Protective

US based Mount Vernon Mills announced today that it has more than doubled its capacity to produce flame resistant (FR) fabrics at its manufacturing facilities in Trion, Georgia, USA. The expansion will enhance the company’s ability to meet increased demand for flame resistant garments to protect workers against hazards associated with electrical energy (NFPA 70E) and oil refining (NFPA 2112).

The Switzerland based International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published its State of Trade Report for the 4th Quarter of 2011. The organisation reports that estimates for Global Yarn and Fabric Output in Q1/2012 are negative but that the outlook for Q2/2012 is positive.

DSM, producer of Dyneema, has introduced a new fibre designed for the production of ropes that it says provide unrivalled strength, stiffness and durability. DSM says DM 20 is an innovative fibre that completely redefines the capability of HMPE ropes and forms the basis of Dyneema Max Technology.

The long awaited relaunch of the leading free content website for the knitting and hosiery industries is here at last. Innovation in Textiles’ relaunched sister site Knitting Industry (www.knittingindustry.com ) went on Wednesday afternoon offering readers even greater benefits than before.

In cooperation with Amoena Medizin-Orthopädie-Technik GmbH, a developer of specialist bras, swimwear and breast prostheses, researchers at the Hohenstein Institute have developed a special bra for breast cancer patients. The new bra, which was developed under a publicly funded research project (AiF no. KF2136714HG0) can be worn during and directly after radiation therapy and takes into account the high sensitivity of the skin which often occurs during treatments as well as changes in breast volume.

After a sharp reduction in global shipments of new textile machinery in 2008 and 2009, as a result of the global financial and economic crisis in 2008/2009, deliveries of new textile machinery surged in 2010 and even stronger in 2011, in most cases to new record highs.

Rhode Island, USA based stretch fabrics producer Darlington Fabrics has launched an innovative family of fabrics called Fasten-Air which stretch for comfort and function in personal protection applications and utilise familiar hook and loop closures.

The Italian textile machinery industry is getting ready for the ITMA ASIA + CITME exhibition which will be held in Shanghai from 12-16 June where its focus will be on technologically sustainable solutions.

Four finalists have been selected to compete for the World of Wipes Innovation Award competition being held as part of the annual World of Wipes (WOW) Conference, set for June 5-7 at the Hotel InterContinental in Chicago, Illinois.

In this third part of a three part feature on sustainability Sabine Anton-Katzenbach discusses how retailers, producers and importers have begun campaigning for working conditions that are socially sustainable, within the scope of their corporate social responsibility (CSR).