Monday, 25 February 2013

Profits stagnate at M&S supplier Ciel Textiles

Port Louis

Mauritius Headquartered clothing group Ciel Textiles posted a fractional dip in first half pre-tax profits last week, as a jump in profits from woven items offset a sharp fall in knitted goods profits.

Profits stagnate at M&S supplier Ciel Textiles

FibeRio raises $13M to accelerate growth

McAllen, TX

FibeRio, the developer and manufacturer of novel Forcespinning nanofiber production systems has announced it has completed a $13M capital raising exercise led by two global strategic investors – SABIC Ventures B.V., Saudi Basic Industries Corporation’s corporate venture capital arm, and Aster Capital Partners, sponsored by Solvay, Schneider Electric, Alstom and the European investment fund.

FibeRio raises $13M to accelerate growth

Technological innovations for future materials

Pfäffikon SZ, Switzerland

According to Swiss headquartered high-tech industrial group Oerlikon, if the Eiffel tower had been built 124 years later, it would surely have played a significant part in its construction - because what was riveted, screwed or welded together using iron and steel components back then, would today be primarily made of composites – and Oerlikon Textile, Vacuum & Coating today supplies a wide range of technology and components for their production. These technologies and components will be the Oerlikon focus at the JEC between 12 and 14 March 2013 in Paris.

Technological innovations for future materials

Friday, 22 February 2013

World's finest warp knit goes to Interfilière

Hong Kong

50 gauge fabrics make a fine distinction when it comes to warp-knitted lingerie and sportswear fabrics. The finest warp-knitted fabric in the world is produced on a machine equipped with 50 needles per inch and is the result of research work carried out by German machine builder Karl Mayer. The fabric will be available for viewing once again at this year’s Interfilière trade fair for lingerie and swimwear in Hong Kong.

World’s finest warp knit goes to Interfilière

Autefa fibre baler with automatic logistics solution

Friedberg

German machinery manufacturer Autefa Solutions reports it is currently experiencing global growth in the business area of fibre balers - both in the Asian textile markets and as an unexpected a bonus, also in Europe and North America.

Autefa fibre baler with automatic logistics solution

Thursday, 21 February 2013

Litrax warming technology wins ISPO award

Munich

Nanotechnology maker Litrax’ L2 fibre and filament technology has been named in ISPO 2013’s Top 5 Fibres Innovations for fall/winter season 2014/15.

Litrax warming technology wins ISPO award

yester curtain fabric with enhanced pollen-trapping function

PolTokyo

Teijin Frontier, a Teijin Group fibre product converting company, announced this morning that it has developed a new polyester curtain fabric that traps double the amount of pollen as conventional polyester curtain fabric, helping to minimize pollen levels indoors. Teijin Frontier will sell the new fabric for use in lace curtains from March this year.

Polyester curtain fabric with enhanced pollen-trapping function

Lace curtain fabric with enhanced pollen-trapping function

Tokyo

Teijin Frontier, a Teijin Group fiber-product converting company, announced this morning that it has developed a new polyester curtain fabric that traps double the amount of pollen as conventional polyester curtain fabric, helping to minimize pollen levels indoors. Teijin Frontier will sell the new fabric for use in lace curtains from March this year.

Lace curtain fabric with enhanced pollen-trapping function

Wednesday, 20 February 2013

Lightweight portable NIJ level IV shield to be revealed at IDEX

Vissenbjerg

TenCate Advanced Armour has developed a new generation of ultra lightweight portable anti-ballistic shields in collaboration with European Special Forces which is designed to provide personnel with the best possible protection against different types of ammunition. The new product line, designated TenCate Targa-light CX, will be showcased at the upcoming IDEX show in Abu Dhabi in the United Arabic Emirates.

Lightweight portable NIJ level IV shield to be revealed at IDEX

Tuesday, 19 February 2013

Bayer crosslinker for gentle coating of textiles

Leverkusen

Bayer MaterialScience has developed a new high-performance cross linking agent for the coating of temperature-sensitive textile fibres. The company’s polyurethane dispersion Imprafix 2794 XP is also said to have possible advantageous applications in glass and automotive OEM coating.

Bayer crosslinker for gentle coating of textiles

Stoll website now available in Russian

Reutlingen

Already catering to German, English and Chinese speakers, the historic Reutlingen, Germany based company Stoll is now launching its website, www.stoll.com , in Russian.

