Environment-friendly dyes

September 1, 2015  |  Products

Huntsman Textile Effects has introduced the eCool70™ concept to make it possible for mills to achieve a range of brilliant shades while using less water and energy, for lowered processing costs and enhanced productivity. AVITERA® Brilliant Yellow SE, NOVACRON® Brilliant Blue EC-B and Brilliant T…
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Forethought: IFAI Expo 2015

September 1, 2015  |  Editorial, News

IFAI Expo 2015: Let’s talk Some of the most interesting conversations I have with people in our industry occur after I ask them to tell me about a connection that changed their business, or their jobs. Their stories are always interesting and informative, and I am often amazed to see how delig…
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Powering up

September 1, 2015  |  Fabric Structures, Features, Marine, Markets

The demand for inflatables used for shelters, rescue and training is strong and growing, as new applications for a well-known but developing technology attract more attention worldwide. Air is a powerful force. Properly harnessed, it can be completely transformed, becoming an integral player in prod…
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In the bag

September 1, 2015  |  Projects

As the war in Afghanistan aptly illustrates, combat units deployed in remote locations struggle to keep supply lines open for food, water, ammunition and medical supplies. Mountainous regions of Afghanistan can be re-supplied by helicopter drop; unfortunately, 50–60 percent of the supplies are dam…
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Water-based digital inks

September 1, 2015  |  Products

The J-Lux series of dye-sub inks is comprised of water-based digital inks for polyester fabrics and substrates, featuring superior light fastness for applications such as fashion and home decoration fabrics, sportswear and flags and banners that require high resistance to light combined with brillia…
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Walking on water

September 1, 2015  |  Projects

Grand scale installation artists Christo and Jeanne-Claude have a long history with Italy, where the visionary couple has wrapped monuments, a medieval tower and a Roman wall in fabric. After a 40-year hiatus from the country, and the death of his wife and partner in 2009, Christo now has plans for …
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Imitating nature

September 1, 2015  |  Projects

When Birce Ozkan, a Turkish international relations graduate from Istanbul’s Koç University, decided to pursue a Master of Fine Arts degree at Parsons The New School for Design, New York, N.Y., she brought along a number of unique questions about clothing design. “My thesis project was evolved …
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Fabric meets frac sand

September 1, 2015  |  Fabric Structures, Markets

A fast-growing industry relies on fabric architecture for a long-term, large-format storage facility. Wind and sand are like oil and water; they don’t mix. When Source Energy Services (SES), Eau Claire, Wis., enlisted the assistance of Legacy Building Solutions Inc., South Haven, Minn., to build t…
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No fear

September 1, 2015  |  Features, Perspective

Per Lindstrand sees obstacles as stepping stones as he develops new methods and products for fabric engineering. Never be afraid to stick your head out. I’d rather have my head slapped one time too many than too little,” says aeronautical engineer Per Lindstrand, founder and president of Lindstr…
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Commemorative canopy

September 1, 2015  |  Projects

The first name of Frei Otto, a pioneer in tensioned fabric architecture born in 1925 in Siegmar, Germany, translates to “free” in his native tongue. The gifted architect developed his vision of lightweight architecture following stints as a stonemason for his parents (both sculptors), a pilot in…
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