May 25, 2020
As companies pivot to producing and testing personal protective equipment for healthcare workers, there are lots of questions. AATCC has created a series of webinars to answer questions about AATCC test methods commonly used to evaluate Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The first two webinars address test methods cited in AAMI PB70 for liquid barrier performance …
May 25, 2020
Two companies newly established in Germany to manufacture and distribute high-end protective masks were in the spotlight at the beginning of May. FleeceforEurope and Lindenpartner, Düsseldorf-based Kloepfel Group purchasing consultancy, and Berlin-based industrial consultancy Bechinger & Heymann Holding plan to manufacture and distribute up to 50 million protection class FFP1 through FFP3 respiratory masks a …
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 …
May 25, 2020
AR Tech, Fontana, Calif., has received emergency approval for the use of its Patient Isolation Transportation Unit (PITU) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. PITU is designed to temporarily isolate and transport patients with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. “There is no adequate, approved and available alternative to the emergency use of the …
May 25, 2020
Swiss hygiene company Livinguard has announced that its technology for disinfecting textiles has been shown, through scientific testing, to destroy human coronavirus 229e. The new research revealed that textiles treated with Livinguard’s technology can destroy pathogens of all kinds upon contact, including human coronavirus 229e, and the protection is sustained through multiple uses and washes. …
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 20, 2020
Stansell Industries is now offering automated face mask production machinery for standard 3-ply surgical masks and N95 face masks. Machinery can be ready for shipping in 15-20 days. The company says that its automated 3-Ply Medical Mask Machine is capable of producing 80-100 industry standard surgical face masks per minute. The process is fully automated, …
May 19, 2020
Lombardy, Italy-based Warp Knit (WKS) specialist Cifra SpA has recently engineered and produced a range of protective masks called Warp-Mask, which will be used to help in the country’s fight against COVID-19. Cifra CEO Cesare Citterio says the design of its hi-tech mask will be OekoTex Standard 100 certified, warp-knitted, double-layered, water-repellent, knitted in one without …
May 15, 2020
AMETEK Surface Vision, a provider of online surface inspection solutions, is helping nonwoven material manufacturers meet increased demands for the production of personal protective equipment (PPE). The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly increased demand for a wide range of medical clothing that meets regulatory standards for healthcare and hygiene, including protective masks, gowns, caps and scrub suits. As …
May 14, 2020
In honor of National Textiles Day, Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) is celebrating not only textiles and their myriad uses, but the front-line workers in various industries who are using these fabrics to save lives. Held on May 3, National Textiles Day recognizes all the ways textiles improve lives. In response to the current COVID-19 emergency, …
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 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 …
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 …
May 11, 2020
New materials and compositions for fabrics spur innovative products. by Marie O’Mahony Health and safety are proving to be key drivers for innovative new fabric structures. These can prompt new designs in existing products and devices, or even whole new products. This is possible with imagination, expertise and an openness to look for solutions outside …
April 27, 2020
Once confined to elite sports and fitness, high-tech apparel textiles are becoming the norm. by Debra Cobb The popularity of sport and fitness brands has grown with innovation on the part of high-tech textile and technology companies. Now these functional textiles, once enjoyed only by elite athletes and uniformed personnel, are becoming the norm for …
April 27, 2020
IFAI’s Summit discusses new innovations, cybersecurity, industry engagement. by Janet Preus The Smart Fabrics Summit was held virtually this year. Presented by the U.S. Dept. of Commerce in collaboration with the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), its speakers covered a range of topics particularly pertinent in the smart fabrics market area today. The first session, …
April 27, 2020
Textile product manufacturers step up to produce personal protective equipment. by Dara Syrkin In 1910, a doctor named Lien-teh Wu was called on to help combat a plague sweeping through northern China. He determined that the disease was not caused by fleas but was contracted through the air. A recent Fast Company article recounts this scientist’s work that …
April 13, 2020
The textile industry turns to biomaterials and biomimetics for green alternatives. by Glenna B. Musante Textile and outdoor gear communities are looking for ways to limit the use of petroleum products. To achieve this goal, apparel and gear brands, as well as ingredient manufacturers within the textile industry supply chain, are beginning to replace or augment …
April 9, 2020
Manufacturers new to PPE face challenges in supply chains and specs. by Janet Preus The rapid spread of the coronavirus was accompanied by an urgent call for personal protective equipment (PPE), particularly face masks. There were plenty of manufacturers who wanted to join the effort to provide PPE, but they had never made these products …
March 30, 2020
The textile industry moves quickly to provide critical supplies to fight COVID-19. As the coronavirus pandemic spreads, the story has changed daily and even hourly. The textile industry has galvanized to respond to the need for medical masks, hospital gowns and other textile applications. In some cases, manufacturing facilities shuttered due to the crisis, were …
