TEXTILES.ORG
SLO Architecture’s ‘Turntable’ contemplates Camden’s history and future
July 1st, 2021
The wind-powered “Turntable” installation at Cooper’s Poynt Waterfront Park in Camden, N.J., is comprised of three-ply polypropylene face masks, brass grommets, two-liter plastic bottles, chicken wire, plywood and steel. Photos: SLO Architecture. One of the many enduring reminders of the coronavirus pandemic is the sight of used, discarded masks littering public spaces. Amanda Schachter and […]
Team USA uniforms champion sustainability
July 1st, 2021
Team USA’s closing ceremony uniforms are manufactured with sustainable textile treatments, a leather alternative and recycled polyester. Photo: Ralph Lauren. When Team USA joins the closing ceremony parade at the Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, in August, the athletes will be wearing uniforms that are more sustainable than ever. The team’s longtime official outfitter Ralph […]
From ocean debris to backyard furniture
July 1st, 2021
Eight million metric tons of plastic waste enters our oceans each year, according to the Ocean Conservancy. The OceanTex™ Fabric collection is produced from plastic waste including discarded fishing nets. Photos: Arden Companies. We’ve all seen the heartbreaking photos of seals, sea turtles and other marine life entangled in discarded fishing nets. Even when nets […]
Smart clothing with Nextiles technology tracks data
July 1st, 2021
Nextiles, a materials science and manufacturing company, is entering the sports and performance market to provide smart thread technology that captures biometric and biomechanics data. With backing from the National Science Foundation and Massachusetts Institute of Technology, the Brooklyn, N.Y.-based company blends traditional sewing techniques with printed circuit boards to make flexible material with sensors […]
Smaller and safer avalanche protection
July 1st, 2021
Polish company AEROSIZE Sp. z o.o. has collaborated with designer Dorota Kabala to create the AEROSIZE vest ONE and Avalanche Airbag System to protect skiers and snowboarders in environments prone to dangerous avalanches. The hybrid airbag system inside of the vest is based on the company’s proprietary technology that works differently than standard avalanche airbag […]
Composting plastic quickly
July 1st, 2021
A modified plastic (left) breaks down after just three days in standard compost (right) and entirely after two weeks. Photo: Ting Xu/UC Berkeley. Most compostable plastics, made primarily of the polyester known as polylactic acid (PLA), end up in landfills and last about as long as any other plastic. But University of California, Berkeley, scientists […]
ThermoPlume insulates with synthetic, recycled material
July 1st, 2021
Selk’bag produces its Nomad wearable sleeping bag with PrimaLoft® ThermoPlume® insulation. Photo: Selk’bag. New York-based advanced materials technology company PrimaLoft® Inc. has launched a new version of its down-alternative insulation first introduced in 2017. The new ThermoPlume® synthetic fill is made entirely of post-consumer recycled materials but delivers thermal performance that’s comparable to down by […]
Temporary tote is made from fruit peelings
July 1st, 2021
Berlin, Germany-based design students Lobke Beckfeld and Johanna Hehemeyer-Cürten have developed a handbag or tote that dissolves in water, will biodegrade or can be recycled. The Sonnet155 is made from two post-industrial waste materials: fruit skins left over from juice production and short cellulose fiber waste from textiles. Although it has the look of a […]
2021 State of the Industry
July 1st, 2021
The full 2021 State of the Industry report is available for purchase at the IFAI e-store. The full report takes a deep dive into business types and market segments. Introduction to the research This research highlights findings from more than 300 members of the industrial fabrics community who shared information about their organizations with us […]
The circular future of specialty fabrics
July 1st, 2021
Climatex® Dualcycle™ technology combines new wool, Lenzing™ FR and recycled nylon to create a recyclable upholstery fabric. Its development was spurred by a desire to achieve circularity without compromising performance standards. Photo: Climatex AG. When it comes to sustainability, the textile industry has come a long way since it tentatively dipped its toes into the […]