announce $1 million in funding for the creation of the 401 Tech Bridge, the Rhode Island Materials Innovation Center. Industry partners will be able to work in the 401 Tech Bridge Center with the University of Rhode Island and entities …
October 2, 2019
Each year, the Leadership Development Committee of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) follows a detailed process outlined in association bylaws for electing new board members. As recently announced at IFAI’s annual meeting at IFAI Expo in Orlando, the following individuals have been chosen to serve on the IFAI board of directors: Ron Houle, president …
July 29, 2019
Join industry experts October 1 at the Orange County Convention Center, Orlando, Fla., as they lead educational and inspiring sessions at the Advanced Textiles Conference. Presentations will cover topics in military, medical, smart fabrics and aerospace markets, as well as discussions about innovation and standards. Speakers include: Elaine Duncan, MSME, RAC, AIMBE, Paladin Medical Inc. …
June 19, 2019
The Association of Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) presents RISE 2019 Sept. 24–25 at North Carolina State University (NC State) in Raleigh, N.C. The conference is designed to be two days of in-depth technical exploration into “what’s next” and “what’s needed” from leaders in materials research and innovative science as applied to engineered fabrics, the organizers of …
June 18, 2019
Covestro has completed the expansion of its thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) capacity at its Changhua manufacturing site in Taiwan, according to Knitting Industry.com. The company predicts that the plant will cater to the Asia Pacific region’s market needs, including providing bio-based TPU. TPU is used for flexibility and performance in the footwear and automotive markets as …
June 17, 2019
IPC E-Textiles 2019 is a technical education workshop for innovators, technologists and brands to learn about the latest innovations, designs and manufacturing concepts and to collaborate on solutions and identify partners. The event takes place at Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pa., Sept. 10–11, 2019. The event will provide a venue for active participation during technical …
June 10, 2019
The LOOMIA Electronic Layer (LEL) by New York, N.Y.-based LOOMIA Technologies has received the 2019 NYCxDesign Award for Technology. The small startup was in competition with projects by much larger companies, such as Steelcase, Basalte, and Frasch. While LOOMIA is known for its smart textiles for apparel projects, the firm’s industry reach now extends to …
April 8, 2019
Kamber Narrow Fabric Machinery LLC, a global trader and specialist in pre-owned weaving, braiding and knitting machinery, has announced a new Hot Swap program for manufacturers. The program offers manufacturers the opportunity to have their narrow fabric needle looms completely refurbished with a full one-year warranty and with zero minutes of downtime with their current …
April 5, 2019
Members: $69 Non-Members: $129 April 30 | Noon EST Join Justine Decaens of CTT Group for a webinar in conjunction with the Smart Fabrics Virtual Summit. The start-up culture is emerging as textile manufacturers have begun diversifying and differentiating by leveraging smart textiles. This culture is driving a new mentality and providing leadership roles for women. …
November 25, 2019
Tech-based clothing startup Vollebak has launched a T-shirt made entirely from wood pulp and algae. The shirt will break down in soil or in a composter within three months. Vollebak sources wood from eucalyptus, beech and spruce trees, which are chipped and pulped before being turned into fiber, then yarn and finally into fabric for …
November 7, 2019
Scientists have developed a new product called Skin-On that’s meant to look and feel like a human, as well as react to caressing, tickling and pinching. According to an article on designboom.com, the interfaces are sensitive cases that can be attached to mobile phones, wearable devices and laptop touchpads to increase their capabilities. Skin-On artificial skin …
October 25, 2019
The Somnox Sleep Robot is designed to help users fall asleep by mimicking breathing patterns.The device was developed by a team of engineers who met at the Robotics Institute of the Delft University of Technology, The Netherlands. The soft robot is meant to be cuddled like a teddy bear, helping to induce slow, rhythmic breathing and encourage restful …
October 21, 2019
A 65 kilogram robotic suit has helped a paralyzed man walk again. The suit uses advanced computer software and two brain implants that read and transmit information from the part of the patient’s brain that controls motor function. As reported on designboom.com, the patient had surgery to place the implants on the surface of his brain, …
September 23, 2019
According to Google, Cit-e Backpack by Saint Laurent (YSL), featuring Jacquard™ by Google Technology, is “the first connected luxury backpack that can control music, drop pins on the go, take pictures, and do more with a simple gesture.” According to digitaltrends.com, the backpack comes with a new, revised version of the Project Jacquard tag, which …
September 3, 2019
Japanese artist and designer Yukako Hihara has created a pair of shoes that uses magnetic forces to create the physical sense of walking on the moon. The “anti-gravity” shoes were created as part of an experiment to offer consumers a product that made them feel like they were flying. To create shoes that give the sensation of defying …
