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Finishing

First cannabidiol-infused sportswear range unveiled

27 August 2019

The first sportswear to be infused with cannabidiol (CBD), an active ingredient in cannabis, has been launched by Acabada of Roslyn, New York, USA.

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Learning how to print sensors onto stretchable substrates

Spanish researchers have been investigating how to select the best substrates, inks and deposition methods, as well as optimal designs in order to exploit the printing of sensors onto textiles. They report their preliminary findings for Technical Textiles International.

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Anti-fray formulation for aramid yarns

13 August 2019

An anti-fray formulation for treating woven fabrics made from meta-aramid filament yarns has been developed by US researchers Torsten Quinlan and Patrick Hawks.

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Dry-cleanable durable water-repellent coating is launched

18 July 2019

A range of perfluorochemical (PFC)-free durable water-repellent (DWR) treatments for textiles that are resistant to dry cleaning has been launched by HeiQ.

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Dyes for colour-fast sportswear

10 July 2019

A range of disperse dyes for the colouration of polyester (PES) fibres and microfibres, and PES/elastane blends, has been launched by Archroma of Reinach, Switzerland.

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Sustainable solutions for finishing, and coating and laminating

At ITMA (to be held in Barcelona, Spain, on 20–26 June 2019), suppliers of chemicals and builders of machinery for the finishing, coating and laminating of technical textiles will present technologies designed to minimize the environmental impact of manufacturing processes. James Bakewell picks out some of the most important developments.

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FREE CONTENT: Centre for the development of dyes and auxiliaries is opened in Germany

15 May 2019

Archroma has inaugurated its Global Competence Center for Automotive & Synthetic Dyeing in Korschenbroich, Germany.

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Devan unveils bio-based finish for textiles

14 May 2019

A bio-based flame-retardant (FR) and a wash-durable, non-biocidal odour-control technology have been launched by Devan Chemicals of Ronse, Belgium.

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Alexium looks to secure global distribution for flame-retardant

4 April 2019

Alexium International Group Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding that could see its flame-retardant for cotton and cellulose-based textiles (Alexiflam NF) being marketed, sold and manufactu

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Alternative to perfluorocarbon-based finishes for leather

9 November 2018

A perfluorocarbon (PFC)-free, water-repellent finish for leather has been launched by HeiQ of Bad Zurzach, Switzerland, and DuPont Consumer Solutions of Wilmington, Delaware, USA.

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Odour-capture finishes certified as sustainable

12 September 2018

Two odour-control treatments (Scentry and Scentry Revive) from Microban International have been declared safe for humans and the environment by the independent testing body Oeko-Tex of Zuirch, Swit

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Crystallized dyes for tomorrow’s electronics

9 August 2018

Advanced textile dyes that are also of great interest for organic electronics have been prepared using just water – albeit under highly unusual conditions – at TU Wien in Vienna, Austria.

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Research laboratory for aqueous polyurethane dispersions

13 July 2018

Lanxess of Leverkusen, Germany, is to open an applications development and technical services (AD & TS) laboratory for polyurethane dispersions (PUDs) in Latina, Italy.

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FREE CONTENT: Safer coating makes fabrics waterproof

6 July 2018

A short-chain fluorocarbon-based coating that can be used to make natural and synthetic fabrics waterproof is being developed by researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in Ca

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Cooling finish for performance clothing

16 May 2018

A multi-functional polymer finish that absorbs heat and improves the moisture management properties of fabrics has been launched by Devan Chemicals of Ronse, Belgium.

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Digital printing technology moves into high-volume markets

Mass customization, direct-to-consumer sales models, drastically reduced delivery times and the strong influence of social media on buying decisions are all contributing to the continued rise of digital textile printing, according to Adrian Wilson.

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Effective replacement for long-chain fluorocarbons

8 February 2018

A German company claims its latest textile finish offers an effective water- and oil-repellent treatment while eliminating the use of undesirable

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Lewis acids for antimicrobial textiles

26 September 2017

The suitability of Lewis acids for the manufacture of antimicrobial textiles is being investigated by researchers at the Hohenstein Group in Boennigheim, Germany.

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Microban appoints UK distributor

20 September 2017

Textile odour control and prevention specialist Microban International Ltd of Huntersville, North Carolina, USA, has appointed textile chemical manufacturer Texchem of Rochdale as a UK distributor.

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The challenge of finding alternatives to fluorocarbon-based finishes

Switching to fluorocarbon-free treatments is proving to be a big challenge for garment manufacturers and is likely to be even more problematic for the manufacturers of technical textiles. Adrian Wilson reports on the latest developments from Techtextil.

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Treatment goes beyond traditional odour control

3 May 2017

HeiQ will use the occasion of Techtextil in Frankfurt, Germany, on 9–12 May 2017 to launch its latest odou

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Chemical suppliers face the challenge of fluorine-free finishing

Chemical suppliers continue to create treatments that can add a variety of functionalities to textiles, but one major theme at Techtextil in 2017 will be the development of alternatives to fluorocarbons as water- and liquid-repellents, reports Editor Nick Butler.

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HeiQ and Patagonia team up

6 February 2017

Swiss textile technology innovator HeiQ is teaming-up with outdoor clothing brand Patagonia to explore new options for sustainable textile finishing technologies that achieve breathable and durable

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Keeping pace with rapid developments in digital finishing

Industrialists joined with researchers at a two-day event to discuss the latest technologies and issues relating to the digital printing and finishing of textiles. Ian Holme joined them to report for Technical Textiles International.

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DyStar acquisition broadens its portfolio of speciality chemicals

1 November 2016

Singapore-based DyStar has completed its acquisition of the speciality chemicals businesses formerly belonging to Emerald Performance Materials LLC of Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, USA.

