Te c h n i c a l Autumn 2020 TEXTILES Volume 29, Number 3 international Informing the industry worldwide
The US textiles industry adapts rapidly to the pandemic challenge
Finishing first: the technology behind HeiQ’s anti-viral treatment for textiles
INSIDE: The latest innovations to combat the spread of covid-19 The growing markets for fabrics in agriculture Nanotube films for climate-control textiles Te c h n i c a l 7(;7,/(6 TEXTILES LQWHUQDWLRQDO
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www.teechnical-teextiles.net Te c h n i c a l In the Editor’s opinion TEXTILES international Smart textiles—still seeking widespread acceptance Commercial efforts to develop electronic and smart textiles have been Autumn 2020 ongoing for about as long as this magazine has been published, more than (Volume 29, Number 3) 25 years. Initial successes focused around the integration of electrically conductive fibres and yarns that, combined with a power source, provided Editor: Nick Butler actively heated fabrics for a range of applications. This range of activity now constitutes a successful market based on mature technologies. Tel: +44 (870) 165-7210 Email: [email protected] Over the same time-span, other technologies have also been under develop- ment, with the goal of integrating more sophisticated optoelectronic com- Nonwovens Editor: ponents (including light-emitting diodes (LEDs), sensors, actuators, capaci- Adrian Wilson tors, piezoelectric materials, antennae and solar cells) into flexible textiles. Composites Editor: The resulting fabrics have the potential for a vast array of applications. James Bakewell US correspondent: This second wave of activity has delivered many products (as searching our John W. McCurry website www.technical-textiles.net will readily demonstrate), but to date, China correspondent: none of these have led to the levels of commercial success that others vir- Jason Chen tually unheard of 25 years ago (mobile telephones and personal comput- Russia correspondent: Eugene Gerden ers, for instance), have enjoyed in the same timeframe. The sector has striv- Indian correspondent: en repeatedly, but unsuccessfully, to find so-called “killer applications” to Samuel Joseph help establish smart textiles firmly in the minds of consumers. Regular contributors: Geoff Fisher There are a number of reasons for this lack of acceptance, according to James Hayward, a market analyst for IDTechEx of Cambridge, UK, who has Display advertising sales: observed this sector for several years: Jill Gwinnutt Tel: +44 (870) 165-7210 • many of the technologies remain immature; Email: [email protected] • the applications as yet lack validation in their target markets; • the cross-disciplinary nature of the products (combining the electronics and David Kay/Maria Box textiles industries, for instance) makes the development of a supply chain Tel: +44 (1273) 423512 complicated, and resulting inefficiencies are driving-up costs and selling prices; Email: [email protected] • smart textiles face fierce competition from other materials and products Published by International (including wearable ones such as smart watches); Newsletters Ltd, PO Box 50, • the cross-disciplinary nature of the market has also contributed to a lack of WR15 8XN, UK. well-defined standards and test methods.
Subscription enquiries, orders The response of the textile industry to the current pandemic (see also, Covid-19 and payments: update, pages 4–10 and 42–45) provides a good illustration of this viewpoint. International Newsletters Ltd, Many companies have rapidly adapted their manufacturing to address the PO Box 50, WR15 8XN, UK. global shortage of personal protective equipment (PPE) required to fight the Tel: +44 (870) 165-7210 spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Makers of electronic and smart textiles are Email: [email protected] among them, but these specialists generally do not have enough capacity https://www.technical-textiles.net given the scale of the shortages to make a meaningful contribution in the Annual subscription (four issues): short or even medium term, despite the relative sophistication of their prod- includes free access to publications ucts, which in any case are commercially immature and so less likely to be and back issues online: widely adopted. £300/$459/€390. (Payments in other currencies are subject to Nevertheless, Hayward sees long-term potential for smart textiles. Testing and our prevailing exchange rate). Prices are standards, for instance, is a topic currently being addressed vigorously, and the valid to the end of 2020, and include supply chain is becoming more efficient. We can hope, therefore, that in the event airmail delivery in Europe and air-speeded of a prolonged covid-19 pandemic or the outbreak of another, smart textiles will delivery elsewhere. be available to contribute to the kinds of PPE we can only dream of today.
2 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Te c h n i c a l TEXTILES international Contents Autumn 2020 On the cover: 4 Covid-19 update Freudenberg makes face masks with North Carolina State University US textile companies ۰ join forces to supply personal protective equipment Acrylic fibre shown to deactivate ۰ SARS-Cov-2 Production line for face-mask material inaugurated Carbon-nanotube mats ۰ ۰ effective against coronavirus Durable transparent treatment from Affix Labs kills novel ۰ coronavirus Finish is effective against SARS-Cov-2, even after it is washed Treatment ۰ ۰ based on zinc pyrithione is capable of neutralising SARS-Cov-2 Wash-durable treatment ۰ for textiles can deactivate SARS-Cov-2 Treatment allows for re-use of medical-grade face ۰ masks Decontaminating face masks easily using a simple dry-heat method NASA ۰ ۰ investigates decontamination methods for protective equipment Suominen unveils ۰ nonwoven for surgical masks Electroceutical fabric eliminates coronavirus infectivity on ۰ contact Embedded zinc ions for antimicrobial polyamide fabrics Spunbond nonwovens ۰ ۰ used in medical face masks for Dutch healthcare initiative
In depth: Pandemic response John McCurry talks to US textile 11 US textiles industry adapts rapidly to pandemic challenges manufacturers about their In depth: Pandemic response efforts to adapt in the face of 17 Commercialising, validating and supplying a vital treatment the pandemic, beginning on page 11. In depth: Agrotextiles 23 Growing markets for textiles and nonwovens in agriculture 29 Business update University invests in warp-knitting machine for glass-fibre textiles Itema Group ۰ completes acquisition of PTMT Saertex expands in North America Lenzing uses train to ۰ ۰ transport fibres to China for the first time Freudenberg starts-up production line for ۰ nonwovens in Taiwan Andritz to supply hydroentanglement line to Chinese wipes ۰ manufacturer Eruslu Nonwoven Group to diversify with Andritz hydroentanglement ۰ line Purchase of Stoll prompts name changes in the Karl Mayer Group Brückner ۰ ۰ supplies back-coating line to manufacturer of blinds Suominen to increase capacity for ۰ hydroentangled fabrics Oerlikon Neumag commissions three production lines in ۰ China ACG Group sets-up plant for the production of personal protective equipment in ۰ matter of weeks Oerlikon Barmag receives record-breaking order ۰ 34 Applications update Alexium unveils perpetual-cooling technology for textiles and foams Richly textured ۰ polyester fabric wall coverings are easy to print on Devan Chemicals adds multi vitamin ۰ blend to R-Vital range Carbon-nanotube films for the production of climate-control Starting on page 17, Editor Nick ۰ textiles Mann+Hummel’s outdoor-air filter system gains global traction Flame-retardant Butler describes HeiQ’s ۰ ۰ cotton mattress sock passes flammability tests Powering devices through sweat using ۰ flexible supercapacitor First satellite panel to be reinforced with natural fibres developed commercialisation of a new .anti-viral textile treatment ۰ 38 Medical textiles update Shrink-resistant superabsorbent fabrics for use in wound dressings Empa develops ۰ electrospun cellulose wound dressing that kills bacteria Flat-knitted compression ۰ product variant launched Commercial launch of piezo electric fabrics from Japan ۰ ۰ Cotton-based bandages to treat diabetic wounds and burn injuries 40 Testing and standards update Versatility of top-loading washing machine appeals to manufacturers of sportswear ۰ Testing the acoustic insulation provided by vehicle parts Retech invests in its Swiss ۰ technical and testing facilities SDL Atlas introduces fixture for testing stretchable fabrics Te c h n i c a l TEXTILES ۰ 46 Events diary international 48 Index to advertisers Further information at https://www.technical-textiles.net
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 3 Covid-19 update
Freudenberg makes face masks with North Carolina State University
A major producer of nonwovens from roll goods needed for the production of face Germany is to work with a research masks, while Freudenberg is contributing its institute to manufacture face masks for manufacturing expertise and the work force universities, government organisations needed to install, operate and maintain four and hospitals in North Carolina, USA. new lines. In total, these lines will be able to produce more than one million face masks a As the fight against human coronavirus month. The Executive Director of the NWI, (covid-19) continues, Freudenberg Behnam Pourdeyhimi, says: "By partnering Performance Materials of Weinheim and with Freudenberg, we will ensure the the Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at North reliable completion of millions of protective Carolina State University (NCSU) in Raleigh face coverings to battle the coronavirus The back-side of a line at the Nonwovens are to begin production of N95 masks, using NWI’s novel filter media.” Institute for the production of which are capable of filtering at least 95% spunbond nonwovens. of particles of 0.3 µm in size and above, Further, Freudenberg is in the process of and so-called earloop procedure masks. installing six additional production lines Holger Steingraeber, Director Global for the manufacture of surgical and N95 Communications, Freudenberg The NWI has developed a new spunbond masks. The addition of the lines has Performance Materials. nonwoven that it claims can act as an enabled Freudenberg to create Tel: +49 (6201) 80-6640. effective filter without the need for a 50 more jobs. Email: Holger.Steingraeber@ meltblown layer. Their fabric is based on two freudenberg-pm.com; different polymers – such as polyester (PES) See also: This issue, Spunbond nonwovens http://www.freudenberg-pm.com and polyamide (PA), or PES and poly - used in medical face masks for Dutch propylene (PP) – that are combined to make healthcare initiative, page 45, and: US Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Associate Dean a single fibre with significant strength and textiles industry adapts rapidly to pandemic for Industry Research and Extension, bulk, as well as being capable of imparting challenges, page 11; and: William A. Klopman Distinguished effective filtration properties, similar to Professor and Executive Director, those of currently used materials(1). (1)Technical Textiles International, Summer The Nonwovens Institute. 2020, Industry responds urgently and Tel: +1 (919) 515-1822. The NWI is supplying Freudenberg rapidly to the global pandemic, page 11; Email: [email protected]; Performance Materials with the necessary https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75519 http://www.thenonwovensinstitute.com US textile companies join forces to supply personal protective equipment
In the face of the human coronavirus focused on meeting New England’s The Co-President of Bolger & O’Hearn, (covid-19) pandemic, three large textile sudden, urgent need for medical isolation Kelly Murphy, continues: “Bolger & O’Hearn companies have worked together in order gowns. In less than two months, Merrow is proud to be at the forefront of the effort to help satisfy surging demand for quickly became one of the largest manu - to rebuild the US textile industry’s PPE personal protective equipment (PPE) in facturers of PPE in North America. supply chain. The push for PPE is not going the USA. As a result of this partnership, ColorWorks, which is located in Elizabeth - away anytime in the near future.” millions of pieces of PPE have been ton, Tennessee, took charge of the dyeing manufactured in the last 3–4 months. and finishing of these fabrics using water-, See also: This issue, US textiles industry oil- and soil-repellent products from Fall adapts rapidly to pandemic challenges, The partnership comprises Merrow River-based Bolger & O’Hearn. page 11. Manufacturing Inc, ColorWorks and Bolger & O’Hearn Inc. ColorWorks was purchased in January 2020 Merrow Manufacturing Inc. by Ocean State Innovations (OSI), which is Tel: +1 (508) 689-4095. Merrow Manufacturing is a large cut-and- based in Portsmouth, Rhode Island. The Email: [email protected]; sew operation based in Fall River, President of OSI, Bryan Boulis, says: “OSI has http://merrowmfg.com Massachusetts, and is typically used by a long history working with both Bolger & fashion and textile companies to make O’Hearn and Merrow. In March 2020 I Bolger & O’Hearn. such as apparel. The company claims to reached-out to [Chief Executive Officer of Tel: +1 (508) 676-1518. have invented the overlock stitch and its Merrow Manufacturing] Charlie Merrow in https://bolgerohearn.com manufacturing floors house some 500 regard to his efforts to fill the PPE void, sewing machines and numerous high- both locally [for hospitals in New England] Ocean State Innovations. precision fabric cutters. and throughout North America. Charlie Tel: +1 (401) 293-5500. presented his specifications and my Fax: +1 (401) 293-0877. Earlier this year, in response to the covid-19 team immediately reached-out to Bolger Email: [email protected]; pandemic, Merrow quickly pivoted and & O’Hearn.” https://www.brandandoppenheimer.com
4 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020
Covid-19 update
Acrylic fibre shown to Production line for face-mask material inaugurated deactivate SARS-Cov-2 PyroTex Industries of Hamburg, Germany, claims to have produced the first fibre capable of deactivating the strain of coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) responsible for the human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic.
