22 December 2011, Istanbul
Citing strong global demand for its products and services along with a strategic decision to create a new business unit, METYX Composites, an established manufacturer of technical textiles and composites-related products, has announced it is building a new 12,500 square meter (134,550 square foot) factory in Manisa, Turkey.
21 December 2011, Lenzing
Market leader in the production of cellulose fibres Lenzing is to exclusively produce the lyocell based specialty fibres Smartcel and SeaCell which were developed by German company Smartfiber AG of Rudolstadt. The two companies have been cooperating for some time and under the newly expanded arrangement Lenzing will produce the fibres at the Lenzing site in Upper Austria.
20 December 2011, The Netherlands
Global life and materials sciences company Royal DSM, owner of the Dyneema UHMWPE fibre brand, has made an investment in NanoHoldings LLC, a Connecticut, USA based company which specializes in breakthrough nanotechnology discoveries in the field of energy.
TenCate Geosynthetics North America has developed a patented, woven geosynthetic for soil stabilization and base course reinforcement applications when differential settlement occurs due to heaving in the subgrade soils.
14 December 2011, New York
According to a new Freedonia industry study, demand for filters in the US is expected to increase to just over $12 billion in 2015. The ‘US Filter Market’ study says the growth reflects an improvement over the weaker gains registered during the 2005 to 2010 period due to the economic recession that occurred during the latter half of that period.
13 December 2011, Detroit
General Motors and Teijin Limited., a leader in the carbon fibre and composites industry, are to co-develop advanced carbon fibre composite technologies for potential high-volume use globally in GM cars, trucks and crossovers.
12 December 2011, McAllen, TX
Kertak Nanotechnology, a leading manufacturer of ceramic nanofibers located in the Czech Republic, has invested in FibeRio Technology Corporation’s new continuous nanofibre production system, the Cyclone FE 1.1 with Forcespinning technology.
Kertak Nanotechnology invests in FibeRio Forcespinning technology
12 December 2011, Helsinki
Ahlstrom has signed an agreement to invest in Porous Power Technologies, a Colorado, U.S. based company developing technology for lithium-ion battery separators.
8 December 2011, Portland, Maine
IntertechPira has announced the agenda for the 8th annual Smart Fabrics 2012 conference which includes speakers from Adidas, M.I.T., Nike and Philips Lighting.
Adidas, MIT, Nike and Philips front Smart Fabrics conference
December 2011, Tokyo
Teijin Limited and the Tokyo Institute of Technology have co-developed a highly conductive carbon nanofibre (CNF) which is said to have a high linearity structure which offers 30-40% greater electrical conductivity compared to conventional CNF.
December 2011, Bristol
AIC group is putting the finishing touches to making 125 tonnes of equipment operational for the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol. The project has taken around seven months.
December 2011, Brussels
EDANA has announced that the deadline for the call for papers and student grant for the Nonwovens Research Academy has been extended to the 20th of January 2012 to accommodate the holiday period, and allow as many industry experts to submit their papers for consideration for presentation at the conference, and for students to submit their proposals for grant funding.
Call for papers and student grant for nonwovens research academy
7 December 2011, Dormagen
Coatema Coating Machinery was given the Technical Development Manufacturing Award for its Smartcoater technology by IDTechX at the recent Printed Electronics USA. The award recognizes the ‘‘most significant development of a manufacturing device in the industry over the last 24 months’’.
December 2011, Nottingham
The Centre for Research in Advanced Textiles (CReATe) at Nottingham Trent University has an ambitious development strategy which allows it to offer an exciting opportunity for a PhD Studentship, starting in January 2012. The studentships will pay UK/EU fees and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (£13,590 per annum for 2011/12) for up to four years.
PhD Studentship in development of textiles with fully embedded electronics
7 December 2011, Albstadt
Groz-Beckert has launched an iPad app called myGrozBeckert for weaving, knitting, felting, tufting and sewing, which it says will keep textile manufacturers up to date on the company’s product range and provide them with a set of useful conversion and calculation tools.
By Adrian Wilson
At the forthcoming Heimtextil home furnishings show which takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, from January 11-14, textile wallcoverings will be more strongly featured than ever before.
One leading nonwovens company which is finding a fast-growing market for its wallcovering products is Ahlstrom – and especially in Asia.
1 December 2011, Tokyo
Teijin announced today that it will establish the world's first pilot plant for fully integrated production of carbon fibre reinforced thermoplastic (CFRTP) components from carbon fibre on the premises of its Matsuyama Factory in Ehime Prefecture, Japan.
1 December 2011
The Fifth Wearable Technologies Conference will take place alongside the ISPO sports show in Munich, Germany, on January 30, 2012.
1 December 2011, Shanghai
Despite the current global economic slowdown, the world’s leading textile machinery manufacturers are said to be still strongly attracted to the prospects offered by China, the world's largest textile producer. This can be seen from the overwhelming response received by the combined textile machinery show, ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012, which will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre from 12 to 16 June 2012, organisers say.
30 November 2011, Winston-Salem
According to Duofold by Champion, a HanesBrand brand, more than 20 million Americans participate in snow sports from Nordic skiing to snowboarding, and ski professionals say that most first-time skiers will be cold when hitting the slopes this winter.
28 November 2011, Manchester
Advanced Composites Group Ltd. (ACG) – part of Umeco Composites Structural Materials – a division of Umeco plc, says it is engaged in an exciting automotive project, part funded by the UK Technology Strategy Board (TSB), with collaborating partners UK-based Revolve Technologies and IE-LEV to develop and manufacture tooling and parts for a lightweight, range-extended electric-hybrid commercial fleet demonstrator vehicle.
Lightweight composite intensive body for light commercial vehicles
24 November 2011, Bristol
An innovative car, flight refuelling kit and turbine blades showcased the latest in composite technology to the Rt Hon Dr Vince Cable MP, UK Secretary of State for the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, who formally opened the National Composites Centre (NCC) in Bristol today.
24 November 2011, Prato
Italian vertical fabrics producer Pontetorto has introduced a new range of functional weft knitted fabrics which work with the skin’s natural process of moisture evaporation to offer dynamic comfort. The Dryfast Adaptive range is on show at Performance Days, the functional fabrics road show which is being held this week in Munich, Germany and in Annecy, France.
