Fiber replicates look and feel of natural sod

April 1, 2012  |  News

EasyTurf®’s Revolution fiber uses a state-of-the-art process that closely replicates the look and feel of natural sod. The supple softness of the fibers is made possible by 11 exterior and seven interior ridges crossing the width of the blade, allowing the fibers to flex, twist and rebound…
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Nano-fabric design wins 2012 Young Architects Program at MoMA PS1

April 1, 2012  |  Fabric Structures, Industry News, Projects

The winners of this year’s Young Architect Award, sponsored by the Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) and MoMA PS1 exhibition space, will introduce “Wendy” to the world this summer. MoMA annually offers architects the chance to develop creative designs for a temporary, outdoor installatio…
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Accelerating plastics recycling in auto interiors

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News, Markets

Ford Motor Co. will help drive an increase in PET plastic recovery by using REPREVE® brand seat fabrics, made from a blend of recycled plastic bottles and postconsumer waste, in the 2012 Focus Electric. REPREVE, a 100-percent recycled yarn manufactured by Unifi Inc., Greensboro, N.C., will join …
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Nonwovens growth predicted

April 1, 2012  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

A new Freedonia Group industry study, World Nonwovens Industry, forecasts an increase of 6.9 percent annually in global sales of nonwoven fabrics, with personal hygiene products such as adult incontinence wear, feminine hygiene, diapers and training pants leading the way. The study provides forecast…
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Strict country-of-origin rules in TPP

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News

Negotiations continue on the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, which involves the U.S. and eight Pacific Rim nations: Vietnam, Brunei, Chile, New Zealand, Singapore, Australia, Malaysia and Peru. However, a new global group, Textile and Apparel Alliance for TPP (TAAT), has formed to call on…
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BMW invests in carbon fiber plant in U.S.

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News, Markets

Lightweight cars sporting nonwoven carbon fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) components are achieving new records in fuel consumption and performance. BMW has entered a joint venture with SGL Carbon SE, Wiesbaden, Germany, to build a state-of-the-art carbon fiber manufacturing plant in Moses Lake, Wash…
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Specialty Textiles Inc. receives expansion grant

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News

In Kings Mountain, N.C., city council members awarded Specialty Textiles Inc. (STI), a local textile goods manufacturer, a $15,000 grant to support its planned expansion in the community. The expansion will bring an estimated 62 new jobs and $5 million in taxable investment into Kings Mountain. Mayo…
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Eastman buys Solutia

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News

Solutia, a performance material and specialty chemical company based in St. Louis, Mo., was spun off from Monsanto in 1997, struggled with legacy liabilities until it filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in 2003, emerged from bankruptcy in 2008 and earned $243 million in 2011. The business goes into …
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ITMF reports global production figures

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) has published its State of Trade report for the third quarter of 2011, and production of yarn and fabrics increased over the previous quarter. Global yarn production increased because of higher output in Asia (particularly in China) and South…
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Parker joins Miller Weldmaster

April 1, 2012  |  Industry News

Peter C. Parker has been named marketing manager for Miller Weldmaster, Navarre, Ohio, a leading provider of heat press pre-sealing technology services and machinery. His new role will include global brand development, product positioning, segment marketing, marketing communications, customer develo…
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