April 16, 2024
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) announced the addition of a new local section in Pakistan. Pakistan is globally recognized for its rich textile heritage along with its modern presence as an international textile production hub. The founding of the AATCC Pakistan section is a commitment to empower an innovative, informed, and …
April 15, 2024
Global manufacturer Milliken & Company announced that it was named to the America’s Most Innovative Companies list, an annual honor published by Fortune and Statista Inc., which recognizes U.S. organizations at the forefront of innovation. This is Milliken’s second year receiving the award, and it is one of 200 companies included among the 2024 honorees. …
April 12, 2024
Eastman announced that its second U.S. molecular recycling project has been selected by the Department of Energy (DOE) to begin award negotiations for up to $375 million in Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and Inflation Reduction Act funding as part of the Industrial Demonstrations Program. The DOE announcement led to Eastman announcing the intent to build a …
April 11, 2024
Traube Awning, an awnings and shade provider based in Hartford, Ill., announced its return to family ownership after a 10-year hiatus with Steve Traube, a third-generation descendant of the founding family acquiring the company. “I’m thrilled to bring Traube Awning back to the family,” says Traube, owner of Traube Tents & Structures and now Traube …
April 9, 2024
Leigh Fibers, headquartered in Wellford, S.C., announced that it has purchased the operating assets of Martex Fiber and rebranded the business as Revive Fiber. Leigh Fibers and Revive Fiber will operate as separate but related sister companies under joint management as the largest textile recycler in North America. With multiple production facilities in South Carolina …
April 8, 2024
Following the successful development of functional invisibility shields in 2022, U.K.-based Invisibility Shield Co. has launched its second-generation invisibility shields on Kickstarter. Among the products is the “Megashield,” which the company claims is the largest one ever created. According to a report on designboom.com, more than four years ago the company focused on refining optical …
April 8, 2024
Natural Material Studio’s “Lighting Works,” designed for the Mindcraft project 2023, consists of three lighting objects that showcase the studio’s handcrafted biotextiles‘ ability to diffuse light. Made from a blend of biopolymers, natural softeners and chalk, these objects feature natural variations like streaks, bubbles, and shifts in transparency. This represents the latest stage in the Danish design studio’s use of light as an …
April 8, 2024
A new report available from Research and Markets, “Smart Textiles for Military Market Report by Type, Application, End User, and Region 2024-2032,” shows that the global smart textiles for military market size reached $890.4 million in 2023. The market is projected to reach $2,535.5 million by 2032, showing a growth rate (CAGR) of 12.33 percent during the period. The growing concerns …
April 8, 2024
I’m a researcher at heart. Even in college I would lose myself in the research part of a paper that was due in a couple of days. Authors will tell you that you’re likely to use about a fourth of the research you amass when you write a book. That was certainly the case with …
April 8, 2024
Every five years, the World Customs Organization (WCO) updates the International Harmonized System (HS) used to classify imported and exported goods. Effective January 1, 2022, a change was made to the interpretation of textile materials considered to be impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics. This can impact rates of duty, not only for the textiles, themselves, …
July 7, 2021
Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …
May 10, 2021
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …
November 16, 2020
In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries. Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries …
November 13, 2020
The U.S. textile industry has stepped up to meet the demand for face masks, medical gowns, wipes and other products necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but it needs policy changes from Washington so that the U.S. is not caught off-guard again in a future crisis, according to association leaders speaking at Industrial Fabrics Association …
November 12, 2020
Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, …
November 11, 2020
All surgical gowns are not created equal, and a Nov. 11 presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020 helped sort out the differences. The finer points of surgical gowns were discussed by Dr. Martin King, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, and Jing Liang, president of Medical PPE Consulting LLC. …
November 11, 2020
How do you create a channel from research to application? How do you create a pathway toward understanding complex human problems across supply chains and market sectors? STEM—a curriculum based on teaching science, technology, engineering and math—has branched out from basic chemistry and biology and physics classes, into collaborative efforts, including textiles, according to Stephanie …
November 11, 2020
At the 2020 Virtual Expo session, “Ask the Expert: Textile Electronics Testing and Standards,” Jesse Jur, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, discussed how standards and testing continue to evolve due to the evolution of textile-based electronics (e-textiles). Jur said that standards have long been a vital resource for …