The company says that its acrylic fibre (PyroTex) reduces the infectivity of SARS- Cov-2 by 99% after 14 seconds of contact. These findings have been confirmed by an independent laboratory in testing under - taken according to the 18184: 2019 standard(1) published by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) of Geneva, Switzerland. Sandler’s line for the production of nonwoven filter media for face masks in Schwarzenbach/Saale, Germany. Further to its anti-viral properties, the fibre is effective against bacteria such as Sandler has inaugurated a new line for the Group of Weng established the Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli production of nonwoven filter media for Mask-Alliance-Bavaria, through which and Klebsiella pneumoniae. face masks at its headquarters in the companies plan to establish a Schwarzenbach/Saale, Germany. complete supply chain for face masks It is also: inherently flame-retardant; in Bavaria. resistant to acids and alkalis; resistant to The new line, the construction of which ultraviolet (UV) radiation; withstands was announced in April 2020(1), enables See also: (1)German nonwovens producer to exposure to solvents, water and oxidizing the production of enough filter media for add new line for face-mask materials, agents; resists heat continuously up to about 600 million face masks and started https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75560 250°C (480°F). The fibre is a good thermal production on-schedule in mid-August insulator (its thermal conductivity is just 2020. Commencing in September 2020, it Kristina Müller, Marketing Manager, 0.030 W.m–1.K–1), and it has a tenacity of will be run for 24 hours a day, seven days Sandler AG. 18.0 cN.tex–1, an elongation of 29% and a a week. Tel: +49 (9284) 60114-4275. density of 1.5 g.cm–3. Fax: +49 (9284) 60205. In May 2020, Sandler and its compatriots Email: [email protected]; Supplied in titres of 2.2, 2.8, 3.8 and PIA Automation of Amberg and Zettl http://www.sandler.de 8.5 dtex (2.0, 2.5, 3.5 and 8 denier) in staple lengths of 20–120 mm (0.8– 4.4 inches), the fibre can be processed on Carbon-nanotube mats effective against coronavirus any kind of spinning system or be formed as a nonwoven web. Carbon nanotube (CNT)-based nonwoven The team says that TorStran demonstrates mats that can capture and destroy an the neccessary filtration and permeability The fibre could be used to produce face animal coronavirus, a close relative of the properties for it to capture and disrupt masks, and general protective and SARS-Cov-2 virus that causes covid-19, are virus molecules contained in aerosols and medical clothing. The Managing Director being developed by researchers in the UK droplets, thereby rendering them safe and of PyroTex, Robert Jarausch, says: “We are and Israel. inert. Both filtration and disruption take already co-operating already with big place at the same time, and the filter can brands who want to contribute to the The team comprises researchers from the self-clean and be re-used many times. fight against the pandemic.” University of Cambridge in the UK and subsidiaries of Plasan of Sasan, Israel, Q- Tortech Nanofibers is developing and See also: (1)ISO 18184:2019, Textiles — Flo of Nottingham, UK, and Tortech industrialising the patented process used Determination of antiviral activity of textile Nanofibers of Ma'alot Tarshiha, Israel. for the manufacture of the ultra-long CNTs products, https://www.iso.org/standard/71292 that form the mats. This process is based The mats, called TorStran, can be on a floating catalyst chemical vapor Robert Jarausch, Managing Director, incorporated into existing air-filtration or - deposition (FCCVD) technique developed PyroTex Fibers GmbH. conditioning systems, such as those found at the University of Cambridge. Tel: +49 (40) 556136-39. in hospital waiting areas and wards, in Fax: +49 (40) 556136-81. emergency vehicles such as ambulances Martin Pick, Chief Operating Officer, Q-Flo. Email: [email protected]; and on public transport, and used in Email: [email protected]; http://www.pyro-tex.de personal protective equipment (PPE). http://www.q-flo.com
6 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 At Itema we make the impossible so that you can create the unimaginable.
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Durable transparent treatment from Affix Labs kills novel coronavirus
A Finnish company claims to have developed a long-lasting surface treatment capable of killing the novel coronavirus (SARS-Cov-2) responsible for the covid-19 pandemic. The transparent coating can be applied easily to any surface, including all types of textile.
Affix Labs of Helsinki has combined its proprietary chemical binding technology with a well-established and safe disinfectant to make the product, which it calls Si-Quat. Independent testing at the Biochemistry Institute of the University of Lisbon, Portugal, has shown the active ingredient in the product kills the SARS- Cov-2 virus on contact. Meanwhile, the company’s own tests have shown the treatment to remain effective for about one month on frequently touched surfaces such as door handles.
Si-Quat kills 99.99% of the micro organisms it touches within minutes, Affix Labs says. Nevertheless, it is safe to touch, free from silver salts and nanoparticles of heavy metals, and non-corrosive. The principal active ingredient is based on quaternary ammonium, which has been accepted to be an effective surface treatment against the virus by several major regulatory bodies worldwide including: the World Health Organization (WHO) of Geneva, Switzerland; the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Washington, DC, USA; the A durable antiviral treatment suitable for application to textiles in such as mass- American Chemistry Council (ACC) also of transport and retail environments is now available from Affix Labs of Helsinki, Finland. Washington, DC; the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) of Helsinki. Other tests conducted included an treatment can currently only be applied assessment of the affects of physical and to cotton. As well as woven, knitted and The proprietary binding of the product chemical stresses on hard surfaces (for nonwoven fabrics, it is also possible to ensures that molecules of silane quaternary instance, holding and turning a door treat yarns directly, although this is only ammonium (silane quats) are aligned in a handle for one thousand cycles, and economically feasible for large-scale highly effective manner, allowing positively simulations of cleaning cycles on production operations. charged nitrogen ions to attract viruses and melamine boards and metal sheets). bacteria, and then penetrate their cell Si-Quat was developed in January 2020 by membranes to kill them. Tests of the durability of treated textiles to the team responsible for Repeltec in direct laundering are ongoing, but based on the response to the covid-19 outbreak and To apply the treatment, users require only company’s other products that use the same with funding from the European Union minimal training and basic protective binding technology Chief Executive Officer (EU). Affix Labs has now begun to equipment to spray or brush it on the (CEO) Tom Sam believes Si-Quat should be distribute the treatment around the surface and leave it to dry for six hours. able to withstand 30–50 domestic washes. world, adding new regions every week and actively seeking partners in Affix Labs’ tests have shown Si-Quat is The company’s other products include an various markets. durable. Tests included repeatedly sitting insect-repellent treatment (Repeltec) for in and standing up from a car seat to fabrics. These treatments combine the Tom Sam, Chief Executive Officer, Affix Labs. measure the loss of the surface treatment repellent ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate Tel: +358 (9) 8561-7167. owing to friction. Even after one thousand with the binder and can be applied in a Email: [email protected]; such cycles Si-Quat is still bonded to the continuous process or in batches during https://www.si-quat.com; surface and active, the company reports. industrial laundering. In the latter case, the https://www.repeltechnology.com
8 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Covid-19 update
Finish is effective against SARS-Cov-2, even after it is washed
A wash-durable antimicrobial finish based and PES–cotton blends, against a variety of textiles used in vehicles. The finish works by on silane quaternary ammonium enveloped viruses, such as SARS-Cov-2, attracting microorganisms, the cell compounds (Si-quats) has been proven in feline coronavirus, vaccinia and porcine membranes of which it then punctures. independent testing to reduce the respiratory viruses. This deactivates the microorganisms, presence of SARS-Cov-2 on a textile sample preventing their growth and proliferation. by over 99% within 30 minutes of contact. The Chief Executive Officer of Devan, Sven The product complies with European Union Ghyselinck, says: “We were keen to provide (EU) Biocidal Products Regulations (BPR) Crucially, the finish – called Bi-Ome and textile manufacturers with concrete and is registered with the US Environmental developed by Devan of Ronse, Belgium – assurance regarding virus-reduction Protection Agency (EPA). Further, Devan maintains a similar level of antiviral performance on washed samples says that it is inherently biodegradable. performance (reducing the presence of according to ISO 18184. This exceeds the SARS-Cov-2, which is responsible for the limitations of the post-wash antimicrobial See also: (1)ISO 18184:2019, Textiles — human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, results most commonly shared for other Determination of antiviral activity of textile by 98.5%) on samples that have been technologies, giving the textile industry a products, https://www.iso.org/standard/71292 subjected to 25 wash cycles when tested clear, more precise overview of according to the 18184:2019 standard performance and wash durability.” Felix Vanassche, Marketing Assistant, published by the International Organization Devan Chemicals NV. for Standardization of Geneva, Switzerland(1). Bi-Ome is already used by a wide range of Tel: +32 (55) 230110. The finish was tested on numerous companies for the finishing of such as Email: [email protected]; substrates, including polyester (PES), cotton bedding, clothing, travel accessories and http://devan.net
Treatment based on zinc pyrithione is capable of neutralising SARS-Cov-2 Biotechnology company Proneem of SARS-Cov-2 with 99.99% efficiency after Marseilles, France, has developed a textile two hours. The treatment works by treatment that it claims is capable of destroying the membranes of viruses and neutralising SARS-Cov-2, the virus by preventing them from reproducing. responsible for covid-19, on textile surfaces. The treatment, which has been developed Called Viralstop, the treatment exploits the in partnership with France Chimie and antiviral properties of microencapsulated Novachim, is suitable for application to all zinc pyrithione (ZnP), zinc oxide (ZnO) and types of textiles. The Founder and President other active ingredients.The treatment has of Proneem, Nathalie Hagege, says: "With been tested on numerous types of textiles an effective active ingredient and docu - Viralstop exploits the antiviral properties by VibioSphen of Labège, France, and has mented textile impregnation systems, we of microencapsulated zinc pyrithione, been shown to be effective in neutralising have proved that it is possible to create zinc oxide and other active ingredients. the SARS-Cov-2 virus. Specifically, in tests textiles that are able to destroy the virus." carried out in accordance with the 18184 Proneem. standard(1) from the International See also: (1)ISO 18184:2019, Textiles — Tel: +33 (4) 8426-8070. Organization for Standardization (ISO) of Determination of antiviral activity of textile Email: [email protected]; Geneva, Switzerland, Viralstop neutralised products, https://www.iso.org/standard/71292 http://www.proneem.com
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Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 9 Covid-19 update
Wash-durable treatment for textiles can deactivate SARS-Cov-2
viruses and several See also: (1)ISO 18184:2019, Textiles — Livinguard masks types of fungi. Determination of antiviral activity of textile feature a Treated textiles products,https://www.iso.org/standard/71292 treatment that have approximately has been proven 24 billion charged David Schmelzeisen, Institut für to deactivate sites per square Textiltechnik, RWTH Aachen University. 99.9% of SARS- centimetre that Tel: +49 (152) 294-41641. Cov-2 after two attract and bind Email: David.Schmelzeisen@ hours of contact. negatively charged ita.rwth-aachen.de; viruses to their https://www.ita.rwth-aachen.de surfaces. Viral protein capsids or Uwe Rösler, Director, Institute for Animal envelopes are and Environmental Hygiene, Freie disrupted through Universität Berlin. this action, and Tel: +49 (30) 8385-1845. A treatment for textiles developed by their now harmless contents leak out and Email: [email protected]; Livinguard AG of Zug, Switzerland, has disintegrate. Once the microbes are https://www.vetmed.fu-berlin.de been shown to deactivate the SARS-Cov-2 destroyed, they are no longer charged virus responsible for the human and fall, or can be washed, from the Victoria Banaszak, Vice President of coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic. surface of the textile, creating space to Marketing, Livinguard. which other microbes can attach. Tel: +41 (41) 726-1676. Testing undertaken by researchers Email: [email protected]; from the Institute for Animal and Livinguard has developed a variety of https://livinguard.com Environmental Hygiene at Freie methods to bind a range of cationic Universität Berlin and the Institut für compounds to textiles and other surfaces, a Covid-19 update continues on page 42... Textiltechnik (ITA) of RWTH Aachen portfolio of chemistries that deactivate University in Germany, show that the bacteria and viruses – without the need for treatment can reduce the presence of traditional metal-based antimicrobial SARS-Cov-2 on the surfaces of face masks agents such as silver, copper and zinc – and For more on novel finishing by 99.9% within two hours. methods through which these properties technologies, see: can be combined with others, such as As SARS-Cov-2 can be transmitted water-repellence and hydrophilicity. • Durable, washable textile coating can through airborne droplets and aerosols, repel viruses; https://www.technical- governments and health authorities The company says that when tested textiles.net/node/75620 worldwide, including the World Health according to the 18184(1) protocol released • Coated polyester fabric combats Organization (WHO), recommend that by the International Organization for Stan- shortages of isolation gowns; people wear face masks in order to dardization (ISO) of Geneva, Switzerland, the https://www.technical- protect other people and, to a lesser treatment demonstrated a 99.9% reduction textiles.net/node/75616 extent, themselves. These face masks in the presence of SARS-Cov-2 after two • Graphene-enhanced face mask from act as a barrier to SARS-Cov-2-containing hours of contact. This performance remained Directa Plus; https://www.technical- droplets ejected from the nose and constant after ten washes. In testing textiles.net/node/75697 mouth. However, great care must be undertaken by numerous independent • Major benefits of graphene coating for taken when handling contaminated laboratories for other applications and using face masks;https://www.technical- face masks; after use, they must be different protocols, the treatment textiles.net/node/75622 disposed of or decontaminated using demonstrated even stronger efficacy against high-temperature laundering or different microorganisms within five minutes In addition, the use of finishing microwave treatments. of contact and after 50 washes. technologies in the fight against covid-19 will be a topic of discussion The Managing Director of the Institute of In addition to face masks, Livinguard now at the World Congress on Textile Animal and Environmental Hygiene, plans to sell washable and re-usable Coating, which will take place on Professor Uwe Rösler, says that when cotton gloves, and wipes treated with the 18–19 February 2021. Livinguard's treatment is applied to face antiviral technology. The company is in masks, it can deactivate exhaled viruses discussions to license the treatment to Jill Gwinnutt, Marketing Manager, continuously, making the "handling of suppliers of consumer products, air World Congress on Textile Coating. these masks safer overall." purifiers, healthcare products and Email: [email protected] personal protective equipment (PPE). https://www.technical- The treatment exploits the ability of textiles.online/WCTC polycationic surfaces to deactivate The treatment has yet to be approved by the See also, page 47 microorganisms including bacteria, US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
10 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Pandemic response
US textiles industry adapts rapidly to pandemic challenges As the covid-19 pandemic began to take its toll in the USA from late February 2020, medical facilities rapidly became overwhelmed with patients, existing stocks of personal protective equipment (PPE) were exhausted and global supply chains broke down. Happily, local textile manufacturers were able to adapt their output to compensate for shortages. John McCurry tells the stories of a few of them.
