Sustainable medical textiles

March 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

IT’S A SOBERING statement: “The U.S. health care system is responsible for an estimated 10% of national greenhouse gas emissions, which cause extreme weather events and contribute to worse health outcomes.” That’s the start of the U.S. House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee repo…
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Makers’ mark

March 1, 2023  |  Markets

Whether it be automation, dealing with workforce issues or managing supply chain difficulties, fabricators large and small continue to face a number of challenges.
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Out of this world inflatables

March 1, 2023  |  Inflatables, Markets

When you hear the phrase “inflatable structure,” the first image that comes to mind is likely to be a brightly colored bounce house or maybe the temporary buildings that were used for COVID testing or administering vaccinations during the pandemic.
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Simplifying sustainability

February 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

There is an abundance of information available about sustainability that, while conveying much, can lack clarity. A simpler directive regarding sustainability would be this: If you produce something, to be “sustainable” (leaving aside the social aspects for the moment) you need to:
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The lighter side of OSHA

February 1, 2023  |  Business, Markets

When most of us hear the word “OSHA,” we instantly conjure up images of ticket-writing cops invading our workplace. And these aren’t the $35 tags that grace our windshield when we linger in a parking spot too long. These citations can easily hit the four- or five-digit mark depending on the se…
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Hemp offers new growth opportunities

February 1, 2023  |  Markets, Product Trends

Hemp fiber is gaining traction for its medicinal and industrial applications. How far this industry has progressed is a curiosity for stakeholders such as the public, agriculture and textile sectors. The need for sustainable raw materials to combat global warming and protect the environment has kind…
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The challenge of innovating

January 1, 2023  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Manufacturing to scale is arguably the most significant challenge facing the smart materials and wearable technology industries—and it’s not just desirable, but essential for growth and survival. Without full commercialization, the drive for new developments and research is in jeopardy. There is…
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Nothing to hide

January 1, 2023  |  Markets

Empty shelves and rising prices are constant reminders of the many challenges and disruptions that continue to plague the complex supply chains that span the globe. But supply chain transparency is moving to the fore, with consumers and regulators paying ever more attention to where products are sou…
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Toward standardization for e-textiles

November 1, 2022  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

As the e-textiles industry continues to grow, it will be essential to have consensus-based international standards to support the industry to ensure reliability of materials and products and best practices used in design and manufacturing. 
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Striving for sustainability

November 1, 2022  |  Markets

As public awareness of the importance of sustainability grows, there’s no doubt that fabricators are becoming greener. But it’s also becoming obvious that there are many different routes to the same destination.
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