Changes in trade classifications are now underway

April 8, 2024  |  Features

Every five years, the World Customs Organization (WCO) updates the International Harmonized System (HS) used to classify imported and exported goods. Effective January 1, 2022, a change was made to the interpretation of textile materials considered to be impregnated, coated, covered or laminated wit…
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Tackling the tough challenges in e-textiles 

March 25, 2024  |  Features

Can printed electronics (PE) and flexible hybrid electronics (FHE) offer e-textiles direction that overcomes the design, manufacturing and sustainability challenges facing the industry? The annual conference and trade show LOPEC (Large-area, Organic & Printed Electronics Convention) was recentl…
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Growth engines in advanced textiles

March 11, 2024  |  Features

The advanced textiles industry is comprised of a majority of small and medium enterprises (SME), which also form a growth sector for the industry. But its development and growth depend on being nimble and creative. In the post COVID-19 era, major economies, such as the U.S., UK. and India, are suppo…
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AI and textiles: it’s already here

February 26, 2024  |  Features

Q: I’m interested in where the intersect of smart materials and artificial intelligence can, or is most likely, to happen. What can AI offer smart materials that can’t be provided with current (or developing) technologies?
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AI’s promise for the textiles industry

February 12, 2024  |  Features

Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a kitchen table discussion point these days in many households. It’s gained global prominence since serious discussions on this subject surfaced in the 2017 World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. While AI has been touted as an enabler of growth, concern…
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Looking ahead: the big picture

January 29, 2024  |  Features

Trends in the textile industry are apparently not easy to pin down; market researchers who study trends as a business agree on some, but not all. The degree of detail researched impacts the outcome, of course, and even market niche investigations generate hefty reports. Given the extensive reach of …
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2023: The year that was

January 15, 2024  |  Features

If one was to run a political, economic, social, technology (PEST) analysis on the smart and advanced textile industry for the year, “P” would dominate, as politics has impacted all sectors. But that is not to diminish the important developments that have taken place in the industry, in some ca…
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The critical role of standards for advanced textiles

December 18, 2023  |  Features

In its final declaration, the recent COP28 called for countries to transition away from fossil fuel, signaling textile and other manufacturing sectors to explore greener methods and products. Furthermore, emerging regulations, greater momentum in the adaptation of artificial intelligence, as well as…
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