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Fibres, filaments and yarns

New polyamides (PAs) and textiles based on them are to be introduced for applications in the sports and leisure markets by their Japanese developer.

They will not be visible, but geotextiles are an important foundation for a major civil engineering project set to be the focus of the world’s media this weekend.

A fully automated system, which is designed to wrap, pack and prepare for transport sensitive fibres (including carbon fibre) is now available.

Specifically for fibre manufacturers, Teijin Ltd has developed a range of masterbatches that combine its phosphorus-based flame-retardant (FR) agent (FCX-210) with polymers.

A pile fabric developed to meet new stringent fire regulations for upholstery on public transportation is to be revealed at Techtext

The 55th edition of the annual Man-made Fibers Congress in Dornbirn, Austria, will take place one week later than usual and run from Tuesday to Thursday (20–22 September 2016),

A hybrid woven fabric that is highly permeable – making it suitable for use with resin-transfer moulding (RTM) processes – has been developed by Cytec Industries Inc (now Solvay Cytec Group). 

TissueGen, the developer of a bioresorbable fibre (Elute) that can deliver drugs and medicines in a controlled manner after implantation in a patient, says it has won certification to the Internati

Air freight containers are to be made more durable and fire-resistant (FR) under the terms of an agreement between two companies.

EuroFibers BV of Maastricht, The Netherlands, has signed its first distribution agreement relating to ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibres that have been coloured with a propriet

European polypropylene (PP) staple fibre supplier Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI) has extended its Meraklon range with the introduction of polyolefin bicomponent fibres that combine softness an

DSM Dyneema can now supply its ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fibre in black, potentially opening up new applications, according to the company from Urmond, The Netherlands.

Durability is the core to the success of Invista’s Cordura brand

On a visit to Invista Textiles Ltd, Nick Butler learned about the technology and marketing strategy that lie behind the success of the Cordura brand, and how the company exploits its know-how to develop new products.

 

A Swedish biomaterials company says it can now genetically engineer bacteria in order to produce large quantities of the proteins found in a spider’s dragline silk and then use these to make a vari

Is this fibre the next big thing in flame-resistant protection?

A breakthrough spinning system patented by Lorica International offers the prospect of step changes in the performance of inherently flame-resistant fibres and fabrics, according to the company’s Chief Executive Officer, Mark Zwerenz. 

US researchers at the University of California, Riverside (UCR) have developed electrospun fibres with viruses that function as biosensors.

Teijin Corp (Thailand) has started producing Teijinconex neo – a type of highly heat-resistant and dyeable meta-aramid fibre – at its new plant in Ayutthaya—a first for the Association of Southeast

Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc, a leading developer of advanced spider silk based fibres, has announced that it, with the University of Notre Dame, has filed two additional patents to strengthen i

The Institute of Chemical and Bioengineering at ETH Zurich in Switzerland has developed a method for obtaining high-quality fibres from gelatine.

Unifi Inc has begun construction of an additional facility at its Recycling Center in Yadkinville, North Carolina, USA.

Two companies have won funding to develop graphene-enhanced sizings for carbon fibres.

A plant dedicated to the production of nickel-coated fibres has opened in Cleveland, Utah, USA.

By mimicking the molecular structure of spider silk, engineers in Canada are adapting three-dimensional (3D) printing technology to make tough micron-scale polymer fibres in a one-s

A polyester (PES) fibre with a low melting point for bonding comprising a proportion of recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is now available from Fiberpartner  ApS.

The Lenzing lyocell fibre Tencel has become the first fibre to be medically tested according to the Fordergemeinschaft Korpervertragliche Textilien (FKT) test method criteria for body compatibility an

Polypropylene (PP) staple fibres with a unique trilobal cross-section are now available from Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI).