ne crucial impact of the covid-19 pandemic Owas the breakdown of global supply chains for personal protective equipment (PPE), which had grown to be over-reliant on Chinese suppliers. This resulted in acute local shortages even in industrialised regions, such as the USA.
Fortunately, many manufacturers rose to the challenge and the initial shortfalls were addressed by pre-existing suppliers increasing their output and others rapidly switching their production to make textiles for PPE for the first time. While the effects of the pandemic persist in influencing our lives, these manufacturers are experiencing a continual increase in enquiries and adapting their output in response to evolving needs.
These demands for textile-based PPE have given many At its plant in Richland, Mississippi, USA, Johns Manville was able to suppliers a welcome boost, providing strong sales at a respond quickly to the pandemic by beginning to make meltblown time their other markets have been drastically curtailed. nonwoven filtration media for various types of face mask. Moreover, many of them anticipate this heightened demand will continue for the next two- to three-years The manufacturer, which has its headquarters in Denver, or longer, a view echoed by their customers, the Colorado, USA, says that its meltblown filter media meets PPE manufacturers. or exceeds the 95% bacterial filtration efficiency (BFE) and viral filtration efficiency (VFE) requirements needed In North America, for instance, there are growing for a general-purpose mask, as specified in the tests demands to put PPE production back in the hands of published by the ASTM International of West Consho - domestic manufacturers in order to reduce future risks to hocken, Pennsylvania, USA, (see box: ASTM test methods the supply chain, so creating a longer-term local market. for filter layers in face masks, page 12). Further, these tests were conducted by independent laboratories, which In this article, several North American suppliers explain themselves are registered by the US Food and Drug how they adapted their businesses during the initial Administration (FDA) of Silver Spring, Maryland. months of the pandemic in support of these vital efforts. Johns Manville had been selling into the markets for a Johns Manville variety of masks for several decades, but more recently Johns Manville now supplies USA-made fabrics for face only in small quantities for highly demanding appli - masks and medical gowns: in April 2020, it began making cations. Many years ago, according to the company, the nonwoven filtration media for various types of face mask widespread wearing of masks by Asian consumers, at its plant in Richland, Mississippi(1); from May 2020, it has together with the global market demand for the lowest been producing nonwoven fabric for protective gowns at possible price, helped drive most of the manufacture of its facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina(2). commodity products overseas, mainly to China.
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 11 In depth: Pandemic response
Elsewhere, manufacturers who had the necessary lines to PB70:2012 Liquid barrier performance and classification produce meltblown nonwovens, including Johns of protective apparel and drapes intended for use in Manville, continued in the mask business, but focused on health care facilities, which is jointly published by the markets where consistency and quality of the product American National Standards Institute (ANSI) of were more important than price alone. John Vasuta, Washington, DC, USA, and the Association for the appointed as President of the Engineered Products Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI) of business in May 2019, says the construction industry Arlington, Virginia, USA. became an important customer and the company concentrated on developing technologically advanced Johns Manville had been using spunbond technology filtration systems for such as the automotive, food and to make PES reinforcements, filter media and speciality beverage, medical and biopharmaceutical industries, fabrics. With the advent of the pandemic, however, it as well as industrial water-treatment, and heating, switched to the development of the gown fabric, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) applications. running tests in cooperation with PPE manufacturers to determine and meet their requirements, for However, with the advent of the pandemic, when US instance, in terms of tear-strength and thickness. demand for PPE soared, the company was able to switch production rapidly. It still had the necessary knowledge “We had to do a great deal of work to get prepared, but to make filter media for face masks, according to Vasuta, we did not have to invent anything new,” says Vasuta. and it was simply a matter of ramping-up output, while The company already had an understanding of the ensuring the products met the latest requirements for variations (such as the lengths of the fibres and the quality and level of protection. different binders) and technologies that it could combine to make suitable filter media for the masks The gown fabric (Evalith 017/120H3) is a spunbond and barrier fabrics for the gowns. made from continuous polyester (PES) filaments designed to provide a barrier to fluids. The fabric is The gown materials, for instance, exploit a proprietary coated and calendared, and meets the requirements spunbond technology, which is used for production at for a Level-3 medical gown as set-out in the standard several of the company’s sites, including Spartanburg. A few subtle changes to the manufacturing line were ASTM test methods for filter layers in all that was needed. face masks Vasuta said Johns Manville has experienced a continual Materials used as filtration media in face masks for sale increase in enquiries throughout the pandemic. New in the USA are typically subject to verification against requests come from the growing number of companies the standards: looking to enter the PPE market and existing manu - • ASTM F2100Standard Specification for Performance of facturers looking for new suppliers. He believes Materials Used in Medical Face Masks; demand for the company’s medical products will • ASTM F2299 Standard Test Method for Determining the continue to be brisk until an effective vaccine for Initial Efficiency of Materials Used in Medical Face Masks covid-19 is available. to Penetration by Particulates Using Latex Spheres; • ASTM F2101 Standard Test Method for Evaluating the In the meantime, Johns Manville is investigating other Bacterial Filtration Efficiency (BFE) of Medical Face Mask potential PPE applications related to the pandemic, Materials, Using a Biological Aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus. cooperating with medical-device and pharmaceutical Dependent on the filtration efficiency achieved, each media manufacturers to develop new products. is categorized as ASTM Level 1, Level 2 or Level 3, Level 3 providing the highest performance. Typically, Level-1 media Shawmut are used in general-purpose masks and the more-efficient Shawmut Corp is a global manufacturer based in West Level-3 media are required for surgical masks. Bridgewater, Massachusetts, USA, specialising in auto - motive headliners made from composites(3), technical
12 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Pandemic response textiles and laminated materials. In March 2020, however, the family-owned company started to concentrate on producing medical gowns, as well as fabrics for such gowns, increasing its production as the virus spread.
Shawmut says it became the source of about 2.5 million gowns a week, either directly or as a result of its supply of material to others. To meet much of this high demand, the company adapted its existing equipment, including all the laminators used in its large automotive business, in some cases to create a continuous production line. To make the gowns, Shawmut can also cut and sew the fabrics.
Even so, the company has needed to add further equipment to meet its commitments. In addition, as it encountered bottlenecks in some parts of the supply During the crisis, Shawmut Corp has focused on making laminate chain, it has cooperated with external partners, such as fabrics for protective gowns and even the gowns themselves. To finishers and laminators, to extend its capacity. meet the huge demand, it has converted all the laminators for its large automotive business, invested in more equipment and Primarily, Shawmut makes lightweight warp-knit PES formed partnerships with others. Shown here are two employees fabrics, which it laminates to various polymer films that inspecting substrate fabrics at the company’s Park Avenue Plant provide a protective barrier. The company says its PPE in Burlington, North Carolina, USA. satisfies the requirements of the ASTM standards: months. Shawmut also sells to companies with state F1670 Standard Test Method for Resistance of Materials and local contracts to supply medical customers. Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by Synthetic Blood; F1671 Standard Test Method for Resistance of The surge in Shawmut’s PPE business has been a direct Materials Used in Protective Clothing to Penetration by result of the pandemic, but Wyner also thinks the industry Blood-Borne Pathogens Using Phi-X174 Bacteriophage wants to manage risks to the supply chain on a longer- Penetration as a Test System. Its range of products spans term basis by bringing more production back to USA. the full range of protection from the least (Level 1) to Consequently, he believes an established market will the most (Level 4) challenging, but the larger part of emerge for locally made PPE, and he wants Shawmut to this demand from the market has been for Levels 1 and be part of it. 2. In addition, some of the laminates are breathable, some are washable and some are both. “Our primary [PPE] business is supplying the gown material,” Wyner says. “If it continues, we see a lot of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) James Wyner says one potential for innovations.” Potential developments could advantage of using a warp-knit substrate is that output include improvements to the durability and breathability can be quite significant, compared with that based on the of the fabrics, as well as their barrier performance. He adds use of a more traditional one, often a woven durable Shawmut might start making materials for face masks, but fabric. Moreover, his company’s materials are cheaper and believes it will continue to focus on gown fabrics. lighter in weight, while still having sufficient durability. Wyner’s father, Justin, is 94, still serves as the company’s Shawmut’s customers are primarily those with contracts Chair and has been active in the PPE effort. His son from the Federal Emergency Management Agency continues: “We have a 100-year history of helping-out (FEMA) of Washington, DC, USA. However, it also sells to during national crises: in World War I, we made ankle gown manufacturers supplying directly to clinics, supports for the soldiers; during World War II, we hospitals and nursing homes, a base which is growing supplied bomb parachutes; during the Korean War, we and expected to drive increased sales in the coming supplied long underwear.”
