May 29, 2025
The Conference Board released the May 2025 Consumer Confidence Index®, reporting that consumer confidence increased by 12.3 points in May to 98.0, up from 85.7 in April. The cut-off date for preliminary results was May 19, 2025, and about half of the responses were collected after the May 12 announcement of a pause on some …
May 28, 2025
The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has announced that Lynda Kelly and Carl Cucuzza are the recipients of the 2025 INDA Lifetime Service Awards. Kelly and Cucuzza are being recognized for their key contributions to the advancement of the nonwovens industry and INDA. “I am thrilled to recognize Carl and Lynda for their …
May 28, 2025
Ann Brunett, the executive vice president and chief operating officer of The Mitchell Group, and her thoughts on the U.S.’s tariff policy were included in a Letter to the Editor published in The Washington Post May 5. The piece, entitled “Makers of clothes, beer and more on what tariffs really mean for you,” discusses the …
May 26, 2025
Textiles Monterey Group has announced the acquisition of Patrick Yarns, previously a part of the Coats Group. Located in Kings Mountain, N.C., the facility will now operate under the name FilSpec USA. FilSpec Inc. operates as an independent company within the Textiles Monterey Group of Companies. This acquisition strengthens FilSpec’s commitment to delivering high-quality technical …
May 23, 2025
Cotton Council International (CCI) announced that Liz Hershfield will lead CCI, the export promotion arm of the National Cotton Council of America (NCC), as its new executive director. Hershfield succeeds Bruce Atherley, who retired at the end of March. “Strong leadership and innovative strategies are essential to maintaining U.S. cotton’s competitive edge,” says Gary Adams, NCC president …
May 22, 2025
Thousands of people who are born deafblind will understand live conversations for the first time thanks to new research into smart textiles being developed by Nottingham Trent University (NTU). This first-of-its-kind study will eventually allow the spoken word to be translated into a form of braille and communicated through e-textile gloves to the fingers of …
May 22, 2025
The electronics industry association IPC has announced the release of IPC-8981, Quality and Reliability of E-Textile Wearables. This standard sets baselines for testing and classifying e-textile wearables, addressing key challenges in product reliability, performance and quality assurance. IPC-8981 introduces a common framework for evaluating wearables that integrate electronics directly into textile materials—applications that span healthcare, defense, …
May 22, 2025
Turkish thread manufacturer Durak Tekstil has developed its new Durak Poly-Strong PC-IR sewing thread to provide infrared (IR) invisibility. Developed as a solution to the infrared problems experienced by the military and security industry in the sewn areas of clothing and other materials, the new IR thread enables the camouflage feature to be used to …
May 22, 2025
MIT researchers have developed an autonomous, programmable computer in the form of an elastic fiber, which could monitor health conditions and physical activity, alerting the wearer to potential health risks in real-time. Clothing containing the fiber computer was machine washable and comfortable, and the fibers were nearly imperceptible to the wearer, the researchers report. Unlike …
May 22, 2025
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), tariffs and uncertainty surrounding trade policy due to recent U.S. policy shifts will lead to the decline in global trade volume by 0.2 percent in 2025, contrary to growth predictions in January 2025. Global trade is heavily influenced by two major economies, the U.S. and China, which are …
March 11, 2025
We are pleased to announce that Site & Stay has been selected as the official housing partner for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place Nov. 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. Hotel booking is now open, offering attendees and exhibitors exclusive access to discounted rates at our official host hotels—all conveniently located …
October 17, 2024
Advanced Textiles Expo® 2024, the largest event of Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA), concluded with resounding success Sept. 24–26 at the Anaheim Convention Center. Once again held in conjunction with Sun Shading Expo North America—organized by Messe Stuttgart, founders of R + T and the world’s largest trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading …
August 14, 2024
The Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) has renegotiated its General Services Contractor contract for the 2025–2027 Advanced Textiles Expo® shows. By selecting Freeman through a competitive Request for Proposal (RFP) process, we have secured rates that significantly lower the cost burden on our exhibitors. RFP process Key achievements This successful negotiation translates directly to cost savings for …
July 6, 2021
Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …
May 10, 2021
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …
November 16, 2020
In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries. Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries …
November 13, 2020
The U.S. textile industry has stepped up to meet the demand for face masks, medical gowns, wipes and other products necessary to combat the coronavirus pandemic, but it needs policy changes from Washington so that the U.S. is not caught off-guard again in a future crisis, according to association leaders speaking at Industrial Fabrics Association …