24 November 2011, Cary, NC
Recognizing a need for an inclusive conference to service the needs of multiple production and bonding technologies and the converter segment, INDA, the leading Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, will hold their new CAB 2012 Converting and Bonding Conference from April 17-19, 2012 at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, S.C.
23 November 2011, Cannes
Leading Italian warp and circular knitted fabric manufacturers Carvico and Jersey Lomellina, both Carvico Group companies, have launched a new eco initiative - Life Cycle Control (LCC) project - at Mare Di Moda/ Intimo Di Moda which opened here this morning.
Carvico and Jersey Lomellina launch Life Cycle Control project
22 November 2011, Pfäffikon
Switzerland headquartered Oerlikon Group has announced it will simplify its textile machinery businesses to further increase competitiveness and profitability. The three key elements of the change are the consolidation of the five textile machinery and components businesses into three Business Units (BUs), the relocation of the textile division’s headquarters to Shanghai, and increased R&D investment in both Germany and Asia to around CHF 80 million.
17 November 2011, Zurich
The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published its State of Trade Report for the second quarter of 2011. Year on year global fabric production was down for the quarter and although estimates for both yarn and fabric production are negative for the third quarter, the outlook for the fourth quarter is positive in both cases.
17 November 2011, New York
Unifi has confirmed that car maker Ford’s new Focus Electric model features seat fabric made from the company’s Repreve recycled fibre. More than 20 plastic bottles per car are said to be used in the recycled material.
16 November 2011, Reepham
Textile Media Services has published a new report for the automotive sector entitled ‘Automotive Composites: From steel to carbon and from glass to grass.’
Automotive Composites: From steel to carbon and from glass to grass
Adrian Wilson reports
It’s been a year of solid achievement for Alexium in commercialising its potentially disruptive RST technology.
16 November 2011, Delhi
With 11,283 certificates issued in the last year alone, and more than 9,500 companies involved in the scheme in over 90 countries, the OEKO-TEX organisation says its OEKO-TEX Standard 100 has once again confirmed its position as the world's leading certification scheme for textiles tested for harmful substances.
15 November 2011, Union City, GA
TenCate Protective Fabrics, a leading supplier of flame resistant (FR) fabrics, has received a new order for TenCate Defender M from Crye Precision to support 10,000 additional uniforms for use in a continued user evaluation for Combat Uniforms of the Australian Defence Forces.
14 November 2011, Scotland
A cluster of forward-thinking Scottish companies have joined forces to offer railway operators a ‘one-stop-shop’ for rail carriage interiors, showcasing together for the first time at Railway Interiors Expo 2011 this month.
Scottish consortium offers rail carriage interiors solutions
11 November 2011
According to a series of new Textiles Intelligence reports, global demand for technical textiles is on the rise as new applications and new markets continue to emerge. The reports can be purchased via Innovation in Textiles by following the links below:
New applications and markets fuel global demand for technical textiles
11 November 2011
Demand for elastane fibres, known as spandex in the USA and parts of Asia, is set to grow considerably according to a new report, ‘Stretch fibres and fabrics: reaching new levels of comfort’, from the business information company Textiles Intelligence.
11 November 2011, Charlotte, NC
Polymer Group, Inc. (PGI) unveiled a new platform technology yesterday to produce nonwovens containing submicron fibres that it says can deliver improved performance properties for healthcare, industrial, filtration and new emerging market applications.
9 November 2011, Brussels
Students are being urged to apply now for a 2012 EDANA grant to participate in the forthcoming Nonwovens Research Academy which is being held in Gothenburg, Sweden on the 19 & 20 April 2012. The event is being organised by the European nonwovens association EDANA.
9 October 2011, Milan
Following several quarters of sustained recovery since the lows recorded during the 2008-2009 period, Italy’s textile machinery sector is now seeing a downturn in orders.
9 November 2011, Düsseldorf
After launching its Newlife recycled yarn platform at key events such as Expofil in Paris and the World Textile Summit and ITMA in Barcelona, Filature Miroglio launched the Newlife platform to the workwear and protective textiles markets at A+A in Düsseldorf in October.
Company overview
Nitto Boseki (Nittobo or "the company") is engaged in the manufacture of glass fibre products, building materials, textiles, medical products, beverages and specialty chemicals. The company primarily operates in Japan. It is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and employs about 2,910 people.
8 November 2011, Bühler
The Eschler Group, which specializes in both warp and circular weft knitted fabrics, is considering the closure of its sites in Bühler (AR) and Münchwilen (TG), Switzerland.
Xerium Technologies unveils advanced tissue felt technology
8 November 2011, Raleigh, NC
Manufacturer of industrial textiles and rolls used primarily in the paper production process, Xerium Technologies has announced full global availability of its Impact TS, advanced tissue felt technology, as part of its clothing (PMC) technology designed to help customers improve operational performance and reduce energy consumption, which it says are vital to the manufacturing of tissue grades.
8 October 2011, Langley Mill
Nottinghamshire, UK based Amber Composites will be showcasing an innovative new 10kW wind turbine blade on its stand at the Energy Engineering 2011 show which takes place this week at Birmingham’s NEC. The company will be holding a joint presentation in the show session with partner and blade manufacturer, FuturEnergy.
8 November 2011, Dusseldorf
Smart textiles network Wearable Technologies is to exhibit a range of technological innovations at this month’s leading medical and healthcare trade fair MEDICA in Dusseldorf.
8 November 2011, Sevelen
iLoad, the latest development from Swiss textile and technology specialist Schoeller Textil AG, was recognized with the Swiss Technology Award in the segment ,Maturity Stage’ at the Innovation Forum, held at the Novartis Campus in Basel on 3 November.
7 November 2011, Morgan Hill CA
TenCate Advanced Composites North America has expanded into a facility adjacent to its Morgan Hill (California), USA site.