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 13 In depth: Pandemic response
In the current pandemic, shipments of the products coats with urethane to ensure both low elongation and the company normally makes for the automotive thermal stability. industry disappeared, removing a significant slice of its income. Since then, according to the younger Wyner: Bally Ribbon Mills uses PES for the webbing, because “it’s been a heads-down effort.” the resulting fabric is inherently hydrophobic, while wicking moisture. For the contract, the company was Bally Ribbon Mills also able to count on its yarn supplier in order to be Based in Bally, Pennsylvania, USA, Bally Ribbon Mills is a able to increase its production of the fabric. Fetterman manufacturer of narrow woven fabrics (including tapes says: “Within four weeks we were in full production and and elastic materials)(4) with a long history of supplying had begun shipping it out.” The company continues to components used to manufacture medical devices, such ship the webbing, he adds. as materials for securing prosthetic devices to patients. In terms of the overall impact of the pandemic, Fetterman Ted Fetterman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, notes that the company has enjoyed a steady, eight-year says the company’s products for PPE are fabrics that run of growth, but now revenue is down about 15% from are a maximum of 30.5 cm (12 inches) wide and always last year, which he describes as significant. Bally Ribbon used as structural components, such as in helping to Mills’ traditional businesses, except for defence and secure the PPE to the wearer. For masks, for instance, aerospace, have not returned to pre-pandemic levels. the fabric would go over the head or behind the ear. At least in partial compensation, he believes PPE components will continue to be a growth market for Bally Ribbon Mills has been making components for PPE the company: “covid-19 is not going away soon. We are since March 2020 and needed to boost its production going to be dealing with this throughout 2021.” quickly to meet the demand. One example is a webbing with a high tensile strength, which is used to secure Without the PPE market, Bally Ribbon Mills would have ventilators to patients. The company says it has won a been in a worse position. If its customers had not been able to shift their production to make PPE, it would not large contract to supply the webbing, which a third party have been able to adjust its own supply of products. Fetterman concludes: “We are doing what the market is demanding of us. Without that nimbleness, we would not have been able to keep our employees working. We have not laid-off anybody. We are operating at 100%, even though our sales are down.”
Gerber Technology During the pandemic, Gerber Technology of Tolland, Connecticut, USA, has shared its technical expertise of cutting, pattern-making, design and packaging, as well as its knowledge of the industry, with manufacturers and suppliers through its programme called the Gerber PPE Gerber Technology (a specialist in equipment and software Task Force(5). Those wishing to switch existing production for cutting, pattern-making, design and packaging) has lines to the manufacture of PPE can join the programme formed partnerships with several companies that switched to gain access to several resources including: their usual production to make personal protective equipment in response to the pandemic. One is Hardwire, • introductions to companies with experience of which usually makes protective armour. The partner from making PPE; Pocomoke City, Maryland, USA, has installed two of Gerber • contact information for potential suppliers (PPE Technology’s cutting machines and associated software to Manufacturing Matchmaking Program); help it produce face shields. • production-ready cutting patterns, files and markers;
14 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Pandemic response
Thin polyethylene terephthalate films are laminated to fibre reinforcements to make transparent windows for sailcloths. One US manufacturer of such laminates quickly realised the films are suitable for the manufacture of face shields and started sales of the material for this purpose. Dimension Polyant’s customers for this new business include sailmakers and others with no previous experience of making such products, but willing to switch their output to address the urgent needs of many workers for this type of protection. Shown here, for instance, is a face shield made by Flowfold, a manufacturer of backpacks and accessories from Gorham, Maine, USA.
• technical help for setting cutting parameters for fabrics; • training, software, equipment and the help of service technicians; • general support. Within the programme, experts in software, equipment, production and design at Gerber Technology triage enquiries from customers looking to convert their manufacturing production. A company wanting to start making face masks, for instance, can be connected to a supplier of sewing and cutting services. Dimension-Polyant Dimension-Polyant, which has its headquarters in By July 2020, the Gerber Technology reports it had Kempen, Germany, is a specialist in making sailcloths received more than 150 requests for this service. Most (particularly woven and laminated fabrics, and of the companies that switched production were membranes). In early March 2020, however, the traditional apparel manufacturers, but others made company’s facility in Putnam, Connecticut, USA, began automotive fabrics, furniture upholstery, and signs and supplying laminate film to customers for making face graphics. They are now making a range of PPE including shields for medical staff. These customers included general-purpose face masks, medical gowns, face sailmakers, fashion brands and Flowfold, a manufacturer shields, biohazard suits, coveralls and shoe covers. of backpacks in Gorham, Maine, USA, who all switched Gerber Technology says its equipment is not used to production to supply their local communities. make high-quality surgical masks. At its Connecticut facility, Dimension-Polyant laminates Chief Commercial Officer (CCO) Leonard Marano says different types of film with fibre reinforcements, says many of the company’s customers believe PPE will Taylor North, Head of Technical Fabrics: “It turns-out become a permanent part of their business for the next that our window material we use for sailcloth actually few years and that they continue to increase capacity. makes a very good face shield.” As a result, the company “The need for our customers to drastically ramp up has been selling a significant amount of its clear film for their production was pretty immediate,” Marano said. this purpose. By early July 2020, the company reports it In response, Gerber Technology kept the production had provided the materials needed for 650 000 face lines for its standard equipment running, supplying it shields. “That’s been our primary response in the PPE and the expertise needed to adjust each set-up to suit market and allowed us to get through some difficult the specific product being made as quickly as possible. weeks in March,” North added. Gerber Technology also supplies some pre-set machinery (Paragon PPE) re-designed specifically for The polyethylene terephthalate (PET) films are typically the production of face masks and gowns. 0.18 mm (0.007 inches) in thickness, which North
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 15 In depth: Pandemic response describes as good in terms of the stiffness and stability needed for the shields. However, the company’s References technologies allow it to make films at whatever (1)Johns Manville starts production of nonwovens for face masks thickness is required. North also predicts that different in the USA; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75575 colours of tinted shields may become of interest for (2)Johns Manville starts production of nonwoven fabric for medi- outdoor applications. cal gowns; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75668
Further, most of Dimension-Polyant’s fabrics are (3)Glen Raven Technical Fabrics to be merged with Shawmut; waterproof up to 1.38 MPa (200 pounds a square inch) https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/74219 and so could be used as fluid barriers in medical (4)Bally’s webbings for wearables; applications. North is not sure if they are currently in https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75279 use for that purpose, but could be, he asserts. (5)https://www.gerbertechnology.com/covid19; and: Coats The company does have a range of fabrics it supplies joins taskforce for production of personal protective equip- to manufacturers of products used to move patients. A ment; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75548 development based on a type of racing sailcloth used See also: Technical Textiles International, Summer 2020, in Europe for many years, the polyamide (PA) fabrics Industry responds urgently and rapidly to the global pandemic, slide easily beneath the patient, he says. The fabrics are page 11 ; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75519 supplied from the company’s site in Kempen.
Further Information Email: [email protected]; John Vasuta, President of Engineered Products, https://www.ballyribbon.com Johns Manville. Peter von Maffei, Dimension-Polyant Inc. Tel: +1 (303) 978-2000. Tel: +1 (860) 928-8320. Fax: +1 (860) 928-8330. Email: [email protected]; Mobile/cellular: +1 (401) 369-4054. https://www.jm.com Email: [email protected]; James Wyner, Chief Executive Officer, Shawmut Corp. https://www.dimension-polyant.com Tel: +1 (508) 588-3300. Flowfold. https://www.flowfold.com Email: [email protected]; ASTM International. https://www.shawmutcorporation.com; https://www.astm.org; https://www.shawmutcorporation.com/medical https://www.astm.org/Standards/F2100.htm; Leonard Marano, Chief Commercial Officer, https://www.astm.org/Standards/F2101.htm; Gerber Technology. https://www.astm.org/Standards/F1670.htm; Tel: + 1 (860) 871-8082. https://www.astm.org/Standards/F1671.htm Email: [email protected]; American National Standards Institute (ANSI); https://www.gerbertechnology.com; https://www.ansi.org https://www.gerbertechnology.com/ppe; https://www.gerbertechnology.com/covid19 Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation (AAMI); https://www.aami.org Hardwire LLC. Tel: +1 (410) 957-3669. Fax: +1 (410) 957-3424. Food and Drug Administration (FDA); Email: [email protected]; https://www.fda.gov https://hardwirellc.com Federal Emergency Management Agency. Ted Fetterman, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, https://www.fema.gov; Bally Ribbon Mills. https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus; Tel: +1 (610) 845-2211. https://www.coronavirus.gov
16 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Pandemic response
Commercialising, validating and supplying a vital treatment From the beginnings of the current pandemic in China in late 2019 to the present, our industry has responded swiftly to provide the vital personal protective equipment (PPE) needed by frontline workers and the public. By forming partnerships, increasing production and developing new products, it has contributed significantly to help prevent the uncontrolled spread of the virus responsible. Editor Nick Butler picks the as-yet unfinished story of HeiQ’s commercialisation of a new anti-viral textile treatment as a prime example among many impressive achievements.
nveiled in August 2020, the Just5 jacket (see also, Upage 19)(1) provides protection against the SARS-Cov-2 virus, the pathogen responsible for the covid-19 pandemic, and is one of the latest chapters in the fast-moving story of a commercial textile treatment (Viroblock NPJ03) that was little more than an idea at the end of 2019. The treatment’s speedy commercialisation is the work of HeiQ of Schlieren, Switzerland(2). It is also a story that echoes many of the profound changes we have all experienced in the last few extraordinary months.
HeiQ was founded in 2005 by two former employees of the Zurich-based Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (commonly known as ETH): Carlo Centonze is now Chief Executive Officer (CEO); Murray Height is Chief
Scientific Officer (CSO). During a hike in the Swiss HeiQ co-founder and Group Chief Executive Officer mountains with their life partners, the two co-founders Carlo Centonze explains how Viroblock kills viruses to his decided to find a way to treat textiles to suppress the daughter. (Picture courtesy of HeiQ.) odours generated by their physical activity. (currently, more than 40 PhD students are engaged in They wanted to use science to help manufacturers work relating to HeiQ projects); the manufacture of make clothes that stay fresh for several days and speciality materials; consumer branding of products. succeeded by applying a silver-based treatment to Centonze also likens the company to the Swiss Army polyester (PES) fabrics. The strong positive electrical knife (a multi-tool pocketknife manufactured by charge of the silver ions attracts and binds them to the Victorinox of Ibach, Switzerland), providing customers oppositely charged membranes of the bacteria with all the tools and services they need in one source. responsible for the odours, which proliferate in the warm, moist sweat generated by exercise. The bound By 2019, HeiQ’s portfolio included about 200 products silver causes structural damage to the membranes, distributed among several brands: leading to the death of the microbes. • HeiQ Pure—a silver-based finish to combat odours; The company name is in part derived from that “hike”, • HeiQ Fresh—a silver-free treatment to help control but also represents “high-quality” materials and high odours and volatile organic compounds (VOCs); intelligence quotient (“high IQ”), an allusion to • HeiQ Smart Temp—for thermoregulation; intelligent materials and technologies. Centonze and • HeiQ Eco Dry—perfluorocarbon (PFC)-free repellents Height describe HeiQ as a three-in-one company, to water and water-based stains; which aims to develop treatments that improve the • HeiQ XReflex—a radiant barrier to enhance a functionality of textiles based on: scientific research material’s thermal insulation;
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 17 In depth: Pandemic response
• HeiQ Clean Tech—an additive to reduce waste and Consequently, HeiQ began to produce a treatment that costs during the dyeing of PES; would rapidly kill the virus on contact with fabric surfaces. • HeiQ Sun Block—to provide protection from Centonze proudly recounts how it did so in a very short ultraviolet (UV) radiation; space of time: from the production of the first batch to the • HeiQ Glide—to reduce the friction of fabrics; onset of global distribution took just six weeks, a process • HeiQ Real Silk—a treatment to give textiles the soft, that would typically take one-and-a-half to two years. dry, cool and comfortable feel of silk. Combined in a patent-pending development, the It had also grown in geographical reach, employing more breakthrough exploits two of the company’s pre- than 90 staff in 12 countries on five continents. The existing technologies: company has production facilities in: Bad Zurzach, Switzerland; Geelong, Australia; Concord, North Carolina, • its registered silver-based antiviral and and Calhoun, Georgia, USA; as well as additional offices antibacterial treatment; in: Maia, Portugal; Shanghai, China; Taoyuan City, Taiwan. • a technology based on the use of fatty vesicles or In addition, it has official distributors in the USA, liposomes (originally introduced in 2011). Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Turkey, Guatemala, Thailand, Indonesia, Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Mexico, As above, the silver ions attract the viruses and bind to the Republic of Mauritius and Japan. the sulfur groups in their membranes, but in this case, the breakdown of the pathogens is assisted by the presence Customers include major global retailers and brands in: of the liposomes. While the fatty membranes of the sports and outdoor wear (including Speedo, Burton liposomes resemble those of the viruses, they differ and Patagonia); intimate apparel and hosiery (such as significantly by enclosing only empty spaces. This Triumph, Sloggi and Hanes); fashion (for instance, establishes a concentration gradient between the bare Champion, Gap and Marks & Spencer); domestic interiors of the liposome particles and any chemicals textiles (including Bekaert Deslee, American Textile Co within adjacent viruses, which results in cholesterol within and Sealy); footwear (for example, New Balance); the latter being drawn out. The depleted virus is brittle, workwear (Dickies, Duluth Trading and Carhartt). and the accelerated destruction of its membrane leads to the oxidisation of its exposed ribonucleic acid (RNA). Quick turnaround By December 2019, however, the company had The synergistic effect is unique, according to Centonze, recognised the growing threat of a global pandemic and results in destruction of viruses (as well as bacteria and switched its attention to finding a way to help to and yeasts), helping to prevent contamination of and prevent the spread of the SARS-Cov-2 virus, which it is transmission via the treated surface. One early test of the believed can persist on surfaces such as those of efficacy was conducted according to the ISO 20743: 2013 textiles for a few days(3). As a result, even face masks Textiles—Determination of antibacterial activity of textile worn to help prevent the airborne spread of the disease products(5) method published by the International can be a cause for concern, because of the threat of Standards Organization (ISO) of Geneva, Switzerland, but transferring viruses accumulated on their outer surfaces modified to use the Murine respirovirus, (formerly known as to vulnerable points on the wearer’s skin. the Sendai virus). This showed that the residual infectivity was insignificant after only two-to-five minutes of contact Healthcare professionals, for instance, are trained in between the treated nonwoven fabric and a viral load. the use of masks, such as the need to wash their hands after doffing them, but while working under extreme Further testing, reported by HeiQ in March 2020(6), pressure can forget to follow this advice, and the threat showed that the treatment is highly effective against to untrained users can be even greater. In part, such the 229E strain of the human coronavirus, which has a concerns prompted the World Health Organization membrane structure like that of SARS-Cov-2. These (WHO) of Geneva, Switzerland, to recommend in the tests showed that within minutes of contact, treated early days of the pandemic against the routine use of face masks had a 99.99% reduced level of infectivity face masks by healthy members of the public(4). compared with untreated ones.