Stoll website now available in Russian

Monday, 18 February 2013

Statistics: Global and Regional Trends in Mill Fibre Consumption and Man-Made Fibre Production

Report summary

This report includes statistical data, insight and analyses of mill consumption of textile fibres as well as man-made fibre production and trade covering the period 2006-11. This report includes statistical data and analysis of global trends in man-made fibre production by country and geographical region. In addition to the overall statistics, the data are broken down into several types of synthetic and cellulosic fibres. The report also includes detailed forecasts -- by fibre type, country and region -- of man-made fibre capacities and mill fibre consumption.

Statistics: Global and Regional Trends in Mill Fibre Consumption and Man-Made Fibre Production

Global Technical Textiles Business Update (Q4, 2012)

Report summary

This report provides a round-up of recent corporate developments in the global technical textiles sector, including acquisitions, business news, financial results, investments and market forecasts.

Global Technical Textiles Business Update (Q4, 2012)

Sioen Industries: Core Competence in Coated Technical Textiles and Industrial Protective Clothing

Report summary

Sioen Industries is a world leader in coated technical textiles and industrial protective clothing, and a specialist in fine chemicals. The company is divided into three divisions, namely: Sioen Coating, which is a world leader in the global market for coated textiles; Sioen Chemicals, which produces pigment pastes, inks, varnishes, colour powders and colour dispersions; and Sioen Apparel, a leading producer and seller of protective clothing for industrial and leisure use.

Sioen Industries: Core Competence in Coated Technical Textiles and Industrial Protective Clothing

The World Nonwovens Industry: Part 2 - 20 Medium Sized Producers

Report summary

This report is the second in a series of three in which the world's top 40 nonwovens producers are profiled. The report provides updated information and data about the activities and strategies of Andrew Industries, Asahi Kasei, Buckeye Technologies, Colbond, Companhia Providência, Fibertex Personal Care, First Quality Nonwovens, Georgia-Pacific, Hollingsworth & Vose, Jacob Holm Industries, Japan Vilene, Mitsui Chemicals, Pegas Nonwovens, Sandler, Textilgruppe Hof, Toray Advanced Materials, Toyobo, TWE Group, Union Industries and Vita Nonwovens.

The World Nonwovens Industry: Part 2 - 20 Medium Sized Producers

Technical Textile Markets: Product Developments and Innovations

Report summary

This report provides information on the latest developments in environmentally friendly fabrics for technical textiles, fabrics for protective clothing, fibres and yarns for technical textiles, finishing treatments, floorcoverings, medical textiles, performance-enhancing aids for athletes and technical textile products for sailing.

Technical Textile Markets: Product Developments and Innovations

Belgian knitwear designer wins International Woolmark Prize

London

Christian Winjants, a 35-year-old knitwear designer based in Antwerp, Belgium, has been announced as the winner of the 2013 International Woolmark Prize, during the final award event held at the ME Hotel in London this weekend.

Belgian knitwear designer wins International Woolmark Prize

Premiere Vision: Colourful approach reflects mood of buyers

Janet Prescott reports from Paris

Gathering optimism evident since the first fabric and yarn shows was also present at Premiere Vision where there was an increase in exhibitors and where a colourful approach to design reinforced the mood of buyers looking for the new and attractive for SS 2014.

Premiere Vision: Colourful approach reflects mood of buyers

Friday, 15 February 2013

Argar Technology: 'Made in Italy' quality for protective clothing

Busto Arsizio (Va), Italy

Italian protective fabrics producer Argar Technology, a division of Argar Srl, will be showcasing its                   range of innovative products at this year’s leading technical textiles exhibitions – Techtextil 2013, and A+A Safety, Security & Health At Work 2013.

Argar Technology: ‘Made in Italy’ quality for protective clothing

New Research and Technologies Benefit Cold Weather Knitwear at ISPO

Munich

Beyond the world of outerwear and protective gear, cold weather performance also requires base and mid-layers that have evolved to be much more than “long-johns” or “thermals.” At the ISPO Munich trade fair, held February 3 – 6, some of the newest concepts in cold weather knitwear were on display, offering innovative takes on composition, construction, and technology.

New Research and Technologies Benefit Cold Weather Knitwear at ISPO

Lenzing plans new Tencel jumbo line

Lenzing plans new Tencel jumbo line

Lenzing

Lenzing is constructing a EUR 130 million jumbo Tencel production line at its plant in Lenzing, which will go into operation in 2014. The new plant will have a 64,000 tonnes per annum capacity.