November 12, 2020
Dr. Bryran Ormond, assistant professor, Wilson College of Textiles, NC State explained respiratory protection in an “Ask an Expert” session with Jing Liang, Medical PPE Consulting LLC. Dr. Ormand has typically worked in the area of chemical and biological protective equipment, but with the onslaught of the pandemic, began to focus on respiratory protection generally, …
November 11, 2020
All surgical gowns are not created equal, and a Nov. 11 presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020 helped sort out the differences. The finer points of surgical gowns were discussed by Dr. Martin King, a professor at the Wilson College of Textiles, North Carolina State University, and Jing Liang, president of Medical PPE Consulting LLC. …
November 11, 2020
How do you create a channel from research to application? How do you create a pathway toward understanding complex human problems across supply chains and market sectors? STEM—a curriculum based on teaching science, technology, engineering and math—has branched out from basic chemistry and biology and physics classes, into collaborative efforts, including textiles, according to Stephanie …
May 22, 2025
According to the World Trade Organization (WTO), tariffs and uncertainty surrounding trade policy due to recent U.S. policy shifts will lead to the decline in global trade volume by 0.2 percent in 2025, contrary to growth predictions in January 2025. Global trade is heavily influenced by two major economies, the U.S. and China, which are …
May 8, 2025
Editor’s note: Todd Morgan shares his experiences and expertise in helping textile industry businesses implement artificial intelligence tools. A graduate of NC State’s College of Textiles, he has more than 30 years of experience working with manufacturers, designers and business leaders applying AI to solve operational challenges. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is already reshaping the textile industry—not …
April 24, 2025
Is there a role for textiles in today’s composites industry? The answer is not just yes, it is a resounding affirmative. In March, the composite industry’s JEC show in Paris confirmed this with a strong showing of textiles ranging from super high-strength fibers to large scale textile structures. These are used across a wide range …
April 14, 2025
The ongoing tariff uncertainty will certainly impact the global textiles and apparel market. Although a needed commodity, textiles are dependent on discretionary spending, which depends on the economy. GDP growth plays a critical role in the consumption of textiles and apparels and, therefore, the growth and market size of the global textiles and apparel sectors. Textile …
March 24, 2025
Energy has become a key issue in the development of e-textiles for applications ranging from wearables to transport. LOPEC 2025, held in Munich in February, elected to highlight the end-user perspective this year across conference papers, poster presentations and the Innovation Showcase, with new technologies sharing the stage with energy efficient designs, so that every …
March 10, 2025
We are in the middle of a historic leap in textile technology. Whether it’s the development of new yarns and coatings, or the integration of electronics into existing textiles, the future of wearable technology is rapidly evolving—and the future is bright. It seems like every week brings another breakthrough from R&D firms and universities, unveiling …
February 24, 2025
In 2003 after 13 years of global collaboration, the Human Genome Project was successfully completed, providing a comprehensive blueprint of human genetic information. This has given impetus to a rapidly expanding level of research in disease diagnosis, such as cancer, personalized medical treatments, the understanding of genetic disorders, genetic engineering therapies, and applications in tissue …
February 10, 2025
Biomedical textiles are a highly specialized, relatively small segment of the global textile industry. Even among the more advanced textile technologies, the path to commercializing medical textiles, generally, and biomedical textiles, in particular, is unusually challenging, facing stringent industry standards and government regulations that can take years to meet. According to Allied Market Research, the global …
January 27, 2025
December 12, 2024, the U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report titled “Textile Waste: Federal Entities Should Collaborate on Reduction and Recycling Efforts.” The report also offers practical solutions to address the problem, centering on a collaborative approach. Not that it will be easy, but it is, says the report, very important. Advanced Textiles Source has talked …
January 13, 2025
According to the United Nations’ Environment Programme, cities globally are expected to produce 2.2 billion tons of waste each year by 2025. Given the economic, environmental and health impacts of waste, it is important for the textile industry to reduce, reuse and recycle the waste. For example, in a spinning mill, recyclable and reusable textile …
May 29, 2025
The Conference Board released the May 2025 Consumer Confidence Index®, reporting that consumer confidence increased by 12.3 points in May to 98.0, up from 85.7 in April. The cut-off date for preliminary results was May 19, 2025, and about half of the responses were collected after the May 12 announcement of a pause on some …
May 21, 2025