18 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Pandemic response
By this time, momentum was building and several companies were working to incorporate the treatment into their products, including:
• Suzhou Bolisi of Zhangjiagang, China—a manufacturer of protective masks; • Kayser-Roth of Greensboro, North Carolina, USA— traditionally a producer of legwear, which had begun making hand protectors (called Ghluv) in response to the pandemic; • Lufeng of Zibo, China—a manufacturer of apparel fabrics.
Demand soon outstripped HeiQ’s capacity to supply. Since the official launch on 16 March 2020, its four plants had been running at full capacity making 145 t a day. To make more available, therefore, the company issued free licences to three of its competitors(7):
• CHT Group of Tübingen, Germany; • Jintex Group from Taipei, Taiwan; The Just5 jacket serves as a showcase for the • Piedmont Chemical Industries based in High Point, technologies being developed by HeiQ and its partners North Carolina, USA. using Viroblock NPJ03 (see also, page 17).
To safeguard the product’s reputation in a turbulent heeded without the need for further action, but HeiQ climate, when the claims of many manufacturers were continues to monitor for such misrepresentations and to being openly challenged and accusations of protect its intellectual property. impropriety were even being made by world leaders (see also, Technical Textiles International, Summer 2020, Testing achievement Industry responds urgently and rapidly to the global Just a few days before, HeiQ had announced an pandemic, page 11), the company stipulated the important milestone had been achieved: tests at the licensees must have their treated fabrics tested by world-leading Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and accredited third-party institutes to establish the efficacy Immunity in Melbourne, Australia, had confirmed the and quality as per HeiQ’s standards. In addition, use of treatment is effective against the SARS-Cov-2 virus(9). its HeiQ Viroblock trademark with respect to treated Centonze believes his company was probably the first to articles required the company’s authorisation. test and to establish such an effect by a treated textile against the virus responsible for covid-19 and was able to Currently, HeiQ has the capacity to make 250 t a day, do so thanks to its strong partnership with the Institute. but Centonze says that the three licences will remain in force as long as the terms are respected. Based on the ISO 18184 Textiles—Determination of antiviral activity of textile products standard, adapted for The company’s caution was justified when, in June 2020, the SARS-Cov-2 virus, the partners were able to develop HeiQ reported some products on the market purporting two different test protocols, which demonstrated the to be treated with Viroblock were fake(8). In response, it infectivity was reduced by 99.99% after 30 minutes of threatened to instigate legal proceedings, urged buyers contact with a treated woven PES fabric, compared to be wary and offered to help prospective customers of with the control (an untreated woven PES fabric). products claiming to be protected by Viroblock to check their authenticity. To date, the company has issued at To test the effect of the treatment on face masks, HeiQ least a dozen letters demanding companies cease chose a high-quality product manufactured in China, making their false claims, which it says have all been one satisfying the FFP2-level requirements of the
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 19 In depth: Pandemic response
References https://heiq.com/2020/06/23/partner-news-south-asia- (1)Partners create jacket that provides protection from textiles-partners-with-heiq-materials-ag; viruses and bacteria; https://heiq.com/2020/06/22/artistic-denim-mills-and- https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75805 heiq-collaborate-to-launch-safe-to-touch-denim-and- (2)Antiviral textile treatment is effective against strain face-mask-collection; of corona virus; https://heiq.com/2020/04/30/partner-news-novara- https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75507 technology-and-heiq-viroblock-npj03-aid-medical- textile-production; (3)See, for instance, Persistence of coronaviruses on inani- mate surfaces and their inactivation with biocidal agents; https://www.alchemietechnology.com/Viroblock; https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhin.2020.01.022 https://mailchi.mp/heiq/high-demand-for-antiviral- heiq-viroblock-quickly-served-by-supply-chain_1 (4)https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52945210 (14)https://sertasimmons.com/news/serta-simmons-bedding- (5)https://www.iso.org/standard/59586.html developing-u-s-first-antiviral-mattress (6)Antiviral textile treatment is effective against strain (15) ofcorona virus; https://www.fda.gov/medical-devices/coronavirus- https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75507 disease-2019-covid-19-emergency-use-authorizations- medical-devices/personal-protective-equipment- (7)Free licences issued to boost production of anti-corona - euas#appendixa virus treatment; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75586 (16)During the preparation of this article for publication, (8)HeiQ warns of fake products; for instance, another three developments were https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75692 announced: Antimicrobial shop signage produced using HeiQ finish, https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/ 75833; (9)Antiviral treatment tested successfully against covid-19- causing strain of coronavirus; HeiQ produces branded antiviral face masks for Swiss ice-hockey https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75657 team; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75861; (17)Coats to incorporate antiviral treatment into threads and (10)https://wwwn.cdc.gov/PPEInfo/Standards/Info/ yarns; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75783 ASTMF210114 (18)https://www.who.int/ith/diseases/sars/en (11)See, for instance, https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ good-laboratory-practice-glp-for-safety-tests-on-chemicals
(12)Assessment of Experimental and Natural Viral Aerosols, See also Peter J. Gerone et al., Bacteriological reviews, Volume 30, Technical Textiles International, Summer 2020, Industry Number 3, September 1966, page 576; responds urgently and rapidly to the global pandemic, https://mmbr.asm.org/content/mmbr/30/3/576.full.pdf page 11; (13)See, for instance, https://heiq.com/2020/08/13/ https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75519 partner-news-mas-and-heiq-partner-to-create- US textiles industry adapts rapidly to pandemic challenges, functional-ppes-to-fight-covid-19; this issue, page 11; https://heiq.com/2020/08/11/partner-news- https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75821 hollander-partners-with-heiq-to-serve-consumer-and- hospitality-markets; HeiQ highlights safety and sustainability of https://www.viromasks.com/en/press-releases/ antiviral treatment; viromaskslaunch; https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75729 https://www.ddecor.com/new-introductions/ viroguard-by-ddecor; Covid-19 Update, this issue, pages 4–10 and 42–45.
20 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Pandemic response
European standard EN 149: Respiratory protective apparel (Hanes), shirting (Albini) and mattresses devices—Filtering half masks to protect against particles— (Serta Simmons(14)). Requirements, testing, marking. Tests on several masks were conducted according to the ASTM F2101 Standard Meanwhile, HeiQ’s China office had set-up a manu - Test Method for Evaluating the Bacterial Filtration Efficiency facturing capacity for treated face masks, beginning (BFE) of Medical Face Mask Materials, Using a Biological shipments in March 2020. By the middle of June, it Aerosol of Staphylococcus aureus(10). These test methods, had shipped 300 million units for the public and published by the ASTM of West Conshohocken, another four million high-quality masks suitable for Pennsylvania, USA, were adapted for use with viruses healthcare workers. and are lengthy and expensive to conduct, but the most meaningful in this context, HeiQ says. Celine Huang, CEO in China, explained that, although this is not the company’s core competence, it felt a duty Conducted according to the principles of good to help address the shortages of personal protective laboratory practice(11) using a dozen different equipment (PPE) caused by the severe disruption to microorganisms, the data showed a reduction in the global supply chains. Working with Chinese partners, transmission of viable particles through the masks HeiQ succeeded in finding a way to use the padding (treated against untreated) of log 2.5–3.5. For an method to apply the treatment to a variety of fabrics, exposure of 100 000 droplets, roughly equivalent to the even nonwovens where the lack of warp and weft fibres amount anticipated from a single cough(12), the results makes it difficult to maintain a uniform tension in the suggest untreated masks would permit more than 23 material during processing. In this way, the company viable droplets to pass through them, compared with can apply 5–20% by weight of the treatment to a fabric. fewer than one on average for treated masks. Testing of the treated fabrics, according to the While the untreated masks clearly offer effective standard ISO 18184, proved that they reduced the viral filtration, Centonze notes that just a few viral particles activity by 99.99% in a few minutes. Treated and are sufficient for a person to become infected and that untreated FFP2 face masks were also compared with the level of protection of the treated masks assessed in an aerosol challenge test featuring a variety of viruses. this manner is more than 20 times higher. These studies showed that, depending on the virus, the treatment reduced the infectivity by 30–200 times. The Viroblock treatment can be applied to all types of fibres and fabric constructions, and crucially is durable In China, the company makes and supplies disposable to washing. HeiQ claims the treatment remains (maximum wearing time eight hours) masks in a variety effective for 30 domestic washes at up to 60°C (140°F). of styles. In Switzerland, meanwhile, it makes two Consequently, it is suitable for applications other than versions of a washable (up to 30 times at 40°C) three- face masks, including: layer mask. In this case, the outer and inner layers are both PES knitted fabrics and the double-layer filter in • medical nonwovens (such as surgical gowns, scrubs, the middle is a water-repellent meltblown treated with drapes and curtains); Viroblock and conforming to the requirements of • apparel; Europe’s toughest such standard EN 14683:2019 IIR • domestic textiles; Medical face masks—Requirements and test methods. • textiles used on public transportation; The outer layer is also treated with Viroblock, while the • air filters. inner face is a soft, untreated fabric to make the mask The initial focus was to supply manufacturers of face comfortable to the wearer’s skin. masks for healthcare workers, but increasing consumer demand meant that by the middle of June 2020, more For sale in the USA, one of the disposable masks than 1000 companies(13) were looking to use Viroblock (designated HVB-FFP2-01) has already been approved to make a variety of products. These included major by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) of Silver manufacturers of fashionwear (Burberry), intimate Spring, Maryland, under its Emergency Use
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 21 In depth: Pandemic response
Authorization regulations(15), making HeiQ the first All the elements of the jacket render viruses and bacteria authorised Swiss supplier of such products. Currently, landing on them ineffective within five minutes of contact. the others are pending approval. In addition, HeiQ has signed an agreement granting Coats, a specialist in industrial yarns and threads, exclusive global More chapters to follow rights to use Viroblock on its products(17). One of the latest, but clearly not the last(16), parts of this story is the development of the Just5 jacket, a result of According to Centonze, the consensus of those HeiQ’s collaboration with four specialist partners: developing vaccines for covid-19 is that even if they are successful soon it will be 18–24 months from now • 2A-NyGuard SpA of Borgaro, Italy, which has helped to before this approach can become effective in develop the self-sanitising zips (NyShield); managing the current pandemic. Further, following the • Coats of London, UK, which has incorporated outbreak in China in late 2002 of the related disease Viroblock into its sewing threads to make every stitch SARS(18), the habits of many in the most affected region in the jacket antiviral and antibacterial; (southeast Asia) changed permanently and even after • Sitip of Cene, Italy, which has developed a treated warp- it was suppressed, they continued to use PPE, knitted fabric for use on the jacket’s extendable cuffs; particularly face masks. Virologists, meanwhile, expect • Vagotex SpA of Colognola ai Coll, Italy, which has further epidemics and pandemics will occur. All of combined the treatment with its waterproof, which suggests that, as rich as it is already, the story of windproof, but breathable laminate fabrics (Windtex). Viroblock has many more chapters to be written.