7 November 2011, Arco, TN
Italian companies TCX and Dryarn have entered into a partnership to develop two lines of seamless underwear, TXC Base Layer Summer and TXC Base Layer Winter, for the motorcycle market. The garments are said to offer significant technical advantages over competitors via innovative solutions.
Freudenberg North America is finding that its recyclable innovations are not only good for the environment and its customers - they are also good for job growth.
Huntsman Textile Effects is the leading global provider of high quality dyes and chemicals to the textile and related industries which was originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals. However they have now been realigned under a new Global Business Model with effect from 1st November 2011.
ITMA 2011 Barcelona was a successful and rewarding event for DyStar, which shared its sustainable textile processing knowledge, products and solutions with its guests and visitors as well as attendees of the Sustainable Textile Leadership Roundtable (STLR) and Textile Dyestuff & Chemical Leaders Forum (TDCL).
VISION 2012 Consumer Products Conference will present a far-ranging program that will focus on topics as diverse as Health Care Reform, Global Aging and Sustainability. The event will be held, at the Hotel Intercontinental in New Orleans, Louisiana from January 23-26, 2012.
One of the world’s leading trade fair companies and a leading fashion school have joined forces to promote sustainable fashion.
Specialty chemicals company Clariant today officially inaugurated its Textile Chemicals Business Unit (BU) headquarters in Singapore.
KPS Capital Partners, LP has announced that it has entered into definitive agreements to acquire American & Efird, Inc. (A&E) from Ruddick Corporation through a newly-formed affiliate, A&E Global, for $180.0 million, subject to certain post-closing adjustments.
Report summary
This report examines the field of stretch fibres and fabrics, which have been credited with radically changing the way people look and feel in the clothes they wear.
REPORT: Stretch fibres and fabrics - reaching new levels of comfort
Report summary
This report highlights a number of groundbreaking innovations which were launched at ITMA (International Exhibition of Textile Machinery) in Barcelona, Spain, during September 22-29, 2011.
Report summary
Italian brand Jersey Lomellina is a successful producer of circular knitted stretch fabrics for a broad range of applications—including underwear, swimwear, sportswear and leisure wear. The fabrics are known for their quality, innovation and style, due in part to the fact that the company's manufacturing facilities have remained in Italy rather than being transferred to cheaper Asian production facilities.
Profile of Jersey Lomellina: a global leader in circular knitted stretch fabrics
A Dutch football club has installed a new 100% recyclable artificial grass pitch which uses a patented weaving technique which results in the turf fibres remaining upright.
GreenFields delivers fully recyclable artificial grass system
Modular flooring manufacturer InterfaceFLOR has signed a pan-European agreement with waste management specialist, SITA. The partners in sustainability have joined forces to recover end-of-life carpet tiles from customers across Europe and maximise their use. Rather than being sent to landfill, the tiles will be returned to InterfaceFLOR to be re-used by the company’s social partners or fully recycled in to new carpet tiles using the company’s pioneering ReEntry 2.0 technology.
Sabine Anton Katzenberg reports from A+A in Dusseldorf
The biannual trade show A+A in Düsseldorf is a must for everyone who is involved in safety and health at work. And it is an important newsroom for the latest technical textiles applied in protective clothing and work wear.
Report summary
A wide spectrum of innovative and high-tech equipment and software packages for technical textiles and clothing was on show at Texprocess-a new trade fair launched by Messe Frankfurt and held during May 24-26, 2011, in Frankfurt, Germany.
New Technologies for Making Up Technical Textiles and Clothing
Report summary
This report is the first in a series of three in which the world's top 40 nonwovens producers are profiled. The report provides updated information and data about the activities and strategies of Ahlstrom, Companhia Providência, DuPont Nonwovens, Fiberweb, Freudenberg, Glatfelter, Johns Manville, Kimberly-Clark, Polymer Group Inc (PGI) and Sandler.
The World Nonwovens Industry: Part 1-The Leading Ten Producers
Report summary
AGY Holding is a leading manufacturer of advanced glass fibre for use in the reinforcement of materials for a diverse range of high-value composite applications. The company markets its products on the basis of their "extreme performance", and increasingly, the company is basing its business strategy on specialisation as a way of retaining its utility in niche markets. This report provides details of the company's developments, facilities, products and markets, competition, environmental performance, financial performance and an outlook for the future.
Report summary
This report provides a round-up of recent corporate developments in the global technical textiles sector, including acquisitions, business news, events, investments and joint ventures.
Report summary
This report includes statistical data and analysis of mill consumption of fibres and fibre production in Asia for the period 2003-10. The report covers several regions and provides detailed data for: China and Hong Kong; Japan, South Korea and Taiwan; South-East Asia; and South Asia. In addition to the statistics, the data are broken down into cotton fibres, wool fibres, man-made cellulosic fibres and synthetic fibres.
Statistics: Mill Consumption of Fibres and Fibre Production in Asia
Report summary
The German textile and clothing industry has undergone extensive structural changes over the last few decades in response to stiff competition from countries with lower wages. German firms have tackled these structural changes head on by internationalising their operations and focusing on innovative products and strong brands, which has led the industry to be the forerunner internationally in the field of technical textiles.
Innovation and Internationalisation Drive Success in the German Technical Textile Industry
Japanese fibres giant Teijin Limited announced today that it will donate 20 million Japanese yen (approx. 260,000 USD) for relief and recovery efforts in communities affected by severe flooding in Thailand. The donation includes 15 million yen provided to the Thai government.
Japan’s Teijin has announced that its mass production technologies for carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) have been selected as overall winner in this year's ICIS Innovation Awards. Teijin is also the recipient of the Best Product Innovation award.
Five consumer products ranging from a unique floor-cleaning pad to a disposable bra liner have been nominated as finalists for the 2012 Visionary Award.
Teijin Aramid introduced its latest unidirectional laminate fabric, Twaron UD41 at the A+A show in Dusseldorf yesterday, which has been specially developed for bulletproof vests to provide extra protection from different types of attack.
Israel based Nylon 6.6 producer Nilit has announced it will be showing its innovative yarn range, including the company’s novel Innergy yarn at the forthcoming Intertextile Shanghai 2011 trade fair. At the show, Nilit will also showcase the Nilit BodyFashion Trendbook for Spring/Summer 2013.
