Sustainable

The UK’s University of Leeds has developed an innovative system for the objective evaluation of fabric handle, which uses established and proven test equipment underpinned by scientific principles, which account for key material properties.

According to the latest International Textile Machinery Shipment Statistics (ITMSS) published this week by the ITMF (International Textile Manufacturers Federation) shipments of new textile machinery fell in 2012 in most segments compared with 2011, although a new record was set for shipments of large diameter circular knitting machines.

Tanatex Chemicals will be present at Techtextil 2013 in Frankfurt, Germany from 11-13 June 2013, showcasing several innovative solutions to the world of technical textiles.

ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, participated in the Sistema Italia trade mission to Indonesia from 6-8 May, promoted by the Italian Ministries of Economic Development and Foreign Affairs, and organized by ICE – the Italian Trade Promotion Agency, the government organization which promotes the internationalization of Italian businesses abroad.

Formax, a leading manufacturer of speciality composite reinforcements, has launched a new recycling initiative at its Leicester, UK production facility. Thanks to the creation of a dedicated Recycling Division and the installation of two bespoke machines, Formax says it is now able to reprocess the majority of its glass and carbon fibre waste.

EDANA’s European annual statistics on Nonwovens Production and Deliveries for 2012 were recently disclosed at its Nonwoven Producers Forum.

In the run in to Techtextil, the leading trade fair for technical textiles and industrial nonwovens, organisers Messe Frankfurt have published the following article on the spread of nanotechnology in technical textiles. The article shows how nanotechnology is being used in a growing number of applications from clothing, through construction to regenerative medicine. Techtextil takes place in Frankfurt from 11-13 June.

Well known industry consultant David Rigby (formerly David Rigby Associates) is now providing personal advisory and consulting services to business owners, CEOs and senior managers in technical textiles and industrial nonwovens, with the aim of helping them create more profitable and sustainable futures for their businesses.

Italian protective fabrics producer Argar Technology, a division of Argar S.r.L, has launched three new flame retardant (FR) fabrics ranges which it will be showcasing along with its current range of innovative products at this year’s leading technical textiles exhibitions – Techtextil 2013, and A+A Safety, Security & Health At Work 2013.

This video was made by Robert Newton a TV documentary producer whose family were in textiles in North Carolina for generations. Newton got the idea for the documentary after he found himself constantly correcting people who said that the textiles industry in NC state was dead. It’s a full blown TV documentary which lasts 30 minutes but its well worth watching.