Further information Piedmont Chemical Industries. Carlo Centonze, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), HeiQ Tel: +1 (336) 885-5131. Materials AG. Email: [email protected]; Tel: +41 (56) 250-6850. Fax: +41 (56) 250-6851. https://www.piedmontchemical.com Email: [email protected] Catherine Somerville, Senior Media and Marlen Philipp, Head of Marketing, HeiQ Materials AG. Communications Officer, Peter Doherty Institute for Tel: +41 (56) 250-6860. Infection and Immunity. Email: [email protected] Tel: +61 (3) 8344-8378. Mobile/cellular: +61 (422) 043498. Email: [email protected]; Celine Huang, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Greater https://www.doherty.edu.au China, HeiQ Materials Co Ltd. Tel: +86 (185) 0165-0296. Kristina Blissett, Head of Group Communications, Coats. Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (208) 210-5084. Email: [email protected]; Colleen Nipkow, Marketing Director North America, HeiQ. http://www.coats.com Mobile (cellular): +1 (801) 556-4663. Email: [email protected]; Suzhou Bolisi. http://en.szbolisi.com http://www.heiq.com Kayser-Roth Corp. http://www.kayser-roth.com 2A-NyGuard SpA. https://www.nyguard.com CHT Group. Sitip. https://www.sitip.it Tel: +49 (7071) 154-430. Vagotex SpA. https://www.vagotex.it Email: [email protected]; World Health Organization (WHO). https://www.who.int; https://www.cht.com International Standards Organization (ISO). Jintex Group. https://www.iso.org Tel: +886 (2) 2578-8999. Fax: +886 (2) 2579-8008. ASTM. https://www.astm.org Email: [email protected]; Food and Drug Administration (FDA). https://www.jintex-chemical.com https://www.fda.gov
22 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Agrotextiles
Growing markets for textiles and nonwovens in agriculture Concerns about our ability to feed everyone as the world’s population continues to expand are creating opportunities for agrotextiles, according to Sarah Gibbons and Keith Nuthall, but the next generation of such products must be developed to reduce their overall burden on the environment.
Light-reflecting textiles, such as Beaulieu Technical Textiles’ Lumilys range, help reflect more sunlight onto ripening fruit crops. Compared with those grown without these reflective surfaces, more of the fruits are considered to be of high quality and so growers can charge higher prices. Images copyright Beaulieu Technical Textiles (see also, page 26).
grotextiles are used to control the growing Textiles Market Size, Share & Industry Analysis, By Product, Aenvironment, in order to improve the quality of By Application, and Regional Forecast, 2020–2027(1), crops and boost the productivity of the agricultural published in June 2020 and available from Fortune industry. In the form of covers, nets and mats, they can Business Insights of Pune, India. In addition, the report offer shade and protection for crops (from birds, states that the market will grow at a compound annual insects, frosts, winds and hailstones), and they can growth rate (CAGR) of 5.2% to reach US$13.46 billion suppress the growth of competing weeds and help the in 2027, driven by increasing concerns about surrounding soil retain groundwater. In addition, pallet food security as the global population gets bigger: covers can protect plants during transportation. “technologies such as agrotextiles will play an instrumental role in meeting the challenge of food The textiles employed often need to have high tensile security in the coming decades”. strengths, and good resistances to solar radiation, microorganisms and abrasion. In addition, the nature The report also predicts a growing demand for fabrics of these applications makes the use of environmentally that can be used for longer and have a higher degree of friendly materials particularly apposite. functionality than at present, as well as being produced in a more sustainable manner. The global market for agrotextiles (including fishing nets, itself an important sub-sector) was worth An earlier study (published January 2018), Agro Textiles US$9.61 billion in 2019, according to the report Agro Market Analysis By Product, By Application & Segment
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 23 In depth: Agrotextiles
Forecasts, 2018–2025(2), available from Grand View principally spunbonded polypropylene (PP). However, Research of San Francisco, California, USA, predicted he cautions: “If we’re serious about food sustainability, the global market would reach US$12.77 billion by we have to create new ways of doing things. PP is inert, 2025. In terms of volume, demand for agrotextiles was so it doesn’t degrade quickly.” 1. 49 Mt in 2016, with consumption predicted to grow at a CAGR of 4.4% from 2017 to 2025. Sustainable farming, therefore, needs agrotextiles made from materials that decompose quicker. Goswami also Jacques Prigneaux of EDANA, meanwhile, is calls for research to focus on developing agrotextiles optimistic for the growth of nonwoven applications tailored for specific environments, matching the in agriculture. Prigneaux, Market Analysis and needs demanded by local weather conditions and Economic Affairs Director for the Brussels, Belgium- prevalent pests. based nonwovens industry body, told Technical Textiles International: “As well as innovation drivers Plenty of innovation and the growing range of applications for nonwovens Bio-based polypropylene in the sector, growth in sales will also be spurred Borealis, from Vienna, Austria, supplies a range of PP by environmental regulations that focus on grades for the production of staple fibres, tapes, yarns preventing harmful materials from contaminating and monofilaments, which its customers use to make groundwater supplies.” nonwoven, woven and knitted textiles. In October 2019, the company announced it was to begin a Professor Parik Goswami, Director of the Technical collaboration with Neste Oyj of Espoo, Finland, Textiles Research Centre at the University of a specialist in making chemicals and fuels from Huddersfield, UK, adds that a significant proportion of renewable raw materials. As a result, from the end of agrotextiles is already made from nonwovens, 2019, Borealis began using Neste’s 100% renewable propane as feedstock for its plants in Kallo and Beringen, Belgium.
Borealis says this is the first time that it has partially replaced feedstocks derived from fossil fuels in the commercial production of propylene and subsequently PP, and it is the first time ever that dehydrogenation at an industrial scale has been performed using renewable propane. Nevertheless, the PP produced is high-quality, has the same properties as existing grades and can be fully recycled.
“Using renewable feedstocks produced primarily from waste and residue streams is a major contribution to reducing our reliance on fossil-fuel based feedstocks,” explains Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis’ Executive Vice President Polyolefins, Innovation and Technology and Circular Economy Solutions.
Recycled materials Anglo Recycling Technology of Rochdale, UK, uses recycled flooring materials to produce its Growfelt Lucrèce Foufopoulos, Borealis’ Executive Vice President range of agricultural textiles, which include Polyolefins, Innovation and Technology and Circular fabrics based on wool, viscose, polyester (PES) Economy Solutions. and acrylic fibres.
24 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Agrotextiles
UK manufacturer Capatex sells a mulch film made from Mater-Bi, a polymer (left and right) developed by Novamont SpA of Italy. The film is designed to persist for between two and four months before completely composting around the crop.
In 2020, for instance, the company plans to deliver one go to landfill, which, being too short for weaving, are million of its nonwoven mats (Growmat) to a major needlepunched to form the consolidated mats. customer in the Middle East who grows herbs hydroponically. Simon Macaulay, Anglo Recycling’s Macaulay said: “The thing that we all love about the Chair, told Technical Textiles International that demand system is that the mat then biodegrades completely for fresh salad, particularly from the United Arab and all that is left is a lovely habitat to encourage bees Emirates (UAE)’s big tourism sector, is increasing and other insects.” He added the use of the product is significantly; orders for the mats in 2017 were 360 000. very popular, particularly in urban environments such The UAE currently imports around 85% of all its food, as the verges of busy roads. he added: “The country wants to do something about this and has turned to expertise developed in the UK to Natural sources help it develop its own urban farming infrastructure.” London, UK-based Coir Products makes weed-control and mulch mats using coir fibre from the husk of Anglo Recycling is also undertaking trials to develop coconuts, which it claims is a sustainable source of a fully biodegradable version of the product that raw material and is completely biodegradable. provides protection from the weather and pests, while The mats cover the soil to help it retain water and still using raw materials derived from waste: “It’s not essential elements, but allow air to flow freely proving easy, but we’re sure we’ll solve it.” through so as not to impact detrimentally any natural environmental cycles. Macaulay believes that good agrotextiles can be marketed for their contribution to sustainable Truly biodegradable? consumption by: “allowing herbs for salads to be Capatex, a manufacturer of industrial textiles grown and sourced locally, rather than being flown-in (including agrotextiles) says a trend is for customers to from the other side of the world”. show a strong interest in biodegradable products. One such product from the Nottingham, UK-based The company has also worked with turf growers to company is a mulch film, designed to last between two develop a biodegradable nonwoven mat for use as a and four months while the crop grows. The film is substrate for mixtures of perennial wild-flower seeds. The made from a compostable polymer (Mater-Bi from source of the fibres used is waste that would otherwise Novamont SpA of Novara, Italy; see also, page 26).
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 25 In depth: Agrotextiles
Nonwoven crop covers Innovative Nonwoven Solutions has developed a range of recyclable PP spunbond–meltblown– spunbond (SMS) nonwovens with high tensile strengths. The company, from Ajman, UAE, adds that the polymer it uses to make the fabrics is itself made using feedstock containing renewable raw materials derived from biomass.
The company ships its fabrics worldwide for use in a range of applications, including agrotextiles, and its sister company, Ajman-based Innogryl, sells a range of Novamont SpA's headquarters and research and products for agricultural use, including covers to development centre in Novara, Italy (see also, page 25). protect crops from excessive levels of ultraviolet (UV) radiation.
Covers for niche crops In addition, using an undisclosed polymer, the In North America, there is a trend towards legalising company is developing a biodegradable netting to wrap Christmas trees, an application where the the cultivation of hemp and cannabis for medical- product needs to last for between one and use marijuana. Bob Moran, Director of Marketing two months. for Belton Industries of Belton, South Carolina, USA, says his company’s ground covers are enjoying Director Peter Strauss told Technical Textiles increasing sales in the US States where these crops International that Capatex’s agrotextiles are less are being grown (California, Oregon, Washington damaging to the environment than those made from and New York). oxo-degradable plastics: “which do not compost and only break down into micro-particles”. Micro- The covers assist growth by keeping the ground warm particles are themselves pollutants to the immediate and reflecting additional sunlight onto the plants from surroundings and a wider risk if they enter the below. In addition, after the plants are cut they can be water supply. dried on the ground covers as preparation for the extraction of their oils. Support for Strauss’ position comes from the European Union (EU), which has decided to include Belton’s ground-cover fabrics are made from PP slit- such oxo-degradable plastics in its restrictions on the film (tape) filaments, which the company weaves in a use of single-use plastics(3). leno construction to create a strong and sheer textile.
