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February 2011

Many companies and organizations in the automotive industry are now working feverishly to replace traditional materials with composites, reports Adrian Wilson.
An absorbent article featuring a stabilized absorbent structure having non-uniform lateral compression stiffness has been developed by Kimberly-Clark.
Fabrics that offer their wearers significant protection from the Sun's ultraviolet (UV) radiation even when they are wet and stretched are the result of research by cellulosic fibre manufacturer Lenzi
A microcapsule capable of containing a hydrophobic liquid or wax is the subject of International Patent Publication WO 2008/058868.
Outlast Technologies says its partners - Far Eastern New Century Corp, Fountain Set Ltd and Chia Her Industrial Co Ltd - played significant parts in the development of its latest fibre--a bicomponent
A multifilament surgical suture with an antimicrobial surface is described in US Patent 7 829 133 by Heraeus Kulzer.
With the European population ageing, infections affecting one in ten hospital patients and new surgical methods and treatments, there is a growing market for single-use nonwoven surgical drapes and go
Designed to help save lives and protect individuals from harm from airborne particles, the Readi Mask from Global Safety First of Manasquan, New Jersey, USA, received the 2011 Visionary Award presente
Scientists at Austria-based Lenzing Group have found a way to combine the company's Tencel lyocell fibre with naturally occurring marine substances to produce a product that is said to boost the moist
A self-adhering wound bandage that is secured in place without an adhesive/skin contact point has been developed by Jimmy Earl Hilton Jr of Hudson, North Carolina, USA.
Procter & Gamble has developed a relatively inexpensive disposable sanitary napkin that is said to help keep the user's body clean and dry.
A solvent-free antimicrobial polymer featuring siliconcontaining quaternary ammonium groups is disclosed in US Patent 7 851 653 by Biosafe.
US-based First Quality Nonwovens is building a new nonwovens manufacturing facility in China, primarily to supply the hygiene and medical markets in China and other Asian countries.
Carbon fibres for making compressed natural gas tanks manufactured in Thailand will be supplied by Toho Tenax Co Ltd of Tokyo, Japan.
Two inventors based in Texas, USA, have patented a spinneret, associated apparatus and methods that exploit centrifugal forces for the production of nanofibres.
The synergy between textiles and composites is always evident at the annual JEC Composites show in Paris, France, and the announcement that the new American version of the show is to be co-located wit
During the International Conference on Textile Coating and Laminating 2010, held in Cannes, France 4-5 November, Editor Nick Butler learned about the technologies the industry believes will drive its
The eighth edition of Techtextil North America, the second held on the West Coast, takes place in Las Vegas, Nevada, USA, 15-17 March.
An Interactive Workshop on Sports Textiles held in Mumbai helped to highlight some of the key issues that affect this market in India.
With a total of more than US$150 billion (Rs6750 billion) investment in just two of India's ambitious road development programmes, the potential in the country for manufacturers of geotextiles is imme

Hollingsworth & Vose Co, a USA-based specialist in filter media, has formed a joint venture with Nath Group and plans to establish a manufacturing capability in India.

Equipment desinged to meet better the needs of manufacturers who need to cut the edges of knitted fabrics is now available from Erhardt+Leimer.
The 50th Man-Made Fibers Congress will take place on 14-16 September 2011 in Dornbirn, Austria, taking as its principal theme "The next 50 years".
Organized by the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI), the first-ever IFAI Expo Asia (conference and exhibition) takes place in Singapore, 22-25 March.
Researchers in Switzerland have developed a bicomponent fibre for artificial sports turf.
Technology , applications and market trends are the bases for the topics to be discussed at the Techtextil North America Symposium, according to its organizer, Messe Frankfurt Inc.

Low & Bonar plc and Natpet are to establish a joint venture in Saudi Arabia with the aim of starting up a factory for the production and sale of nonwoven geotextiles.

German scientists are undertaking a project to produce superabsorbents from carbon dioxide (CO2), which could help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and make the production of disposable diapers more re
Carbon fibres and tows can be reinforced with nanomaterials to make them stronger and stiffer, according to Goodrich Corp, a major global supplier to the aerospace and defence sectors.
Trials in Germany have shown that the natural, symbiotic bacteria (flora) found on the skin are unaffected by wearing antibacterial clothing for prolonged periods.
BAE Systems - which has just received a $35 million contract from the US Army for 60,000 improved outer tactical ballistic vests - has developed a counter-intuitive liquid which hardens when struck.
A new polymer-metal composite with sensory properties - making it possible to produce component parts that monitor themselves - has been developed by researchers at Fraunhofer Institute for Manufactur
The VJacket is a wearable controller for live video performance, or 'VJ-ing' - the rising art of the rhythmic manipulation of moving video and animation.
Combat-related traumatic brain injuries (TBI) have become a signature injury of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars.
Nike and TomTom have collaborated to create the Nike+ SportWatch GPS Powered by TomTom.
Loughborough University is leading a three-year collaborative project with Nottingham Trent University to develop a new type of antenna that can overcome problems currently encountered by the military
Physical Sciences Inc.
Zephyr Technology's remote physiological monitoring system has received US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval.
Raytheon has recently introduced a new version of its XOS 2 exoskeleton which is envisaged as part of the US Army's Future Soldier 2030 programme.
3M has filed a lawsuit in Minnesota against Andover Healthcare, seeking injunctions and damages in respect of Andover's two layer compression bandage systems.
BAE Systems - which has just received a $35 million contract from the US Army for 60,000 improved outer tactical ballistic vests - has developed a counter-intuitive liquid which hardens when struck.
German scientists at the Hohenstein Institute and ITCF Denkendorf have developed the world's first textiles which effectively screen out both electromagnetic (EM) and infrared (IR) radiation.
At roughly 100 metres, the new fibre-reinforced concrete bridge in Albstadt, Germany is believed to be the longest of its type in the world.
Industrial inkjet solutions provider Xennia has been demonstrating its robust XenJet inkjet module range and versatile industrial inkjet solutions for packaging at recent exhibitions.
At ISPO Winter 2011 (to be held in Munich, Germany, 6-9 February), Toray Industries Inc will introduce Dermizax NX, which the company claims is completely water- and windproof, can be stretched by up
Turkey's Hassan Group has extended its range of nonwoven products with the investment of an airthrough bonding line for the manufacture of acquisition/distribution layer (ADL) materials, which are use
A yarn deliberately engineered for use in artificial turf is the result of development work by Colbond BV.
3M and 3M Innovative Properties have filed a lawsuit in the US District Court for the District of Minnesota against Andover Healthcare seeking a preliminary injunction as well as a permanent injunctio
A multilayered dressing for use on highly exuding wounds located on extremely contoured areas of the body has been developed by ConvaTec Technologies.
A multilayer wound dressing with antimicrobial properties is disclosed in US Patent 7 799 965 by Tyco Healthcare.
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