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Fibres, filaments and yarns

Murata - the only company to date to build an air-jet spinning machine (the MJS) - continues to develop what it describes as a vortex spinner-- European Patent EP 1 347 085.
Japan's Toyo Boseki KK has made strong high molecular weight polyethylene fibres for industrial ropes.
A system for making microfibres from otherwise difficult-to-process polymers was revealed at ITMA 2003 in Birmingham, UK.
Italian yarn maker Sinterama has introduced a synthetic sewing thread that, it says, glows in the dark.
An Austrian company, Borealis GmbH of Schwechat-Mannsworth, has found a way of making strong polyolefin fibres without post-stretching.
Friction Free Technologies Inc has disclosed a process for creating special low-friction fibres.
Toray Industries has developed a treatment for fibres that, the Japanese company claims, provides durably deodorant, antibacterial, antifungal and anti-soiling characteristics.
A highly absorbent composite yarn is the invention of Koreas Silverstar Corp.
A high bulk fibre with greater abrasion resistance is the subject of International Patent World Patent WO 02/16682 from Honeywell International Inc.
Japan's Sumitomo Chemical Co Ltd reports it has found a way to produce monofilaments of titania.
European Patent EP 1 279 755 suggests that a decorative polyester yarn may be produced undyed and held to be dyed in small lots as and when required.
A US-Japanese collaboration has developed acrylic fibres containing chitosan that have long-lasting antimicrobial properties.
Yorkshire Forward of Leeds, UK, is supporting a system for the decortication of flax.
Japan's Shimadzu Corp has developed a spontaneously degradable fibre that offers high bulk, soft handle and stretch.
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has recognized a completely new generic group of fibres.
Eastman Chemical Co has patented a method of producing advanced chemicals using corn fibre as a raw material.
Elastic fibres and fabrics developed by Dow Chemical could find use in the gathering means and stretchable sidepanels of disposable diapers or incontinence garments.
A new highly absorbent lyocell fibre highlighted at April's Techtextil exhibition could have applications in the medical and hygiene/sanitary sectors.
Partially or wholly flat synthetic fibres for making strong nonwovens with low basis weights are disclosed in US Patent 6 485 828.
The Department of Textile and Clothing Design at the University of Lapland, Rovaniemi, Finland, is conducting a project that aims to investigate the healing properties of wool from Finnish Landrace sh
Rhodia Filtec AG, Emmenbrucke, Switzerland, has found a way to improve polyester fibre spinning.
The Aderans Research Institute of Beverly Hills, California, USA, has developed synthetic bioabsorbable fibres for use in making reinforced composites for surgical implants USA.
Sara Lee Corp discloses a process for making softer handling open-end spun yarns in US Patent 6 477 826.
A feasibility study to examine the potential of woolbased medical textiles is to be carried out by Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) in conjunction with a leading international pharmaceutical company.
A yarn that expands when heated is the subject of US Patent 6 460 320.
Humatro Corp has invented a radically new type of fibrous structure.
Cargill Dow has branded its polylactide (PLA) fibre as Ingeo. At the recent Heimtextil the fibre, formerly known as NatureWorks, was evident in a number of bedding products.
A melt-blowing technique for lyocell is disclosed in US Patent 6 306 334 by the US pulp giant The Weyerhaeuser Co.
Dow Fiber Solutions has introduced a new generic synthetic fibre. The company is marketing it as Dow XLA, while the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has given it the generic description lastol.
Superabsorbent fibre and film compositions based on L-aspartic acid are described in US Patent 6 465 536 Solutia.
Glen Raven Inc has developed a yarn that can serve to stabilize fabrics used outdoors.
Spanish company Relats SA has developed a silicon dioxide fibre that it claims offers better thermal resistance.
BASF AG is developing multicomponent superabsorbent fibres containing at least one acidic waterabsorbing resin and a basic water-absorbing resin.
Japan's Otsuka Chemical has developed a conductive fibre as part of its research into bicomponent skin-core fibres intended to offer protection from electromagnetic radiation.
Fuji Spinning Co Ltd, Tokyo, Japan, describes a functionalized fibre in European Patent 1 188 855.
A Japanese firm has patented a fine electrically conductive fibre, as well as a conductive yarn made from the fibre.
A diamond-like coating (DLC) improves the flexural rigidity of aramid fibres and suppresses their low yielding behaviour, according to US inventors.
A US company claims to have found a way to make polypropylene fibres with lower shrinkage.
Toyo Boseki KK has developed hydrophilic polyester supplied as an aqueous dispersion that is intended for making nonwovens.
A hydrophilic fibre claimed to excel in high-speed processability has been developed by Chisso.
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