Sustainability issues drive many of the innovations in the advanced textiles market. Products, projects and new ideas that support a healthier environment are discussed here. Visible light can remove toxic dyes
September 9, 2019
A team of Texas Tech University (TTU) researchers working in advanced textiles has found a new way to remove toxic dye pollutants from wastewater, and their approach is safer, cheaper and easier than traditional methods, a recent release from TTU says. Water contaminated with leftover synthetic dyes and pigments, a
Read MoreOrigami inspires pots for plants
September 5, 2019
Photos: POTR. A pair of Scottish engineers, Andrew Flynn and Martin Keane, has created origami plant pot reservoirs designed to be delivered through letter boxes. POTR pots have a quick-draw cotton cord that pulls the pot up around the plant, transforming the flat pack into a multifaceted plant pot. After adding
Read MorePavegen plans expansion
August 26, 2019
The company that converts footsteps into energy is partnering with the Hinduja Group. Engineering and manufacturing conglomerate, Hinduja Group, has partnered with U.K. firm Pavegen to help support its growth and expansion into key markets. Pavegen, which converts the kinetic energy of footfall into off-grid power and data, is seeking
Read More“Black Hole” bags made from plastic bottles launched
August 16, 2019
Patagonia has unveiled a new range of bags made from recycled plastic bottles, which made up 100 percent of the body fabric and webbing for the companies “Black Hole” bags. The Black Hole line is part of Patagonia’s commitment to move toward 100 percent renewable and recycled raw materials. The company’s goal
Read MoreBiodegradable and recyclable prototype garments introduced
July 29, 2019
Stella McCartney has unveiled two prototypes for her adidas collection. In an attempt to address waste in the fashion industry, McCartney has teamed up with Evrnu, a textile innovations company, to create a recyclable hoodie and a biodegradable dress. The Infinite Hoodie is made using 60 per cent Nucycl fiber, a material created
Read MoreKelheim rebuilds viscose fiber production
July 22, 2019
After a fire in October 2018, the long-established Bavarian fiber manufacturer Kelheim Fibres is currently rebuilding its viscose fiber production. The focus lies on modern state-of-the-art equipment and on resource-saving and environmentally friendly production technology. Kelheim’s viscose specialty fibers consist of 100 percent cellulose, a renewable raw material, making them
Read MoreArchroma launches ultra-low VOC polymer coating
July 18, 2019
With the goal of creating safer and more ecological products for the textile industry, specialty chemical manufacturer Archroma has launched a water-based ultra-low VOC polyurethane polymer coating technology, a recent release announced. The company says it has developed Lurapret N5396 & N5392 liq to provide textile manufacturers with an additional water-based
Read MoreToxic gas risk found in burning PTFE
July 15, 2019
People in low income countries could be exposed to highly toxic gases from the uncontrolled incineration of outdoor clothing made with fluorine-based membranes, says a recently published study, received from Sympatex. Results from the Frankfurt-based independent testing house, Warringtonfire, appear to show that highly-toxic hydrofluoric acid (HF, up to 63
Read MoreImproved graphene production method discovered
July 15, 2019
A team of researchers from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT University, and the National Institute of Technology in Warangal, India, have used eucalyptus bark extract to create graphene, a material touted as the thinnest and strongest material knows to humans. Graphene’schemical and physical properties give it the potential for applications
Read MoreORTA awards Prize for Bio-Inspired Textile Processes
July 9, 2019
The ORTA Biodesign Challenge program partners university and high school students with artists, designers and biologists to reimagine biotechnology. ORTA, a sustainable denim manufacturer, headquartered in Turkey, awarded its Prize for Bio-Inspired Textile Processes to a team of Australian students from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, RMIT University. The students developed Enzer, a water
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