PRIMON Automation, an automation system manufacturer for creel automation and textile manufacturing, and SYMTECH, a U.S.-based machinery and equipment distributor for the textile industry, formed a partnership April 1. SYMTECH will represent all existing PRIMON installations for support and service, as well as the sale of new equipment for the U.S. and Canadian markets. With …
May 12, 2025
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced an interim final rule to extend the dates of the reporting period for data submitted on the manufacture of perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Previously, the submission period was to start July 11, 2025, and it has now been extended to April 13, 2026. For most manufacturers, …
May 12, 2025
The U.S. and the U.K. announced May 8 that the countries have made a trade deal. The deal states that the 10% reciprocal tariff imposed April 2 on U.K. imports is still in effect, but an alternate deal has been made for Section 232 tariffs for U.K. autos. Section 232 tariffs for U.K. steel and …
May 12, 2025
U.S. and Chinese officials announced that they have agreed to pause the recently imposed tariffs on imports from each country for 90 days, beginning May 14. The U.S. will lower its 145% tariff on Chinese imports to 30%, and China will decrease its tariff on American imports to 10%. Officials from both countries will meet …
May 5, 2025
Herculite® Products Inc. announces the acquisition of Strata Film Coatings, a manufacturer of advanced film coating solutions. A company press release says the strategic acquisition marks “a significant milestone in Herculite’s ongoing commitment to expand its product offerings and enhance its market presence.” “We are thrilled to welcome Strata Film Coatings into the Herculite family. Their expertise …
May 1, 2025
Advanced Textiles Association® (ATA) is excited to announce that registration is now open for Advanced Textiles Expo® 2025, taking place November 5–7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis, Ind. As the industry’s leading trade show for specialty fabrics, advanced textiles, and shade and weather protection, the Expo draws thousands of professionals for three days …
April 30, 2025
GALLS®, a uniform and tactical gear supplier for U.S. public safety and military professionals, announced the acquisition of Her BlueWear Uniforms™. GALLS’ purchase of Her BlueWear provides product scalability and increases the accessibility of uniforms for women in public safety. Her BlueWear Uniforms started with uniform pants, and its product line will now include tailored …
April 17, 2025
The European Union (EU) has paused its countermeasures on U.S. trade tariffs for 90 days to allow time for EU and U.S. negotiations. The pause was first announced by EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen April 9, and went into effect April 14. The decision was made in response to the U.S. delaying tariffs on imports …
April 10, 2025
President Donald Trump has announced further changes to the April 2 executive order imposing multiple country-specific tariffs. The president has suspended most tariffs for 90 days, with country-specific tariffs (detailed in Annex I) now effective July 9, 2025. Countries included in Annex I are currently subject to 10% ad valorem rates, with exemptions listed in …
April 24, 2025
The ZZZN Sleep Apparel System is a voluminous puffer jacket that doubles as a cozy sleep sack, so users can doze off anywhere and anytime in comfort. But beyond its apparent comfortability, it also offers biometric data monitoring and headphones that play music with frequency bands to help people fall asleep. The ZZZN puffer jacket for sleep modernizes “Yagi,” a traditional Japanese winter nightwear. …
February 24, 2025
Pavels Hedström has introduced the Gaia Communication System, a vest and a pair of gloves with sensors so that users feel the health of plants, insects, soil and air. Unveiled under his design practice Inxects, the Swedish architect has installed multiple haptic sensors around the vest and gloves, each of which correspond to a natural object. The …
December 9, 2024
Japanese designer Hiroto Ikebe recently showcased a leather alternative he developed using rewoven silk cocoon waste. His exhibition COCOON ANATOMY, shown during DESIGNART Tokyo 2024, displayed clothing that was designed to demonstrate that silk materials typically discarded or not used for mass production can be repurposed into fabrics and materials with multiple uses. The leather alternative comes from raw silk, …
September 18, 2024
Carolina De Lara’s project, Bacterial Brickbats, explores the interaction between bacterial cellulose and knit textiles to challenge traditional, human-centered design in fashion and textiles. The project negotiates human/non-human liaisons by proposing a study where sharing agency between designer and bacterial cellulose produces a material library illustrating differing needs, creative or biological, resulting in an expressive …
August 12, 2024
A new materials technique has blended the usefulness of knitting needles and yarn with cutting-edge technology to create the equipment and process to make a solid-knit object of almost any kind. Yuichi Hirose first dreamed up this technique when he was a student at Keio University in Tokyo. There, working on digital fabrication methods in …
June 24, 2024
NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts (NIAC) 2024 Phase II awardee Ethan Schaler has proposed the first lunar railway system to provide reliable, autonomous and efficient payload transport on the Moon. The Flexible Levitation on a Track (FLOAT) system is a durable, long-life robotic transport system—a function that will be critical to the daily operations of a …
