Boosting textile and apparel exports

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News

Deputy U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis met with Los Angeles apparel and textile executives to urge them to take advantage of the various free-trade agreements negotiated by the U.S. government. “Our mission in life is to grow exports that support new jobs,” says Marantis. Th…
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No more U.S. “zeroing” on EU exporters

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News

The European Commission and the U.S. have settled a long-standing dispute concerning a practice called ‘zeroing’ that the U.S. uses to calculate duty rates for products that are dumped on the market at below-market prices. Zeroing is a calculation method that led to higher duties for EU …
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Researchers seek funds for Husker fiber

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News

Corn-husk fiber may be the next big thing in sustainable textiles, if two research scientists at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln have their way. Professors Michael James and Yiqi Yang have developed“Husker fiber” into a prototype sweater, but require millions of dollars in capit…
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Knitting wearable technology

May 1, 2012  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

Garments made of fabric embedded with technologies such as flexible circuitry, antennas and power sources will revolutionize life in the 21st century—once methods to manufacture those wearable products can be harnessed. An agreement between Genevieve Dion, director of Drexel University’s…
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The future for smart textiles

May 1, 2012  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

According to the latest issue of Performance Apparel Markets by Textiles Intelligence, Wilmslow, U.K., smart textiles and wearable technology are poised for rapid growth, if key issues with power sources and laundering can be resolved. Internet-savvy younger users want connectivity, speed and multip…
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Body armor sales survive budget cuts

May 1, 2012  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

A new report by Visiongain, a London-based provider of industry and business intelligence, indicates that military body armor and personal protective gear will be a $1.07 billion market in 2012, despite defense budget cuts planned by many nations, including the U.S. “An underlying desire and r…
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DSM invests in energy nanotechnology

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News

Concerns over global climate change and a rise in energy prices are likely to create opportunities in nanotechnology discoveries in the energy sector. Royal DSM N.V., Heerlen, The Netherlands, has invested in NanoHoldings LLC, Rowayton, Conn., a company that specializes in nanoenergy breakthroughs a…
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New markets for needlepunch nonwovens

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News, Markets

Needlepunch nonwoven fabrics are a popular choice for applications as varied as furniture construction and oil spill containment. Thrace-LINQ Inc., Summerville, S.C., has supplied woven and nonwoven geosynthetic technical fabrics, but is now expanding into new markets, including industrial, automoti…
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IFAI Canada Honours Program 2012 winners exemplify quality craftsmanship

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News

IFAI Canada Honours Program 2012 winners exemplify quality craftsmanship IFAI Canada Honours Program 2012 winners exemplify quality craftsmanship Each year at IFAI Canada Expo, the Canada Honours Program winners for the year are announced. The program recognizes the best and latest in design and man…
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An energy-efficient military

May 1, 2012  |  Industry News

A joint hearing in Washington, D.C., examines energy issues. With gas prices near record highs across the country, U.S. Senators Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bernie Sanders (I-VT) held a joint hearing on March 27, 2012, to examine how U.S. armed forces are working to diversify the nation’s fu…
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