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Bolger & O’Hearn embraces solar energy
January 20th, 2017
Specialty chemical developer Bolger & O’Hearn announces that it has recently installed solar panels at its Mass.-based headquarters. With an output of roughly 87kWh, the panels will convert sunlight into clean energy, providing more efficient, responsibly sourced power to its facilities and reducing its carbon footprint. “The decision to implement solar panels is really emblematic […]
Oerlikon notes demand for industrial yarns systems
January 19th, 2017
Last year, systems manufacturer Oerlikon Barmag experienced a significant uptick in their industrial yarns projects — from melt to yarn production processes. Oerlikon Barmag predicts continued growth, especially in the Asian and European markets, in polyester and polyamide yarns used in the automotive sector (airbags, safety belts, tire cord); a spectrum of geotextiles; and products […]
Researchers spin spider silk one kilometer long
January 18th, 2017
Spider silk characteristics make it attractive for a wide variety of uses: It is stronger than steel, is tolerated well when implanted in tissue and it’s biodegradable. Harvesting the silk, however, has proven a hurdle. Spiders are difficult to keep captive, needless to say, and they produce small amounts of silk. Large-scale production requires artificial […]
New INVISTA™ nylon thread for CORDURA®
January 17th, 2017
Polymer fiber manufacturer INVISTA™, owner of CORDURA® brand, has created INVISTA T420HT, the strongest version of its nylon 6.6 fiber. Two years of research yielded this high-tenacity fiber, which promises to add core strength to CORDURA fabrics. The company expects the new fiber to launch a new generation of lightweight, durable fabrics used in workwear, […]
Protective driving apparel sales race up
January 16th, 2017
The global driving apparel market was worth $11.8 billion in 2015 and is expected to reach $17.2 billion by the end of 2024, experiencing a 4.6 percent compound annual growth rate (CAGR), according to a report published by Transparency Market Research. Driving apparel includes gear for protecting the user from injury during road accidents—motorcycle jackets, pants, shoes […]
Labon opens fiber plant in South Carolina
January 13th, 2017
China-based fiber and textile manufacturer Labon cites the friendly business climate and skilled workforce as prime reasons for locating its first U.S. operation in Orangeburg County, S.C. The company will invest $3.1 million over the next five years, creating 23 new jobs in the process. The company purchased a 15,700-square-foot facility that had been vacant […]
Thermore’s Ecodown approved by bluesign®
January 12th, 2017
Thermore announced its Ecodown 100 percent recycled insulation is now bluesign® and Global Recycle Standard certified. On average, the use of Ecodown in a jacket means up to 10 PET bottles have been recycled. With the latest certification, all key Thermore product categories are bluesign approved. The company also announced the launch of its redesigned […]
Biosteel fibers certified for safety and biodegradability
January 11th, 2017
AMSilk production and product development processes as well as the biological degradability of the company’s Biosteel fibers were confirmed. Biosteel fiber received certification from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 (Confidence in Textiles) for product class 1 by the Hohenstein Institute. Product class 1 textiles receive this certification if they pass tests regarding pollutants and product safety. The […]
Self-healing, stretchable, transparent and conductive
January 6th, 2017
Scientists, including several from the University of California, Riverside (UCR), have developed a transparent, self-healing, highly stretchable conductive material that can be electrically activated to power artificial muscles and could be used to improve batteries, electronic devices and robots. According to information provided by UCR, the findings, recently published in the journal Advanced Material, represent the […]
Interactive jacket designed for connecting
January 6th, 2017
Design entrepreneur Henk-Jan Room has created an interactive jacket that’s meant to promote more meaningful human connections. The jacket connects to a smart phone and to social media via an app. The wearer can select preferences with the app, and based on these choices, the jacket communicates through light with other people as soon as […]