October 15, 2020
SABIC, a global chemicals industry company, is collaborating with Fibertex Personal Care, manufacturer of spunbond nonwovens for the hygiene industry, to create a range of nonwovens using high purity recycled plastics from SABIC’s TRUCIRCLE™ portfolio and services. This will be the world’s first nonwovens range based on recycled plastics in the hygiene industry. The initiative …
October 12, 2020
In a day when fast fashion is the norm, and so much of what we wear ends up in landfills, one designer has a fresh idea: biodegradable knit shoes for children that come with an expiration date. “What if we could buy clothes the same way we buy milk, according to our needs and taking into …
October 12, 2020
U.S. Army and Texas A&M University researchers have developed a new material that can autonomously heal in air and under water. The 3-D printable and stimuli-responsive polymeric materials are expected to enable massive reconfigurability in future military platforms, said Dr. Frank Gardea, an aerospace engineer and principal investigator of this work for the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development …
October 12, 2020
by Janet Preus I’ve written about e-textiles numerous times over the past few years. There’s a reason for that. At first it was my own fascination with a technology which could transform a host of textile products. (I may still have my heated socks that required wires running up my leg, attached to two “D” …
October 12, 2020
IPC E-Textiles Summit covers innovations, markets and business advice. by Janet Preus A large group of presenters and attendees participated in IPC’s two-day conference on e-textiles recently, sharing insights about new technologies, the business of e-textiles, markets and trends. The textile industry, generally, has been quick to respond to industry needs throughout the course of …
October 12, 2020
A new robotic fabric structure, developed in the lab of Prof. Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio at Yale University, could lead to new innovations in adaptive clothing, self-deploying shelters, or lightweight shape-changing machinery. The robotic fabric created by the researchers has actuation, sensing and variable stiffness fibers while retaining the qualities desired in a fabric: flexibility, breathability, small storage …
October 12, 2020
Global industrial thread manufacturer Coats Group is launching Gotex StremX. According to Coats, it’s the first new product of its kind for the telecom cable industry in 20 years. For use as a strength member in fiber optic cables, it is the critical component that preserves the integrity and flexibility of cables to protect the …
October 8, 2020
French outdoor brand Salomon as unveiled Index.01, a performance running shoe made to be recycled. The result of three years of research and development at Salomon’s Annecy Design Center in the French Alps, the shoe has been constructed to reduce material waste by using circular life cycle principles. By using recycled polyester for the upper …
October 6, 2020
Oros, the outdoor wear apparel known for using space-worthy aerogel for insulation, has collaborated with astronauts on a limited-edition jacket. The company reports that the same science used to insulate spacecraft at -450°F can also keep people warmer here on Earth than more typical insulation, such as goose feathers. NASA’s nearly weightless aerogel technology is the …
September 28, 2020
Following wider corporate commitments made by the Lenzing Group in 2019 to drive sustainability and combat climate change, TENCEL™, Lenzing’s flagship brand for textiles, is introducing its first carbon-zero TENCEL™ branded lyocell and modal fibers to the market. Following the strict guidelines of The CarbonNeutral Protocol, the fibers are certified CarbonNeutral® products for the textile …
September 21, 2020
ROSEVILLE, MN—Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and Messe Stuttgart, organizers of R+T in Stuttgart, Germany; R+T Turkey in Istanbul, Turkey; R+T Asia in Shanghai, China and R+T South America in Sao Paulo, Brazil, are pleased to announce that they will co-locate IFAI Expo with Messe Stuttgart’s new U.S. show named Sun Shading Expo North America …
March 17, 2020
As concern over the Coronavirus (COVID-19) grows, I want all IFAI members to know we are closely monitoring developments and following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO). We will follow their recommendations to keep our employees, their families and our members healthy and safe. With this in …
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 12, 2020
IPC E-Textiles Summit covers innovations, markets and business advice. by Janet Preus A large group of presenters and attendees participated in IPC’s two-day conference on e-textiles recently, sharing insights about new technologies, the business of e-textiles, markets and trends. The textile industry, generally, has been quick to respond to industry needs throughout the course of …
September 28, 2020
E-textile technologies have taken their place in the larger textile arena. by Janet Preus In the midst of the reworking of so many segments of the textile industry due to the pandemic, one market segment has been able to stay focused on the basics of what it does: e-textiles, and now conductive fibers and yarns. …
September 14, 2020
Wearables become more commercially viable with conductive fiber technology. By Marie O’Mahony Fibers that offer sensing with purpose have been given a more determined emphasis with the current pandemic. Like many smart materials and wearable technologies, there may be many exciting advances, but finding an application as equally forward looking can be challenging. Some recent …
August 24, 2020
