YKK Group’s global commitment to efficiency and sustainability

April 1, 2019  |  Industry News

The YKK Group, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, has implemented a bold and broad-based strategy for energy efficiency, reduced carbon output and sustainability. YKK’s green approach has substantially decreased the environmental impact of its 111 facilities operating in 73 countries and regions. But …
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Coming from Russia: Modilen is a new material for medical and sanitary products

April 1, 2019  |  Industry News

Russia continues to be active in R&D investments in the field of innovative specialty fabrics and materials. Progress in this area is reflected by some recent industry developments, according to statements by representatives of leading Russian producers of technical textiles, and senior official…
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Sustainable sourcing

April 1, 2019  |  Markets

Following her recent podcast Sustainable Textile Sourcing for Performance Textiles in Munich, I caught up with Anne-Marie van Hoof, owner and creative director at 4-Options Studio in The Netherlands, to get her take on what she sees as driving sustainability within the industry now and into the futu…
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Providing comfortable high-tech clothing

April 1, 2019  |  Advanced Textiles, Markets

Comfort for the human body needs to be comprehensive. This complicates the technologies that are available to reach the ultimate goal of providing physiological, environmental and psychological comfort. A definition of technology that matches consumer expectations of clothing is a “feeling of reli…
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Up-to-date upholstery

April 1, 2019  |  Features

The commercial upholstery market is always evolving and changing,” says Lori Roop, director of design for CF Stinson LLC, a textile manufacturer based in Rochester Hills, Mich. Yet, Roop adds, “it’s always the same.” A contradiction? Not really. “There is always a huge value placed on colo…
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Making custom projects work

April 1, 2019  |  Features

  When Eric Walton and Devlin McKee opened Custom Canvas Alaska LLC in Fairbanks 14 years ago, the partners knew they had to offer custom canvas work beyond the boat tops they started out providing. After all, a marine fabrication shop in Alaska faces some extreme seasonal ups and downs, making…
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Crafting shade at Auvents Ombrasole Awning

April 1, 2019  |  Features, Perspective

Ombrasole designs, manufactures and installs awnings of all types for North American climates—many of which feature Emilio Petrongolo’s custom and patented motors. Emilio Petrongolo can trace his fascination with canvas and sewing back to his childhood in Italy, where his grandmother made jute b…
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Fabric transforms camper design

April 1, 2019  |  Projects

What’s the bottom line for camping gear? For many outdoorspeople, it comes down to fabric that is waterproof yet airy and comfortable, along with convenience and a dash of style. A new camper that is more like a geodesic dome on wheels checks those boxes. A collaboration between BMW Design Works D…
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Germ-fighting fibers keep hospitals clean

April 1, 2019  |  Projects

It’s a common joke—don’t go to the hospital, it will make you sick. Yet there is some amount of truth to the idea. One study demonstrated that 92 percent of privacy curtains were contaminated with infectious bacteria within one week of laundering. Another study concluded that up to 60 percent …
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Industry issues in 2019

April 1, 2019  |  Editorial

“If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe.” ~Carl Sagan   So it’s March now … and the end of six weeks of some of the most unpleasant weather Minnesota has had in decades. Snow, cold, snow, cold, snow, cold, snow and cold together for var…
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