November 10, 2020
Wildfires, hurricanes, a pandemic and civil unrest have wreaked plenty of chaos on the commercial insurance market in 2020. Steve Christenson, with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, offered guidance to business owners Nov. 9 at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020. “The business insurance market has been going through several changes this year,” says Christenson, with U.S. …
November 6, 2020
Thinking about selling your business—either to an outside party or the next generation? Then it’s time to start considering how your equipment and processes fit into your succession plan. Jonathan Palmer, the second-generation owner and CEO of equipment supplier Autometrix, and Autometrix director of global sales Truy Pham, led an educational session at IFAI Virtual …
April 8, 2024
Every five years, the World Customs Organization (WCO) updates the International Harmonized System (HS) used to classify imported and exported goods. Effective January 1, 2022, a change was made to the interpretation of textile materials considered to be impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics. This can impact rates of duty, not only for the textiles, themselves, …
March 25, 2024
Can printed electronics (PE) and flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) offer e-textiles direction that overcomes the design, manufacturing and sustainability challenges facing the industry? The annual conference and trade show LOPEC (Large-area, Organic & Printed Electronics Convention) was recently held in Munich with 176 exhibiting companies from 28 countries and more than 2,400 visitors from 48 countries. …
March 11, 2024
The advanced textiles industry is comprised of a majority of small and medium enterprises (SME), which also form a growth sector for the industry. But its development and growth depend on being nimble and creative. In the post COVID-19 era, major economies, such as the U.S., U.K. and India, are supporting the rejuvenation and growth …
February 26, 2024
Editor’s note: Two researchers with expertise in advanced technologies—and smart textiles, in particular—responded to questions about artificial intelligence and its future in the industry. Irmandy Wicaksono (IW) is a research assistant in the MIT Media Lab and lead author of a paper presenting 3DKnITS. Caitlin Knowles, Ph.D., (CK) is an e-textile device engineer with the Advanced Functional …
February 12, 2024
Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a kitchen table discussion point these days in many households, and it’s gained global prominence since serious discussions on this subject surfaced in the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While AI has been touted as an enabler of growth, concerns are surfacing regarding privacy issues and hence the …
January 29, 2024
Trends in the textile industry are apparently not easy to pin down; market researchers who study trends as a business agree on some, but not all. The degree of detail researched impacts the outcome, of course, and even market niche investigations generate hefty reports. Given the extensive reach of textile materials and products in the …
January 15, 2024
If one was to run a political, economic, social, technology (PEST) analysis on the smart and advanced textile industry for the year, “P” would dominate, as politics has impacted all sectors. But that is not to diminish important developments that have taken place in the industry, in some cases because of the conflicts, and in others despite them. PEST itself …
December 18, 2023
In its final declaration, the recent COP28 called for countries to transition away from fossil fuel, signaling textile and other manufacturing sectors to explore greener methods and products. Furthermore, emerging regulations, greater momentum in the adaptation of artificial intelligence, as well as developments in textiles and related disciplines, necessitate new standards and labeling. Additionally, greater …
December 11, 2023
“Smart textiles” that utilize specialized polymers, chemical additives or electronics to react with their environment are changing textile technology in the 21st century. E-textiles or “wearables” have been particularly promising due to their ability to monitor and communicate data to provide sensory feedback, promote health and safety, and improve athletic training. Some early examples of wearables, …
November 27, 2023
NASA has a long history of backing the research necessary to deliver fabrics that could withstand the extraordinary rigors of Space. Evelyne Orndoff is the Soft Goods Development and Testing Lead, Crew and Thermal Systems Division, for NASA. In her presentation at the Emerging Technologies Conference at ATA’s Expo, she discussed these historical fabrics, explaining …
April 2, 2024
Fashion for Good has announced the selection of 10 new innovators for its 2024 Innovation Program. The cohort is focused on novel footwear material and recycling technologies, manmade cellulosic and nylon recycling. The 2024 Innovation Program provides bespoke support based on the development stage and ambitions of each innovator, matching them with relevant industry partners …
March 27, 2024
The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) announced a call for presentation abstracts for its IDEA®25 show, set for April 29 through May 1, 2025, at Miami Beach Convention Center, Miami Beach, Fla. The theme for IDEA25 is “Nonwovens for a Healthier Planet” highlighting nonwoven advancements in sustainability. The deadline to submit is June …
