WELCOME TO TECHNICAL-TEXTILES.NET, the web's most comprehensive source of information about the world of performance and technical textiles. Full membership gives access to: unique feature articles; relevant, edited and verified news; events and more, to keep you up to date with the latest developments in materials, technologies, processes, patents and research, and business and markets

September 2010

Decades of changes in the textile industry have led it to an era where information technology, computing and nanotechnology are now part of its everyday language.
A multicomponent fibre containing a phase-change material (PCM) that combines an effective latent heat effect with high strength has been developed by SCA Hygiene Products.
Capacitive fabric sensors that can monitor structures that expand and/or contract in real time, such as the human torso during respiration, are the goal of research at North Carolina State University
Univar, a leading distributor of chemicals around the world, has signed a distribution deal with Celanese Emulsion Polymers, a specialist in emulsion technology and application development.
Medical and Healthcare Textiles, a new book from Woodhead Publishing, is based on papers presented at the fourth MEDTEX conference held in July 2007 at the University of Bolton, UK.
Singapore researchers have invented a flexible, lightweight, impact-resistant composite material based on the same principles of how a cornstarch solution hardens on impact.
A clinical trial conducted by the Department of Epidemiology and Infection Control at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) of Richmond, Virginia, USA, has shown that nanotechnology developed by Vest
Researchers at the Institute for Hygiene and Biotechnology (IHB) of Germany's Hohenstein Institute have reported progress in the use of stem cells to stimulate the regeneration of vascular tissue to a
Kinetic Concepts (KCI) reports that the High Court of Justice Chancery Division, Patents Court in the UK has entered an injunction against Smith & Nephew prohibiting infringement of two KCI patent
Amicor, a global distributor of antimicrobial textiles, launched Amicor medical and healthcare uniforms at the International Conference on Healthcare and Hygiene Textiles & Clothing (HEAT) 2010 in
A headband that incorporates a tension indicator has been developed by Covidien subsidiary Nellcor Puritan Bennett.
A flexible, honey-impregnated dressing for direct application to a wound has been developed for absorbing wound exudates by Api-Med Medical Honey, which is now part of Comvita New Zealand.
Yarns specifically designed to reinforce the edges of cut-resistant webbing and cargo slings are the subject of US Patent 2008/0182471.
One of the world's leading manufacturers of nonwovens, Polymer Group Inc (PGI), has reported an increase in its sales for the second quarter 2010.
Smart fabrics with engineered improvements at the nanoscale are having a significant impact across many industrial markets, building on already established applications in filtration and wound care, a
Niki Tait exploited the concurrence of the SPESA Expo with Techtexil North America, visiting both shows and here reporting on noteworthy exhibits spanning colour and visual assessment, technical and h
In India, SRF is a leading producer of polyamide tyre cord fabric, the first to make polyester tyre cord fabric and a principal manufacturer of belting fabric.
The new Technology and Development Centre (TEZ) opened by Groz-Beckert in Albstadt, Germany, at a cost of Euro70 million, demonstrates a commitment to the longevity of the company and its German emplo
Scheduled to run 19-21 October 2010, the latest edition of Messe Frankfurt's CINTE Techtextil China should consolidate the importance of this exhibition to the industry's calendar.
Funding, technology, high performance applications and how innovative ideas with market potential can be converted into commercial products, were some of the themes of Managing Innovation in Textiles,
A mechanically stitchbonded reinforcement fabric consisting of a needlebonded core sandwiched between chopped glass fibres, called Polymat Free-Flow, will be launched by Scott & Fyfe at Composites
Electrospinning can create nonwoven layers of fibres of fluoropolymer suitable for filter media, and especially the separation of water from fossil fuels, claims Donaldson Co Inc of Minneapolis, Minne
Polyropylene made using specific nucleated metallocene catalysts can be spun to leave fibres and filaments with superior properties, particularly where high processing speeds and small gauge textiles
Carbon nanotubes incorporated in body armour are improving the protection afforded to soldier and law enforcement officers from small arms fire, claims their manufacturer.