April 22, 2024
Artist and designer Kim Mesches has unveiled his “Collection 5,” featuring garments made of a color-changing resin with a technology activated by heat. The material is a mix of thermochromic dyes, pigments and other ingredients, which are then mixed with hardened resin to create the garments. For example, on sunny days the garments change themselves …
April 8, 2024
Following the successful development of functional invisibility shields in 2022, U.K.-based Invisibility Shield Co. has launched its second-generation invisibility shields on Kickstarter. Among the products is the “Megashield,” which the company claims is the largest one ever created. According to a report on designboom.com, more than four years ago the company focused on refining optical …
March 25, 2024
In recent years, materials scientists and engineers have introduced increasingly sophisticated materials for robotic and prosthetic applications, including a range of electronic skins, or e-skins, designed to sense the surrounding environment and artificially reproduce the sense of touch. As explained on techxplore.com, researchers at Tsinghua University in Beijing recently introduced a new dual-modal tactile e-skin that could …
February 26, 2024
An interactive installation that combined textile arts, smart materials and engineering and received a 2023 Black Rock City Honorarium at the 2023 Burning Man. Set against the vast and surreal backdrop of the Black Rock Desert in Nevada, Burning Man is an annual gathering that transforms the flat, barren expanse into a vibrant playground for artistic …
May 22, 2025
Thousands of people who are born deafblind will understand live conversations for the first time thanks to new research into smart textiles being developed by Nottingham Trent University (NTU). This first-of-its-kind study will eventually allow the spoken word to be translated into a form of braille and communicated through e-textile gloves to the fingers of …
May 22, 2025
Turkish thread manufacturer Durak Tekstil has developed its new Durak Poly-Strong PC-IR sewing thread to provide infrared (IR) invisibility. Developed as a solution to the infrared problems experienced by the military and security industry in the sewn areas of clothing and other materials, the new IR thread enables the camouflage feature to be used to …
May 22, 2025
MIT researchers have developed an autonomous, programmable computer in the form of an elastic fiber, which could monitor health conditions and physical activity, alerting the wearer to potential health risks in real-time. Clothing containing the fiber computer was machine washable and comfortable, and the fibers were nearly imperceptible to the wearer, the researchers report. Unlike …
May 8, 2025
A new smart insole system that monitors how people walk in real time could help users improve posture and provide early warnings for conditions from plantar fasciitis to Parkinson’s disease. Constructed using 22 small pressure sensors, and fueled by small solar panels on the tops of shoes, the system offers real-time health tracking based on …
April 14, 2025
Electrically conductive prints on textiles are the basis for functional textiles with electronic functions, or “smart textiles.” Conductive inks and binders must be well matched to ensure permanent conductivity even under external mechanical influences, such as stretching, pressure and bending. German research institute DITF is working on new ink formulations that meet these requirements. Textiles …
April 14, 2025
Johns Hopkins University engineers have developed a pioneering prosthetic hand that can grip plush toys, water bottles, and other everyday objects like a human, carefully conforming and adjusting its grasp to avoid damaging or mishandling whatever it holds. The system’s hybrid design is a first for robotic hands, which have typically been too rigid or …
March 24, 2025
Touch-sensitive clothing capable of controlling devices via touchscreen-like finger taps and swipes on the fabric is impressive, but a touchless finger-gesture-detecting fabric has now been developed that offers a new functionality. The experimental textile is being developed by scientists from Nottingham Trent University in the U.K., the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf research lab in Germany and the Free …
March 24, 2025
British biomedical startup Unhindr, an Imperial College London spinoff company, is developing an adaptive lining for the sockets of prosthetic limbs that responds to how the body’s soft tissue naturally shrinks and swells during the day. Because a prosthetic limb that fits in the morning may not fit the same way late in the afternoon, the …
March 10, 2025
eVent® Fabrics, Leawood, Kansas, a provider of waterproof, breathable and windproof fabric laminates, introduces its newest high-performance laminate, stormburstLT. An ultralight and ultra-breathable product, it’s designed for extreme applications: stormST for outdoor and lifestyle applications; and windstormST for breathable windproof and softshell applications. This completes eVent’s collection of laminates, providing brand partners with custom solutions …
March 10, 2025
A smart pajama top has been created to help detect sleep disorders and provide an alternative to visiting a sleep clinic. The garment, developed by Professor Luigi Occhipinti and colleagues at the University of Cambridge, U.K., is integrated with a series of graphene strain sensors that sense subtle vibrations in the neck muscles, even when …
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