In This Issue

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May 2009 Issue

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Features

A future in mesh

There’s potential for illumination and interactivity in metal mesh fabrics, blending electronics, architecture, innovation and economy.
Christiansen brings Flagsource from loss to profit

Janice Christiansen rebuilds the family business one solution at a time.
Connecting with customers

Making design trends and economic realities work together.

Markets

Market watch: awnings and canopies

Quality and creativity will provide future rewards for U.S. and Canadian markets.
Shade fabrics designed for variety of applications

Polyfab USA offers two knitted HDPE shade fabrics, available in multiple colors and offered in 12.5-foot wide by 100-foot long center-folded rolls.
Single-step printing meets manufacturers' needs

The Velotex Xpress is a self-contained, single-step, affordable textile printing system.
High-visibility showroom demonstrates products on a grand scale

Las Vegas is all about big, bright and flashy, an excellent setting for a company that prints and installs digital film wraps for cars, trains and even buildings.
SGIA releases 2008 annual report

The report offers current sales-per-employee ratios for each industry segment, newest equipment trends, industry impacts of the current economic downturn, and more.
A future in mesh

There’s potential for illumination and interactivity in metal mesh fabrics, blending electronics, architecture, innovation and economy.
Cooley Group introduces new products

CoolShield membranes are formulated with a non-reactive and pure thermoplastic fluoropolymer.
Rolls of Shrinkable Fabric™ available for many applications

Transhield now offers rolls of Shrinkable Fabric for industrial, marine, military, RV and power sports applications.
Cleaner restores inflatable boat fabrics

ORCA Tube Deep Cleaner is specifically designed to clean and restore fabrics used for rigid inflatable boat tubes.
Live-aboard owner enjoys redesigned galley space

North Beach Marine Canvas transformed a dark, dated and unused galley space into an area the new live-aboard owner would enjoy.
Flybridge enclosure panels achieve desired smooth look

A custom project for a client's 46-foot Sea Ray landed an Award of Excellence for Seafarer Canvas of Norwalk, Conn.
Sailboat project meets rough-weather needs

Everything about this project was unique, according to Banner Canvas, which won an Outstanding Achievement Award for a companionway dodger.
Dodger and bimini fit needs of sailboat owner

A 6-foot-4-inch owner of a sailboat wanted a dodger and bimini that would fit his tall frame without sacrificing protection and durability.
Eco-friendly yoga mat offers antimicrobial protection

The CleanMat from Sommers Plastics has built-in anti-microbial protection using patented silver technology by Agion.
No sweat: Tactical response shirt takes the heat

The Tactical Response Uniform line brings protection and comfort to military, tactical and law-enforcement clothing.
Meeting international textile standards

The Standard 100 certification gives manufacturers, retailers and consumers confidence that their textile products are safe for human use.
The PIG® pool handles small leaks

The New Pig Corp., Tipton, Pa., developed a clever solution for low-volume leaks: the PIG® Sealable Portable Containment Pool.
Biodegradable PCMs stay cool in the heat

Products made with PCMs formulated from animal and vegetable sources can be as varied, cool and “green” as a farmer’s market in June.
Fabric wound compress accurately applies medication

New research from the Hohenstein Institute, Boennigheim, Germany, may improve the odds of healing intractable skin wounds.
TriVantage introduces new products

TriVantage offers Showtime II tent fabric, which is vinyl-laminated on a weft insertion scrim base of high-tenacity filament polyester.
Coated polyester used for tent and structural industry

A new coated polyester, 35-percent translucent material is designed for the tent and structural industry.
Herculite releases heavy-duty products

Architect Excel high performance, blackout, structure and tent fabrics are flame-resistant, waterproof and durable.
Air show under wraps

Moreton Hire, a Sydney provider of event temporary structures, had the air show under wraps with 364 tents that covered 31,000 square meters of the Avalon Airport.
Boeing recognizes AR Tech performance

Each year, aerospace giant Boeing recognizes suppliers achieving superior performance standards.
Foundation reinterprets use of textiles in historic interiors

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has taken the lead in reinterpreting the use of textiles in historic interiors.
Sommers introduces new products for upholstery applications

A new polyurethane fabric for upholstery and other applications is specially pigmented to appear as different hues at different angles.
Fabric line features versatile decorative patterns

A new mid-priced fabric line of decorative patterns addresses contemporary, traditional and transitional style categories.

