It’s never ceases to amaze us what textiles can be used for and we’re staggered by the number of groundbreaking technologies that we see in the industry. This week has been no exception and we’ve found that our global industry also has some very unlikely bedfellows.

 What do Coca Cola, IBM, Kodak and Walt Disney have to do with the future of technical textiles? According to our expert Adrian Wilson, their groundbreaking technologies may have a great impact on the future of technical textiles. Read all about it in Adrian’s Some unlikely bedfellows article.

Japan’s laser supersonic stretching

Meanwhile in Tokyo JX Nippon Oil and Energy Corporation announced it will enter the nanofibre market with new developments within a year. Using a process called CO2 laser supersonic stretching, JX established the technique to manufacture polypropylene nanofibres with 300~500 nm fibre diameter, a range difficult to achieve with conventional methods, we report in JX announces its entry into nanofibre business.

US events

And back in the US, Paul Latten, President and CEO, Basofil, LLC (USA) said: “Arguably...product trends (are) driving innovation - not the other way around”. In An Innovation industry in new and old our US correspondent Bill Smith reviews INDA’s second Converting and Bonding Conference (CAB14), which was held from May 6-8 in Greenville, SC.

In Techtextil North America and Texprocess Americas 2014 set record attendance we learn that Techtextil North America, and Texprocess Americas that took place from 13-15 May at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, GA, co-located with JEC Americas, the three in one event hosted 759 exhibitors from 29 countries attracting 9,039 visitors. Just in case you missed them, we published two great reports on the show a few weeks ago – Debra Cobb’s American Ingenuity Sparkles at Techtextil/Texprocess NA and Bill Smith’s Something for Everyone at Techtextil North America.

Investing in China

In Ahlstrom's wall covering line inaugurated in China we hear how Helsinki, Finland headquartered Ahlstrom set up a new nonwovens line in China. The new production line cost around EUR 40 million and it produces high-end wall covering products for the growing Chinese market.

And in the United Kingdom

On the subject of investment, Formax, a Leicester, UK based manufacturer of carbon fibre and speciality composite reinforcements, officially opened its new 5,000m² automotive production facility at the company’s headquarters - Formax officially opens its new UK automotive production facility.

Germany’s chitosan nonwovens

Meanwhile back in Europe, Freudenberg has produced nonwovens made of chitosan fibres that are said to accelerate the healing process in the treatment of chronic wounds. In 40 years of Freudenberg expertise focus on applications in advanced wound care we hear how the latest product developments in advanced wound care mark a further milestone in medical nonwovens for Freudenberg Nonwovens, a company that has been developing medical nonwoven products for the last 40 years.

Latest global market research for technical textiles

Last week we published details of five new reports from leading publisher Textiles Intelligence which are available for purchase here on Innovation in Textiles. You can read the report summaries below:

Technical textile markets – global technical textiles business update (Q1 2014)

Technical textile markets – product developments and innovations (Q1 2014)

Statistics: fibre consumption for technical textiles in Japan (Q1 2014)

A strong future for carbon, glass, synthetic and natural fibre textiles in composites

The world nonwovens industry: ten smaller producers—part 3 of 3, 2013/14

Online directory of technical textiles suppliers and products

Finally, to coincide with the recent relaunch of Innovation in Textiles, we’ve launched a brand new online directory for technical textiles called Technical Textiles Finder, which does exactly what it says in its name – helps buyers find industry suppliers and products. It also helps suppliers promote themselves to buyers online.

We launched the site to help meet demand for information on suppliers and products and to help companies in technical textiles supply chains to increase their online visibility. Are you listed in our Technical Textiles Finder directory?