What it will take to make 3D printed textiles viable in the industry. by Kony Chatterjee and Tushar K. Ghosh The advent of 3D printing (3DP) has drawn considerable interest from academia, industry and amateur hobbyists as a novel method of producing objects layer-by-layer (lbl) via a bottom-up manufacturing approach. This method of “additive” manufacturing (used …
August 10, 2020
New collaborations sparked by COVID-19 are set to support growth for the sector. by Seshadri Ramkumar The shortage of personnel protective equipment (PPE) has spearheaded creative efforts around the world, with researchers working to produce new PPE products in an effort to meet the needs fueled by the pandemic. 3D printing has also supported the …
July 27, 2020
How COVID-19 is driving the development of a more sustainable kind of PPE. by Debra Cobb From community masks and health workers’ kits, to hospital gowns, drapes and wraps, disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) is playing a critical role in our battle against COVID-19 infections. But what about the mountain of disposable PPE, which is …
July 13, 2020
Major brands have led initiatives to improve sustainability in the textile industry. by Marie O’Mahony The sports industry has become one of the leading drivers of sustainability in textiles, after having got off to a slow start initially. Designers, such as Stella McCartney with her longstanding relationship with global sports brand adidas®, have played an …
June 22, 2020
As information on coronavirus becomes available, face covers and PPE specifications and standards should be developed in response. by Seshadri Ramkumar On June 18, Governor Gavin Newsom of California issued a statewide order mandating face cover use in public places and areas where social distancing is not feasible. Although a brief description of “face covers” …
June 8, 2020
The future of drug delivery via clothing is here. by Janet Preus Presentations at IFAI’S Smart Fabrics Conference in April reflected a range of topics in the growing field of smart fabrics. In a session titled, “Clothing: The Next Frontier for Drug Delivery,” Nufabrx founder and CEO Jordan Schindler explained that we could soon make …
May 25, 2020
A multidisciplinary approach to innovations in PPE could support needed development. by Seshadri Ramkumar Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) are important and even mandatory procurements under any circumstance. The COVID-19 pandemic has heightened the need for the development of a variety of items, including new materials to be used in medical, consumer and defense products. The …
September 3, 2020
By Kathryn Allen, APPI Energy (Editor’s note: APPI energy services are included in the membership benefit package offered by Industrial Fabrics Association International. The following information was compiled by APPI to help explain their services.) APPI Energy provides our clients a comprehensive way to reduce energy expenses and create budget certainty. Unbiased and independent, we …
February 10, 2020
Nerve agents are some of deadliest substances on the planet. From Sarin gas, which turns the human nervous system against itself, to mustard gas, which burns on contact and disrupts respiratory function, these chemicals, often unseen, are ones the U.S. Army is working to protecting against and destroy. A new fabric, generated by Omar Farha’s …
January 27, 2020
by Chris Jorgensen During a meeting at IPC APEX EXPO 2017, members of the e-textiles industry approached IPC (Association Connecting Electronics Industries) to help achieve their goal of developing international standards for their burgeoning field. IPC standards are open international standards, meaning anyone can participate in the process and can influence IPC standards, and because …
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 …
September 14, 2020
Known for its solar-powered and origami-inspired lighting, Solight Design, based in New York, N.Y., has ventured into the mask design arena with the SEEUS95 clear, self-adhering, earloop-free mask, which the company says can provide better protection than masks made with nonwoven polypropylene, woven or knit fabrics. The mask features a natural filter made of bamboo, silk, …
September 14, 2020
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, U.S. consumers send about 70 percent of the clothes and footwear produced each year to landfill. Project Biogarmentry, by designer Roya Aghighi, has been launched to address the drastic increase in the environmental impact of textile waste and air pollution. Using the fields of synthetic biology and design, its …
September 8, 2020
London-based smart textile designer Michelle Rinow has unveiled her Transforming Touch Series, which was developed based on research about the benefits of sensory play for adults. “Many people think play is just for children, but I believe play is necessary through all stages of life and should be accessible to people no matter their physical abilities, age …
July 27, 2020
With mask-wearing now a part of everyday life worldwide, designers and innovators have tried to provide improved face coverings that address a variety of concerns. Some have been made transparent; others are made with biodegradable materials to address disposal problems. But among the innovations, there hasn’t been a mask that connects to the Internet … until …
June 22, 2020
Scientists at the University of Pittsburgh and Harvard University have demonstrated a new method for ‘programming’ liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) that enables them to twist and bend in the presence of light. This made it possible to replicate the complex twisting actions of the human muscle system in the materials, a breakthrough particularly useful for applications in soft robotics …
June 8, 2020
