Progress through collaboration

April 25, 2022  |  Features

The Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) continues to be in the forefront of new developments in technologies for advanced textile systems. Michelle Farrington, vice president of strategic growth for AFFOA, provided several examples of projects underway or completed with its industry part…
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Workforce, supply chain and manufacturing

April 11, 2022  |  Features

This year’s Smart Fabrics Summit zeroed in on the industry’s most important issues, building a new in-person event with more than 150 attending at North Carolina State University (NC State), its producing partner.
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Sustainability and fibrous substrates

March 28, 2022  |  Features

While sustainability efforts in the industry may have suffered over the past two years due to the pandemic, supply chain issues and the current crisis in Ukraine, we should not lose our focus on the importance of addressing climate change. A recent report from the Working Group II of the Intergovern…
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The end of petrochemical-based fabrics?

March 14, 2022  |  Features

According to The Nature of Fashion, a 2021 report published by the Biomimicry Institute, over 60 percent of textile fibers are synthetics derived from petrochemicals. Petrochemical fibers, whether made from recycled or virgin feedstocks, will not biodegrade. In addition, the processes used to make t…
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A new way with wearables

February 22, 2022  |  Features

The innovation driving wearables and mass adoption is undeniable. According to Gartner Research, spending on wearable devices grew to $81 billion last year, up 18 percent from 2020. Pew Research reported one out of five Americans used some form of wearable technology regularly in 2020.
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Innovation: What, why and how?

February 3, 2022  |  Features

A new path forward for both incremental and disruptive innovations in products and technologies.  by Seshadri Ramkumar Addressing the challenges of COVID-19 has underscored the importance of having faith in the ability of science and technology. Innovations in many areas have made our lives bet…
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Opportunity awaits a stronger textile industry

January 24, 2022  |  Features

Changes in trade policy are designed to support “investments here at home” and strengthen U.S. global competitiveness. Editor’s note: Bill Jackson, Assistant U.S. Trade Representative for Textiles, responds to questions on issues of importance to companies in the textile industry, particu…
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New Year, new reasons to know your supply chain

January 10, 2022  |  Features

New law will impact how textile companies do business with China.  by Nate Bolin On December 23, 2021, President Biden signed into law the Uyghur Forced Labor Prevention Act (UFLPA) which will significantly raise the stakes for any company importing from or doing business with China. Most signi…
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Life-saving textiles

December 20, 2021  |  Features

Experts weigh in on the future of the nonwovens market.  by Seshadri Ramkumar Textiles are necessities in our daily lives, but single-use and semi-durable products where nonwoven materials find predominant applications have become absolutely indispensable for hygiene and personal protection. CO…
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Managing one’s personal climate

December 13, 2021  |  Features

New materials help to maintain thermal comfort indoors or out.  By Debra Cobb With COP 26 in the rearview mirror, the remediation of climate change remains uncertain. While the struggle to limit global warming to 1.5˚C above pre-industrial levels will continue, scientists are also looking at w…
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