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Austrian smart-textiles expo planned for 2016
July 17th, 2015
A new trade show—SALTEX, Smart Textiles and Lightweight Materials—will take place at Dronbirn, Austria’s, Messe Dornbirn event center Oct. 5-6, 2016. The focus of the show for smart textiles and fiber-reinforced composites, as well as their industrial automation, is on interdisciplinary knowledge transfer and networking, and is geared to exhibitors and visitors from neighboring countries, […]
Study anticipates growth for graphene
July 16th, 2015
In a new report—“Graphene and 2D Materials: Markets, Technologies and Opportunities 2015-2025”—United Kingdom’s IDTechEx Research says the graphene market has the potential to reach nearly $200 million by 2026. Revenues currently are dominated by sales of small-volume but high-priced research samples, the report says. Suppliers are, however, aggressively building sales pipelines across many application sectors, […]
Oerlikon Barmag opens Chemnitz site
July 15th, 2015
German fiber-technology developer Oerlikon Barmag has opened its new technology center in Chemnitz. The 1,600-square-meter (17,000-plus square feet) building was constructed in just 10 months. The new building will host development and testing primarily of extrusion systems for tapes and monofilaments along with winding/texturing machines, twisting machines and carbon-fiber winders. It also will feature a […]
Teijin Frontier offers new polyester fabric
July 10th, 2015
Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Tokyo-based Teijin Group's fiber-product converting company, says it has developed an all-polyester material that achieves the pile structure of toweling and offers water absorbency, a soft texture and a unique bulky-but-lightweight feel. The company is developing a variety of applications for the new material, focusing on 2016 fall/winter sportswear, but […]
Narrow fabrics’ widening markets
July 10th, 2015
Say “narrow fabric” and the average consumer may think of ribbon and zippers. The markets for narrow fabric manufacturers go far beyond those products, and with ongoing technological advances are broadening even further. Carolina Narrow Fabric proves the point. Founded in 1929, the company based in Winston-Salem, N.C., didn’t start with an interest in the […]
Adidas puts its foot down for protecting oceans
July 10th, 2015
Athletic-apparel developer Adidas has introduced a new sneaker featuring plastic reclaimed and recycled from ocean waste. Presented at the United Nations headquarters in New York, the company unveiled its new shoe at a reception celebrating its partnership with Parley for the Oceans, an organization of creators, thinkers and leaders working to raise awareness about the […]
Nonwoven PLA may thrive in the healthcare market
July 10th, 2015
PLA, or polylactic acid, is a relatively recent innovation, but it is already the most commonly used bioplastic today. It’s a polyester, but with a key difference: instead of being made from petrochemicals, it’s plant-sourced. The process, developed by Minnetonka, Minn.-based Cargill Inc., involves fermenting readily available raw materials such as corn, rice or sugarcane […]
Printable, elastic conductors offer wearable possibilities
July 10th, 2015
A new elastic, printable and highly conductive ink developed at the University of Tokyo holds the potential to facilitate electronic apparel, such as sportswear and underwear, incorporating sensing devices to measure such biological indicators as heart rate and muscle contraction. Current printed electronics—transistors, light-emitting diodes and solar panels—can be printed on plastic or paper, but […]
Archroma closes acquisition of BASF Performance Chemicals
July 10th, 2015
Specialty-chemicals maker Archroma has closed its acquisition of BASF’s global textile chemicals business. BASF Performance Chemicals delivers products and technologies across the entire textile chemicals spectrum, with particular strengths in printing, finishing and coating. The acquisition boosts Archroma’s presence in Asia and other high-growth markets. The combined textiles businesses will remain headquartered in Singapore. The […]
Medelita lab coats feature M(3) fabric
July 9th, 2015
Medelita, San Clemente, Calif.-based maker of medical attire, has launched a new collection of lab coats featuring M(3) fabric, a “dual-effect” technology, now available after two years of research and testing. The proprietary interior material is breathable, offering moisture wicking for comfort and bacteriostatic odor-suppressing protection. The exterior finish repels fluid, soil and stains while […]