Creating the future of textiles (part 2)

September 1, 2010  |  Business, Markets

Developments in auxetic materials that could revolutionize blast mitigation textiles may find wider market applications. By David O’Keefe Part II of a series by speakers at the Advanced Textiles Conference 2010. Part I covers developments in advanced textiles, Part III addresses electrical con…
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Protective products for commercial use

September 1, 2010  |  Advanced Textiles, Business, Features

Wrap music: Protective products are expanding into commercial markets for protection of persons and property. By Janice Kleinschmidt Standing among the ruins of a friend’s home, Dan Hirning thought, “There has to be a way to protect a home from burning in this day and age.” The 200…
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The evolution of interactive textiles

September 1, 2010  |  Business, Features, Markets

Researchers are developing new ways for fabric to respond to human and environmental stimuli. By Jamie Swedberg Remember those color-changing T-shirts in the late 1980s? The fibers in the shirts were bonded with microcapsules of thermochromic pigment that changed hue when it was exposed to heat. The…
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Mark Philip commits to innovation and product diversification

September 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Mark Philip taps into his passion for the specialty fabrics industry to update and diversify product lines. By Sigrid Tornquist “The world will always need tradesmen,” says Mark Philip, director of John Herber Ltd., dba The Canvas Technology Centre, Kaiapoi, New Zealand. Although Philip is now i…
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Employment taxes under fire

September 1, 2010  |  Management

Although there is no way to avoid the NRP’s random employment tax audits, there are strategies to help businesses avoid potential trouble spots. By Mark E. Battersby The government’s own figures indicate that the payroll tax and self-employment tax gap (the difference between taxes owned…
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Discover the potential of natural fibers

August 1, 2010  |  Business, Features

It’s not as simple as “oil versus cotton,” but technological advances have sparked renewed interest in nonsynthetic textiles. By Janice Kleinschmidt If a white-clad John Travolta dancing disco could be called polyester’s shining moment, perhaps the British Petroleum (BP) oil …
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Foam gets technical

August 1, 2010  |  Advanced Textiles, Business, Features

New foam composites respond to the call for high performance in a variety of applications. By Barb Ernster Traditional polyurethane foam is still favored for cushioning and other applications that require a variety of specs for their physical attributes, but foam producers are working with different…
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How green is my economy?

August 1, 2010  |  Business, Features, Markets

Environmental hyperawareness is a luxury that Europe can ill afford, according to the region’s fiber industry experts. By Adrian Wilson European synthetic fiber manufacturers are becoming increasingly frustrated with the many legislative obstacles to trade that are placed in their path—p…
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Creating the future of textiles (part 1)

August 1, 2010  |  Business, Markets

Moisture-barrier properties in fabrics and sustainability concerns top one expert’s list of important industry developments. By Donna Visioli, Ph.D. Part I of a series by speakers at the Advanced Textiles Conference 2010. Part II covers developments in auxetic materials, Part III addresses ele…
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Michael Ciferri Jr. gets tough to enhance profits

August 1, 2010  |  Features, Management, Perspective

Michael Ciferri Jr. of Donovan Enterprises boosts truck cover and tarp sales despite the sluggish economy By Sigrid Tornquist “Don’t make excuses—in my family [as I was growing up] it wasn’t allowed,” says Michael Ciferri Jr., vice president of Donovan Enterprises in Stuart, Fla. “It doe…
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