The state of sustainability: textile companies work to give themselves an eco-friendly edge

October 1, 2019  |  Features

As climate change and pollution concerns remain at the forefront of public attention, textile companies work to give themselves an eco-friendly edge.  by Jeff Moravec A decade ago in this magazine, the growing attention to sustainability in the textile supply chain was a hot topic. Guess w…
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Pushing the limits

October 1, 2019  |  Industry News

Autometrix employees put the (bike) pedal to the metal to raise money for charity.  By Paul Johnson Most people experience joy when giving to a charity, but some undergo considerable pain because of their steadfast commitment and support for an enduring cause. Jonathan Palmer, Autometrix Inc. owner…
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The ultimate fabric; the ultimate customer

October 1, 2019  |  Editorial

A few weeks ago, many members of IFAI’s board of directors and division managers converged here in Roseville for severals days of meetings and presentations. I always enjoy these visits, as it gives me the opportunity to ask questions about when we’ll have awnings that can communicate, chan…
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High UV-protection shadecloth

October 1, 2019  |  Products

Now available from U.S. distributors, Comshade® XTRA offers up to 99.7 percent UV protection. The premium extra heavy-duty knitted HDPE shadecloth is recommended for medium- to large-sized high tensile commercial projects where safety and longevity are critical. The fabric is available in 10 design…
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Illuminating the imagination

October 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Light artist Leo Villareal likes to focus on underlying structures and rules to understand how they work. Interested in simple forms such as pixels and the zeros and ones in binary code, Villareal often starts with a simple form that he builds upon to create movement and complex interactions that cr…
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FAQs: The Textile Industry Retirement Plan

October 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has launched the new Textile Industry Retirement Plan, a benefit exclusively for IFAI members. Andrew Aho, IFAI’s vice president of new business development, describes why members should consider the plan and the many advantages it offers.  by A…
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Minimal footprint cutting system

October 1, 2019  |  Products

Available in three new configurations, the latest release of the Eagle-C125 conveyor cutting system features several options aimed to minimize required factory space while maintaining complete cutting automation. With an 8-foot-long, single-frame design in 60-, 72- and 78-inch widths, the system is …
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Breathable, strong and water resistant

October 1, 2019  |  Products

Solution-dyed polyester Hydrofend™ balances high water resistance with breathability, letting water vapor out while preventing water from coming in. Applications for Hydrofend include boat covers, boat enclosures, storage covers and furniture covers. To ensure superior performance, the fabric was …
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From folklore to decor

October 1, 2019  |  Swatches

Artist Santosh Maravi is from a village called Gaarkarmatta in Madhya Pradesh, a large province in central India. His art form is Gond, a type of tribal painting that dates back centuries to when people created designs on the mud walls of their houses.  Today, Gond artists work on canvas with b…
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Power Grab: Smarter, stronger and more powerful textiles

October 1, 2019  |  Features

Today’s textiles are stronger, smarter and more powerful than ever, delivering an array of functionalities that open up a world of opportunities for industries across the board.  by Pamela Mills-Senn A determined effort is underway to devise highly functional fabrics and textile-based product…
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