Alternative agriculture
December 1st, 2015
Sergio Gamborini is the president of the Ocean Reef Group, companies based in Genoa, Italy, and San Marcos, Calif., that specialize in producing scuba diving gear and safety equipment. He is also an avid scuba diver, and while exploring underwater sights on a vacation three years ago, got an idea that many considered absurd—establishing underwater […]
Cut-resistant fabric
December 1st, 2015
Cut-Tex® PRO is a durable, high-performance, cut-resistant fabric exceeding the maximum EN388 level 5 cut resistance of 20N by 139 percent. It is made of a combination of ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) and other technical fibers weaved by special high-density knitting machines. Designed for uniform and tactical apparel manufactures, Cut-Tex PRO is as flexible […]
Village on a cloud
December 1st, 2015
Roxim Group, a property development and management company in Montpellier, France, planned a fitness center in the growing hub of local activity, Port Marianne. The company envisaged elements that would “turn it into an essential part of city life, just like the Roman baths where people went for reasons of personal hygiene, body care, exercise, […]
Returnable packaging
December 1st, 2015
Headliner, Tyvek® and colored pouch fabrics are specifically designed to transport Class A automotive finished goods. Headliner is a 12 oz./yd.², 4-ply laminate available in 60-inch-wide rolls and featuring ABC Industries’ signature blue-brushed tricot material on milky clear reinforced laminated vinyl. Tyvek offers low abrasion and easy cleaning. The white Tyvek on milky clear vinyl […]
Charting a course
December 1st, 2015
Incoming IFAI board chair Katie Bradford takes the helm, using business expertise and networking know-how to lead the association. "I believe good leadership encourages participation and embraces differences,” says Katie Bradford, MFC, IFM, incoming chair of the Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) and owner and president of Custom Marine Canvas, Noank, Conn. “IFAI membership is […]
Printed with precision
December 1st, 2015
The U.S. National Synchronized Swimming Team (USA Synchro) performed high-energy swim routines in a 17,000-gallon multi-colored swim tank in New York City’s Times Square to kick off two important events. The first is the “Road to Rio,” a series of public performances preceding the team’s competition in the 2016 Summer Olympic Games in Rio de […]
Disco dynamo
December 1st, 2015
Architen Landrell Associates created a giant inflatable disco ball for the annual Bestival Festival on the Isle of Wight. Remember the last disco ball you had sparkling overhead as you danced to the soundtrack of “Saturday Night Fever ”? First used in nightclubs and dance halls in the 1920s, the mirrored balls were typically 18 […]
Odor control
December 1st, 2015
Agion Active XL™ and Lava XL™ technologies from Sciessent are designed to provide longer-lasting, self-regenerating odor control for some of the most challenging applications, capturing body odor on everything from sweat-soaked apparel to hunting gear. Lava XL, a standalone odor adsorption product and key component of Agion Active XL, goes beyond just attracting and adsorbing […]
Comfortable, versatile—and smart
December 1st, 2015
Interest, investment and applications in wearables show robust growth. With wearable technology continuing to thrive, IFAI’s Advanced Textiles Conference in Anaheim, Calif., in October offered attendees a variety of opportunities to learn about the current and projected market, new product offerings and breakthrough technologies. IFAI’s market research manager Jeff Rasmussen reports that the worldwide smart […]
Hazardous duty
December 1st, 2015
How fabric technology is protecting rescuers against ever-more-dangerous situations. On the hot summer day in 2013 when 19 experienced firefighters lost their lives, the Yarnell Hill fire, northwest of Phoenix, Ariz., spanned 8,400 acres. The trees were dry, the humidity was low and the wind suddenly turned, cutting off escape and creating an inferno. The […]