August 26, 2019
Innovative sportswear and sports gear company, Vollebak, has launched a jacket that will reflect all colors of the visible light spectrum. The Black Squid Jacket is a fully waterproof and windproof outer shell that mimics one of nature’s most mesmerising innovations – the adaptive camouflage of the squid. Over the last 500 million years they’ve …
August 23, 2019
Researchers at Keio University in Japan have developed “Arque,” a robotic tail that humans can wear to improve balance. The device was informed by the ways animals passively use their tails to shift their center of gravity. Arque consists of interlocking plastic vertebrae that use a spring-based structure to handle shearing and tangential forces. Each vertebra is controlled …
August 12, 2019
Robots and prosthetic devices may soon have a sense of touch equivalent to, or better than, the human skin with the Asynchronous Coded Electronic Skin (ACES), an artificial nervous system developed by a team of researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS). Sciencedaily.com reports that the new material has high responsiveness and robustness to …
August 12, 2019
Industrial designer Yael Akirav has explored a new way of turning on light fixtures by using 3D printing of conductive filament directly on a textile, which is then folded using origami techniques. When the printed material conducts electricity, the origami-like intersecting folds of the fabric turn on the light by contracting and stretching the structure. The rigid printing onto …
December 5, 2019
Lycra has launched its new Lycra FitSense technology for swimwear. A recent article in KnittingIndustry reported that the technology is screen-printed onto fabric containing Lycra fiber. The aim is to eliminate extra weight and seams that could restrict movement or cause discomfort. Lycra FitSense contains the same molecule as Lycra fiber, but in liquid form, which can be screen-printed for …
December 3, 2019
Developing countries, refugee camps and disaster relief zones often do not have the resources needed to establish Neonatal Intensive Care Units, so that low birth-weight babies face a much higher risk of death. Fergus Vaux, a recent product design graduate at Nottingham Trent University, U.K., has designed a product to address this need. Offering a …
November 25, 2019
Ford Motor Co., based in Dearborn, Mich, is exploring the idea of letting customers design their own seat covers, add custom touches such as pockets and padding, and use more breathable materials for summer, made possible by 3D, flat-knitting technology. According to knittingindustry.com, the group’s European subsidiary Ford of Europe is using the technology to …
November 19, 2019
CORDURA brand has introduced MoveX CORDURA NYCO, a range of stretch fabrics from Sapphire Mills. Innovation in Textiles reports that the new fabrics are said to offer specifically engineered enhanced stretch solutions to provide dimensional stability and chemical resistance required for garments subjected to higher-temperature washing. The MoveX range is designed to offer excellent stretch and stretch-recovery properties as well as the …
November 15, 2019
Sparked by an industry need for affordable luxury, American Silk Mills, High Point, N.C., introduces ASM Loft™. This is the first product to be introduced with the company’s partnership with parent company, Sutlej Textiles and Industries Ltd. The collection benefits from the innovative designs of American Silk Mills and the efficient and skillful production of …
November 11, 2019
by Marie O’Mahony Established in 1921, the Deutsche Institut für Textil + Faserforschung (DITF) prides itself on “application-orientated research from molecules to products.” The German textile research institute occupies a unique global position in its focus on textiles, covering the entire value chain with activities that include R+D, testing, prototyping and a pilot factory. A highlight …
November 11, 2019
Producing fabrics that perform all the functions desired, while retaining the best characteristics of fabric is no easy task. Two groups of researchers at Drexel University, Philadelphia, Pa., believe they have a solution by improving a basic element of textiles: yarn. One group is leading the development of industrial functional fabric production techniques, and the other is …
November 4, 2019
Electronic skin patches anchor a device to the skin to achieve a specific function, but most of the successful products on the market are not necessarily known as “electronic skin patches,” says IDTechEx Principal Analyst James Hayward. In a recently published article, Hayward notes the range of uses for electronic skin patches. In diabetes management, products …
October 30, 2019
Devan Chemicals has launched its CBD (cannabidiol) fabric treatment. The company says that its Acabada ProActiveWear is the world’s first CBD-infused activewear brand, intended to help people manage pain. CBD molecules are infused into fabrics by wrapping microscopic droplets of zero-THC, hemp-derived CBD with a protective coating. Placed within the garments to align with muscle …
October 21, 2019
The Hohenstein Institute has a new 4D body scanner that will be used in a series of research projects aimed at developing a standard method of analyzing how a clothing item restricts movement. Scanning in 4D shows body shape and size for the intended customer, helping to determine the impact of movement on the garment, …
