Innovations in fibres, textiles, apparel and machinery, November-December 2007

23 pages, published in Issue 132, November-December 2007   Report price: Euro 395.00; US$ 520.00

Innovations enable firms to differentiate their products and improve their competitiveness. Dow’s novel olefinic stretch fibre is being used in designer underwear by 2(x)ist. Fibres made from wheat protein resemble wool in character but are biodegradable and much cheaper. Teijin Fibers has a multifilament antistatic polyester yarn, while Malden Mills (Polartec) has a new moisture management fabric for sportswear using plaited polyester for moisture transport and a refractory carbide for insulation. A UK university is developing a bra for detecting breast cancer at an early stage. Taiwanese workers have developed a computerised virtual mannequin which uses data from a body scanner, and a US inventor has a computer program which enables garment manufacturers to make allowances for fabric shrinkage. Sumitex and Toppan Printing, meanwhile, have developed a radio frequency garment tag for industrial laundries.

Several patents provide stain protection in the armpit areas of garments. Phild has invented a method of reducing perspiration by incorporating titanium particles into underwear while Toray has developed a nanoscale coating for stain resistance in collars and cuffs. Meanwhile, an anti-crease treatment using a graft copolymer has been developed in France for cotton fabrics, and a Russian patent describes a way of reducing shrinkage in wool by forming a polymer in situ within the fibres. Nicca has a method for removing residual oligomer from polyester fibres and processing equipment using a surfactant blend, while a British researcher has developed a device for collecting lint from the area around knitting machinery.

Digital printing features in a number of patents. A US researcher has developed a novel printing technique for producing textured patterns on household and automotive polyester upholstery using heat-shrunk yarns. Reflex Holding in Norway has a new heat transfer technique for applying high resolution prints on to textiles. Meanwhile, J-Teck3, an Italian company, has come up with an ingenious method for obtaining two-sided textiles using digital printing.

Matsui Shikiso has developed a discharge printing technique for use on denim fabrics dyed with indigo or sulphur dyes while Sun Chemical has patented a system for simplifying the transmission of colour data electronically—thereby helping to avoid misunderstandings and disputes in garment production.

Innovations in Fibres, Textiles, Apparel and Machinery

• Summary
• Developments in Fibres
• Developments in Yarns
• Developments in Fabrics
• Developments in Apparel
• Developments in Other Textile Products
• Developments in Textile Treatments and Finishes
• Developments in Dyeing and Printing
• Developments in Textile Machinery

Buy this Report now	Buy this Issue (132) now	Subscribe

Six times a year, Textile Outlook International provides up to 200 pages of intelligence, expert analysis and insight on the global textile and clothing industry.

What's in it? Each issue provides an authoritative source of information on key industry topics, including: circularity; cotton; environmental sustainability; fibre prices; innovation; production and consumption forecasts; imports and exports; industry giants and emerging brands; international trade fairs; key geographical markets; recommerce; retail; supply chains; textile and clothing trade; textile machinery; trade and production trends; world markets; and yarn and fabric manufacturing. A single issue of Textile Outlook International includes: an editorial think-piece on a topical issue from an industry expert a report on textile and apparel trade and production trends a round-up of the latest international trade fairs a feature on textile and clothing imports and exports or fibre prices, production and consumption a report on a key geographical market insight and analysis of a key market leader or fast-growing start-up An annual subscription to Textile Outlook International is a cost-effective way to keep informed about trends and developments in the global textile and clothing industry. Subscriptions are available in printed and/or digital formats. Printed and digital subscribers receive each issue in printed format in addition to a digital PDF file, which is available immediately on publication. Like all Textiles Intelligence publications, Textile Outlook International is a reliable source of independently sourced business information, and it does not carry advertising. This is what our customers say: "Textile Outlook International must be the only one publication that covers the global field from textile till garment production and its sales trend. If anyone reads it carefully, he or she may get some suggestions regarding the future trend or possibility of the said industry." (Toru Oda; JUKI Corporation)