March 26, 2024
Dietz-motoren GmbH, based in Dettingen unter Teck, Germany, has joined the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) as a corporate member. “ITMF welcomes Dietz-motoren as a new corporate member of ITMF. This shows that ITMF is not only an informative platform for fiber, textile, apparel, home textile, textile chemical or textile machinery companies but also for …
March 25, 2024
The American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA) announced the renewal of its board of directors’ leadership and the addition of 15 new and re-elected board members. The following individuals were confirmed as AAFA’s Board of Directors leadership for the 2024–2025 term: The following individuals were newly elected to the board of directors: The following individuals …
March 22, 2024
H&M Group and Vargas Holding, both based in Stockholm, Sweden, announced the founding of Syre, a new venture to scale textile-to-textile recycled polyester (rPET). The co-founded venture, also backed by TPG Rise Climate, aims to rapidly scale textile-to-textile recycling of polyester, and contribute to a more sustainable textile industry. H&M Group has secured an offtake …
March 14, 2024
Active Apparel Group (AAG), a manufacturer of performance apparel for the leisure/lifestyle and active market headquartered in Hamilton, Queensland, Australia, announced the seventh anniversary of its partnership with the sustainable textile finishing brand FUZE Technologies. AAG is the first apparel manufacturer to adopt FUZE’s permanent, chemical-free textile finish, and the only company in China able …
March 13, 2024
Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., director of the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU) in Lubbock, Texas, was elected to the U.S. National Academy of Inventors’ 2024 class of senior members. The U.S. National Academy of Inventors is a global network of academic inventors who hold U.S. patents. The academy has elected 124 …
March 12, 2024
Una Terra, a Zurich, Switzerland-based early growth impact investment manager, announced that it is investing $2 million in Another Tomorrow, a B-Corp-certified sustainable luxury ready-to-wear collection and platform, as part of their Series A financing round. Una Terra, also a B-Corp, is committed to scaling circular economy solutions addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. Luca Zerbini, …
March 11, 2024
The Coalition to Close the De Minimis Loophole launched March 6, representing thousands of voices, from the families of victims of fentanyl fatalities and nonprofit and nonpartisan organizations to labor unions, domestic law enforcement associations, domestic manufacturers and business associations. The coalition was formed to amplify the urgent need to reform a loophole in federal …
March 8, 2024
The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) announced that labs can now register for all 2024 AATCC Proficiency Testing Programs (PTPs). The next registration deadline is March 15 for the April Antibacterial Properties program. PTPs support certification and continuous improvement initiatives for textile laboratories and allow labs to compare results with hundreds of other labs …
April 8, 2024
Following the successful development of functional invisibility shields in 2022, U.K.-based Invisibility Shield Co. has launched its second-generation invisibility shields on Kickstarter. Among the products is the “Megashield,” which the company claims is the largest one ever created. According to a report on designboom.com, more than four years ago the company focused on refining optical …
March 25, 2024
In recent years, materials scientists and engineers have introduced increasingly sophisticated materials for robotic and prosthetic applications, including a range of electronic skins, or e-skins, designed to sense the surrounding environment and artificially reproduce the sense of touch. As explained on techxplore.com, researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing recently introduced a new dual-modal tactile e-skin that could …
February 26, 2024
An interactive installation that combined textile arts, smart materials and engineering and received a 2023 Black Rock City Honorarium at the 2023 Burning Man. Set against the vast and surreal backdrop of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, Burning Man is an annual gathering that transforms the flat, barren expanse into a vibrant playground for artistic …
January 15, 2024
Avery Dennison has completed a project with NRVLD, a community-based agency comprised of artists, technologists and media personalities supporting disruptive innovation. Innovation in Textiles reports that the company created limited edition augmented reality T-shirts worn by the NRVLD executive team during an immersive event held during Art Basel Miami Beach in December 2023. The 30 …
September 11, 2023
Although we’re hearing more about stretchable electronics, the fabrication of such devices’ components is far beyond most people’s abilities. Now, however, scientists have created inks that let anyone draw stretchable LEDs onto various surfaces, including fabric, using regular ballpoint pens. The inks were produced at Washington University, St. Louis, Mo., by a team led by Assoc. …
June 12, 2023
Inside The Reykjavik EDITION hotel in Iceland, fashion designers Tanguy Mélinand and Drífa Líftóra unveiled their collection of clothes stitched from harvested and preserved Icelandic seaweed. The designers collaborated with SEAWEEDWORKS, a project founded by creative director Charlie Strand, to spotlight the potential uses of seaweed in art, fashion, design and technology for the special exhibition. Before Tanguy Mélinand conceived his pieces, he …
