Features Archives

Textiles and alternative energy

June 10, 2024 | Features

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.

Evolving heat

May 27, 2024 | Features

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.

Keeping cool

May 13, 2024 | Features

Thermal control is one of the basic functions of textiles for apparel. The key association is that it affords comfort, so that it can be tempting not to properly prioritize it given its other performance factors. From sportswear to workwear, new and hybrid fiber and fabric technologies are offering …

Trade and market dynamics in advanced textiles

April 22, 2024 | Features

Textile trade in developed economies is imbalanced and it is a deficit one. While this is the trend, compared to the trade in manufactured goods, trade in advanced technologies offers another picture, which is optimistic. In the case of aerospace and warfare systems, the U.S. has a trade surplus. Th…

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…

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…

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…

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?

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…

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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