“Alternative” fabrics: Biofabrics made from plant sources
July 1st, 2023
The search for bio-based alternative fabrics, an important tenet of sustainability, is top of mind for fiber and fabric manufacturers these days. The companies featured here illustrate some of the different approaches that are being taken to reduce carbon, improve sustainability and deliver on the promise of more earth-friendly products without compromising the level of […]
Riding the nonwovens roller coaster
June 1st, 2023
Given the amount of attention sustainability efforts in the nonwovens industry have gotten in the past few years, it’s easy to think these conversations and initiatives are relatively new. The truth is that they’ve been part of the industry for decades. At Delaware Valley Corp., which manufactures nonwoven fabrics in Tewksbury, Mass., material at the […]
Out of this world inflatables
March 1st, 2023
NASA’s Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test of an Inflatable Decelerator (LOFTID) demonstrated inflatable heat shield technology. After launch LOFTID inflated and deployed in space. It was released and re-entered Earth’s atmosphere, splashing down in the Pacific Ocean. Photo: NASA When you hear the phrase “inflatable structure,” the first image that comes to mind is likely to […]
Beyond PPE
February 1st, 2023
The medical textile industry is still growing even as the demand for masks and other PPE declines. Photo: © Arthurmustafa, Dreamstime.com The medical textiles industry, like many, was upended by the pandemic. New opportunities may have presented themselves, notably the production of personal protective equipment (PPE), as the need for infection control exploded. But there […]
Striving for sustainability
November 1st, 2022
Glen Raven Inc. has increased the use of renewable energy in its facilities, but has also prioritized the use of more energy-efficient machinery. Photo: Glen Raven Inc. As public awareness of the importance of sustainability grows, there’s no doubt that fabricators are becoming greener. But it’s also becoming obvious that there are many different routes […]
Recycling tarps & covers
September 1st, 2022
Soft and colorful truck tarps are the standard in Europe, and when they’re ready to be retired, Freitag, based in Zurich, turns them into one-of-a-kind bags and other accessories. Photo: Freitag For several years now, there has been growing interest in the tarps and covers industry in becoming more eco-friendly—and in recycling in particular. However, […]
Wide format graphics rebound
July 1st, 2022
A Beaver Paper Group banner made from TexStyles® NatureSeries™ was used on the front of the New York Stock Exchange. Photo: Beaver Paper Group To get a handle on how the wide format fabrics graphics industry is faring these days, as the worst of the pandemic fades, a good source to ask is Bill Farquharson, […]
The revolution in soft signage
April 1st, 2022
Soft signage has commonly been used for trade shows, but the use of fabric in a wide variety of signage is growing by leaps and bounds. Photo: Image Options You may say tomato and I may say to-MAH-toe, but at places like the International Sign Association, a trade group based in Alexandria, Va., Craig Campbell, […]
Finding balance
January 1st, 2022
When the pandemic hit, Camel Expeditionary was able to shift from a Department of Defense workload to a mobile hospital workload. Photo: Camel Expeditionary. There’re always challenges to running a successful business—keeping a step ahead of the competition, anticipating the changing needs of the customer, paying attention to the financials. But the past two years […]
No one way to break into the military market
November 1st, 2021
One of the keys to success in the military market is keeping up with the methods and technology being used by warfighters. Photo: Stratus Support Industries. There is a lot of competition out there—and if your products aren’t solving problems or saving the customer money, it can be very difficult, says Nate Smith, founder of […]