Underway and not going away

November 12, 2013  |  Features

Sustainability is today’s hot topic and will impact the way in which the textile industry functions in the future. Sustainability is often discussed and often misunderstood; yet, nothing is more important to our industry than providing what our customers require while supporting good stewardship o…
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Make it from milk

November 12, 2013  |  Features

A lot of milk in the world is simply thrown away as unsuitable—for food, that is. German-based company Qmilch IP GmbH has found a use for discarded milk: fabric. In fact, it makes a silky smooth, beautiful fabric desirable for high fashion, appealing to high-end consumers who are not only interest…
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High-rise shimmers with SEFAR® Architecture Vision

November 12, 2013  |  Features

An iridescent glass façade created with SEFAR® Architecture Vision dresses up a high-rise building in Suurstoffi, a new mixed-use development in Risch Rotkreuz, Switzerland. It also features thermal insulating qualities for reducing solar heat gain, and it reflects the sun’s warmth, leading to a…
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Sustainability metrics and certifications

November 12, 2013  |  Features

The Oeko-Tex® STeP Certification for the textile industry. The globalization of the textile industry has created enormous pressure for textile brands, factories and supply chains to demonstrate their ability to manage and continuously improve the sustainability of their products and production faci…
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Money to be made

October 8, 2013  |  Features

Photovoltaic solar fabric products offer major potential to impact energy use—and make businesses in the industry hugely successful. Coal and oil have superbly fueled and helped enable the extraordinary growth of modern civilization. Their supply is reaching its peak, though, and will soon start t…
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Responsive textiles vs. reactive façade systems

October 8, 2013  |  Features

Research illuminates the possibilities for creating textile second building skins that can be “controlled” by the environment and user preferences. Structures are designed and built to offer people protection and comfort. New research seeks to change views concerning how people may interact with…
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Fold and go:

October 8, 2013  |  Features

A photovoltaic fabric structure stores in the trunk, and serves as a charging station for Volvo’s hybrid vehicle. Design team Synthesis Design + Architecture (SDA), Fabric Images, and Buro Happold were awarded first place recently in a competition sponsored by Volvo Car Italia and The Plan magazin…
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The polymer approach

September 10, 2013  |  Features

Polymer-based technologies offer new opportunities for microbial control on textiles. by Robert A. Monticello, Ph.D. Ever since microorganisms were recognized as a major cause of problems on textiles people have struggled against them in an effort to provide clean, pleasant and odor-free textile pro…
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Protection from an unseen foe

September 10, 2013  |  Features

Because the inherent makeup of textile structures provides an attractive environment for microorganisms, antimicrobial technologies are an important consideration for many textile applications. We live in a world of microbes: most are helpful; some are harmful. Microbes, in fact, outnumber all other…
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New product label: “Skin flora neutral”

September 10, 2013  |  Features

The Hohenstein Institute has a new, proven test system for textile manufacturers to gauge the effect of antibacterial finishes on skin flora. Antibacterial textiles (products treated with silver) have an odor-eliminating functionality and so are popular for first layer or sports clothing worn direct…
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