Research & Development, Education

On 9 December 2011, Prof. Stefan Mecheels, Head of the Hohenstein Institute, opened the new test laboratory at the International Textile Testing and Service Centre in Hong Kong. It was an opportunity to tell the approximately 70 invited guests from all around the world about the work of the Hohenstein experts.

German scientists have developed a new versatile functional yarn which aims to give maximum comfort and has excellent thermal insulation properties. Working in partnership with Zwickauer Kammgarn GmbH and Helmut Peterseim Strickwaren GmbH in Mühlhausen, researchers at the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim, have developed an innovative new yarn for knitted textiles.

YKK launched a revolutionary new zipper concept at ISPO Munich 2012 last week called Ultra Light Zipper, which is being developed to answer the ongoing lightweight trend in sports and outdoor apparel.

The 7th Annual Public Conference of the European Textile Technology Platform will take place on 29 – 30 March 2012 in Brussels. The scope of this one-and-a-half-day event will be to present and discuss how future EU research, innovation and industry policies and programmes can better support the research and innovation efforts of the more than 140,000 small to mid-sized companies in the EU textile and clothing sector.

When digital inkjet printing first emerged in the 1990s, it was a welcome innovation for printing flags, banners, and POS textiles, made primarily of polyester. Using disperse inks for direct printing or water-based inks for sublimation, the technology was the answer for quick-turn, small runs or single pieces needed in the display business.

A record number of exhibitors - 2,634 in total - took part in his year's Heimtextil show for home textiles in Frankfurt from January 11-14th. At the same time, the approximately 70,000 visitors to the show were slightly lower than in 2011, reflecting a decline in those from European nations particularly hard hit by the debt crisis - notably Italy, Spain, Greece, France and The Netherlands. By contrast, there was an increase in the number of visitors from Russia, the Middle East

EDANA has announced that the deadline for the call for papers and student grant for the Nonwovens Research Academy has been extended to the 20th of January 2012 to accommodate the holiday period, and allow as many industry experts to submit their papers for consideration for presentation at the conference, and for students to submit their proposals for grant funding. The Nonwovens Research Academy aims to promote fundamental understanding and knowledge of the science and

The Centre for Research in Advanced Textiles (CReATe) at Nottingham Trent University has an ambitious development strategy which it says allows it to offer an exciting opportunity for a PhD Studentship, starting in January 2012. The studentships will pay UK/EU fees and provide a maintenance stipend linked to the RCUK rate (£13,590 per annum for 2011/12) for up to four years. The studentship is describesd as follows: "Everyday clothing consists of textile fibres which a

The Fifth Wearable Technologies Conference will take place alongside the ISPO sports show in Munich, Germany, on January 30, 2012. The conference will focus on key areas in which wearable electronics and smart textiles are rapidly emerging, including sports, smartphones and consumer gadgets and therapy and medical, while at the same time introducing a range of new innovations. Showcases from established companies will include the wearable diabetes management system developed by

Polyester fibres producer Teijin Fibers has developed a unique polyester fibre with a distinctive, highly modified cross-section with eight projections aligned in a radial pattern around a hollow fibre. The new fibre, named Octa after its octopus-like appearance, is said to offer rapid sweat absorption and drying, low weight, heat shielding/insulation and useful bulkiness. Octa will be marketed from April 2012 for next-to-skin applications such as underwear and sportswe