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

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