In This Issue

Past Issues

April 2009 Issue

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Features

Nonwovens markets expand to meet consumers' demands

Consumers are requesting long-lasting products that are high-performance, cost-conscious and environmentally sound.
Schmieler creates customized cost accounting system

Greg Schmieler's system maximizes profit for his awning business.

Markets

Making informed choices in printing

Understanding the differences in printing technologies is an important step in making printer decisions.
New awning fabric maximizes thermal isolation

Thermocril offers color fastness and a newly-engineered backside coating.
Fabric provides solar light protection

Self-cleaning, solution-dyed fabric for awnings.
Herculite releases new products

These awning and marine fabrics and new print media can be used for various applications.
New awning fabrics meet fire resistance standards

Ultrashade and Ultrashade-Lite are vinyl-laminated awning fabrics designed to meet stringent fire resistance standards.
Awning-weight performance fabric exceeds recommendations

Outdura provides tested resistance to abrasion with an ultraviolet protection factor of 50+.
Awning material made from recycled PET bottles

Eco-friendly fabric is fire-retardant, has high quality color fastness and offers a full range of colors.
Custom-made screens for retractable awnings

Units are custom made for almost any retractable awning utilizing marine components.
Lead-free interior sun control products

SheerWeave interior sun control products from Phifer are lead-free, PVC-free and 100 percent recyclable.
Schmieler creates customized cost accounting system

Greg Schmieler's system maximizes profit for his awning business.
Retired postman starts self-supporting shade structures company

The structures fit trucks, boats and campers.
Design sings in SkySong shade sails

SkySong, a 125-foot swooping shade structure, anchors the central plaza at Arizona State University.
Rainier acquires SunBlockers

A new product line will enhance the display, fabric and shelter solutions of Rainier Industries Ltd.
New geogrid increases life of pavement

The grid retards the development of reflective cracks by absorbing stresses that arise from damaged pavement.
Textiles withstand force of implosion

Textiles that are tough enough for road building can also withstand the force of an imploding building.
Aurora introduces new fire-resistant fabrics

Aurora has added six fabrics with fire-resistant (FR) treatments to its UV and dye sublimation line.
New photo polyester used for quality images

The polyester can be used outdoors or indoors for quality images with true color saturation.
New fabric for excellent adhesion

The fabric's clean, smooth surface provides for excellent adhesion for most types of graphics.
3M introduces new banner materials

Variety of materials are suitable for numerous applications.
TriVantage releases new products

Two new collections and graphics media from TriVantage.
Eco-friendly banner media used for various applications

Ecologic recyclable banner media is a PVC-free, 100 percent recyclable material for front-lit, printed applications.
Textile offers features similar to PVC

A new German-made textile offers the textured look of a textile product combined with the dimensional stability and color reproduction of PVC.
Green fabrics provide options for digital printing

Weaves of Green™ fabrics are made of fiber from recycled plastic drink bottles.
Fabric displays Gridiron heroes

A graphics and display company teamed up with a marketing firm to develop the backdrop for the All-American Bowl in the Alamo-dome.
Fabric ceiling to be installed in German skiing arena

The vibrantly printed skyscape over the entrance hall drew lots of attention, so now the fabric will be installed on the entire ceiling space.
Eco-friendly bags serve as artistic accessories

The green bag artist series is an initiative to provide environmentally friendly fabric carriers with unique artistic designs.
New fabrics offer marine fabricators versatile options

The fabrics include Marine One, Weblon Regatta and Topyssey.
Vinyl-coated polyester withstands tough weather

Aquatop is a vinyl-coated polyester used for marine applications of all kinds.
Nonwovens markets expand to meet consumers' demands

Consumers are requesting long-lasting products that are high-performance, cost-conscious and environmentally sound.
New fabrics designed for military use

New fabrics for load-bearing gear and camouflage clothing.
3D spunlace material works for various applications

3D Performance is an innovative spunlace material designed for performance apparel, medical use and hygiene applications.
Fibers and yarns create comfortable, dry apparel

These fibers and yarns use activated carbon made from recycled coconut shells to provide effective evaporative cooling, odor absorption and UV protection.
Recycled garment line saves money