Debra Cobb reports from London
How can the apparel textile industry link together its diverse efforts toward sustainability in a way that is meaningful to the brand, retailer and consumer? Can a system of supply chain traceability help reduce “greenwashing” and convince consumers to care about the provenance of what they wear?
RITE Group Conference seeks paradigm shift through traceability
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Billy Hunter meets Monforts Vice President, Klaus Heinrichs at ITMA in Barcelona
Leading dyeing and finishing machinery manufacturer A. Monforts Textilmaschinen showcased its latest products for dyeing, finishing and sanforising at ITMA 2011 in Barcelona with special emphasis on energy saving solutions and environmental protection.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Monforts has pulled out all the stops in the engineering and commissioning of a special Montex stenter line for Germany’s BWF Protec.
Specialist German producer of circular knitting machines for medical stockings Merz launched a new four feed machine with reciprocating heel and toe movement at last month’s ITMA.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Teijin Aramid opened its newest plant for the production of its Endumax high strength tape in Emmen in the Netherlands today. By adding the new high-performance polyethylene tape (HP-PE) to its product portfolio, the Teijin Group says it has taken the next step toward global market leadership in super fibres and materials.
CIRFS, the Brussels based European Man‐made Fibres Association has published its latest statistical report on developments in the global man‐made fibres industry. The report, ‘Information on Man‐made Fibres’ is the 47th edition of this valuable summary of the dynamic and growing man-made fibres industry.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
TenCate Defense & Tactical, a supplier of inherently flame resistant (FR) fabrics for ground troop uniforms, has been selected to receive a major order for new TenCate Defender M fabrics specifically designed to meet new end-user needs to improve pants performance.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
India’s technical textiles industry is expected to grow to a value of Rs 1,58,000 crore by 2017, a senior government official said at the opening of Techtextil India 2011 in Mumbai, Moneycontrol reports.
Pacific Brands is a large manufacturer and distributor of clothing and workwear with over 30 major brands in its portfolio and around 6,500 employees. This profile provides information and analysis of Pacific Brands' operations and its attempts to transform itself into a more successful and profitable company.
Consumers are demanding enhanced aesthetics and comfort in apparel, as well as higher levels of protection, performance and easy care properties. The textile and clothing industry needs innovative chemical finishes in order to meet these demands, increase the range of end use applications for its products and open up new markets.
Global end use demand for textile fibres equates to the consumption of textile fibres by the final consumer. This report analyses recent trends in textile fibre prices and end use demand by region. It also includes indispensable textile fibre demand forecasts up to the year 2020. In view of the instability of cotton prices since mid-2010 and the uncertain economic outlook, this report is a vital resource for companies undertaking strategic planning for the next few years.
This country profile provides in-depth analysis of South Korea's textile and clothing industry, which played a major role in the country's initial industrialisation. However, there has been a decline in the number of operations and employees in recent years due to labour shortages, rising costs and growth in competition from other Asian countries with far lower production costs.
Prospects for the Textile and Clothing Industry in South Korea
This latest edition in our flagship series of reports contains statistical data, information and insight into the textile and apparel industries in Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey. The report includes detailed information on domestic production and exports of textiles and clothing by type and destination. It presents a wealth of information and is essential for anyone who is considering sourcing from, or selling to, these countries.
World Textile and Apparel Trade and Production Trends: Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Turkey
Nonwovens news from Innovation in Textiles
The tenth annual INDA Award for Lifetime Technical Achievement was presented this week to industry veteran Mike Putnam, of PGI, while the coveted Lifetime Service Award was given to Morris T. Collins, Jr., of RKW US, Inc., at the second annual Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference, which took place from 3-6 October at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, N.C.
Knitting Industry news from ITMA 2011
Billy Hunter reports from Barcelona
The best knitting and probably textile technology story at the recent ITMA in Barcelona, was for me, the simultaneous introduction of combined spinning-knitting machines by three leading circular knitting machine builders – Germany’s Mayer & Cie and Terrot and Taiwan’s Pailung.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Japanese high performance fibres supplier Teijin will be exhibiting at Techtextil India, the international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, which is being held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai, India next week (10-12 October).
Teijin to present high performance solutions at Techtextil India
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Adrian Wilson in Barcelona
Without a doubt, savings in energy, water and raw materials were the key drivers for the machine and process innovations on show at this year’s ITMA in Barcelona.
Nonwovens news from Innovation in Textiles
INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has published a new report called ‘Nonwoven Cartridge Market for Pools and Spas.’ The new INDA Segment Analysis focuses on a niche market within the overall Liquid Filtration business.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Teijin Aramid has commenced production of the first all black aramid fibre, Twaron Black, in Emmen, in the Netherlands. Twaron, normally golden yellow in colour due to the chemical process used in its manufacture, is now available in black for the first time.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Scientists at the University of California, San Diego have developed what they believe to be the first polymeric material that is sensitive to biologically benign levels of near infrared irradiation (NRI), enabling the material to disassemble in a highly controlled fashion.
Polymeric material has potential for non-invasive procedures
Nonwovens news from Innovation in Textiles
Outlook, the Personal Care Products Conference organised by EDANA, met in Budapest this year from 28-30 September, celebrating its 10th anniversary.
Self-cleaning cotton kills bacteria, breaks down pesticides
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Scientists at the University of California Davis (UC Davis) have developed a self-cleaning cotton fabric that they say can kill bacteria and break down toxic chemicals such as pesticide residues when exposed to light.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT) announced today that it has entered into a short term CRAiLAR Flax fibre development agreement with work wear brand Carhartt commencing September 2011 to support evaluation of processing CRAiLAR Flax fibre in premium grade work wear.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Clariant’s innovative program for fire retardancy, Sustainable Protection, was detailed in full on the 22 September, the opening day of ITMA - the first of six ‘innovation sessions’ scheduled by the company during the exhibition in Barcelona.
