Fibres, filaments and yarns

Threads made from electrically conductive cellulose could enable the environmentally sustainable production of smart textiles, according to the developers in Sweden. 

Developer of a process that enables fibres to be produced from cellulosic biomass, Spinnova, and wood-pulp producer Suzano are to invest approximately €22 million to build a commercial-scale fibre-

Gaston College is planning the construction of a centre for the research and development (R&D) of fibres at its Kimbrell Campus in Belmont, North Carolina, USA.

A joint venture (JV) that will develop and sell apparel made from spider-silk fibres has been established by Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc and MtheMovement.

A range of ballistic body panels made from ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres is – for its level of performance – the thinnest and lightest currently available, say its US dev

PrimaLoft Inc is increasing the post-consumer recycled (PCR) content of its range of aerogel-enhanced, thermally insulating fibres (Cross Core Series).

A high-tenacity lyocell fibre made from cellulose derived from industrial organic and agricultural waste has been developed by Nanollose Ltd and Grasim Industries Ltd. 

A viscose fibre embedded with minerals that convert body heat into infra-red (IR) radiation has been launched by Hologenix and Kelheim Fibres. 

A range of seamless garments – including base layers, leggings, tops, sweaters, gloves and helmet liners – warp-knitted from an antimicrobial polyamide (PA) yarn has been launched by CIFRA of Veran

Chemical methods for the recycling of Royal DSM's ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre (Dyneema) are to be developed now that the company has signed an agreement with Clariter.

A fibre that changes colour when exposed to elevated temperatures is being developed for the production of safety ropes by researchers in Switzerland.

Gleistein Ropes has announced that it will use DSM's partially bio-based ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, Dyneema), in place of the conventional version, in all of its ropes. 

Fabrics featuring fibres of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, Dyneema Composite Fabrics) are being used by Moncler of Milan, Italy, for the production of skiwear.  

Fabric made from an antimicrobial polyamide (PA) 6.6 yarn (Sensil BodyFresh) developed by NILIT of Migdal Haemek, Israel, has been shown to reduce the activity of Betacoronavirus 1 by 99.85%. 

Solvay Group of Brussels, Belgium, has launched an antiviral and antibacterial polyamide (PA) yarn.

A range of fibres (Naiaä Renew) produced from 60% wood pulp and 40% recycled waste plastics has been launched by Eastman of Kingsport, Tennessee, USA.

Sateri has opened a US$48-million centre for the research and development (R&D) of lyocell fibres in Rizhao, China. 

A range of strong yarns for the production of strength members in fibre-optic cables has been launched by Coats of Uxbridge, UK. 

PyroTex Industries of Hamburg, Germany, claims to have produced the first fibre capable of deactivating the strain of coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-

Wet-spun carbon-nanotube (CNT) fibres that are stronger than those made from para-aramid and demonstrate an electrical conductivity approaching that of copper are being produced by a team of resear

Fine, soft and translucent lyocell fibres for the production of nonwovens for the beauty industry have been launched by Lenzing.  

The Lenzing Group is delivering fibres from two of its production sites in Austria directly to customers in China by train for the first time.

An antiviral and antimicrobial treatment proven effective against the strain of coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic is to be incorporated into yarns and threads by Coats.

Teijin and Kinoshita Fishing Net Mfg Co Ltd claim to have developed the world's first knotless fishing netting made from an ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) slit-film yarn.

Fibre Extrusion Technology of Leeds, UK, reports that it has taken 50 orders – worth more than US$20 million in total – for the FET-100 Series since its launch in 2015.

A range of antimicrobial polyamide (PA) 6.6 fabrics (Acteev Protect) for the production of face masks, air filters, apparel and upholstery has been developed by Ascend Performance Materials of Hous

A US company claims to have created transgenic silkworms capable of producing almost pure spider silk.

Promethean Particles (Promethean) of Nottingham, UK, is working with textile companies and research facilities to explore the anti-viral effects of its copper nanoparticles, which it has developed 

Viscose fibre is being produced from textile waste on a commercial scale by Sateri of Shanghai, China.  

Lenzing says that its increased focus on speciality fibres has enabled it to weather a drastic drop in prices for standard viscose during 2019.

Royal DSM, SABIC and UPM Biofuels have formed a partnership with the aim of reducing the environmental impact of DSM's ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre (Dyneema). 

A thermal processing method for the moulding of components, such as medical devices, from regenerated silk has been developed by researchers at the Tufts University School of Engineering in Medford

Beaulieu Fibres International will introduce a bicomponent fibre for soft cushioned hygiene nonwovens at Index20, which is scheduled to be

An agency of the US Federal Government has proposed amending existing legislation concerning the generic names of fibres in order to bring it into line with international standards.

Beaulieu Fibres International will announce new investments and products during its participation at the forthcoming Index20, scheduled to be held in Geneva, Switzerland, on 31 March to 3

More than 1700 people visited the stand of Industrial Summit Technology (IST) at ISPO Munich, drawn by augmented-reality (AR) displays and a towering centrepiece installation.

A team of researchers led by the tissue bioengineering unit at the University of Bordeaux in France has created a yarn-like material derived from human skin cells that could be used to close wounds

US researchers have developed a new treatment for glioblastoma multiforme, an aggressive form of brain cancer, which uses coaxial electrospinning to form drug-containing membranes.

A cationic-dyeable polyester (PES) yarn and an expanded range of yarns made from plastic bottles recovered from the ocean have been unveiled by Unifi⁽¹⁾ of Greensboro, North Carolina, US

A method for producing dope-dyed antibacterial viscose filament (rayon) for use in the manufacture of medical textiles is disclosed by E. Miroglio of Sliven, Bulgaria.

Researchers at the VTT Technical Research Centre of Espoo, Finland, have used an optical fibre made of cellulose to create a prototype sensor that, in the future, may be used to detect changes in t

Lyocell fibres have been produced from post-consumer cotton waste by Lenzing of Lenzing, Austria, in what the company describes as an industry-first.

Honeywell of Morris Plains, New Jersey, USA, is increasing its capacity for the production of its ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre (Spectra) by more than 20%.

Toray Industries claims to have created the world’s first carbon fibre with a nanosized continuous pore structure.

A technology for refrigeration based on the twisting and untwisting of fibres has been demonstrated by researchers from the University of Texas at Dallas in the USA and Nankai University in China.

An antimicrobial fibre and nonwoven membranes for use in apparel and filtration were introduced at K 2019 by Ascend Performance Materials of Houston, Texas, USA.  

Multimaterial filaments and an additive manufacturing (AM) process that can be used to convert them into functioning electronic devices that can light-up, sense their surroundings, store energy, or

A polyimide fibre that maintains its stability and flexibility in high-temperature environments has been launched by Evonik of Essen, Germany.

The biodegradability in fresh water of Lenzing’s cellulose fibres has been confirmed by the independent research laboratory Organic Waste Systems (OWS).