A dyeable meta-aramid (m-aramid) fibre with excellent thermal-resistance made its debut during the Intersec exhibition held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), on 18-20 January 2015.
European polypropylene (PP) staple fibre supplier Beaulieu Fibres International (BFI) has announced the full commercial availability of its Meraklon Trilobal PP fibres for the global hygiene market (t
Two US companies are collaborating in an attempt to make staple fibres that can be detected with X-ray radiation or metal detectors.
Kelheim Fibres is developing a viscose fibre that reflects infra-red (IR) radiation.
A cost-effective process for converting standardmodulus polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibres into intermediate- and high-modulus (IM and HM) carbon fibres has been developed by UHT Unitech Co o
At Outlook 2014 (24-26 September) in Barcelona, Spain, Austria-based fibre maker Lenzing released the results of consumer tests using Tencel Biosoft, an ultra-soft hydrophobic Lyocell fibre type, in t

Production technologies create opportunities for nanofibres

The rapid development of technology for producing nanofibres is creating opportunities for nonwovens in a variety of high-performance applications, particularly filtration. Adrian Wilson reviews the current state-of-the-art.

An Indian company claims to have developed and commercialized a technology (Flexsil) for permanently bonding silver to textile substrates in order to make them antibacterial and electrically conductiv
Wellman International of Mullagh/Kells, Ireland(1), has introduced a fine fibre (1.7 dtex or lower) made from post-consumer recycled polyethylene terephthalate (PET) feedstock derived from plastic bot
A cellulose fibre for nonwovens that can be composted after use will be launched at the forthcoming Index14 in Geneva, Switzerland (to be held on 8-11 April 2014).
Cotton fibre producer TJ Beall and Huntsman Textile Effects have developed a diaper/adult incontinence topsheet made from hydroentangled apertured nonwoven material.
Finnish researchers have developed a novel method for converting cellulose into fibres, which they believe could have "global significance".
Researchers in China are investigating the use of a needleless electrospinning method to make nanofibres of polyethylene oxide (PEO), and claim that the rate of productivity and the quality of the fib
Asota of Linz, Austria, claims its latest melt-spun polypropylene (PP) staple fibres have a high capacity for storing heat.
A high-tenacity coated yarn that its developer claims can withstand mechanical stress, high temperatures and contact with aggressive chemicals (such as fuels and hydraulic fluids) is now being sold fo
Wiesbaden, Germany-based SGL Group has announced a partnership with the Gruschwitz Group of Leutkirch, Germany, to develop products, markets and speciality applications for stretch-broken carbon fibre
BASF has developed a version of its partially bio-based polyamide (PA) 6.10 suitable for making monofilaments.
DuPont Industrial Biosciences of Wilmington, Delaware, USA, says it has developed new apparel applications for its partially bio-based polytrimethylene terephthalate (PTT) fibre called Sorona.

Fibre manufacturers actively developing technical products

The content of the 52nd Man-made Fibre Congress held in Dornbirn,  Austria, in September 2013, underlined the commitment of fibre manufacturers to developments for a range of technical end-uses and markets, says  Adrian Wilson.

A polyamide (PA) 6.10 staple fibre made substantially from bio-based raw materials has been introduced by the RadiciGroup of Gandino, Italy.
F.A. Kumpers of Reine, Germany, has developed a range of eco-friendly Skinfil dope-dyed viscose fibres for use in the production of medical plaster and bandage materials.
A German project is investigating the feasibility of making fibres from raw materials derived from microorganisms.

Innovation continues to thrive among fibre manufacturers

More than 1250 exhibitors will be present in Frankfurt, Germany, for the latest, and biggest, Techtextil (11–13 June 2013). Editor Nick Butler has surveyed them all to give our readers exclusive advance notice of the most important innovations that will be on display, as well as to gauge the mood of the industry. In this first article, he looks at developments among fibre, filament and yarn manufacturers.

Eastman Chemical Co of Kingsport, Tennessee, USA, launched its latest microfibre (called Cyphrex) at IDEA 2013 International Engineered Fabrics Conference and Expo (Miami, Florida, USA; 22-25 April).
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