Octopus, squid and other sea creatures can perform a disappearing act by using specialized tissues in their bodies to manipulate the transmission and reflection of light, and now researchers at the University of California Irvine have engineered human cells to have similar transparent abilities. In a paper published recently in Nature Communications, the scientists described how …
May 25, 2020
During the current COVID-19 pandemic, the race has been on to provide adequate numbers of personal protective equipment (PPE). Designers, manufacturers and individuals at home have come out in force to offer creative solutions ranging from 3D printed shields to DIY face masks. Since many of these designs have used plastic-based material, Elizabeth Bridges and Garrett Benisch of Sum …
May 11, 2020
Los Angeles-based creative studio Production Club offers a solution for the music and night life industries, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic. The company has recently released renderings of its latest concept, the Micrashell Protective Suit. As stay-at-home restrictions are eased, there is still a need to be assured of safety, even when you first venture out socially. Designed …
May 5, 2020
The textile industry is set to put microalgae to work to develop materials for fabrics, apparel and footwear, according to a Sportstextile.com article. Companies around the world are collaborating, researching and producing materials using some of the simplest organisms. Finishes Research has made algae’s contributions to the textile industry into a rapidly changing landscape, the article reports. …
April 27, 2020
Infrared radiation, which is invisible, is used for various purposes, including for coronavirus detection (through thermal imaging cameras and biosensors). A Korean research team has developed a technology that visualizes infrared radiation and expands its application range, a report on www.phys.org says. The Korea Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) has announced that Dr. Kwon Seok-joon’s research …
October 12, 2020
U.S. Army and Texas A&M University researchers have developed a new material that can autonomously heal in air and under water. The 3-D printable and stimuli-responsive polymeric materials are expected to enable massive reconfigurability in future military platforms, said Dr. Frank Gardea, an aerospace engineer and principal investigator of this work for the U.S. Army’s Combat Capabilities Development …
October 12, 2020
A new robotic fabric structure, developed in the lab of Prof. Rebecca Kramer-Bottiglio at Yale University, could lead to new innovations in adaptive clothing, self-deploying shelters, or lightweight shape-changing machinery. The robotic fabric created by the researchers has actuation, sensing and variable stiffness fibers while retaining the qualities desired in a fabric: flexibility, breathability, small storage …
October 12, 2020
Global industrial thread manufacturer Coats Group is launching Gotex StremX. According to Coats, it’s the first new product of its kind for the telecom cable industry in 20 years. For use as a strength member in fiber optic cables, it is the critical component that preserves the integrity and flexibility of cables to protect the …
October 6, 2020
Oros, the outdoor wear apparel known for using space-worthy aerogel for insulation, has collaborated with astronauts on a limited-edition jacket. The company reports that the same science used to insulate spacecraft at -450°F can also keep people warmer here on Earth than more typical insulation, such as goose feathers. NASA’s nearly weightless aerogel technology is the …
September 28, 2020
Nylstar, a Spanish producer of premium polyamide 6.6 yarns and fabrics, has introduced Meryl Skinlife Force, an odorless. antimicrobial, antibacterial and antiviral fabric with silver ion technology. According to the company, the fabrics can be used for the development of masks, gowns and other medical products that can be reused more than100 times after being washed at …
September 25, 2020
Ahlstrom-Munksjö has announces the launch of TrustShield™ Biological, a personal protective apparel medical fabric designed to shield against hazardous pathogens. The product portfolio offers a range of medical fabrics designed to provide superior protection in the operating room, clinical and laboratory environments. TrustShield™ fabrics are laser resistant, protect against chemical permeation, and are highly absorbent. They …
September 21, 2020
Qmax World LLP, a manufacturer of uniform fabrics has announced the launch of SELF HEAL™ fabrics. Made in collaboration with the Australian Company making HealthGuard®, an antiviral and antibacterial treatment, this innovation promises protection to those in uniform, from health personnel to law enforcement, factory workers to students in school. The SELF HEAL™ fabrics’ technique …
September 14, 2020
PyroTex Industries, based in Hamburg, Germany, says that it has succeeded in producing a fiber that has an activity of 99.57 percent (99 percent after 14 seconds) against the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This result has been confirmed by an independent, ISO-certified laboratory according to ISO 18184: 2019. “We are thrilled that textiles made out of PyroTex® can …
September 10, 2020
Trisit Textiltechnologie, a textile manufacturer using 3D knitting technology, has developed a range of protective face masks to assist in the fight against COVID-19. The Achtrer Group company, which is located in Ulm, Germany, was an early adopter of Stoll flat-knitting technology for technical applications. The company is known for its 3D knitted lampshades, handbags, …
September 3, 2020
A new jacket has been designed to provide a solution for resuming normal life by protecting the wearer, as well as those encountered from contaminants. The JUST5 jacket sets up a highly effective barrier to shield the wearer from spoiling contaminants in the surrounding area. The creation of the jacket is the result of an …