News

Cottonworks® Global Fabric Library now open

The Cottonworks Global Fabric Library will display fabrics from more than 350 mills, knitters and converters from the U.S. and abroad.
Foundation reinterprets use of textiles in historic interiors

The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation has taken the lead in reinterpreting the use of textiles in historic interiors.
Honoring top textile scientists

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists has recognized the world's top textile scientists.
IFAI Canada's 2009 Honours Program winners announced

Winners demonstrate ingenuity and high-quality craftsmanship.
Biodegradable PCMs stay cool in the heat

Products made with PCMs formulated from animal and vegetable sources can be as varied, cool and “green” as a farmer’s market in June.
Fabric wound compress accurately applies medication

New research from the Hohenstein Institute, Boennigheim, Germany, may improve the odds of healing intractable skin wounds.
IFAI State of the Industry 2009

In April 2009, the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) released a digital version of its two-part State of the Industry series, published in the February and March issues of Specialty Fabrics Review

.
SGIA releases 2008 annual report

The report offers current sales-per-employee ratios for each industry segment, newest equipment trends, industry impacts of the current economic downturn, and more.
U.S. Congress approves key trade positions

Two trade officials with major responsibilities for U.S. textile policy have won confirmation in Congress.
Textile recycling opportunities highlighted

Textiles Intelligence published an article by MarketResearch.com in February, 2009 describing forms of textile recycling and businesses making it work.
U.S.-Pakistan trade policy review

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and the U.S.-Pakistan Business Council have called upon the Obama Administration to ease access for Pakistani textiles in the U.S. market.
High-visibility showroom demonstrates products on a grand scale

Las Vegas is all about big, bright and flashy, an excellent setting for a company that prints and installs digital film wraps for cars, trains and even buildings.
The PIG® pool handles small leaks

The New Pig Corp., Tipton, Pa., developed a clever solution for low-volume leaks: the PIG® Sealable Portable Containment Pool.
Air show under wraps

Moreton Hire, a Sydney provider of event temporary structures, had the air show under wraps with 364 tents that covered 31,000 square meters of the Avalon Airport.
Boeing recognizes AR Tech performance

Each year, aerospace giant Boeing recognizes suppliers achieving superior performance standards.
Plants, not plastic, to reduce energy use

NatureWorks LLC claims that its new proprietary manufacturing process for Ingeo™ bioresin reduces CO2 emissions by 60 percent and nonrenewable energy use by 30 percent.
Herculite and 3P Inkjet Textiles announce partnership

In a continuing commitment to provide innovative alternatives for a broad range of media applications, Herculite Inc. and 3P Inkjet Textiles AG have announced the formation of a distribution partnership.
Techmer PM labs nationally accredited

The American Association for Laboratory Accreditation has certified the Techmer PM Analytical and Testing Laboratory in Clinton, Tenn., as following the quality assurance requirements of ISO 17025-2005.
Glen Raven launches recycling program for Sunbrella®

The company has always recycled fiber and fabric waste in its manufacturing processes, but is moving into a greater commitment with its customer recycling program.
Texas Tech introduces new nonwovens lab

The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech University has introduced a new, state-of-the-art fabric laboratory.
Nolan.UDA forms as new Australian joint venture company

Fabric distributors Nolan Warehouses and Upholstering Distributors Australia (UDA), are forming a new joint venture company, Nolan.UDA Pty. Ltd.

Products

Multiple treatment system protects fabrics from hazards

Duro Textiles' multiple treatment system protects fabrics from liquid penetration, mildew, UV light, abrasion and surface spills.
Cleaner restores inflatable boat fabrics

ORCA Tube Deep Cleaner is specifically designed to clean and restore fabrics used for rigid inflatable boat tubes.
Single-step printing meets manufacturers' needs

The Velotex Xpress is a self-contained, single-step, affordable textile printing system.
Eco-friendly yoga mat offers antimicrobial protection

The CleanMat from Sommers Plastics has built-in anti-microbial protection using patented silver technology by Agion.
Assembly department provides value-added services