Durable Tyvek® fabric made from HDPE is hard to tear or puncture, yet it functions as a breathable membrane.
Sleeping surface keeps inmates safe

A textile-based solution provides safe clothing and bedding for at-risk inmates.
Improved suit offers in-flight protection

Advancements in the air combat uniform (ACU) and flight suit designed for the U.S. military promise a new standard of safety.
Strong coveralls provide flame-resistant protection

The coveralls combine comfort and safety features to meet the demands of industrial environments.
Nanotube threads help create wearable biosensing technology

Fabrics that monitor vital signs, warn of allergens or cool people with heat stroke may not be far into the future.
Plated textiles protect NASA's Mars rover

Shieldex PF35230CR is a fabric plated with nickel and tin over copper, giving it the ability to block 85 decibels of sound and 30 to 100 megahertz electromagnetic interference.
Lawmaker wants trucks under cover

Senator pushes for legislation to require sand and gravel haulers to cover loads with tarps.
Eco-friendly foam cushions offer quick-drying comfort

EZ-Dri cushions are resistant to most chemicals, and an Ultra-Fresh fungicidal additive inhibits fungus, mold and mildew.
Web site allows for creation of custom fabrics

Crafters can make designs even more personal by ordering custom fabrics from Spoonflower.

News

FTC guides grapple with 'greenwashing'

Some products claim to be better for the environment—but are they?
Lawmaker wants trucks under cover

Senator pushes for legislation to require sand and gravel haulers to cover loads with tarps.
Hohenstein Institute comes to U.S.

The German textile research and testing powerhouse, is establishing Hohenstein America in Elon, N.C.
U.N. group recognizes Toray's climate change efforts

The reverse-osmosis membrane and carbon fiber composite technologies developed by Toray provide solutions to global climate challenges.
Free trade agreement to increase Indonesia's exports to Japan

The agreement is likely to increase Indonesia’s exports to Japan from $650 million to $1 billion by the end of 2010.
Monitoring needed to stop China's unfair trade practices

President Obama pushes for change in American policy toward Chinese trade practices.
Zeus advances polymer electrospinning

Electrospun polymers create high surface-to-weight and surface-to-volume ratio fibers in complex shapes.
TMI opens new warehouse on West Coast

TMI recently established a new Anaheim, Calif., warehouse and logistics center.
Rainier acquires SunBlockers

A new product line will enhance the display, fabric and shelter solutions of Rainier Industries Ltd.
Ultraflex introduces redesigned Web site

The site will give distributors and customers more information and options, including technical documentation and certifications.

Products

Lead-free interior sun control products

SheerWeave interior sun control products from Phifer are lead-free, PVC-free and 100 percent recyclable.
Fibers and yarns create comfortable, dry apparel

These fibers and yarns use activated carbon made from recycled coconut shells to provide effective evaporative cooling, odor absorption and UV protection.
Fabric meets FTC guidelines for recycled products

This fabric is made with 95 percent Repreve® recycled yarns, meeting FTC guidelines for recycled products.
Kedercord offers three weldable keder cords

All of these Keder products are lead-free and recyclable.
Green fabrics provide options for digital printing

Weaves of Green™ fabrics are made of fiber from recycled plastic drink bottles.
Recycled garment line saves money

Durable Tyvek® fabric made from HDPE is hard to tear or puncture, yet it functions as a breathable membrane.
Polyester webbing product for variety of applications

A new water repellent two-inch polyester webbing product is solution-dyed to prevent fading.
Aurora introduces new fire-resistant fabrics

Aurora has added six fabrics with fire-resistant (FR) treatments to its UV and dye sublimation line.
Roofing system enhances roof durability

Sheerfill®, a translucent roofing system, keeps roofs cool.
New awning fabric maximizes thermal isolation

Thermocril offers color fastness and a newly-engineered backside coating.
New fabrics designed for military use

New fabrics for load-bearing gear and camouflage clothing.
Fabric provides solar light protection

Self-cleaning, solution-dyed fabric for awnings.
Herculite releases new products

These awning and marine fabrics and new print media can be used for various applications.
New photo polyester used for quality images

