September 30, 2024
Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) is proud to announce the winners of the 2024 International Achievement Awards (IAA). These winners represent the best in specialty fabrics and technical textiles from around the world and showcase the innovation and excellence driving this dynamic industry. IAA shines a spotlight on the extraordinary versatility of specialty fabrics, which are …
September 30, 2024
Herculite® Products Inc., a laminated and coated textile producer based in Emigsville, Pa., announced it has hired Jonathan Horton as the western regional manager for its direct sales team. Horton will manage the direct sales team’s western region, which includes automotive, custom-engineered solutions, health care, agriculture, and tent and structure customers. Horton is a graduate …
September 27, 2024
Hailide America, a supplier of industrial polyester yarns, tire cords and more based in Alpharetta, Ga., announced it has hired Josh McArthur as technical director and other organizational changes. McArthur brings over a decade of experience in the technical yarns sector. His career spans various rising levels of responsibility in production, technical service and operations. He is …
September 25, 2024
Accelerating Circularity, a New York, N.Y.-based nonprofit dedicated to creating business models and supply chains for manufacturing more sustainable fabrics, announced its commitment to action at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting. This commitment, titled “Building Circular Systems” aims to change the textile industry by building scalable systems where materials are continuously repurposed …
September 23, 2024
Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced that Shalag US Inc., a nonwoven fabrics manufacturer based in Oxford, N.C., will invest $16.6 million to open a new nonwoven manufacturing and production facility in Richmond, Va. The investment will create 52 new jobs. “I am gratified to see another international company select Virginia for a new U.S. facility, …
September 19, 2024
TESTEX, an official representative and founding member of OEKO-TEX®, announced it has joined the Zurich, Switzerland-based International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) as a corporate member. TESTEX is a globally operating and independent Swiss testing and certification institute. Founded in 1846 and originally known as the Seidentrocknungsanstalt Zurich (Silk Conditioning Institute), its expertise lies in testing, …
September 18, 2024
During the recent RIMOWA Design Prize 2024, the winning entry came from Janne Kreimer and her wearable technology, RO. The Anhalt University student of Integrated Design presented a therapeutic smart vest wrapped with small, pod-like soft robots that swell with air when the wearer is anxious. These inflatable pods target the acupressure points around the body that can help reduce anxiety and …
September 18, 2024
Carolina De Lara’s project, Bacterial Brickbats, explores the interaction between bacterial cellulose and knit textiles to challenge traditional, human-centered design in fashion and textiles. The project negotiates human/non-human liaisons by proposing a study where sharing agency between designer and bacterial cellulose produces a material library illustrating differing needs, creative or biological, resulting in an expressive …
September 18, 2024
Researchers Dr. Sophie Skach and Dr. Victor Shepardson have been doing research into fabrics, as part of their work in the Intelligent Instruments Lab, University of Iceland. Recently, they devised a set of smart fabrics that can produce sounds like musical instruments when people handle them, producing sounds comparable to ASMR scratches and water sloshes. The fabrics incorporate materials …
September 18, 2024
Japanese bio-venture company Spiber Inc. announces the continuation of its successful partnership with Consinee Group Co. Ltd., a developer of premium yarns for luxury knitwear and woven garments. Spiber is known for its Brewed Protein™ fiber, produced through a new fermentation technology. Begun in 2023, this collaboration has allowed the two companies to explore new possibilities …
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 …
September 18, 2024
Manufacturers of advanced textiles often are new entrants in young markets, so the regulatory hurdles can feel high—or invisible, until you hit them. This article highlights three regulatory issues related to global trade compliance, which advanced textile manufacturers must navigate to succeed in the international market. Unlocking government contracts The customer for advanced textiles often …
September 9, 2024
Seeking patent rights in the U.S. can be daunting enough to prevent some from seeking protection, and the thought of seeking patent rights outside of the U.S. is unfathomable. But even though the process can be arduous, the benefits of patent rights can far outweigh the time and expense to obtain those rights. While the …
August 26, 2024
The 2024 Olympics in Paris captivated a global audience. But while the games were in progress, the athletes—and spectators, too—were feeling the effects of heat reaching 97 o (36.11 °C) prompting authorities to look for better protection. A Rings of Fire II report points out that the average temperature in Paris during the Summer Olympics months had …
August 12, 2024
Americans over the age of 75 years are expected to account for more than 50 percent of the anticipated 19 million population increase in the country over the coming decade. This is according to a March 2024 report by Wells Fargo that goes on to warn, “Assuming the share of the population that has difficulty …
July 29, 2024
