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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 […]
Toho Tenax’s prepreg used in electric racecar
July 8th, 2015
Teijin Limited, Tokyo, says its carbon fiber sheet pre-impregnated with matrix resin, or prepreg, made by Toho Tenax Co. Ltd. (the core company of the Teijin Group’s carbon fibers and composites business), was used in the lightweight body of the electric racecar that competed in the world-famous Pikes Peak International Hill Climb in Colorado in […]
INVISTA and workout attire for the workplace
July 7th, 2015
As activewear becomes more common in the workplace, Wichita, Kan.-based fiber maker INVISTA has joined emerging designers to explore the fashion potential of outdoor wear. Based on consumer insights, and with help from fashion tech startup Manufacture New York (MNY), INVISTA combines new designs with fabric and fiber innovations, namely T400® technology by LYCRA® and […]
Multimillion euro upgrade at DSM plant
July 2nd, 2015
Materials company DSM has upgraded its polyesters facility in Emmen, The Netherlands, in the amount of several million euros. The investment includes a capture system that uses wastewater from the production plant to reduce to almost zero the emissions into the air of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs). Since it bought the plant in 2009, energy […]
Rieter’s ‘spin center’ opens in China
July 1st, 2015
In 2012–13, Rieter Textile Systems, Winterthur, Switzerland, went “all in” on its investment in the short staple fiber spinning industry in China. The major supplier of textile machinery and components capped off its commitment during the grand opening of the Rieter Application and Research Centre for Spinning Technology in Changzhou, China. Among the services available […]
Kraig Labs, Vietnam enter silk-production pact
June 30th, 2015
Lansing, Mich.-based spider-silk fabrics developer Kraig Biocraft Laboratories and central and regional governments in Vietnam have signed a memorandum of understanding outlining the creation and rearing of transgenic silkworms in Vietnam. According to the agreement, Kraig Labs and the Vietnamese will jointly develop a cooperative plan for the development and production of Kraig Labs transgenics […]
“Wearables for Good” challenge accepting applications
June 29th, 2015
UNICEF Innovation, New York, N.Y., has partnered with San Francisco, Calif.-based product strategy and design firm frog and Cambridge, England-based technology company Arm Holdings PLC to launch the “Wearables for Good” challenge. Open to anyone from students to engineers, the challenge invites the global design, technology, business and social communities to identify and develop solutions […]