Sports & Outdoor

Nike announced this morning that it has entered into a strategic partnership with DyeCoo Textile Systems B.V., a Netherlands-based company that has developed and built the first commercially available waterless textile dyeing machines. By using recycled carbon dioxide, DyeCoo's technology eliminates the use of water in the textile dyeing process. The name DyeCoo was inspired by the process of ‘dyeing’ with ‘CO2.’

In spite of an increase in production for 2011 by Italian textile machinery manufacturers, forecasts remain cautious for the current year. Provisional figures for 2011 for Italy’s textile machinery sector show a further increase in manufacturing production and exports, following a good recovery in 2010 and a recession hit 2009.

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.

Hologenix, manufacturer of Celliant, a responsive textile technology for apparel, bedding and veterinary products, has announced the formation of a Science Advisory Board.

The world market for technical textiles was estimated at US$127.2bn in 2010, with Asia accounting for US$59.9bn, or 47% of the total. China, which is now the world’s largest producer of technical textiles in volume terms, is estimated to have around 11% of the industry’s total global exports by value. Moreover, China’s apparent consumption is forecast to grow at around 10% a year to 2015, and the country will continue to be a significant importer, particularly for high-tech products.

W. L. Gore & Associates is among just five workplaces to appear on every list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For since the rankings debuted three decades ago. The global technology company, which continues to expand its workforce, earned the No. 38 spot on the 2012 list, now available on fortune.com.

Innovative Italian warp knitter Sitip launched its latest collections of high quality technical fabrics in fashion colours for performance active wear and swimwear at last weekend’s ISPO in Munich.

According to Schoeller Technologies, the efficacy its energear textile technology has been confirmed in an innovative test process at the Hohenstein Institute. The Swiss company also says that the technology has received positive feedback from German Olympian equestrian Bettina Hoy and her horses. energear is a new textile technology from Schoeller that is said to ensure that the energy radiated by the body is returned to it.

P2i was promoting its ion-mask technology at the ISPO Munich show last weekend (29 January - 1 February 2012).

Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (NAT), producer of one of the first new natural fibres in decades, CRAiLAR, announced today it will partner with Tuscarora Yarns, a leading yarn innovator, to explore a range of new blended yarns using CRAiLAR Flax.