Translucent structures

March 1, 2016  |  Projects

Ask an architect whose natural medium is hard materials to create a design using soft fabrics and the result is going to be interesting. That was the case when Tokyo-based Jo Nagasaka of Schemata Architects was asked to design an installation to celebrate the launch of the new ZOOM collection from K…
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Recent tax changes

March 1, 2016  |  Business, Management

Tax savings from another late law. Once again, lawmakers waited until late in the year to pass another “extenders” bill. The new “Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015” retroactively extends quite a few tax-saving provisions, many of them quite narrow in scope such as those …
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Colorful durability

March 1, 2016  |  Products

Stamskin® One is a Swiss-made upholstery membrane for indoor and outdoor furniture. Similar to worn leather, the elastomer-coated polyester jersey is insensitive to water and UV radiation, useful for demanding environments such as restaurants, poolside seating and yachts. Stamskin One outperforms t…
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In case of flood, inflate

March 1, 2016  |  Projects

Flood Sense, a supplier of residential, commercial and industrial flood protection products and services in the United Kingdom, was interested in a new kind of inflatable product that could be used to protect against flooding in homes and businesses. They wanted a textile protection system that coul…
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Finishing fabric

March 1, 2016  |  Features

Coating and laminating treatments enhance fabric performance in important —and multiple— ways. The fabric itself can be just the beginning. For the end product manufacturer to get the performance qualities necessary to meet today’s stringent regulations and to satisfy the end customer’s high…
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Textiles for brilliant printing

March 1, 2016  |  Products

Samba Fabric Elite is the latest generation in Samba fabrics. Versatile for numerous applications in advertising and environmental graphics, the eight new textiles feature two sets of ink compatibility on the same fabric by offering two face sides. The uncoated face is used for dye sub transfer prin…
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Part 2: State of the Industry 2016

March 1, 2016  |  Features, State of the Industry

As consumer confidence slowly increases, buoyed by improvements in the U.S. economy and employment figures, respondents in 10 of the 11 markets surveyed by IFAI predict single-digit increases in sales in 2016. Innovation in products and processes will help manufacturers anticipate customer needs and…
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The pillow does the work

March 1, 2016  |  Projects

Attempting to prop yourself up in a chair or bed with traditional pillows can be frustrating, especially for someone who is immobile due to injury or other physical limitations. Bina Baitel Studio, Paris, France, has the answer—Soufflet, a pillow that self-inflates. Bina Baitel, a designer who wor…
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Clothing makes the competitor

March 1, 2016  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets, Projects

Athletes are always looking for new ways to push the limits of endurance and test their physical and psychological mettle. It’s no secret that the right clothing can affect performance, protect against the elements and help prevent injury. But what if athletic wear could go a step further and enha…
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Eat street easy

March 1, 2016  |  Projects

When it comes to fun and relaxation in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., East Las Olas Blvd. is the place to be. It’s packed with restaurants, boutiques and art galleries. In fact, real estate is at a premium along the 2-mile stretch, and businesses have to be creative to maximize space. That’s the dilemma…
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