Insights into the year ahead
January 13, 2020
Industry experts point to market need, collaboration and sustainability to drive textile markets this year. by Marie O’Mahony The start of a new year is a time to consider what might lie ahead and what might be the trends, technologies and global events that could offer opportunity for the industry
Read MoreMaking protective apparel safer
December 16, 2019
New standard reduces exposure gaps to multiple hazards by Glenna B. Musante Improving safety apparel for workers operating in hazardous situations is a constant effort by the textile industry, but a task not always easily accomplished. Hazardous materials professionals can be exposed to any number of chemical, biological and flammable
Read MoreA clear pathway to new product development
December 9, 2019
By Janet Preus “Failure’s not a bad thing; it’s a necessary requirement of product development,” said Dr. Martin W. King. “But if you fail, fail early,” he added. King is a professor in Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science (TECS) at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University. He
Read MoreWeaving the biomedical structure
December 9, 2019
by Amir Islam As medical technology increases, so too does the availability of options for different biomedical applications. With so many different characteristics available in woven biomedical textiles, choosing the right, reliable textile is essential for mitigating risk and ensuring successful procedures and applications. Woven biotextile properties Weaving biomedical textile
Read MoreThe circular economy
November 25, 2019
What’s driving sustainable practices in today’s textile industry. by Marie O’Mahony The story of sustainability in the textile industry has grown and evolved, particularly in the last decade, with circularity now driving sustainability across the materials sector. According to the Ellen McArthur Foundation, “A circular economy is based on the
Read MorePairing functionality and sustainability
November 11, 2019
Environmentally friendly materials and processes can add value to textiles. by Seshadri Ramkumar The textile industry and the world of sustainability have evolved in the last four decades. The need to conserve resources for future generation, which has rightly become a movement, began with an examination of greenhouse gas emissions.
Read MoreThe waiting game
October 21, 2019
Businesses are challenged with making decisions in an uncertain trade environment. by Marie O’Mahony Editor’s note: The issue of U.S. trade is unusually dynamic and evolving today. This article represents information available when the speaker presented at IFAI Expo in early October. With international trade in a state of flux,
Read MoreSerious about soft goods
October 7, 2019
Presentations at IFAI Expo’s Advanced Textiles Conference explain textiles’ critical role in NASA’s missions. by Janet Preus NASA was among the exhibitors that also served as presenters at IFAI Expo in Orlando last week. In two presentations—an Advanced Textiles Conference education session, and a shorter, more informal “campfire” on the
Read MoreTextiles and the fight against infection
September 23, 2019
New standards and test methods are needed for medical textiles. by Matthew Hardwick The spread of infection is a concern for all of us and in many circumstances, but nowhere is it more concerning than in health care. The spread of infection both to and from medical environments is an
Read MoreMedical textiles: value and limitations
September 9, 2019
How Medical Device Master Files can support a productive business partnership. by Elaine Duncan Medical Device Master Files, known as a MAF, have value for textile contract manufacturers and the medical device developer in many ways. Most medical device manufacturers who incorporate a medical textile into their product will seek
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