A weft-inserted warp knit with a unique pattern of flat and round stitches makes a fabric that has good dimensional stability, high tensile strength, high tear strength and a smooth surface, claims it
A multilayer reduced pressure delivery apparatus (211) for promoting tissue growth is disclosed in US Patent 7 700 819 by Kinetic Concepts.
A composite medical dressing containing a metal oxide has been developed by two research centres in Taipei, Taiwan.
Ticona, the engineering polymers business of Celanese Corporation, today announced it received Green Partner certification from Sony Corporation at its US production plants in Shelby, North Carolina,
Protective suit specialist TST Sweden has signed a licensing agreement with fibre manufacturer DSM Dyneema that will enable it to use the Dutch company's distinctive trademark on its multilayer water-
SKYShades reports that it has completed its first parking structure integrated with Konarka's Power Plastic at the West Palm Beach office complex of golfer Greg Norman's Great White Shark Enterprises.
GE and Intel Corporation have announced a 50/50 joint venture to create a new healthcare company focused on telehealth and independent living that is likely to build on a number of wearable technology
'The Quiver' is a new fashion/ personal electronics accessory developed by Canadian brand DEW (Digital Equipment Wear) that just might catch on.
SouthWest NanoTechnologies (SWeNT) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) have been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).
The VDMA has formed a new network for machinery manufacturers engaged in the development and production of technologies for the manufacture and quality control of composite materials.
DuPont has introduced the first nanofibre-based polymeric battery separator that boosts the performance and safety of lithium ion batteries.
Launched later this year, the all-new Ford Explorer will set a new benchmark for sustainability in the SUV segment due to an increased use of renewable and recycled content, with bio foam and recycled
A tactile sensor system consisting of conductive foam, textiles and an intelligent evaluation circuit has been developed for robots by researchers at the Fraunhofer Institute for Factory Operation and
At the July Outdoor show in Friedrichshafen, Germany, Schoeller Textil introduced its new Energear fabric.
Improved composite kayak prototypes coated with an epoxy gelcoat modified with Baytubes carbon nanotubes have been developed by Norwegian research company Re-Turn AS, based in Gamle Fredrikstad.
The e-paper display business has survived a tough year and has emerged as a mainstream display technology with strong prospects going forward, according to a new report from NanoMarkets.
Sweden-based SCA is purchasing the Copamex baby diaper business in Mexico and Central America. The purchase price is understood to be worth around US$50 million on a debt-free basis.
Carbon fibre specialist Zoltek Companies Inc has reported that net sales for its third quarter, ended 30 June 2010, totalled US$42.4 million, compared with $30.3 million in the third quarter of fiscal
Conference director Bill Smith has finalized the programme for the latest edition of the long-running International Conference on Textile Coating and Laminating (TCL 2010).
Event organiser Intertechpira has announced the latest programme for its annual conference dedicated to the carbon fibre industry, Global Outlook for Carbon Fibre, now called GOCarbonFibre2010.
Tine Beez, fashion graduate of Central Saint Martins College of Art and Design in London, has launched her 'Fashion meets Technology' active wear collection featuring technology from Fibretronic.
As part of the 2010 Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences, two teams of researchers led by Professor Barbara Layne of Concordia University, Montreal, and Professor Janis Jefferies at Goldsmit
SouthWest NanoTechnologies (SWeNT) and the University of Oklahoma (OU) have been awarded a $500,000 grant from the Oklahoma Center for the Advancement of Science and Technology (OCAST).
The University of Wales, Newport, is launching the first MA (Master of Arts)/MFA (Master in Fine Arts) Smart Clothes and Wearable Technology courses in October.
Building on the success of the first two IFAI Advanced Textiles conferences in Berlin and Brussels, IFAI presented a third successful edition in Paris on 16-17 June, in the modern Congress facilities
Vestagen Technical Textiles has completed the first clinical trial involving its Vestex nanotechnology-based products.
XXXX