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TruRain tester uses just 1% of the water because of recirculating unit

October 1st, 2023

The TruRain instrument (second from right) uses only 1% of the water that a typical Bundesmann tester does because the machine recirculates it. Photo: James Heal Reducing water and energy use in textile manufacturing is top of mind in the industry, and the new water repellency tester from James Heal aims to make a difference […]

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2022 New Products Showcase Part 2

May 1st, 2022

Awnings, tents, shade sails, marine upholstery, protective gear, furniture: regardless of the end product, the fabric needs to perform in harsh conditions while looking good, keeping the planet green and fitting into a client’s budget. For our two-part annual showcase, we asked contributors to send us information about their latest high-performance textiles. We’ve organized the […]

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Water Repellency highly possible without fluorine

October 18th, 2016

Carlo Centonze, CEO of HeiQ, says repellency is all about outdoor textiles staying clean and dry. Centonze was a presenter Oct. 18 at the IFAI 2016 Expo in Charlotte, N.C. Because consumers are beginning to perceive fluorine-based garments as negatively affecting the environment, the textile industry continues to explore fluorine-free options. He adds, “Nature can […]

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Coating tests that evaluate five types of durability

September 1st, 2016

The right coating chemistry can make the difference between a fabric that has long-lasting durability and one that fades, degrades and fails before its expected lifecycle. This is especially true of fabrics used in awnings, tents, flexible decking, outdoor furniture, marine upholstery and automotive seating, where exposure to harsh environments can hasten the product lifecycle. […]

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