Featured – Advanced Textiles Source

A new NAFTA?

September 11, 2017

How trade deals currently in discussion could impact the textile industry Credit: NCTO As a presidential candidate, Donald Trump promised to improve U.S. trade deals, including the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). Since taking office and after threatening to withdraw the United States from NAFTA unless its terms were

Fabrics go multifunctional

August 21, 2017

Soldiers of the 149th Military Engagement Team, Kentucky National Guard, conducted a simulated chemical attack exercise with the Kazakhstan Peacekeeping Battalion at the Illisky Training Center in Kazakhstan in July 2017. The defense clothing sector has been an early adapter of new technologies for protective gear. Photo: Army National Guard.

Extraordinary workwear

August 7, 2017

Canadian company Inventing Future Technology Inc. (IFTech) launched its first product in March 2017. ARAIG (“As Real As It Gets”) is wearable technology that can provide real-world sensory stimulation for all virtual and simulated environments. Photo: IFTech. VR and AR industries offer high-tech solutions for demanding work environments There was

Antimicrobial use in today’s textile industry

July 24, 2017

Early in the manufacturing process, nonwoven materials can be imbued with additives and masterbatches that deliver antimicrobial performance alongside colorants, flame retardants, strength enhancers, softening agents and more in one pellet. Photo: Americhem. Where we’ve been, where we are, and where we’re going. Increased use of woven and nonwoven textiles,

Sustainable solutions in antimicrobials

July 24, 2017

With environmental concerns about traditional treatments, the industry works to offer more eco-friendly options. Antimicrobial properties are fast becoming an expected treatment in textiles for applications that range from hospital drapes and linen, to contract and domestic textiles, as well as clothing. While offering protection from germs is a positive,

Rethinking odor control

July 10, 2017

Body odors are the result of bacterial activity and can be described by their chemical compounds. Graphic by Compound Interest, courtesy of Sensory Spectrum. New antimicrobial technologies focus on treatments for ‘permastink.’ It’s everywhere, and it’s not attractive. Permastink—the unpleasant smell that won’t wash out of textile products—has become a

Today’s nonwoven sector: an overview

June 26, 2017

FiberTect is an inert, flexible, nonwoven composite substrate for absorbing and adsorbing chemical warfare agents, toxic industrial chemicals and pesticides. Photo: First Line Technology. Versatility in fiber content can lead to expanding applications. Nonwoven fabrics have become a mainstay in the textiles sector. Compared to commodity textiles, nonwovens, industrial textiles,

The new nonwovens

June 12, 2017

Caption: Teijin’s Unisel nonwoven uses a proprietary process to achieve an ultra-fine multi-layered and stretch -expanding material that can be printed. Material and weight are both minimized, which is also good for the environment. Photo: Marie O’Mahony Improvements in performance include more eco-friendly materials and processes. The global market for

Thermal regulation heats up

May 22, 2017

Ettlin continues to refine its 3D LED lighting panels, offering additional qualities of transparency and thermal control for indoor and outdoor architectural applications. Photo: Marie O’Mahony. Refined materials and improved processes impact climate control applications. New developments in climate control for technical textiles are seeing the emergence of more refined

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