Innovation is the key theme for Clariant at ITMA 2011 and one of the most important developments being presented by the global textile solutions provider is Quiospheres, a high strength, high performance effect in cosmetotextiles that is said to generate wellness and well-being to the consumer through state of the art cosmetic microencapsulation that can be applied to any fabric.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Texiles
Just a few days before the ITMA in Barcelona, Karl Mayer has announced that, as of 1 January 2012 its Malimo stitch bonding technology will be transferred to textile machinery manufacturer Christian Pinkert Textilmaschinen.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
There are historic reasons for the location of the Dornbirn Man-Made Fibers Congress (MFC) which drew 740 attendees from 30 countries to celebrate its 50th anniversary last week (September 14-16).
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
DuPont won a civil lawsuit for $919.9 million against Kolon Industries yesterday, with the jury finding that Kolon stole trade secrets and confidential information regarding DuPont’s Kevlar aramid fibre.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Invista, owner of the Lycra brand has developed a range of garments using its Lycra Sport technology, with Canterbury of New Zealand, which it says will athletes perform at their best.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Royal Ten Cate (TenCate) has signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with Beijing Chinamex International Investment Co. Ltd. (Chinamex) in Beijing, China, to develop the Chinese market for protective fabrics.
TenCate partners Chinamex to develop China protective fabrics market
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
India’s Ministry of Textiles has granted Rs 24.5 crore (US$5.1 million) to the Institute of Chemical Technology (ICT) to set up a research centre to develop sports related textile technologies.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Xennia Technology has announced the appointment of Mr Laurie Geldenhuys as Commercial Director.
Technical textiles news from Innovation in Textiles
Xennia Technology has announced the appointment of Mr Laurie Geldenhuys as Commercial Director.
Groz-Beckert is to launch its offer to the textiles industry of a comprehensive training programme under its new Groz-Beckert Academy at ITMA in Barcelona this month. The company says the entirely new offer is distinctive for its hands-on practicality, experienced trainers, and the fact that it covers the complete spectrum offered by its Technology and Development Centre (TEZ).
Austrian premium brand Löffler, known for its innovative sportswear with strong design and optimum comfort is highlighting ‘Transtex light’ a fabric made from polypropylene and elastane by creora in its summer collection.
Century Place a US based supplier to the textile rental trade is using Ecosure, a fibre made from post consumer PET polymer, in its latest line of knitted rental uniforms.
Germany’s AMSilk and the Fraunhofer Institute for Applied Polymer Research (IAP) have joined forces in the development of a novel spin process for making high performance fibres from AMSilk’s spider silk proteins.
UK-based Technical Absorbents, part of the Bluestar Fibres Company Limited, will be exhibiting its Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF) technology at The 14th Shanghai International Nonwoven Exhibition (SINCE) in October 2011.
Keynote speakers have been announced for the NETInc Innovative Nonwoven’s Conference, to be held Sept, 13-15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia. The conference covers key technical developments in the nonwovens business and offers peer reviewed papers, expert speakers and a wide range of networking opportunities.
Germany’s VDMA Textile Machinery Association says a hot topic at the forthcoming ITMA in Barcelona will be ‘efficient production’, as growing energy and raw material prices lead textile manufacturers around the world to optimize their cost structures and processes.
The organisers of Techtextil India have announced program details for the Techtextil India Symposium which is being held at the Bombay Exhibition Centre in Mumbai from 11-12 October 2011 alongside the exhibition.
“When the sun shines, thousands of enthusiastic cyclists take to their bikes - In the city, on the roads or in forests and mountains they are cycling for all they are worth and increasingly, they are being accompanied by coldblack double sun protection.” These are the words of coldblack fabric technology developer, Austrian textile innovator Schoeller Technologies.
The western Indian state of Maharashtra is to get its first technical textiles park at Ichalkaranji off Kolhapur in the state’s western region. According to a report in the Business Standard yesterday the project involves an investment of Rs 110 crore, Rs 50 crore of which will come from central and local government subsidy.
Santini, a leading Bergamo, Italy based producer of technical cycling sportswear, has launched a new exclusive range of socks called Mirai which are produced with Filature Miroglio’s Newlife eco-high tech yarns. Santini says this is an exclusive and cutting edge project that combines stylish design and the Newlife revolutionary recycled material to create a high quality, eco-friendly product.
TenCate Protective Fabrics Americas, a leader in inherently flame-resistant (FR) woven and knitted fabrics for protective apparel has intensified its strategic efforts to take the TenCate Tecasafe Plus product portfolio to a world-wide marketplace.
According to a report in India’s Economic Times yesterday the country’s technical textiles industry is projected to grow to Rs.1.4 trillion ($31.4 billion) by 2016-17, with healthcare and infrastructure sectors accounting for a major chunk of the consumption.
At the forthcoming A+A safety and security trade fair which takes place in Düsseldorf, Germany, from October 18-21, a number of companies will be introducing knitted protective gloves featuring the latest Dyneema Diamond Technology.
Specialist narrow fabrics machine builder Mageba is launching a brand new high-productivity shuttle loom for complex, multi-dimensional narrow fabrics at next month’s ITMA 2011 in Barcelona.
The Lenzing Group has reported record results after the most successful first half year in the company’s history.
Innovative Textiles Inc. (ITI) has announced the launch of its latest patent pending fabric, Reliant AIR. ITI is a leading manufacturer of FR and arc resistant fabrics serving the electrical, fire, petrochemical, and safety apparel marketplace.
A new book from Woodhead Publishing , edited by B J McCarthy of TechniTex Faraday Limited, UK, entitled ‘Textiles for hygiene and infection control’ offers insight into design and production techniques for hygiene textiles.
Bluffton, Indiana based McHenry Knitting and Manufacturing, Inc. has been acquired by Protective Industrial Products, Inc. (PIP), a leading supplier of personal protective equipment.
Secant Medical, a wholly owned subsidiary of Prodesco, has announced a realignment of the organization with changes in its management and internal operational structure. Management changes include the appointments of internal management to senior vice president, vice president, and director levels as well as minor shifts to the company's organizational structure.
Triton Systems, Inc. has launched its Invexus brand of high performance, durable, conformal, nanothin coatings which are deposited via its patented atmospheric pressure plasma liquid deposition technology.
