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 …
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 …
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, …
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 …