The polyester can be used outdoors or indoors for quality images with true color saturation.
New awning fabrics meet fire resistance standards

Ultrashade and Ultrashade-Lite are vinyl-laminated awning fabrics designed to meet stringent fire resistance standards.
New fabric for excellent adhesion

The fabric's clean, smooth surface provides for excellent adhesion for most types of graphics.
New fabrics offer marine fabricators versatile options

The fabrics include Marine One, Weblon Regatta and Topyssey.
3D spunlace material works for various applications

3D Performance is an innovative spunlace material designed for performance apparel, medical use and hygiene applications.
Vinyl-coated polyester withstands tough weather

Aquatop is a vinyl-coated polyester used for marine applications of all kinds.
Awning-weight performance fabric exceeds recommendations

Outdura provides tested resistance to abrasion with an ultraviolet protection factor of 50+.
New geogrid increases life of pavement

The grid retards the development of reflective cracks by absorbing stresses that arise from damaged pavement.
Awning material made from recycled PET bottles

Eco-friendly fabric is fire-retardant, has high quality color fastness and offers a full range of colors.
3M introduces new banner materials

Variety of materials are suitable for numerous applications.
TriVantage releases new products

Two new collections and graphics media from TriVantage.
Eco-friendly banner media used for various applications

Ecologic recyclable banner media is a PVC-free, 100 percent recyclable material for front-lit, printed applications.
Textile offers features similar to PVC

A new German-made textile offers the textured look of a textile product combined with the dimensional stability and color reproduction of PVC.
Eco-friendly foam cushions offer quick-drying comfort

EZ-Dri cushions are resistant to most chemicals, and an Ultra-Fresh fungicidal additive inhibits fungus, mold and mildew.
Strap cutting machine features many useful functions

The machine automatically measures and cuts-to-length various strapping materials.
Custom-made screens for retractable awnings

Units are custom made for almost any retractable awning utilizing marine components.
Sleeping surface keeps inmates safe

A textile-based solution provides safe clothing and bedding for at-risk inmates.
Improved suit offers in-flight protection

Advancements in the air combat uniform (ACU) and flight suit designed for the U.S. military promise a new standard of safety.
Textiles withstand force of implosion

Textiles that are tough enough for road building can also withstand the force of an imploding building.
Strong coveralls provide flame-resistant protection

The coveralls combine comfort and safety features to meet the demands of industrial environments.
Nanotube threads help create wearable biosensing technology

Fabrics that monitor vital signs, warn of allergens or cool people with heat stroke may not be far into the future.
Web site allows for creation of custom fabrics

Crafters can make designs even more personal by ordering custom fabrics from Spoonflower.
Plated textiles protect NASA's Mars rover

Shieldex PF35230CR is a fabric plated with nickel and tin over copper, giving it the ability to block 85 decibels of sound and 30 to 100 megahertz electromagnetic interference.
Eco-friendly bags serve as artistic accessories

The green bag artist series is an initiative to provide environmentally friendly fabric carriers with unique artistic designs.

Business

Winning government contracts

The U.S. government is big business and contracts for thousands of products. How-to advice helps businesses take advantage of these opportunities.
Social media increases business

Can businesses find success in social media marketing in today’s economy? Yes, they can.
Schmieler creates customized cost accounting system

Greg Schmieler's system maximizes profit for his awning business.
Employee Free Choice Act impacts employment

What would this legislation mean to small businesses?
FTC guides grapple with 'greenwashing'

Some products claim to be better for the environment—but are they?

Projects

Nanotube threads help create wearable biosensing technology

Fabrics that monitor vital signs, warn of allergens or cool people with heat stroke may not be far into the future.
Fabric displays Gridiron heroes

A graphics and display company teamed up with a marketing firm to develop the backdrop for the All-American Bowl in the Alamo-dome.
Fabric ceiling to be installed in German skiing arena

The vibrantly printed skyscape over the entrance hall drew lots of attention, so now the fabric will be installed on the entire ceiling space.
Design sings in SkySong shade sails

SkySong, a 125-foot swooping shade structure, anchors the central plaza at Arizona State University.

Resources

Finding fabric for older boats

Solutions for how to find fabric to reupholster older boats.

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