Leading experts from around the world will gather in Barcelona at the fourth Industrial Fabrics Association International Advanced Textiles Europe conference (AT Europe ’11) which is being held alongside ITMA 2011 with two consecutive morning sessions on 26 and 27 September 2011. ITMA, the world's largest international textile machinery exhibition, runs from 22-29 September.
Innovation in Textiles e-newsletter – 11 August 2011
A new spin on an old technology will give scientists and manufacturers the ability to significantly increase their production of nanofibres, according to researchers at North Carolina State University.
Reduced Global Yarn and Fabric Production in Q 1/2011
Higher Yarn and Fabric Stocks
In the 1st quarter of 2011 global yarn and fabric production fell compared to the previous quarter but rose in comparison to the 1st quarter of 2010. The decrease in global yarn production resulted from lower outputs in Asia, Europe and South America.
TenCate Advanced Armour is to introduce a highly sophisticated method of 3D moulding for the patented TenCate Liba armour system at DSEi (Defence & Security Equipment International) in London in September. TenCate says the system will allow the replacement of existing key components of armoured vehicles, such as hatches, doors and bonnets, all traditionally made from steel, with all-composite solutions.
Ray Anderson - 1934-2011
Ray C. Anderson, founder and Chairman of Interface, Inc., lost a 20-month battle with cancer on Monday. Surrounded by his family, he died at his home in Atlanta, it was announced by Company President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Hendrix.
Harry Lucas Textilmaschinen GmbH is a textile machinery manufacturer specializing in circular warp and weft knitting machines and knit braiders. The well established German company’s highly specialized machines are exported worldwide for production of fabric used in medical, technical textiles and fashion markets.
This report provides new information on the latest developments in protective clothing, sports apparel, temperature regulating apparel and workwear. It also highlights a number of new fibres, yarns, fabrics, dyes and treatments which have been developed for performance apparel.
This report analyses the growing field of cosmetotextiles, which represents a fast emerging market for both the cosmetics industry and the textile industry.
This report provides information, analysis and insight on: acquisitions, divestments and mergers; corporate social responsibility; events; financial results; international trade policy; joint ventures, cooperation, licensing and distribution; legal issues; manufacturing facilities; markets; online retailing; recycling; regional operations; regulations for protective apparel; and trade disputes.
Following up on the feature about cosmetotextiles, this company profile highlights the French brand Skin'Up which is known for its ground-breaking and innovative role in the field of cosmetotextiles.
After a year-long investigation into toxic water pollution in China, Greenpeace has published its findings in a report called "Dirty Laundry". The report reveals that hazardous chemicals are being released into two major rivers in China by two textile factories which have links to several global apparel brands-including Adidas, Nike and Puma.
The following interview was conducted by Kettenwirk-Praxis (KWP) in the run up to ITMA in Barcelona.
TenCate Protective Fabrics Americas, a market leader in inherently flame resistant (FR) fabrics for protective apparel, has strategically enhanced proprietary manufacturing processes to meet supply chain challenges in the industrial safety apparel market.
UK based Xennia Technology, a leading industrial inkjet solutions provider, will be demonstrating its range of inkjet printers and inks for digital textile decoration at ITMA, the International Exhibition of Textile Machinery, in Barcelona on 22-29 September 2011.
Systex, organisers of the Smart Textiles Salon (STS) say it is an innovative exhibition concept. “It combines the transfer of theory through a presentation of various exposés from the field of Smart Textiles as well as hands-on practical insight through demonstration of the prototypes’ working principle.”
IntertechPira has announced that Smart Fabrics 2012 will take place April 17-19, 2012, at the Conrad Miami Hotel in Miami, Florida. The event, now in its eighth year, is expected to bring together experts from a variety of industries, including textiles, fashion, electronics, technology, research and academia, all of which play a unique role in the emerging smart fabrics industry.
Celebrating its 20th anniversary as a very important three days each year for the global filtration business, the Filtration 2011 International Conference and Exposition will feature more than 120 exhibitors from all links in the filter supply chain at Navy Pier in Chicago, Illinois, from November 15-17, 2011.
According to organisers, the success of OutDoor 2011 has generated a lot of buzz in the international outdoor industry. The 18th edition of the trade show set records across the board, with 21,520 visitors (+5%) and 1012 media representatives (+10%) from around the world coming together with 890 exhibitors (+3%).
According to media reports the Indian government now estimates that the country’s growing technical textiles sector will reach US$36 billion by 2016-17. According to an article on www.commodityonline.com by leading technical textiles academic Seshadri Ramkumar of Texas Tech University, an estimated annual growth of 20% is expected.
California's Amyris, Inc. has signed a collaboration agreement with Kuraray Co., Ltd. to develop innovative polymers from Biofene, a renewable hydrocarbon building block made using Amyris's technology.
EDANA has announced that the draft programme for the 10th edition of OUTLOOK, which will take place in Budapest, Hungary from the 28th to the 30th September 2011.
Huntsman Textile Effects (TE) today challenged the textile industry to work in partnership and take on responsibility for environmental sustainability throughout all areas of the textile supply chain in order to reduce the global impact on the use of increasingly scarce resources such as water and electricity.
Japan’s Teijin announced today that its mass production technologies for carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) have been recognized by Frost & Sullivan through their 2011 Global Automotive Carbon Composites Technology Innovation Award.
US based polyester fibre producer Unifi is to partner with Polartec to launch an innovative new program for recycled textiles with the launch of its REPREVE Textile Takeback Program.
Trevira is a leading European manufacturer of polyester fibres and yarns. The brand has a long and checkered history, and has been owned by a number of companies, including Multikarsa and Reliance Industries.
This report includes statistical data and analysis of total man-made fibre production and total mill fibre consumption in South America, covering the period 2001-10. In addition to the statistics, the data are broken down into synthetic staple fibres and filament yarns as well as cellulosic staple fibres and filament yarns. It also includes an outlook for mill fibre consumption in South America.
Techtextil is a trade fair aimed at buyers and producers of technical textiles and nonwoven materials, held every two years in Frankfurt, Germany. At the most recent event, which was held during May 24-26, 2011, there were more than 24,500 visitors from 96 countries and 1,207 exhibitors from 50 countries.
