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FibresManufacturing Technology

Worn Again Technologies announces Pioneer Members' programme

The polymer recycling technology company Worn Again Technologies has announced its Pioneer Members' programme to further shift to a circular resource world

SyntheticsApparelResearch & Development

Researchers tune material’s colour and thermal properties separately

Engineers at Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the US have created a polymer material that can reflect or trap heat, regardless of hue

Innovation Briefingfree29 May 2019

An advanced method for developing super-stretchable sensors

A sensor is a device that can detect a change such as light, heat, motion, moisture or pressure within its surrounding physical environment. After detection, the sensor will provide a response to that change by sending information to an additional electronic device, such as a smartphone. A flexible strain sensor is a type of pressure sensor with high elasticity. The flexibility of a sensor can be achieved by coating piezoresistive, piezoelectric or piezocapacitive polymer materials to the sensor surface, causing the overall elasticity of the layered sensor to increase due to the polymers’ high elastic properties. There is an increasing demand for flexible and stretchable sensors within emerging smart wearable applications, including soft robotics, wearable consumer electronics and e-skins. As the commercial interest for these types of products rises, so does the need for flexible and stretchable sensors to be built within these devices. This is because traditional metallic and semiconducting sensors fracture easily under stress and therefore cannot be used for stretchable applications. Liquid metal conductors are considered a promising material by researchers for application in flexible and stretchable sensors. This is due to their ability to provide unique properties, including a low modulus and high durability that is retained under strain, while also having the advantage of being a lightweight material as well as highly flexible and stretchable. Researchers have previously incorporated liquid metal within sensors via microchannels, liquid metal microdroplets formation, captive sensors, and liquid metal nanoparticles, as well as many other alternative methods. In this product innovation profile, WTiN reports on a research outcome from the Shenzhen Institutes of Advanced Technology (SIAT) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, who have developed a room-temperature liquid metal-based super-stretchable sensor with the advantages of simple fabrication, low cost, considerable stretchability, high repeatability, and an increased gauge factor (GF) of 4.95 [1]. The researchers used a conductive liquid material named eutectic gallium-indium (EGaln) for this unique development. EGaln is an alloy of gallium and indium that maintains a liquid state while at room temperature and was utilised by the researchers because of the high surface tension and increased electrical conducting properties of the material. The researchers explored parameters to achieve the highest stretchability, sensitivity, stability, reliability and comfort properties; developing a unique microchannel design to enable the EGaln to flow through, and thus providing a high GF for the stretchable and flexible sensor.

Technical TextilesSmart TextilesResearch & Development

CoatingDigital PrintingManufacturing Technology

Hybrid textile printer from Mimaki to launch at ITMA

Mimaki Engineering has revealed the forthcoming introduction of its first hybrid digital textile printer, uniquely featuring both direct-to-textile and direct-to-transfer print capabilities

HygieneNaturalSustainability

New organic tampons and pads from Tampax and Always

Tampax and Always, two leading period care brands from Procter & Gamble, have now introduced organic tampons and sanitary pads

Intelligence29 May 2019

Knitting technology innovations for performance clothing: Part II

In this report, available technologies such as spacer fabrics, compression fabrics, seamless garments as well as other technologies related to digitisation and networking in knitted product manufacturing are covered.

FibresYarnsResearch & Development

Innovation Briefing29 May 2019

The circular economy, fair factories and positive activism

Textile and apparel manufacturing is renowned for its high contribution to unnecessary waste and emissions.

ApparelIndustry 4.0

FibresYarnsMarkets & Prices

Executive Market Report - 28 May 2019

As the trade war between US and China escalates with both hiking tariff on goods imported by each other, US companies operating in China have started facing lower demand for products, higher manufacturing costs and higher sales prices of products

Wool Market Report - 28 May 2019

A comprehensive weekly round-up and analysis of price developments at the major wool auctions around the world.

USDA’s Weekly Export Sales Report of week ending 16 May

The latest USDA Weekly Export Sales Report of week ending 16 May showed that cotton net sales of 381,400 RB for 2018-19 were up 68% from the previous week and 80% from the prior four-week average

FibresYarnsTrade

SyntheticsDigital PrintingMarkets & Prices

Polyester fibre prices dragged down by softer inputs

Polyester staple fibre prices moderated opening the week in China, as the markets were dragged by softening feedstock and flat sentiment, prompting producers to lower offers and provide more discounts

FilamentDigital PrintingMarkets & Prices

PFY nosedives on lower cost and thin buying

Polyester filament yarn (PFY) prices in China nosedived in line with the decline in upstream feedstock prices

Digital PrintingSyntheticsMarkets & Prices

PTA down on slow demand but MEG gains on plant turnarounds

Purified terephthalic acid (PTA) prices declined in Asian markets on slow demand from downstream polyester industry as some factories were on maintenance works and operating rates gradually fell. In China, the average operating rate of plants was at 86% this week

Decent competition for all major UK wool types, prices gain 3%

The British Wool index was up 3.1% at £1.57 a kg clean at the sale on 21 May, compared to the previous sale on 24 April.

NZ wool prices moderate after a flat run last week

Wool sales held on 23 May in New Zealand’s North Island saw prices decline in domestic currency terms as well as in US dollar terms.

NaturalSpun/NaturalMarkets & Prices

Cotton futures up on upbeat export sales

Cotton futures prices inched higher for three consecutive sessions on upbeat export sales data – which reassured traders of robust demand for US cotton amid bitter US-China trade war, while the US$ weakened slightly

Australian wool price drop continues, but slows down later

Wool prices continued to fall at the Australian wool auctions this week as the large volume of drought affecting goods continued to be on offer.

ProtectiveDyeingSustainability

Insightfree28 May 2019

Archroma launches UV protector for automotive textiles

Archroma has launched Fadex AS New, a “super UV protector” to make automotive and transportation textiles even more resistant to light

Insight28 May 2019

Campen Machinery develops new airlaid forming system

The new system has been proven to use 55% less energy and can process biodegradable fibres

FiltrationGeotextilesResearch & Development

Sponsoredfree28 May 2019

3D design visualisation benefits product creators

The gradual uptake of 3D technology in the design process is providing businesses with the ability to carry out affordable and speedy prototyping.

Industry 4.0

SDC celebrates its members and award winners

The Society of Dyers and Colourists recently held their annual Day of Celebration. Madelaine Cornforth reports

DyeingFinishingEvents

FinishingDyeingSustainability

Ecofoot reveals sustainable reactive dyeing tool

Otis Robinson speaks with Jaime Gomes, CEO of Ecofoot and professor of textile chemistry at the University of Minho, Portugal, about the company’s products and sustainable vision for dyeing processes

Technical TextilesIndustry 4.0

Baden-Württemberg and Taiwan discuss textile innovation partnership

The two regions are currently focusing on Industry 4.0 initiatives, supported by Baden-Württemberg’s strong R&D network