Revitalizing U.S. textiles

In a recent article, Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University professor in the Department of Environmental Toxicology, explains the reasons why a revival in U.S. textile manufacturing is necessary. His discussion with professor Eric Hequet, a renowned cotton fiber quality expert at Texas Tech, details the steady growth of the advanced textile industry including nonwovens while conventional textile manufacturing has been in decline since 1997. Currently, cotton consumption in domestic mills ranges between 3.4 to 3.8 million bales per year. Approximately 80 percent is exported. While the international trend is toward finer yarns and ring spinning technology, the U.S. currently focuses on coarser yarns. Hequet believes that the U.S. should focus on high quality textiles, automation and improved cotton breeding programs.