In turn, the European Bioplastics (EUBP) association of Reflective fabrics Berlin, Germany, supports the EU, alleging that oxo- Belton also makes reflective fabrics to help farmers degradable plastics have been marketed by “false produce redder apples. Fabric is hung from trellises or claims” that convey the impression they are environ - laid on the ground near to the trees, reflecting sunlight mentally friendly, so-called “greenwashing”. onto the fruits’ skins just before they are harvested. The resulting redder finish does not affect the taste of the Capatex also makes re-usable agrotextiles such as: apples, but allows growers to command a higher price, shades and windbreaks; nets for the protection of says Moran. crops from birds, hail and insects; woven and nonwoven ground covers. The woven ground covers, Another manufacturer of light-reflecting agrotextiles is for instance, are designed to be used for between five Beaulieu Technical Textiles of Comines-Warneton in and seven years. Belgium (see also, page 23).
26 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 In depth: Agrotextiles
In tests, the company’s Lumilys fabric directed 30% habitats, which will help the necessary pollinators more sunlight onto the fruit, compared with the (such as bees) thrive. absence of a reflective surface (as measured on adjacent control plots), and results in a more uniform An approach particularly suited to urban settings is crop and up to 25% more “premium-choice apples” in that of vertical farming—the use of vertically the harvest. Beaulieu Technical Textiles claims this mounted banks of trays to produce food. Andrea gives growers the power to charge more for the crops, Ehrmann, a professor in the Faculty of Textile and leading to a return-on-investment through better Clothing Technology at the University Hochschule pricing after just one or two seasons. Niederrhein, Mönchengladbach, Germany, reports textiles, nets and membranes could be used as The company’s latest development is a flame- substrates for vertical farming(4): “Numerous examples retardant (FR) version (Agrolys White), available with a of the use of textile fabrics for diverse agricultural basis weight of 100 or 130 g.m–2. The fabrics, which do applications suggest that recent progress in not contain halogen-based additives, are the first to innovative agrotextiles and algae-harvesting nets satisfy the Class 1 requirements of the NTA 8825:2018 should be transferred into solutions for vertical standard (Burning behaviour of screen material for farming. This transfer could pave the way to new greenhouses—Testing method and classification) technologies for ecologically and economically developed by NEN of Delft, The Netherlands. reasonable food production.”
Other innovations needed Moreover, using textiles also suggests a potential Given the size of the global agrotextiles market, the solution to a known problem associated with vertical farming. Crops are closely packed when such investments being made in the innovations described methods are adopted and so at serious risk of above make commercial sense. Moreover, market contamination by diseases carried and then spread analysts have identified other areas where innovation by microorganisms. However, nanosilver coatings could be made to pay. deposited on the textiles would offer valuable protection, she added. The 2018 report from Grand View Research(2), for instance, identifies shade nets as a key growth In many ways, Goswami concludes, textiles have the segment, adding that innovations such as the addition potential to play a valuable part in boosting sustainable of films to lend further protection from UV radiation agriculture. Innovation and the growing list of will be a key driver. requirements from environmental regulations will drive-up sales. Sales of agrotextiles will also benefit from the anticipated expansion of niche sectors of agriculture and horticulture (such as the growth of hemp and cannabis noted above and urban gardening). References (1)https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/ Roof-top gardening in towns and cities has already agro-textiles-market-102963 become fashionable, according to Goswami, but, because of food shortages and the need for more (2)https://www.grandviewresearch.com/ sustainable, locally sourced food production, “it will industry-analysis/agro-textiles-market become a necessity”. In protecting crops in such (3)https://eur-lex.europa.eu/legal content/EN/TXT/HTML/ specific environments, textiles can play an ?uri=CELEX:32019L0904&from=EN important role. (4)Tekstilec, Volume 62 (2019), On the Possible Use of Textile Macaulay adds that the use of Anglo Recycling Fabrics for Vertical Farming by Andrea Ehrmann, pages 34– Technology’s Growmats can help bring perennial wild 41; http://dx.doi.org/10.14502/Tekstilec2019.62.34-41 flowers into these areas, previously lacking such
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 27 In depth: Agrotextiles
Further Information Francesca De Sanctis, Public Relations, Novamont SpA. Fortune Business Insights Pvt Ltd. Tel: +39 (0321) 699611. Tel: +91 (744) 740-1245. Mobile/cellular: +39 (340) 1166-426. Email: [email protected]; Email: [email protected]; https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com https://www.novamont.com
Grand View Research Inc. European Bioplastics eV. Tel: +1 (415) 349-0058. Tel: +49 (30) 28482-350. Email: [email protected]; Fax: +49 (30) 28482-359. https://www.grandviewresearch.com Email: [email protected]; Jacques Prigneaux, Market Analysis and Economic https://www.european-bioplastics.org Affairs Director, EDANA. Innovative Nonwoven Solutions. Tel: +32 (2) 740-1818. Fax: +32 (2) 733-3518. https://inonwoven.com Email: [email protected]; http://www.edana.org Innogryl. Mobile/cellular: +971 (55) 979-6079. Professor Parik Goswami, Director, Technical Textiles Email: [email protected]; Research Centre, University of Huddersfield. Tel: +44 (1484) 473564. https://innogryl.com Email: [email protected]; Belton Industries. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1488-409X; Tel: +1 (864) 338-5711. https://pure.hud.ac.uk/en/organisations/ https://beltonindustries.com technical-textiles-research-centre Beaulieu Technical Textiles. Virginia Mesicek, Senior Manager External Tel: +32 (56) 560670. Communications, Borealis. https://www.beaulieutechnicaltextiles.com/en/ Tel: +43 (1) 22400-772. category/c/2/agrotextiles Email: [email protected]; https://www.borealisgroup.com Valérie Bouckaert, Marketing Manager Engineered Products, Fibres, Yarns, Technical Textiles, Beaulieu Susanna Sieppi, Vice President Communications, Neste Oyj. Tel: +358 (50) 458-5076. International Group. Email: [email protected]; Tel: +32 (9) 338-1529. https://www.neste.com Fax: +32 (9) 338-1520. Email: [email protected]; Simon Macaulay, Chair, Anglo Recycling Technology. https://www.beaulieufibres.com/en/home Tel: +44 (1706) 853513. Fax: +44 (1706) 853625. Email: [email protected]; NEN, Communications Department. https://www.anglorecycling.com Tel: +31 (152) 690435. Email: [email protected]; Coir Products. https://www.nen.nl Email: [email protected]; https://www.coirproducts.co.uk Andrea Ehrmann Faculty of Textile and Clothing Peter Strauss, Director, Capatex. Technology, University Hochschule Niederrhein. Tel: +44 (115) 978-6111. Mobile/cellular: +49 (177) 507-8277. Email: [email protected]; Email: [email protected]; https://dev.capatex.com; http://www.andrea-ehrmann.de; https://dev.capatex.com/brands/ https://www.hs-niederrhein.de/faculties/ agro-horticultural-brands textile-and-clothing-technology
28 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Business update
University invests in warp-knitting machine for glass-fibre textiles
A high-speed warp-knitting machine from • the manufacture of unidirectional (UD) ITA plans to unveil the machine Karl Mayer will be used for the development fabrics for fibre-reinforced plastics, and officially during an event in Aachen on and production of glass-fibre fabrics by the plain-knitted thermally insulating 21 January 2021. Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) at RWTH fabrics, for the transportation sector; Aachen University in Germany. • reinforcements for wound dressings. See also: This issue, Purchase of Stoll prompts name changes in the Karl Mayer The researchers at the ITA have been using Further, the ability to feed substrates into Group, page 32 and Technical Textiles a warp-knitting machine from Karl Mayer the machine will enable the researchers International, Summer 2020, page 5. for the development of reinforcements for to develop geotextiles, while its ethernet concrete structures for a number of years. interface will allow it to be used for the Shantanu Bhat, Research Associate, Now, with the purchase of a Biaxtronic Co development of technologies for such Institut für Textiltechnik, RWTH with a course-oriented weft-insertion as automation and data exchange Aachen University. system from the machinery manufacturer (Industry 4.0). Email: shantanu.bhat@ of Obertshausen, Germany, the ITA ita.rwth-aachen.de; researchers will be able to develop The machine’s electronic guide bar control https://www.ita.rwth-aachen.de new technologies for the system and the manner in which it enables construction industry. process parameters to be adjusted in-line Ulrike Schlenker, Karl Mayer will improve the quality of the fabrics the Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH. Further, the Biaxtronic Co will be used for: ITA researchers can produce, and will assist Tel: +49 (6104) 402-274. them in them in the manufacture of Fax: +49 (6104) 402-73274. • the production of hybrid knitted fabric textiles tailored precisely to the needs of a Email: [email protected]; structures on nonwoven substrates; given application. http://www.karlmayer.com
Itema Group completes acquisition of PTMT Saertex expands in North America Producer of multiaxial fabrics for the composites industry, Saertex, is constructing a production site in Ciudad Juárez, Mexico.
The site, which is due to open in early 2021, will join the 14 other sites the company – of Saerbeck, Germany – operates around the world.
Like its facilities in Huntersville, North Carolina, USA, and Indaiatuba, Brazil, the Ciudad Juárez plant will help Saertex to satisfy growing demand for composites in the Americas, and help the company conserve resources by shortening its Itema Group's acquisition of PTMT adds a number of machines suitable for weaving delivery routes. technical fabrics to its portfolio, including this Hercules loom, which allows the operator to switch between positive and negative rapier mechanisms. Ciudad Juárez is considered one of the fastest-growing cities in Mexico and On 29 July 2020, Colzate, Italy-based Itema Tech srl, dedicated to the companies such as Bosch of Stuttgart, machinery builder Itema Group (see also, manufacture of looms for weaving Germany, Siemens of Munich, Germany, page 7) announced it had completed its technical textiles, which was to be built Honeywell of Morris Plains, New Jersey, acquisition of PTMT. around the acquisition. USA, and Foxconn of Taipei, Taiwan, have set-up there. Further, the area has become The intention to acquire PTMT of Valentina Brignoli, Itema SpA. a hub for the production of turbine blades Gandino, Italy, was made in April 2019, Tel: +39 (035) 728-2111. for the wind-energy industry. when the new owner said that the Fax +39 (035) 740505. portfolio of technology it was buying Mobile/cellular: +39 (348) 516-6835. Saertex GmbH & Co KG. would bolster its own, particularly in Email: Tel: +49 (2574) 902-0. the market for technical fabrics. At the [email protected]; Email: [email protected]; same time, Itema created a subsidiary, http://www.itemagroup.com https://www.saertex.com
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 29 Business update
Lenzing uses train to transport fibres to China for the first time Lenzing Chief the use of the train enables his company Executive Officer to respond rapidly to a sudden spike in Stefan Doboczky demand from the garment industry in (far left) stands in China for its fibres. He continues: “Thanks front of the train to train transport, the urgently needed bound for China, fibres arrive at our customers in China with representatives twice as quickly as by sea freight.” from the German and Chinese Lenzing already relies heavily on trains for Governments, and the transport of the raw materials it needs to the logistics produce its fibres. Almost 70% of the wood companies involved. processed at its site in Lenzing is delivered by rail. In future, the company plans to move more of its freight by rail, believing it to be more environmentally friendly than alternative methods of transport. The Lenzing Group has delivered fibres Vienna, Austria. On its trip to Xi'an, from two of its production sites in Austria the train travelled a total of 10 460 km See also, page 5. directly to customers in China by train for and will pass through seven countries: the first time. Austria; Czechia; Poland; Belarus; Russia; Filip Miermans, Vice President Corporate Kazakhstan; China. The train reached its Communications and Investor Relations, On 20 August 2020, the train – loaded destination, Xinzhu train station, on Lenzing AG. with 41 containers of Tencel lyocell and 5 September 2020. Tel: +43 (7672) 701-2743. modal fibres produced at factories in Fax: +43 (7672) 918-2743. Lenzing and Heiligenkreuz, and worth The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Email: [email protected]; €1.8 million in total – left a station in Lenzing Group, Stefan Doboczky, says that http://www.lenzing.com
Freudenberg starts-up production line for nonwovens in Taiwan A spunlaid line designed to produce highly uniform nonwovens has been installed in This line is the first to feature Taiwan by Freudenberg Performance several new technologies developed Materials of Weinheim, Germany. by Freudenberg and is located at its subsidiary, Freudenberg Far Eastern The line is the first to feature a number Spunweb Comp. of new technologies developed by Freudenberg and is located at its subsidiary, Freudenberg Far Eastern Spunweb Comp in Taoyuan, where it will be used to supply customers in the automotive and carpet markets. Specifically, it will be used for the manufacture of primary and secondary carrier materials for automotive carpet mouldings and inlay mats, and dry running mats, carpets and carpet tiles.