Weight reduction, automation, and ecocomposites were three key trends driving the market for composites at the JEC Composites Show, held in Paris, France, during March 29-31, 2011. The application of carbon fibre reinforced plastics (CFRPs) in cars is the focus of much research and development and investment around the world.
This report provides a round-up of recent corporate developments in the global technical textiles sector, including acquisitions, business news, investments, and markets. The report contains insight and analysis of developments in a wide range of companies and other organisations involved in the sector, including:
With the ambitious goal of connecting cutting-edge technical innovation with real world applications, the second annual Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference will be held October 3-6 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, N.C.
Are we at the technological limit for fire gloves?
There are numerous demands from the fire service and promises from manufacturers, but in many cases things are not working out as expected or promised
Federal-Mogul Corporation has developed a protective product for high voltage cables that it says will help protect occupants of electric and hybrid electric vehicles in the event of a crash.
As working in the operating theatre calls for maximum concentration for often for several hours at a time, a commissioned project at the Hohenstein Institute looked at the question of the effect that the clothing worn in the operating theatre has on the surgeons' ability to concentrate.
Garnett Controls Ltd (UK) is launching its new generation retrofit control systems for textile machinery aimed at replacing traditional inefficient drive systems with economic, easy to use, and expandable systems.
According to show owner CEMATEX, visitors to ITMA 2011 can look forward to knowledge-sharing, cross-fertilisation of ideas and more collaborative interactions with some of the world’s leading textile researchers and educators.
New MIT-developed materials are making it possible to produce photovoltaic cells on paper or fabric, nearly as simply as printing a document.
You can hardly get through an evening news program without hearing about an out-of-control wildfire spreading across various parts of the country. But how safe – and comfortable – is the clothing being worn by the men and women fighting these fires?
14 July 2011, Sheffield
A bag, which can protect planes from bombs in passenger luggage, has been developed by an international team of scientists, including academics from the UK’s University of Sheffield working within University spinout company Blastech Ltd.
13 July 2011, Sevelen
Following the recent launch from Schoeller Textil AG, the company’s energear technology will now be available commencing summer 2011 under licence from group company Schoeller Technologies.
energear is a recently launched novel textile technology from the Austrian textile innovator, that is said to ensure that the wearer’s energy is reflected back to the body bringing health and fitness benefits.
13 July 2011, Orlando, FL
International Newsletters has announced that the keynote speaker for TCL2011, the must-attend conference on Textile Coating and Laminating which is to be held in Orlando, FL, USA on 17-18 November 2011 will be Michèle Joris Sioen, Managing Director/CEO, Sioen Industries NV, Belgium. The talk will be entitled ‘Innovation - the partner to technical textiles.’
Italy’s Santoni, a Lonati Group company, has announced its latest machinery innovations for ITMA 2011 in Barcelona, including two versions of its Atlas single jersey circular knitting machine in the unprecedented ultra fine gauges of 80 and 90.
Last Thursday (7 July) saw the official opening of the Open Innovation Center Advanced Materials (OICAM) in Nijverdal, the Netherlands. The new innovation centre is a network of companies and knowledge institutions inside and outside of the Netherlands’ province of Overijssel that focuses on sharing knowledge, research and development concerning high-grade materials and materials technology.
From 27th June to 30th June 2011, forty-three students aged 14 and 15 spent the week enjoying a unique learning experience at The University of Manchester. The four-day Smallpeice Trust Engineering Materials residential course, hosted by The University of Manchester’s School of Materials and sponsored by LATEST2 (Light Alloys Towards Environmentally Sustainable Transport) was designed to give students a taste of this exciting and rapidly expanding subject.
Organisers of the ITMA 2011 textile machinery exhibition are extending the area dedicated to fibres and yarns at this year’s show due to what they call overwhelming demand.
FibeRio Technology Corporation has announced it has been selected by the editors of R&D Magazine as a winner of the 49th Annual R&D 100 Awards. The accolade recognizes the 100 most technologically significant products introduced into the marketplace over the past year.
The 7th edition of the Advances in Textiles, Machinery, Nonwovens and Technical Textiles" (ATNT 2011) international conference is to take place in Coimbatore, India from 15-17 December 2011.
Polyester fibre producer Teijin Fibers has announced today it will present its urethane-alternative environmentally friendly high-performance polyester cushioning material for bra cups, called ELK, at Interfiliere in Paris from July 9 to 11.
Innovation in Textiles (www.innovationintextiles.com ) has teamed up with market research leader Datamonitor to give readers quick and easy access to selected quality market research for the textiles and clothing sector.
Performance Fibers, a specialist manufacturer of industrial polyester fibres and fabrics with operations in The Americas, Europe and Asia, showed just some of its extensive product range at the recent Techtextil in Frankfurt. The USA based company, which is owned by Sun Capital, serves some of the world's largest and most critical markets, including energy, transportation and safety.
Italian narrow fabrics machine builder Comez will take part at this year’s ITMA 2011 in Barcelona with important innovations including new and renewed machine models. The Italian company says it will highlight the excellence of its technology from its broad range of machinery for the production of narrow fabrics.
Knitting Industry ( www.knittingindustry.com) has teamed up with market research leader Datamonitor to give readers quick and easy access to selected quality market research for the textiles and clothing sector.
Theme day: Intelligent textiles for physical training, therapy and safety
Readers wanting to learn more about intelligent textiles that can:
Treat depression
Integrate physical training into everyday life
Increase safety at festivals
Can sign up for this theme day in the interest group for intelligent textiles. According to the organisers, attendees will gain insight into the latest breakthroughs within IT-enhanced textiles and get the opportunity to meet other companies and researchers who work with intelligent textiles.
Netherlands based Sabic Innovative Plastics announced yesterday that its high-performance Ultem polyetherimide (PEI) fibre has found an important new application in high-end work wear and protective clothing.
ITMA 2011 is focused on innovation driving the business, with cutting-edge solutions for the entire textile value chain. Huntsman Textile Effects has announced it will showcase recent innovation delivering real value to mills, brands, retailers and consumers in terms of performance and total process cost reduction.
