Reviving the outdoor furniture market

February 1, 2011  |  Industry News, Upholstery

Economic turmoil, fewer new housing starts, scarce credit and consumer insecurities interrupted a healthy growth trend in the U.S. outdoor furniture market, according to a report by Global Industry Analysts Inc. (GIA), San Jose, Calif. That growth will resume in 2011, thanks to trends toward outdoor…
Read More
Graffiti repellent wins SGIA Product of the Year

February 1, 2011  |  Graphics, Industry News

The Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) awarded Neschen Americas, Elkridge, Md., Product of the Year in the Finishing-Laminates, Adhesives, Films and Coating category for a pressure-sensitive laminated film that protects images printed on UV or solvent ink-jet printers from paint, permanent…
Read More
Teijin ECO CIRCLE wins environmental award

February 1, 2011  |  Industry News

Teijin Fibers Ltd., Tokyo, Japan, has developed a proprietary technology that allows polyester to be chemically broken down and then converted into new polyester raw material, a closed-loop recycling system that conserves oil and reduces waste. In October, ECO CIRCLE™ received the Award for En…
Read More
New management for American Truetzschler

February 1, 2011  |  Industry News

Kurt Scholler assumed management of American Truetzschler, Charlotte, N.C., in 1989, developing the company over 21 years from a textile machinery manufacturer to a full-service resource for the spinning industry, as well as a manufacturer of nonwoven machinery and wire products. CEO Scholler retire…
Read More
Doubling airbag fiber production in China

February 1, 2011  |  Industry News, Markets

“In Asia, we have seen growing demand for high-tenacity airbag fibers due to rising automotive safety standards as well as increasing airbag fitment,” says Jeff Brown, vice president of Invista Performance Surfaces and Materials. “China is on the leading edge of change in both area…
Read More
OilGuard wins Swiss award

February 1, 2011  |  Industry News

The BP Deepwater Horizon oil spill triggered fast and furious research efforts to minimize harm to Gulf Coast environments, and a team consisting of Swiss and German companies developed a nonwoven fabric, Oilguard, that protects coastal areas and beaches from contamination. The Swiss Innovation Foru…
Read More
Green flag for Roland DGA and NASCAR legends

February 1, 2011  |  Graphics, Industry News

Richard Childress Racing (RCR), a top performer on the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) circuit, recently established a partnership with Roland DGA Corp., Irvine, Calif., to provide all of the wide-format inkjet printers and cutters used to create RCR’s colorful vehicle g…
Read More
Alexium protective apparel for race car drivers

February 1, 2011  |  Advanced Textiles, Industry News

The racing suits, refueller overalls and gloves used by NASCAR auto racing must meet demanding standards for fire-resistance and water-proofing, and Alexium International Group, an Australia-based company with a Greenville, S.C., plant, wants to meet that demand. Alexium’s reactive surface tre…
Read More
2011 State of the Industry

February 1, 2011  |  Features, Industry News, Markets

Slower and gradual growth has become the norm in the reset specialty fabrics industry. By Jeff Rasmussen The 2009 economy reset the size, shape and growth of the specialty fabrics industry throughout all market segments. The result: fewer significant suppliers and end product manufacturers today. Th…
Read More
OEKO-TEX® test criteria 2011

February 1, 2011  |  Industry News

The International OEKO-TEX® Association has updated its criteria and limit values for use when testing textiles for harmful substances in accordance with the OEKO-TEX Standard 100. For many years, the list of criteria has provided effective protection against undesirable chemical substances, and…
Read More