In May of 2022, the Intelligence Advanced Research Projects Activity (IARPA), the research and development arm of the U.S. Office of the Director of National Intelligence, announced a program designed to develop sensor systems that can record and store audio, video and location data. It also seeks to develop a garment that maintains stretchability, bendability, …
July 15, 2024
NATO’s 75th Anniversary Summit in Washington, D.C. recently ended with a commitment from its members to reach the 2 percent GDP target for defense spending, although the timeline to achieve this goal may vary among some members. As of this year, 23 out of 32 members will reach this target. This spending level will have an …
June 24, 2024
Energy harvesting accounts for the largest market share of the global smart textiles market by functionality, according to a recent report by Impactful Insights. The report puts the value of the smart textile market at $4.1 billion in 2023, and anticipates its rise to $24.5 billion in 2032, indicating a insignificant CAGR of 21.5 percent. In …
June 10, 2024
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), the amount of renewable capacity added to energy systems around the world grew by 50 percent in 2023, reaching almost 510 gigawatts (GW), with solar PV accounting for three-quarters of additions worldwide. The IEA forecasts that U.S. solar power generation will grow 75 percent from 163 billion kilowatt …
May 27, 2024
The textile-heated garment industry is revolutionizing how we stay warm. Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) is at the forefront of developments in the types of heat sources used, particularly how they are controlled for optimal comfort and efficiency. Heat sources in textiles Disposable hand warmers, popular for their immediate heat via the exothermic oxidation …
May 13, 2024
Thermal control is one of the basic functions of textiles for apparel. The key association is that it affords comfort, so it can be tempting not to properly prioritize it, given its other performance factors. Now, from sportswear to workwear, new and hybrid fiber and fabric technologies are offering advances for a range of markets. …
September 9, 2024
The start date for businesses to report PFAS data, previously Nov. 12, 2024, may be pushed back until July 11, 2025. This proposal went up for public comment in early September. Affected businesses who wish to submit a formal comment on the reporting delay can do so here. The public comment period ends Oct. 7. …
September 3, 2024
A collaboration of associations representing the global sewn products, textile, apparel and nonwovens textiles industries — known collectively as the Alphabet Soup Collective in a nod to their various and plentiful acronyms — officially launched in Raleigh, N.C. last month. The group includes 11 industry associations: The Alphabet Soup Collective inaugural meeting, which was held …
August 29, 2024
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention, an international textile and fashion event, announced its business program for this year’s event. The 2024 ITMF Annual Conference and IAF World Fashion Convention will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 8–10. The ITMF Annual Conference, titled “Innovation, Cooperation and Regulation-Driving Forces …
August 16, 2024
Gold Long John, a global fabric supplier for the footwear industry, announced it has begun applying Green Theme Technologies’ (GTT) EMPEL® Nø-Wick™ waterless and PFAS-free finishing product at its Vietnam mill. “Our Oeko Tex-certified EMPEL platform is a solution for the future,” says Martin Flora, President of Global Business Development with GTT. “It creates the …
August 15, 2024
Better Cotton, an international cotton initiative, has announced the appointment of two new co-chairs and five new members to the Better Cotton Council. “I’m excited to welcome our new co-chairs and members to the Better Cotton Council. Their experience, insights and perspectives will be invaluable as the council continues to evolve to best serve …
August 9, 2024
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH) joined manufacturers, retailers, law enforcement and workers at MMI Textiles in Brooklyn, Ohio, on August 2, to push for the Biden Administration to close a loophole that foreign countries like China exploit to avoid paying duties and fees they owe, and that fentanyl traffickers exploit to evade customs inspections. Brown introduced …
August 5, 2024
The China Nonwovens & Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA) announced that the 2024 EurAsia Geosynthetics Symposium (EAGS) will be held in Tai’an, Shandong, China on November 22. Co-organized by CNITA and EDANA, the EurAsia Geosynthetics Symposium is a conference and tabletop exhibition covering markets, products, technologies and applications for geosynthetics, including geotextiles, geogrids, geonets, geomembranes, geocomposites, …
July 17, 2024
The FabricLink Network announced the launch of The Textile Gateway, an online platform that connects the textile industry to students of all ages, including elementary school and undergraduate students. “The mission of The Textile Gateway is to educate and inspire students at all levels about textiles, promote career paths in the industry and serve as …
July 11, 2024
A new event was announced, the Textiles Recycling Expo, and it is set for June 4–5 2025 in Brussels, Belgium. It is supported by EuRIC, Fedustria, ReHubs, the Textiles Recycling Association and Plastics Recycling World, and organizd by AMI. AMI is also organizing the Plastics Recycling World Expos in Europe, the U.S. and India, scheduled …
July 10, 2024
The Better Cotton Conference 2024 concluded on June 27 in Istanbul, Turkey, where over 400 attendees from around the globe joined virtually and in person. “This year’s Better Cotton Conference has highlighted the crucial need for collective action in the cotton industry. The insights and stories shared over these two days emphasize that empowering farmers …