What would it take to make a manned mission to Mars a reality? A team of aerospace and textile engineering students from North Carolina State University believe part of the solution may lie in advanced textile materials.
Reclaimed textiles are being reinvented as an innovative alternative to insulation by a Scottish firm. Design & Research Studio Kraft Architecture has unveiled its ‘Thermobond’ insulation product which blends wool waste fibres to help buildings retain heat.
Bonar & Natpet have announced the purchase of their first nonwoven production line to be installed early 2012, in their Joint Venture plant, at a site near to NATPET’s polypropylene production facility in Yanbu, in western Saudi Arabia.
Polyester fibre and fabrics producer Teijin Fibers announced today that it has developed a new stain-resistant polyester fabric that offers, both water absorption to eliminate stickiness and oil repellence to resist oil-based soiling.
Scientists differentiate stem cells on 3D implants into fat cells to provide better treatment of soft tissue defects in future
Scientists at Germany’s Hohenstein Institute say that although liposuction has been a standard medical procedure in cosmetic surgery for many years, surgeons are still searching for fat tissue substitutes to provide better treatment for patients with large soft tissue defects.
Germany’s VDMA –Textile Machinery Association is organising a series of one day conference and exhibitions called ‘German Technology for the Chinese Technical Textile Industry’, which will take place from 5 to 9 March 2012 in Jinan, Hangzhou and Guanzhou.
RD 7/2-12 EL: High performance raschel machine for spacer fabrics
Leading warp knitting machine builder Karl Mayer has unveiled its new RD 7/2-12 EL double needle bar raschel machine here at ShanghaiTex. The machine is the German company’s latest offering in the spacer fabric field and is suitable for the production of 3D knitted spacer fabrics for shoes, linings, orthopaedic bandages and supports, mattress covers, automotive interiors and furniture applications.
The ninth edition of Techtextil North America Symposium will be held from 24-26 April 2012 at the Georgia World Congress Center in at Atlanta, GA.
Huntsman Textile Effects has announced the appointment of Mr. Kent E. Kvaal as the new Vice President of its Business Specialty Textiles Unit.
“In preparation for the 14th annual Global Outlook for Carbon Fiber conference, it’s timely to consider the growing context and significance of this sector,” says conference organiser IntertechPira, adding:
Japan’s Teijin has announced today that Teijin DuPont Films Limited's Utsunomiya factory in Tochigi Prefecture, Japan, has returned to full-scale production as of today.
A new Textiles Intelligence report on the possibility of Pakistan’s textile and clothing exporters gaining duty-free access to EU markets is now available.
A new report on textile and apparel and production trends for South Asia and South East Asia is now available.
A new survey on the European fabric fairs for spring/summer 2012 is now available.
A new report on the prospects for Guatemala’s textiles and clothing industry is now available.
A new report on trends in US textile and clothing imports is now available.
Techtextil, the world’s primary event for generating business between manufacturers and users of technical textiles and nonwovens has extended its industry leading position with more than 24,500 visitors from 96 countries attending last month’s Techtextil 2011 in Frankfurt. Visitors saw a host of innovations presented by 1207 exhibitors from 50 countries.
Naturally Advanced Technologies (NAT) has announced it has entered into a short-term CRAiLAR Flax fibre development agreement with Cintas Corporation beginning June 2011 to support evaluation of processing CRAiLAR flax fibre in corporate identity uniform programs.
“Imagine plugging a USB port into a sheet of paper, and turning it into a tablet computer.” It might be a stretch, but ideas like this have researchers at North Carolina State University examining the use of conductive nanocoatings on simple textiles – like woven cotton or even a sheet of paper.
Outlast, the pioneer and market leader in temperature regulation phase change materials (PCM) impressed the international jury of Techtextil last month winning the Techtextil Innovation Prize 2011 in the New Materials category for the development of the world’s first heat managing polyester fibre with PCM. To date Outlast’s phase change materials have been available in textile fibres such as viscose and acrylic but not polyester.
Now a privately owned business following the ending of its contract with England’s North West Development Agency, technical textiles cluster organisation NWtexnet held a breakfast briefing session for the region’s industry on Wednesday June 1st 2011 in Bolton.
Professor Richard Horrocks, Chairman, announced a number of new initiatives around research and development (R&D) at the Industry Forum* event held at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, which was attended by over 30 delegates.
The East Midlands’ materials hub project (MATHUB) is running a seminar aimed at all companies and individuals who have an interest in Smart and Sensory Materials with built in technology. Key speakers are leading textile academics Professor Tilak Dias of Nottingham Trent University and Dr John Williams of Leicester’s De Montfort University.
To support the rapid growth in vehicle production and airbag fitment rates in Asia, Autoliv Inc., the global leader in automotive safety systems, has begun the construction of an airbag cushion manufacturing plant in Chonburi, near Bangkok. Autoliv's existing airbag cushion plant in Thailand opened just two years ago.
Interview with the President of the French Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association
The French Textile Machinery Manufacturers Association (UCMTF) President, Bruno Ameline and the Secretary General, Evelyne Cholet, report on the present state and the perspectives of their member companies. These are 35, mostly SME’s but leaders or among the world leaders on niche markets and specific applications. Their total annual turnover is around 1 billion Euros (1.4 billion USD), most of it is exported.
Adrian Wilson reports from Techtextil in Frankfurt
“One thing I noticed at this year’s Techtextil was a considerable rise in both exhibitors and visitors from Russia, compared to the last show two years ago.
There are no figures available from show organiser Messe Frankfurt to confirm this as yet, but there are many signs that the economy in Russia is currently very favourable for major technical textile markets – if only anyone quite knew how to get in.”
Swiss flat knitting machine builder Steiger was exhibiting for the first time last week at Techtextil, the leading German show owned by Messe Frankfurt which focuses on technical textiles.
Steiger, which is now owned by giant Chinese flat knitting machine builder Ningbo Yuren Knitting Machine Co. Ltd (Cixing brand), has always sold machines into orthopaedic goods and compression hosiery markets, but this was the first time the company had taken a stand at the world’s leading technical textiles show.
16 May 2011, Herning