Lenzing plans new Tencel jumbo line

Invista starts polyamide salt facility in Netherlands

Rozenburg

Invista reports that it started production this week at its new, polyamide salt plant, an expansion of the company’s polymer facility in Rozenburg, the Netherlands. The expanded site will serve the company’s European fibre and plastic customers through its integrated supply chain.

Invista starts polyamide salt facility in Netherlands                  

PVH completes Warnaco acquisition

New York

PVH Corp. announced earlier this week it has completed the acquisition of The Warnaco Group, Inc., which now makes it one of the largest global branded lifestyle apparel companies in the world. With a diversified portfolio of iconic brands led by Calvin Klein and Tommy Hilfiger, as well as its heritage brands – Van Heusen, IZOD, ARROW, Bass, Speedo, Olga and Warner’s, PVH has revenues of over $8 billion.

PVH completes Warnaco acquisition

Wednesday, 13 February 2013

Patent protection opens up China for Alexium

Perth, WA and Greer, SC

Alexium has announced it has secured Chinese patent rights which give it the ability to expand in China without competition and increases its patent portfolio to reach out to the global marketplace.

Patent protection opens up China for Alexium

Low coat-weight blade over roller technology

Northwich

Coating and laminating engineering specialist Cygnet Tex-Web has unveiled a blade over roller machine designed to deliver exceptionally low coat weights of 10 gsm.

Low coat-weight blade over roller technology

Merino now in brights and white

Bregenz

Austrian wool yarn spinner Schoeller, in partnership with Australia’s The Merino Company (TMC), has developed a completely new technology called Enciel, which offers a range of brilliant wool colours and a white merino yarn with up to 160% better white standard.

Merino now in brights and white

Tuesday, 12 February 2013

Sustainable Fashion in Italy

Textile Institute Sustainability Special Interest Group Event

When: 18 February, 2013, from 7pm talk starts at 7.30pm

Where: Garden Restaurant, Manchester Metropolitan University

Will eco-friendly fashion dress the future? Can fashion be sustainable? Sustainability is a challenge that cannot be ignored today. Sustainable fashion reassesses the material and manufacturing components without renouncing the aesthetic and symbolic.

Sustainable Fashion in Italy

ISPO Triumphs in a Difficult Market

Combining innovation, technology, and styling to combat the difficult economic climate, apparel and fabric suppliers generated positive energy at last week’s ISPO in Munich. The four-day fair, featuring apparel, gear, textiles, and accessories for winter sports, was the most successful ever, according the Messe München organisation. Some 81,000 visitors from 109 countries crowded the halls, where 2,481 exhibitors from 52 countries filled 103,220 square metres of space with displays of expertise.

ISPO Triumphs in a Difficult Market

Lenzing Color Trends Autumn-Winter 2014/2015

Lenzing

Lenzing has released its Lenzing Color Trends Autumn-Winter 2014/2015. The 52 page image rich PDF  version of Lenzing’s colour forecasts with Pantone TPX referenced colour palettes can be downloaded below.

Lenzing Color Trends Autumn-Winter 2014/2015

Monday, 11 February 2013

Versatile Mec-Mor knits seamless jacket

Munich

At last week’s ISPO exhibition in Munich, Santoni showed, among other garment samples, a prototype of a seamless Track-Jacket knitted on its Mec-Mor CMP open width garment length knitting machine.

Versatile Mec-Mor knits seamless jacket

Formax to announce new plans at JEC

Leicester

As a measure to improve and facilitate future growth, Formax a leading manufacturer of carbon fibre and speciality composite reinforcements, will be announcing expansion plans and a new company organisation at the forthcoming JEC 2013 in Paris. Investment in Formax’ R&D function will also be a focus as the company looks to strengthen its product development capabilities during the coming year.

Formax to announce new plans at JEC

Friday, 8 February 2013

Student project highlights hidden warp knit applications

Zwickau

Karl Mayer’s textile machines produce warp-knitted textiles which make many areas of day-to-day life easier, better and more attractive – but they also provide the inspiration for new works of art.

http://www.knittingindustry.com/warp-knitting-crochet/student-project-highlights-hidden-warp-knit-applications/

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

INOTEK: Adaptive moisture management fibre technology

London

Just a short time after UK start up, MMT Textiles Ltd announced on www.innovationintextiles.com that it had invented and patented a method of constructing bio-responsive fibres and yarns so that they react to humidity levels in a micro-climate, the London based company revealed this week that it is now close to bringing the technology to market.

