VF Corp. begins isolation gown production

April 30, 2020  |  In the Industry

Workwear brand Dickies and its parent company VF Corp. have begun production of FDA-compliant medical gowns for U.S. healthcare workers. They plan to deliver 50,000 gowns in May. By June, they hope to create the capacity to produce up to 675,000 gowns and up to 3.4 million by September. The isolatio…
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U.S. Air Force awards contract to Pvilion for solar-powered structures

April 27, 2020  |  In the Industry

Solar-powered fabric provider Pvilion announces that it has been awarded a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract by the U.S. Air Force (USAF) to continue its development of rapidly deployable, solar-powered structures. Through a competitive awards-based program, the Small Busin…
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OEKO-TEX® offers no-fee certification for face masks

April 20, 2020  |  COVID-19, In the Industry, News

With immediate effect, the OEKO-TEX® Association will waive the license fee for STANDARD 100 certification of mouth and nose masks. With the current demand and expert recommendations to wear mouth and nose coverings in public, OEKO-TEX® wants to support continued safety of the population. “W…
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AATCC offers free test methods to aid in the pandemic response

April 16, 2020  |  COVID-19, In the Industry, News

AATCC is has made available Test Method TM42 Test Method for Water Resistance: Impact Penetration and TM127 Test Method for Water Resistance: Hydrostatic Pressure. These methods are offered at no cost in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and are available as a download from the organization’s …
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Unifi customers join industry efforts in COVID-19 fight

April 13, 2020  |  In the Industry

Unifi supplies yarns and fibers to more than 100 companies that are producing masks, gowns and other personal protective equipment needed by first responders, medical staff and military personnel, a recent news release from the company says.  “We have customers actively engaged in the fight a…
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AAPN Coronavirus Sourcing Center views exceed 10,000

April 7, 2020  |  COVID-19, In the Industry, News

The Americas Apparel Producers’ Network (AAPN) online Sourcing Center continues to produce for the medical community during the coronavirus crisis. Within 10 minutes of launching the center on March 22, the Center had its first post. As of April 3, it has had more than 10,000 views, more than 3,5…
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Pattern hub now available

April 6, 2020  |  COVID-19, In the Industry, News

Sewn products industry organization SEAMS reports that, as it has been engaged with its members in helping to manufacture much needed PPE products for the U.S. Covid-19 pandemic.  As part of this collaboration with the industry, SEAMS has centralized many patterns required to produce PPE products …
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Drexel U. works to fill critical need for masks and respirators

April 1, 2020  |  COVID-19, In the Industry, News

Drexel University design professor Genevieve Dion shifted 3D knitting machines from a Dept. of Defense project to the challenge of developing masks and respirators, according to a story in the Philadelphia Inquirer. “This is an opportunity to show what advanced manufacturing can do and rapid …
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Supply chains get tripped up due to “essential” and “non-essential” designation

March 30, 2020  |  COVID-19, In the Industry, News

The need for more medical textile products, such as face masks and hospital gowns, has been well publicized since the exponential growth of the COVID-19 pandemic. But equally important is a means to get the materials required to make the products, a means of transportation to move materials and end …
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FEMA calls for PPE solicitations

March 27, 2020  |  In the Industry

Lloyd Wood, with the International Trade Administration, U.S. Dept. of Commerce (www.trade.gov) has notified IFAI that on March 26 the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) posted a new solicitation for personal protective equipment (PPE) and medical supplies in response to COVID-19. Products …
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