Fasnap's assembly department can provide many value-added services that can save a company time and labor.
Self-adhesive textile for high-precision cutting and printing

Mediatex self-adhesive textile is designed for high-precision cutting and printing, as well as residue-free removal after use.
Biopolymers used to create biodegradable products

Biopolymers are used to create 100 percent biodegradable fiber, yard, film, injection-molded plastics and more.
Fabric line features versatile decorative patterns

A new mid-priced fabric line of decorative patterns addresses contemporary, traditional and transitional style categories.
Mimosa trees used for eco-friendly leather processing

Danfield's newest product is a 100 percent earth-friendly method for processing leather that uses a product derived from farm-bred trees.
Cooley Group introduces new products

CoolShield membranes are formulated with a non-reactive and pure thermoplastic fluoropolymer.
Carnegie releases sustainable wall covering products

Carnegie's new sustainable wall covering products are free of PVCs, chlorine, plasticizers, heavy metals, topical finishes and other harmful substances.
Vinyl products comply with CPSIA

Bruin has introduced vinyl-coated mesh and vinyl laminates to comply with the new Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act.
Protective fibers create range of performance options

Outerwear and footwear containing eVent fabrics from GE Energy offer users a wide range of performance options.
Herculite releases heavy-duty products

Architect Excel high performance, blackout, structure and tent fabrics are flame-resistant, waterproof and durable.
Vinyl-coated polyester fabric used for various applications

Manart's PVC 18 is an 18-ounce, vinyl-coated polyester fabric resistant to tearing, ripping and abrasion.
Spunlace materials benefit performance and protective fabrics

Komanda from Norafin is a new combination of custom-engineered composite spunlace materials and state-of-the-art chemical treatments.
Shade fabrics designed for variety of applications

Polyfab USA offers two knitted HDPE shade fabrics, available in multiple colors and offered in 12.5-foot wide by 100-foot long center-folded rolls.
Sommers introduces new products for upholstery applications

A new polyurethane fabric for upholstery and other applications is specially pigmented to appear as different hues at different angles.
Rolls of Shrinkable Fabric™ available for many applications

Transhield now offers rolls of Shrinkable Fabric for industrial, marine, military, RV and power sports applications.
TriVantage introduces new products

TriVantage offers Showtime II tent fabric, which is vinyl-laminated on a weft insertion scrim base of high-tenacity filament polyester.
Value Vinyls releases new products

Structure Tec22 is a block-out, PVC-coated polyester for the tensile architecture and structure markets.
Coated polyester used for tent and structural industry

A new coated polyester, 35-percent translucent material is designed for the tent and structural industry.
Meltblown media designed for air filtration industry

A new meltblown media is biodegradable, compostable and designed for the air filtration industry.
No sweat: Tactical response shirt takes the heat

The Tactical Response Uniform line brings protection and comfort to military, tactical and law-enforcement clothing.

Business

Connecting with customers

Making design trends and economic realities work together.
Christiansen brings Flagsource from loss to profit

Janice Christiansen rebuilds the family business one solution at a time.
Increasing the odds of getting a business loan

How to get a business loan in today’s tight economy.

Projects

Live-aboard owner enjoys redesigned galley space

North Beach Marine Canvas transformed a dark, dated and unused galley space into an area the new live-aboard owner would enjoy.
Project showcases art and architecture in fabric and steel

Every two years, a landscape architect is chosen through a juried competition to create an installation for the Cleveland Public Art Park.
IFAI Canada's 2009 Honours Program winners announced

Winners demonstrate ingenuity and high-quality craftsmanship.
Sailboat project meets rough-weather needs

Everything about this project was unique, according to Banner Canvas, which won an Outstanding Achievement Award for a companionway dodger.

Resources

Rubber-coated fabric used for snowshoe bindings

Snowshoe bindings are more likely rubber than vinyl; here's where to find suppliers of rubber-coated fabric.
Comparing upholstery fabric for bus and boat seating

Choosing the right fabric for the different requirements of bus seating and boat seating.
Reference detergent used for laundry tests

How to get the most out of laundry tests with the right kind of detergent.
Analyzing the pros and cons of computerized cutting

Suggestions for the most efficient way to cut foam and what equipment to use.

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