Printable, elastic conductors offer wearable possibilities

July 10th, 2015

A new elastic, printable and highly conductive ink developed at the University of Tokyo holds the potential to facilitate electronic apparel, such as sportswear and underwear, incorporating sensing devices to measure such biological indicators as heart rate and muscle contraction. Current printed electronics—transistors, light-emitting diodes and solar panels—can be printed on plastic or paper, but […]

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Archroma closes acquisition of BASF Performance Chemicals

July 10th, 2015

Specialty-chemicals maker Archroma has closed its acquisition of BASF’s global textile chemicals business. BASF Performance Chemicals delivers products and technologies across the entire textile chemicals spectrum, with particular strengths in printing, finishing and coating. The acquisition boosts Archroma’s presence in Asia and other high-growth markets. The combined textiles businesses will remain headquartered in Singapore. The […]

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Medelita lab coats feature M(3) fabric

July 9th, 2015

Medelita, San Clemente, Calif.-based maker of medical attire, has launched a new collection of lab coats featuring M(3) fabric, a “dual-effect” technology, now available after two years of research and testing. The proprietary interior material is breathable, offering moisture wicking for comfort and bacteriostatic odor-suppressing protection. The exterior finish repels fluid, soil and stains while […]

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Toho Tenax’s prepreg used in electric racecar

July 8th, 2015

Teijin Limited, Tokyo, says its carbon fiber sheet pre-impregnated with matrix resin, or prepreg, made by Toho Tenax Co. Ltd. (the core company of the Teijin Group’s carbon fibers and composites business), was used in the lightweight body of the electric racecar that competed in the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado in […]

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INVISTA and workout attire for the workplace

July 7th, 2015

As activewear becomes more common in the workplace, Wichita, Kan.-based fiber maker INVISTA has joined emerging designers to explore the fashion potential of outdoor wear. Based on consumer insights, and with help from fashion tech startup Manufacture New York (MNY), INVISTA combines new designs with fabric and fiber innovations, namely T400® technology by LYCRA® and […]

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Multimillion euro upgrade at DSM plant

July 2nd, 2015

Materials company DSM has upgraded its polyesters facility in Emmen, The Netherlands, in the amount of several million euros. The investment includes a capture system that uses wastewater from the production plant to reduce to almost zero the emissions into the air of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Since it bought the plant in 2009, energy […]

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Rieter’s ‘spin center’ opens in China

July 1st, 2015

In 2012–13, Rieter Textile Systems, Winterthur, Switzerland, went “all in” on its investment in the short staple fiber spinning industry in China. The major supplier of textile machinery and components capped off its commitment during the grand opening of the Rieter Application and Research Centre for Spinning Technology in Changzhou, China. Among the services available […]

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