TEXTILES.ORG
Tensioned fabric structure brings performance and sculpture together
February 1st, 2010
It was a stretch, but architect Ali Heshmati, LEAD Inc., Minneapolis, Minn., and light architect Dr. Lars Meess-Olsohn pulled together an installation at the GLOW 2008 International Forum of Light in Art and Architecture that enticed 150,000 participants to walk through their “Dar Luz” performance piece in Eindhoven, The Netherlands. Visitors walked on a 22-meter […]
Camper offers luxury on the road
February 1st, 2010
Award-winning designer Axel Enthoven’s new mobile holiday home looks like a pop-up camper when compressed and traveling sedately behind a car, but when deployed it becomes a luxury hotel suite with a teak veranda, two adjustable beds, hot and cold water, ceramic toilet and sink, espresso bar, working kitchen and outdoor barbecue grill. Christened the […]
Shades reduce office window glare
February 1st, 2010
Employees the world over squabble and scheme to get offices with windows, so modern office architecture lets the sunshine in with floor-to-ceiling glass—and sometimes wall-to-wall glare. Architects Scott Tallon Walker faced the additional challenge of reflected glare from the water on an office structure at Lapps Quay, Cork City, Ireland. They selected outdoor shade structures […]
Autoliv buys Delphi assets
February 1st, 2010
Delphi Automotive LLP, Troy, Mich., emerged from a four-year bankruptcy in October 2009 and divested a string of businesses, including its North American airbag, seatbelt and steering wheel manufacturing facilities. Swedish seatbelt and airbag maker Autoliv Inc. acquired those assets at the end of December, consolidating its formidable position in the automotive safety industry. Autoliv, […]
Highland Industries expands S. C. plant
February 1st, 2010
The weft-insertion manufacturing facility in Cheraw, S.C., will expand and add jobs, says Highland Industries Inc., an industrial textiles manufacturer based in Greensboro, N.C. The state of South Carolina and Chesterfield County rolled out the red carpet for Highland in its attempt to attract new investment. “We believe today’s news will be the start of […]
Burlington Technologies brings 100 jobs
February 1st, 2010
Defying a depressed economy, Burlington Technologies, Burlington, N.C., will bring 100 new jobs to the city with its affiliate VitaFlex LLC, a manufacturing facility for nonwoven elastic fabric. The plant will manufacture face masks and stretchable painters’ hoods, but applications for breathable, durable and elastic VitaFlex include medical supply items such as masks, coverings and […]
Organic flame retardant from Albemarle
February 1st, 2010
Environmental concerns about flame-retardant chemicals surfaced when compounds were discovered in soil and ground water at fire training sites. Now Albemarle® Corp., Baton Rouge, La., is unveiling a new organic flame retardant suitable for use in textile, electronic and transportation products made of durable plastic resins. GreenArmor™, part of Albemarle’s Earthwise™ family of sustainable solutions, […]
Textiles REACH European markets
February 1st, 2010
Shirley Technologies Ltd., Leeds, England, offers new textile testing services to screen for substances of very high concern (SVHC) in garments, fabric, thread or other components of the textile product supply chain. The European Union law that requires companies to be responsible for chemicals used in product manufacture—Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation (and Restriction) of Chemicals, or […]
Funding carbon fiber research projects
February 1st, 2010
Lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber can potentially save energy by making vehicles lighter, which improves fuel efficiency. Its promising energy-saving aspects landed the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) $34.7 million from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) to develop a new Carbon Fiber Technology Center at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Oak Ridge, Tenn. Researchers at […]
Industrial protective clothing markets
February 1st, 2010
As risk managers put a higher priority on protecting workers from injury—including exposure to infections such as the H1N1 influenza and potential terror attacks—personal protective equipment sales continue to grow. A new report on this market, “Industrial Protective Clothing: A Global Market Perspective,” has recently been released by BizAcumen Inc. Among trends discussed: technological advances, […]