September 18, 2024
Carolina De Lara’s project, Bacterial Brickbats, explores the interaction between bacterial cellulose and knit textiles to challenge traditional, human-centered design in fashion and textiles. The project negotiates human/non-human liaisons by proposing a study where sharing agency between designer and bacterial cellulose produces a material library illustrating differing needs, creative or biological, resulting in an expressive …
August 12, 2024
A new materials technique has blended the usefulness of knitting needles and yarn with cutting-edge technology to create the equipment and process to make a solid-knit object of almost any kind. Yuichi Hirose first dreamed up this technique when he was a student at Keio University in Tokyo. There, working on digital fabrication methods in …
June 24, 2024
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2024 Phase II awardee Ethan Schaler has proposed the first lunar railway system to provide reliable, autonomous and efficient payload transport on the Moon. The Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT) system is a durable, long-life robotic transport system—a function that will be critical to the daily operations of a …
April 22, 2024
Artist and designer Kim Mesches has unveiled his “Collection 5,” featuring garments made of a color-changing resin with a technology activated by heat. The material is a mix of thermochromic dyes, pigments and other ingredients, which are then mixed with hardened resin to create the garments. For example, on sunny days the garments change themselves …
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 …
September 18, 2024
During the recent RIMOWA Design Prize 2024, the winning entry came from Janne Kreimer and her wearable technology, RO. The Anhalt University student of Integrated Design presented a therapeutic smart vest wrapped with small, pod-like soft robots that swell with air when the wearer is anxious. These inflatable pods target the acupressure points around the body that can help reduce anxiety and …
September 18, 2024
Researchers Dr. Sophie Skach and Dr. Victor Shepardson have been doing research into fabrics, as part of their work in the Intelligent Instruments Lab, University of Iceland. Recently, they devised a set of smart fabrics that can produce sounds like musical instruments when people handle them, producing sounds comparable to ASMR scratches and water sloshes. The fabrics incorporate materials …
September 9, 2024
Protective gloves, such as those used for work, sport or household gardening, get their protective function from a special coating. This coating provides abrasion resistance, makes the material waterproof and resistant to chemicals or oil, and even protects against cuts and punctures. Until now, coatings made of oil-based polymers, nitrile rubber or latex have been …
August 26, 2024
Keeping cool on hot days requires wearing the right clothing, as much as wearing less clothing. A new fabric coating, essentially made of chalk, could help make clothing cooler. In natural unfiltered sunlight, it’s the near-infrared and ultraviolet wavelengths that deliver heat to our bodies. With that fact in mind, scientists have previously developed experimental fabrics that incorporate compounds …
August 12, 2024
The University of Edinburgh, U.K., reports that researchers there have developed a novel, two-stage tissue engineering process intended to create better vascular grafts for use in bypass surgeries. Many cardiovascular diseases ultimately require bypass surgery, whereby a vascular graft is installed to navigate blood flow around a damaged blood vessel. Currently, autologous grafts are the …
July 29, 2024
Armalith®, touted as “the world’s strongest denim” by its French manufacturer, announces testing results that describe the product’s seven levels of protection, ranging from the most everyday uses (micro-mobility) to the most extreme (Moto GP). They are expressed by a maximum speed of resistance during a standardized motorcycle fall (17 092 Darmstadt) as well as …
July 15, 2024
Liberta Co. Ltd., based in Tokyo, Japan, has recently launched HYO-GEKI α, an upgraded version of HYO-GEKI FREEZE TECH cooling wear, combining fabric made with the polymer-based temperature control material Comformer®️ by Sumitomo Chemical Co. Ltd. and Cool Touch Printing technology by Utax Co. Ltd. In 2023, Japan experienced a record-breaking heat wave, and heat waves …
July 15, 2024
Rhode Island defense technology company Nautilus Defense announces a critical advancement in the field of electronic textiles by successfully demonstrating the world’s first direct die attach of chiplets to embroidered conductive yarns at a 180µm pitch, a space between yarns that is as thin as a single hair. This technological milestone is an important step …
June 24, 2024
In an effort to counter rising heat waves induced by climate change, researchers have created a wearable fabric that can reduce heat from the sun and thermal radiation from nearby buildings. The fabric, named spectrally selective hierarchical fabric (SSHF), selectively emits mid-infrared radiation through a specific atmospheric window, significantly reducing heat absorption from the environment. …
May 27, 2024
In partnership with NASA, Bally Ribbon Mills (BRM) recently developed the 3D Orthogonally woven 3DMAT Quartz Material for the Orion Multi-Purpose Crew Vehicle (MPCV) compression pads. The 3DMAT Quartz Material was recently named the 2023 NASA Government Invention of the Year. The company designs, develops, and manufactures specialized engineered woven fabrics, which include high-performance products with …
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