Agriculture and horticulture

FREE CONTENT: Waste warp-knitted tulip nets repurposed to protect against drones

26 August 2025

End-of life warp-knitted tulip nets are now being used in Ukraine to protect soldiers and civilians against drone attacks, according to supplier of machinery for the production of the nets, Karl Ma

Making plant pots from invasive plants

5 November 2024

Cellulosic fibres derived from an invasive species of plant are being used to make biodegradable composite plant pots by researchers at the German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendor

Durable groundcover fabric is made using recycled material

1 June 2023

A durable interwoven polypropylene (PP) groundcover fabric for weed-control has been launched by Beaulieu Technical Textiles of Comines-Warneton, Belgium.

FREE CONTENT: Extracting fibres for technical textiles from lavender stalks

27 July 2022

The production of fibres for technical textiles and the reinforcement of composites from by-products of lavender farming is being explored by researchers in Germany.

Effective crop protection from Plant Armor

20 April 2022

Spacer fabrics that create an effective barrier to even small insects as they try to reach a plant – reducing the need for insecticides – are being developed by researchers at North Carolina State

Biodegradable tree covers made from renewable raw materials

30 November 2021

A biodegradable yarn for the manufacture of growth covers, which are used to prevent game from feeding on tree saplings and help to ensure that their growth is not prevented by other plants, is bei

Growing markets for textiles and nonwovens

Concerns about our ability to feed everyone as the world’s population continues to expand are creating opportunities for agrotextiles, according to Sarah Gibbons and Keith Nuthall, but the next generation of such products must be developed to reduce their overall burden on the environment.

Nonwoven mats for the cultivation of herbs and salads

18 March 2020

Anglo Recycling Technology is set to deliver one million nonwoven mats for use in the hydroponic growth of herbs and salads to a major customer in the Middle East in 2020.

Three-dimensional spacer fabrics for crop protection

30 August 2019

Researchers at the North Carolina State University of Raleigh, USA, have developed a range of three-dimensional (3D) spacer textiles that protect plants from wildlife while allowing for the penetra

Flexible reinforced garden hose is lightweight

18 March 2019

A lightweight textile-reinforced flexible hose has been developed by FITT of Sandrigo, Italy. In particular this could be a garden hose or irrigation hose.

Textiles provide the perfect support for cultivating seaweed

An award-winning project (At-Sea) that developed textiles for the large-scale cultivation of seaweed has now led to the formation of a company that aims to sell turnkey seaweed farms. Niki Tait investigates on behalf of Technical Textiles International.

Heatable textiles for plant cultivation

1 September 2014

Heatable textiles that are placed around the roots of plants to supply them with targeted warmth are being co-developed by three German partners: the Hohenstein Institute in Bonnigheim; Balingen-based

Polylactic acid nonwovens show promise as commercial mulches

1 January 2014

Researchers based in the USA are evaluating the feasibility of using nonwovens made from bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) as biodegradable mulch in commercial agriculture.

Elasticated shade controls climate for growing plants

1 July 2013

Four European partners have developed a fabric-based dynamic shading system to help maintain the levels of light, moisture and temperature needed to grow healthy plants in a greenhouse (see also, Figu

Fishing, agriculture and geotextiles boost Garware Wall Ropes

1 June 2010

Research and development, much of which is in collaboration with international partners, has been at the heart of the success of Garware Wall Ropes, a company primed to exploit anticipated growth in k

Indian agriculture ready to offer immense potential to textiles

1 September 2008

India is one of the world's leading agricultural economies and it has yet to wake up and fully exploit the advantages of using agrotextiles, but that situation is now ready to change dramatically, acc

DS Technical Nonwoven launches environmentally friendly fleece

1 November 2007

Hortaflex(r) is a fleece developed for mulch matting and other weed control applications by DSTechnical Nonwoven of Belgium.

Another dimension to technical applications--agrotextiles

1 December 2005

M.Subramanian Senthil Kannan describes the fabrics used for various agricultural purposes such as shading,covering soil,protection from hail,rain,wind,weeds and insects--asking what materials are used

Adjustable screening

1 January 2004

Bonar Technical Fabrics of Zele, Belgium, has invented a type of screening with an adjustable effectiveness.

Net protects plants from light

1 December 2003

A net that protects plants from excessive direct light is the subject of US Patent 6 586 350.

Polymer fibres as a soil substitute

1 September 2003

DuPont has devised a way of using polymer fibres to support plant growth and act as a substitute for soil.

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Upcoming Events

Forthcoming events list

15 September 2025

Please find below the list of forthcoming conferences and exhibitions on technical textiles and nonwovens.

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Buyer's Guide for the International Technical Textiles Industry 2024

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Growing markets for textiles and nonwovens

Textiles provide the perfect support for cultivating seaweed