May 8, 2023
Researchers at the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia in Genova have created what they say is the first 4D-printed, biomimetic, biodegradable, soft robot that changes shape in response to humidity and can navigate through soil. The researchers say the device has great potential as a new means of monitoring the environment. Photo: Istituto Italiano di Tecnología. 4D …
April 24, 2023
The zebra’s distinctive appearance has been the source of much scientific debate, from its role in predator confusion, to how it can deter horsefly bites. More recently, it was found that the animals can raise the fur of their black segments to transfer heat away from the skin for temperature regulation. Scientists are taking the zebra debate in this …
April 10, 2023
A new material could help produce self-healing and conductive robotic devices that are also soft. Developed by a team of scientists at Carnegie Mellon University, the substance consists of a gelatinous polyvinyl alcohol-sodium borate base, embedded in which are silver microflakes and gallium-based liquid metal droplets. It’s also infused with ethylene glycol, to keep it …
March 27, 2023
Researchers at Columbia University have succeeded in creating a fabric that’s made from at least 60 percent dirt. Penmai Chongtoua, working with Columbia’s Natural Materials Lab director Prof. Lola Ben-Alon, began to explore the possibility of wearing “earth.” After graduating from the MA in Climate and Society program at the Columbia Climate School in 2022, Chongtoua came to work …
March 25, 2024
Researchers at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have developed a new soft robot design that engages in three simultaneous behaviors: rolling forward, spinning like a record, and following a path that orbits around a central point. The device, which operates without human or computer control, holds promise for developing soft robotic technologies that can be …
March 11, 2024
Carrington Textiles has revealed a new technology for the defense market called “Stealth,” which is designed to advance thermal signature management via a highly conductive textile technology for superior thermal shielding on the battlefield. Stealth is engineered with a patented fabric technology that manages dynamic energy waves for mission-critical security and protection, mitigating the thermal signature …
February 26, 2024
Nextiles, a smart fabric technology provider for coaches and athletes, has announced its Personalized Intensity Zones, a new algorithm to track stress for Nextiles Arm Sleeve and App users. The new product provides immediate feedback on how hard each athlete throws. The algorithm assigns a zone from 0 to 10 for every repetition and provides coaches an …
February 12, 2024
In two new studies, North Carolina State University (NC State) researchers designed and tested a series of textile fibers that can change shape and generate force like a muscle. In the first study, the researchers focused on the materials’ influence on the artificial muscle’s strength and contraction length. The findings could help researchers tailor the fibers …
January 29, 2024
People with Parkinson’s disease frequently develop a problem known as “gait freeze,” in which their legs simply stop stepping forward as they’re walking. A new powered exoskeleton, however, has proven to be very effective at keeping the legs going. Building upon a previous project, the experimental soft-bodied device was developed by scientists from Harvard and Boston …
January 15, 2024
MycoWorks, a San Francisco-based biomaterials company and maker of new mycelium-grown materials, has announced that its commercial-scale Fine Mycelium™ plant has successfully harvested over a thousand sheets of the company’s luxury leather-alternative biomaterial, achieving a level of product quality exceeding that of its California pilot plant. The company says this has allowed it to move …
December 18, 2023
Sleep technology brand DeRUCCI Group has announced that it will be launching a new line of sleep health technologies in January 2024, including smart mattresses, anti-snore pillows, intelligent height adjustable pillows and other smart sleep solutions. The company says its T11 Pro and MWI1 Smart Mattresses warn users about potential health issues before they are …
December 18, 2023
Electrically conductive “smart fabrics” have many potential applications, but their specialized fibers typically aren’t as soft and flexible as those made of regular materials. An experimental new two-faced fiber, however, is both flexible and conductive. Developed by a team of scientists at Washington State University, the fiber is made of two substances: an existing conductive synthetic polymer …
December 11, 2023
Opera is everything all at once: music and drama, poetry and dance, grandeur and intimacy, spectacle and sound. But for audience members who are deaf or hard of hearing, or who are blind or have low vision, attending an opera can be a frustrating experience. A pilot program at the Lyric Opera of Chicago is …
November 27, 2023
Smart textiles have so much possibility in the medical field, including wound healing and vital signs monitoring. Sensor yarns are a part of this future, as discussed by representatives of the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) at the recent Advanced Textiles Expo in Orlando. Bastian Baesch, head of sensors and actuators …
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