INOTEK: Adaptive moisture management fibre technology

Dude Wipes win Visionary Award

Cary, NC

Incorporating social packaging and humorous, niche-driven branding, Dude Wipes from Dude Products has been named the recipient of the prestigious 2013 Visionary Award, presented at the VISION 2013 Consumer Products Conference in Orlando, Florida. The Visionary Award is given to the most innovative new consumer product that utilizes nonwoven fabrics in its final form.

Dude Wipes win Visionary Award

Colours and themes reflect positive mood at Pitti Filati

Carlo Volpi reports from Florence

The 72nd edition of Pitti Filati took place as usual at the Fortezza da Basso in Florence last week. Foreign buyers once again led the show, with very good turnouts from Hong Kong (+75%), Turkey (+30%)United States (+33%), Spain (+22%) and Great Britain. With a total of 3,700 buyers, the International buyer turnout stayed the same as the previous winter edition last year even though the number of actual buyers was inferior (there were about 4,000 last winter).

Colours and themes reflect positive mood at Pitti Filati

Biomedical Structures merges with Modified Polymer Components

Warwick, RI & Sunnyvale, CA

Two leading developers of biomedical textiles and modified polymers aim to increase value-added offerings to medical device OEMs through a bicoastal US presence. Biomedical Structures (BMS), a developer of biomedical textiles for medical devices and other advanced clinical applications, and Modified Polymer Components (MPC), which specializes in the design, rapid prototyping and manufacture of reliable, highly precise polymer components for medical device OEMs, today announced their merger.

Biomedical Structures merges with Modified Polymer Components

Tuesday, 5 February 2013

Sustainability and performance from Sandler

Schwarzenbach/Saale

Leading nonwovens producer Sandler will exhibit at this year’s IDEA show which is being held from April 22 to April 25 at the Miami Beach Convention Centre, Florida. The German company says it will introduce novel products which combine optimised functionality and the concept of sustainability to the show’s audience.

Sustainability and performance from Sandler

Project succeeds in processing carbon fibre heavy tows

Dresden

Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), in partnership with textile machinery manufacturer Karl Mayer Malimo, has carried out a special project to produce concrete reinforcement from carbon fibre heavy tows (CFHT). A specially modified, industrial Malitronic Multiaxial warp knitting machine developed by Karl Mayer was used in the research work.

Project succeeds in processing carbon fibre heavy tows

Cytec solutions on show at Italian composites show

Marina di Carrara, Italy

To demonstrate its expertise in process consumables advanced materials producer Cytec will be displaying a selection of vacuum bagging consumables, infusion materials and reusable vacuum systems, at COMPOTEC/SEATEC 2013, which is being held at the CarraraFiere Exhibition Centre, Marina di Carrara, Italy, from the 6 to 8 February 2013. 

Cytec solutions on show at Italian composites show

Monday, 4 February 2013

VIDEO: Shima Seiki 50th Anniversary Celebration - FASHION SHOW

Wakayama

Billy Hunter reports

Leading Japanese computerized flat knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki has launched a fantastic new video of a fashion show, which the company put on for customers during its three day 50th Anniversary Celebration event held at its hometown in November 2012 in Japan - and it really is worth watching, both for the content and for the camera work.

VIDEO: Shima Seiki 50th Anniversary Celebration – FASHION SHOW

Friday, 1 February 2013

Project succeeds in processing carbon fibre heavy tows

Dresden

Technische Universität Dresden (TU Dresden), in partnership with textile machinery manufacturer Karl Mayer Malimo, has carried out a special project to produce concrete reinforcement from carbon fibre heavy tows (CFHT). A specially modified, industrial Malitronic Multiaxial warp knitting machine developed by Karl Mayer was used in the research work.

Project succeeds in processing carbon fibre heavy tows

Chinese knitter invests in TM 4 T terry machines

Jiangsu Province

Chinese cleaning textiles producer Suzhou Top Clean Co., Ltd acquired its first Karl Mayer TM 4 T tricot terry machine in December 2011 which was quickly followed by another with EL guide bar control in September 2012. The innovative fabrics produced on the machines are said to be creating a lot of interest on the international market.

Chinese knitter invests in TM 4 T terry machines

Intensive training courses from the Textile Institute

Manchester

The Textile Institute has announced details of its latest intensive training short courses for the textiles industry. The Institute is a leading provider of short courses for the industry, drawing on over 100 years of textiles knowledge.

Intensive training courses from the Textile Institute