TEXTILES.ORG
Inflatable LIFE space habitat completes burst pressure test
April 1st, 2024
The ultimate burst pressure test results, released in January, showed the habitat’s pressure shell was pushed to 77 pounds per square inch, well over the 60.8 psi required by NASA. Additional failure testing will take place this year on other inflatable fabric layers that will eventually comprise each habitat module of the Orbital Reef space […]
UGG shoes feature sugarcane and repurposed wool
April 1st, 2024
The Ultra Mini Crafted Regenerate (left) and the Tasman Crafted Regenerate (right) were released in January in the Regenerate by UGG™ collection. Image: UGG® UGG®, a division of Deckers Brands, released two new shoes in the Regenerate by UGG™ collection, which are created with materials sourced from farms practicing regenerative agriculture. The Tasman Crafted Regenerate […]
New smart textile fiber developed with recycled cotton
April 1st, 2024
This composite conductive fiber uses two layers, one of recycled cotton-derived cellulose and the other of a cellulose and conductive polymer mixture. The fiber is formed through wet spinning. Image: Washington State University Researchers at Washington State University (WSU) have created a conductive composite fiber for smart textiles made from recycled cotton cellulose and the […]
Wool enriches soil and plant health
April 1st, 2024
Wool Pellets by Wild Valley Farms are sold to gardeners and farmers to fertilize, maintain moisture and lessen soil compaction. Image: Wild Valley Farms Derived from 100% raw wool, eco-friendly Wool Pellets from Croydon, Utah-based Wild Valley Farms lessen soil compaction, aid in water retention and leach nutrients into the soil as they decompose over […]
Keri Ames grows Yachtsman’s Canvas, trains fabricators
April 1st, 2024
Kylie Richards Photography Keri Ames' career path in the marine fabric world is full of statements that begin with “never did I ever.” Never did she ever think she’d take her family’s sailing hobby to the next level, run a marine canvas business or teach courses through Yachtsman’s Canvas Marine Canvas Training. “I never imagined […]
Agricultural textiles adapt to climate change
April 1st, 2024
Beef cattle underneath a Shade Haven mobile shade structure. The company’s products are deployed in the field to keep cows, llamas, sheep and goats out of direct heat. Comfortable livestock just eat better, which is important to the health of a farm as well as its animals. Image: Shade Haven As climate change and its […]
2024 Specialty Fabrics Showcase
April 1st, 2024
Awnings, tents, marine upholstery, furniture, banners and signs: Regardless of the end product, the fabric may need to perform in harsh conditions while still looking good, keeping the planet green and fitting into a client’s budget. For our annual showcase, we asked companies to send us information about their newest specialty textiles. We’ve organized the […]
Looking back, looking ahead: Textile industry trends
April 1st, 2024
The German Institutes of Textile and Fiber Research Denkendorf (DITF) use a continuous coating line and thermoplastic processing methods to coat cellulose-based nonwoven fabrics with lignin compounds. Image: DITF A political, economic, social, technology (PEST) analysis on the smart and advanced textile industry for 2023 would likely show that “P” dominated, as politics has affected all […]
Succession planning for transitioning your family business
April 1st, 2024
Image: © Andrei Dodonov, Dreamstime.com I began working with business families in the late 1990s with RSM McGladrey in its family business consulting practice. I was working on my doctoral degree and hoped to gain experience working with leadership development in the “real” world. Then, as my journey continued, I worked with business advisor Tom Hubler […]
Geosynthetics companies navigate the infrastructure law
April 1st, 2024
The Indiana Department of Transportation installs Petromat® Enviro™ on a section of Interstate 70 to provide a full pavement moisture barrier and stress absorption layer. Image: Solmax The $1.2 trillion bipartisan InfrastructureInvestment and Jobs Act (IIJA) was passed more than two years ago to invest in America’s crumbling infrastructure, providing funding to rebuild roads and […]