March 9, 2020
High performance and sustainability are the drivers in materials research. by Seshadri Ramkumar The textile industry is a major contributor to the manufacturing sector. While labor costs and market competition have forced the textile industry to move from predominantly Western countries to Eastern ones, the high-performance textiles sector that focuses on disruptive and incremental value-added …
February 24, 2020
The impact of the Trump administration’s trade actions on the textile industry. by Lawrence A. Ward and Dave Townsend Textile trade has long been complicated, requiring careful attention to the source and production methods throughout the supply chain to determine whether imports were allowed under quotas, or what tariff rate applied to the imports. Although …
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 …
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 …
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 …
February 24, 2020
Although it cannot be described as a textile, this material could replace some things that textiles provide. A team of scientists at NASA’s Ames Research Center in California is investigating and prototyping new technologies that could grow habitable structures on the moon, Mars and beyond. The technologies rely on fungi and mycelia, the branch-like threads that are …
January 27, 2020
The EXOlung, an underwater breathing device, has been designed to give divers an unlimited air supply, its creator says. The device translates the diver’s swimming motions into air movement, keeping breathing air flowing—as long as the diver keeps swimming. EXOlung uses a buoy that floats on the surface of the water to provide the diver …
January 13, 2020
Inspired by the cuttlefish’s undulating fin motion, startup company Undula Tech LLC has developed a turbine using soft material that can harvest the energy in flowing air and water. The goal, is to make renewable energy accessible and affordable worldwide. Its Undula Generator is, by design, more adaptable, sustainable and cost-effective than rotary turbines and solar …
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 …
May 25, 2020
Swiss hygiene company Livinguard has announced that its technology for disinfecting textiles has been shown, through scientific testing, to destroy human coronavirus 229e. The new research revealed that textiles treated with Livinguard’s technology can destroy pathogens of all kinds upon contact, including human coronavirus 229e, and the protection is sustained through multiple uses and washes. …
May 25, 2020
AR Tech, Fontana, Calif., has received emergency approval for the use of its Patient Isolation Transportation Unit (PITU) by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. PITU is designed to temporarily isolate and transport patients with a confirmed or suspected COVID-19 infection. “There is no adequate, approved and available alternative to the emergency use of the …
May 19, 2020
Lombardy, Italy-based Warp Knit (WKS) specialist Cifra SpA has recently engineered and produced a range of protective masks called Warp-Mask, which will be used to help in the country’s fight against COVID-19. Cifra CEO Cesare Citterio says the design of its hi-tech mask will be OekoTex Standard 100 certified, warp-knitted, double-layered, water-repellent, knitted in one without …
May 11, 2020
Researchers working at the University of Bordeaux/INSERM have created yarns of human cells from sheets of cell-assembled extracellular matrix, or CAM. The findings, reported in www.materialstoday.com, are a significant achievement because the CAM can be mass-produced for clinical applications, including tissue engineering. However, the process is complex and the usefulness of sheets for creating different shapes is …
May 11, 2020
Spanish company Closca Design has launched an innovative protective mask. Initially conceived to protect from smog, pollution, microorganisms and pollen, the Closca Mask has found an even more urgent use and has been adapted to be effective protection against coronavirus. The six disposable filters included are the same as those used in FFP2 masks, which …
May 6, 2020
Toray Industries Inc. has announced Kudos XT, a new durable water repellent (DWR) delivering higher levels of durability for both abrasion and machine washing. The breakdown of DWR treatment and subsequent “wetting out” of a garment’s outer layer has been a top consumer complaint since the advent of waterproof/breathable fabrics. DWR treatments improved over time, but consumers objected …
April 27, 2020
For some time, it has been predicted by some in the smart textile industry that a single garment will be able to adapt to changing conditions and needs, keeping its wearer cool what it’s hot outside, and warm when the weather turns chilly. In addition to wearing it outdoors, such clothing could also be worn …
April 24, 2020
Skyscrape, a West Coast-based startup, is making clothing that naturally adapts to the temperature of both the wearer and the environment, the company says. The company has created yarns to create clothing that changes shape as temperatures change, becoming thicker as temperatures drop, providing more insulation and comfort to the wearer. Active yarns in the …
April 23, 2020
U.S.-based smart fiber maker Supreme Corp. has created a wearable that can monitor vital signs and impact detection and raise the alarm if the wearer is injured, for instance in a car accident or an assault. The system uses smart yarns combined with a skin patch that can assess changes in vital signs, which allows …
April 22, 2020
Scientists have created “an ultrathin organic solar cell that is both durable and highly efficient,” according to a recent Off Grid Energy Independence article. Organic photovoltaics also hold promise as more environmentally friendly and less costly alternatives to conventional silicon-based films. The team of scientists from the RIKEN Cluster for Pioneering Research and RIKEN Center for Emergent Matter Science …