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ITMA Asia + CITME 2016 preview: dyeing and finishing

Nick Butler selects the highlights from those exhibiting finishing machinery at ITMA Asia + CITME 2016.

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High technology the key to the future of the textile industry

Ian Holme reports technical textiles were high on the agenda at the 24th International Congress of the International Federation of Associations of Textile Chemists and Colourists, held in Pardubice, Czech Republic, on 13–16 June 2016.

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Chinese Group acquires Dutch chemicals specialist

19 August 2016

A leading Chinese chemical company is to take complete ownership of a Dutch specialist in textile chemicals, Ede-based Tanatex Chemicals.

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Sanitized opens technical centre

11 March 2016

A Swiss specialist in antimicrobial additives for textiles and polymers has invested in a new technical centre.

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Economical silk finishes

10 March 2016

A patented process that allows for the production of short, fine polymer fibres has found its first use in the creation of a mattress ticking with a comfortable and luxurious silk finish.

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Chemtura quits making bromine-based flame retardants

16 October 2015

A major chemical manufacturer has announced it is to stop making and selling flame-retardant (FR)-based agents based on hexabromocyclododecane (HBCD).

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Advanced polyester dyeing

17 July 2015

Dyefast is a new process developed by Switzerland’s HeiQ for faster polyester (PES) textile dyeing with lower costs and reduced energy and water consumption. 

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Alexium targets European markets

7 July 2015

Six customers in the European markets for automotive, workwear and military fabrics, with a combined sales potential of US$15–20 million in the next 12–18 months, are already being

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Making the most of resources

11 June 2015

An aid to help textile manufacturers use chemicals efficiently will be launched at the bluesign conference, to be held in St Gallen, Switzerland, on 13–14 July 2015.

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Low-water laundry process to be developed for the treatment of leather

26 May 2015

The developer of a patented laundry process based on polymer beads is looking to extend the application of the technology to include the treatment of leather.

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Water-repellent based on renewable raw materials

21 May 2015

Singapore-based Huntsman Textile Effects is working with the The Chemours Co FC LLC of Wilmington, Delaware, USA, to introduce a fluorine-free water-repellent that is made using a high proportion o

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Partners to explore atmospheric-pressure plasma technology

12 May 2015

A specialist in atmospheric-pressure plasma technology is teaming up with a leading supplier of apparel and footwear to explore the use of innovative finishing technology in a commercial environmen

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Nike polo shirt is dyed without water

1 August 2014
Nike of Beaverton, Oregon, USA, has become the first manufacturer of consumer products to introduce a garment (ColorDry polo shirts) dyed using a water-free process (ColorDry) developed in The Netherl
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Digital printing directly on polyester

1 June 2014
Inks developed for digital printing directly on polyester (PES) fabric were introduced at the Fespa Digital exhibition held in Munich, Germany, on 20-23 May 2014.
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Fluorocarbon to make nonwovens repellent to alcohols

1 April 2014
A fluorocarbon-based additive (Tubiguard RT-F) that can impart alcohol-repellence to medical spunbonds without the need for high-temperature fixation is nominated for an Index14 Excellence in the Nonw
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Nano-scale coatings for hydrophobic, oleophobic and hydrophilic fabrics

1 November 2013
Functional nano-scale coatings to make fabrics either hydrophobic or hydrophilic formed the focus of the stand of Europlasma of Oudenaarde, Belgium, at the Techtextil India exhibition held in Mumbai (
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Fluorine-free water-repellent

1 November 2013

A finish that gives textiles a high degree of water-repellence and is fluorine-free was exhibited for the first time at the IFAI Expo in Orlando, Florida, USA (23-25 October 2013).

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Short-chain fluorocarbon repels water, oil and alcohol

1 September 2013
AGC Chemicals Americas Inc of Exton, Pennsylvania, USA, has developed a treatment that makes poly propylene (PP) nonwovens repellent to water, oil and alcohol without introducing perfluorooctanoic aci
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Range of fluorine-free water repellents from Tanatex Chemicals

1 August 2013
A number of durable water-repellent finishes that are completely free from fluorine are now being offered by Tanatex Chemicals of Ede, The Netherlands.
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Pulcra Chemicals re-acquires cosmetotextiles business from BASF

1 August 2013
Pulcra Chemicals of Geretsried, Germany, has acquired the cosmetotextiles business (Skintex) from BASF of Ludwigshafen, Germany, bringing it back into the group where it originated.
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R'ADYS adopts fluorine-free finishes

1 August 2013
A major manufacturer of outdoor apparel is to use a fluorine-free, durable water-repellent (DWR) finish on its summer collection for 2014.
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AGC Chemicals completes switch to carbon-6 chemistry

1 July 2013
A water- and oil-repellent for textiles and nonwovens that is free of detectable levels of perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is now available from AGC Chemicals Americas Inc of Exton, Pennsylvania, USA.
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Plasma treatment makes barrier fabrics more breathable

1 June 2013
Atmospheric plasma treatment increases the number of pores and enlarges the pore size of spunbond nonwovens, improving the diffusion of vapour between the filaments in the structure without compromisi
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Fluoropolymer treatment for stain-release, and oil- and water-repellence

1 June 2013
A finish that is repellent to oil and water, and gives a fabric a stain-release property in a single treatment is now available from Singapore-based Huntsman Textile Effects.
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Finishing products that add value and protect the environment

Manufacturers of additives, finishing chemicals, coatings and adhesives for laminating will attend Techtextil with the message that they are a vital part of the supply chain’s efforts to create additional value in technical textiles, reports Nick Butler.

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