The line features a system that enhances the distribution of filaments in spunlaid webs, which Freudenberg Performance Materials says makes them easier for its customers to process. The line is also able to detect variances in the material produced and can Components were selected – at least in part Holger Steingraeber, Director Global adjust its operation automatically to account – based on their energy-efficiency and it will Communications, Freudenberg for them, and features an infrared (IR) camera be partly powered by solar panels installed Performance Materials. that can detect even small melt defects. at the Taoyuan facility in early 2019. Further, Tel: +49 (6201) 80-6640. Freudenberg Performance Materials adds a recycling system has been implemented Email: Holger.Steingraeber@ that the environmental impact of the line at the facility to ensure that all raw and scrap freudenberg-pm.com was a key consideration in its design. materials line are re-used. http://www.freudenberg-pm.com
30 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Business update
Andritz to supply hydroentanglement line to Chinese wipes manufacturer
Chinese manufacturer of medical and Andritz of Graz, Austria, will supply See also: Following story, Eruslu hygiene textiles, Zhejiang Baoren Hezhong Zhejiang Baoren Hezhong Technology Nonwoven Group to diversify with Andritz Technology Co Ltd, has ordered a high- with opening and blending machinery, hydroentanglement line capacity hydroentanglement line two in-line high-speed TT cards, a from Andritz. JetlaceEssentiel hydroentanglement unit and a neXdry through-air dryer with a Petra Wolf, Assistant, Group Finance, After it is installed and started-up in the double drum. A high-speed winder from Corporate Communications & Investor third quarter of 2021, the neXline A. Celli of Porcari, Italy, will complete Relations, Andritz AG. spunlace eXcelle line will be able to the line. Tel: +43 (316) 6902-2722. produce 20 kt of fabric a year from various Email: [email protected] types of fibre, including polyester (PES), Zhejiang Baoren Hezhong Technology, of viscose, lyocell, modal and bleached Shaoxing, already operates several Michael Buchbauer, Head of Corporate cotton. It will be used for the manufacture hydroentanglement lines, the products of Communications, Andritz AG. of such as disinfecting wipes with areal which are exported to South Korea, Japan Email: [email protected]; densities of 30–80 g.m–2. and the USA, among other countries. https://www.andritz.com
Eruslu Nonwoven Group to diversify with Andritz hydroentanglement line
Andritz is to supply a neXline spunlace eXcelle hydroentanglement line, shown here, to Eruslu Nonwoven Group.
Andritz is to supply a hydroentanglement bandages and gauzes, and many other textile products, it manufactures line with an annual production capacity of other products. disposable nonwovens for the domestic 18 kt to Eruslu Nonwoven Group, enabling cleaning and health sectors. the Turkish company to produce new Andritz will deliver a complete technical products. line, including: See also: Preceding story, Andritz to supply hydroentanglement line to Chinese The line, a neXline spunlace eXcelle, • one complete set of Laroche opening manufacturer of wipes will be installed at Eruslu Nonwoven and blending machinery; Group’s plant in Gaziantep, Turkey, and is • two inline high-speed TT cards; Petra Wolf, Assistant, Group Finance, scheduled for start-up at the beginning • one JetlaceEssentiel unit; Corporate Communications & Investor of 2021. • one neXdry double drum through- Relations, Andritz AG. air dryer; Tel: +43 (316) 6902-2722. Andritz of Graz, Austria, says that the line • one neXecodry S1 system. Email: [email protected] will be able to process a wide range of fibres, such as polyester (PES), viscose, Andritz and Eruslu Nonwoven Group have Michael Buchbauer, Head of Corporate lyocell and bleached cotton, to produce been working together since 2009 and Communications, Andritz AG. fabrics with weights of 30–75 g.m–2. this will be the fourth hydroentanglement Email: [email protected]; line the Austrian machinery manufacturer https://www.andritz.com The line will produce high-quality wet has supplied to the Turkish company. wipes for the cosmetics industry, feminine Eruslu Nonwoven Group. hygiene products and diapers for babies, Eruslu Nonwoven Group was established Tel: +90 (342) 357-0720. dust wipes, hair-dressing towels, medical in 1972 and is based in Şehitkamil. Among http://www.engnonwovens.com
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 31 Business update
Purchase of Stoll prompts name changes in the Karl Mayer Group
Following its acquisition of flat-knitting 26 July 2019(2). In the first phase of the specialist Stoll earlier in 2020(1), the Karl project, Stoll is building a development Mayer Group has changed the names of centre that will house approximately two of its companies. 70 employees and is scheduled to be completed before the end of 2020. On the 12 August 2020, Karl Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH began to The second phase of the project, which will operate under the name of Karl Mayer see Stoll construct a 5350-m2 customer Stoll Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH, while centre that will house about 100 employees Karl Mayer R&D GmbH started trading as and will have space for showrooms, Karl Mayer Stoll R&D GmbH. machine-floor areas and a training centre, got underway on 29 July 2020 following a The transaction through which the Karl ground-breaking ceremony at the site. The The site for Stoll's new headquarters in Mayer Group, of Obertshausen, Germany, customer centre is scheduled to be Reutlingen-Betzingen. acquired its compatriot, Stoll of Reutlingen, completed in the second half of 2021. was completed officially on 1 July 2020. (2)Stoll breaks ground for new headquarters, With the acquisition, the Karl Mayer Group After the building work finishes, Stoll will https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75016 claims to be the only company in the world be able to undertake its development, to supply equipment for both warp and production and administration activities Ulrike Schlenker, Karl Mayer Group. flat knitting. in one location. Tel: +49 (6104) 402-274. Fax: +49 (6104) 402-73274. Stoll will soon be moving its headquarters to See also: This issue, University invests in Email: [email protected]; the outskirts of its home city of Reutlingen in warp-knitting machine for glass-fibre textiles, http://www.karlmayer.com Germany. The company is in the process of page 29 and Technical Textiles constructing two buildings in the industrial International, Summer 2020, page 5. Tanja Sturm, Stoll Marketing Services. area of Reutlingen-Betzingen, close to a Tel: +49 (7121) 313-415. production plant it already has there, (1)Karl Mayer to purchase Stoll, Email: [email protected]; following a ground-breaking ceremony on https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/75477 http://www.stoll.com
Brückner supplies back-coating line to manufacturer of blinds Suominen to increase capacity One of the largest manufacturers of window maintenance pin chain, and is directly for hydroentangled fabrics blinds in the world, Eclipse, has invested in a gas-fired. Brückner says that the back-coating line from Brückner Textile arrangement of the heat-sources in the Suominen Corp of Helsinki, Finland, is Technologies GmbH & Co KG. stenter ensures that even temperatures investing approximately €8 million to are generated across the length and increase its capacity for the production of The line has been installed at Eclipse’s width of the fabrics being coated, while hydroentangled fabrics in Europe. facility in Inchiannan, UK. The company’s the drying rate can be increased management team worked extensively considerably in comparison with other The company will achieve this by with a team from Brückner, of Leonberg, stenter frames—enabling the line to run upgrading and restarting one of its Germany, to determine what it needed at higher speeds. production lines in Cressa, Italy—work the back-coating line to do. the drying that should be completed during the system on the line needed to deliver heat The Engineering Manager at Eclipse who second half of 2021. consistently to avoid the generation of an led the project, Bruce Stalker, says: “The orange-skin effect on the surface of the coating-line configuration selected will The President and Chief Executive Officer applied coatings. It needed to be energy enable Eclipse to offer our customers (CEO) of Suominen, Petri Helsky, says: efficient. The line also needed to feature quality products manufactured on a “Demand for nonwoven products is a fabric-transport system that did not highly controlled solution.” increasing in all regions. With this create chatter marks on the surface of investment we are able to support the coating. Verena Ruckh, Head of Advertising and our customers by responding to the Marketing, Brückner Textile growing demand.” Brückner’s design team, in conjunction Technologies GmbH & Co KG. with Eclipse, developed a line that meets Tel: +49 (7152) 12-334. See also: This issue, Nonwoven for surgical these needs and requires little cleaning Fax: +49 (7152) 12-9334. masks, page 44 when manufacturing is switched from one Email: [email protected]; product to another. https://www.brueckner-textile.com Petri Helsky, President and Chief Executive Officer, Suominen Corp. The line features an eight-bay stenter that Eclipse. Tel: +358 (10) 214-3080. has a horizontally returning, low- https://www.eclipseblinds.co.uk http://www.suominen.fi
32 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Business update
Oerlikon Neumag commissions three production lines in China
Despite restrictions on work and travel These fibres are used to make hygiene See also: Following story, Oerlikon imposed in the wake of the human products. They were installed within Barmag receives its largest single order for coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, Oerlikon three-to-five months of being ordered industrial-yarn production systems Neumag of Neumünster, Germany, has and have been in operation for successfully commissioned three lines for several weeks. Claudia Henkel, Marketing, Corporate the production of bicomponent staple Communications, Oerlikon Neumag. fibres in China. Oerlikon Neumag says that its lines for Tel: +49 (4321) 305-105. the production of bicomponent fibres Email: [email protected]; With capacities of 50 t a day each, the feature robust spin packs and no lines are being used for the manufacture expensive wear parts—keeping the cost André Wissenberg, Vice President and of core–sheath bicomponent fibres, from of their maintenance low. Further, the Head of Marketing, Corporate polypropylene (PP)/polyethylene (PE) or beam used to spin the two polymers Communications and Public Affairs, polyethylene terephthalate (PET)/PE, by features separate temperature-transfer Oerlikon Textile. two long-standing customers of Oerlikon systems, enabling the viscosity of the Tel: +49 (2191) 67-2331. Neumag’s parent company, Oerlikon polymers to be adjusted independently Email: [email protected]; Manmade Fibers of Remscheid, Germany. of one another. https://www.oerlikon.com
Oerlikon Barmag receives ACG Group sets-up plant for the production of personal record-breaking order protective equipment in matter of weeks One of the largest manufacturers of A plant for the manufacture of single-use which devised and put in place an action polyester (PES) yarn in Southern China, personal protective equipment (PPE) from plan to respond within hours. Consultations Fujian Billion Polymerization Technology nonwovens has been set-up in just three with local hospitals and Swedish state Industrial Co Ltd, is to start producing weeks by ACG Group of Borås, Sweden. authorities followed in the next few days, industrial yarn using systems supplied by and manufacturing space for the new Oerlikon Barmag. The plant, also in Borås, houses equipment operation was quickly allocated at the for the conversion and coating of non - group’s head office in Borås. A list of the The systems will feature 124 positions in wovens, and for the manufacture of equipment necessary for the operation that total and will have a combined annual finished protective overalls from these could not be sourced from within the group production capacity of around 250 kt, and fabrics. It currently employs 80 staff itself was also drawn-up. represent the largest single order Oerlikon working in a two-shift system, and is being Barmag of Remscheid, Germany, has ramped-up for the production of 1.8 million The company has obtained 29 welding received from a manufacturer of industrial square metres of converted fabric a month, machines, which are able to produce the yarn. Indeed, with these systems – which which will be used to produce 692 000 tight seams needed for such garments. It feature Oerlikon Barmag's latest automation- finished medical garments. has also secured coating equipment and a friendly design for draw units – Fujian Billion guaranteed supply of the antibacterial of Jinjiang City will become one of the ten After the spread of human coronavirus finish the fabrics require. largest producers of industrial yarn in China. (COVID-19) was recognised as a pandemic by the World Heath Organisation (WHO) At present, the garments produced by Fujian Billion will start to manufacture in March 2019, the future was looking ACG Group are being supplied to high-tenacity (HT) and low-shrinkage (LS) bleak for ACG Group, which has seven Sweden’s municipal and regional health yarns at the end of 2020. HT yarns are subsidiaries in total. Many of its activities authorities, although there has been a used in the automotive, geotextiles and were impacted by the imposition of an huge demand from elsewhere. safety sectors, while LS yarns are used in international travel ban and its domestic the manufacture of coated industrial orders were also beginning to fall away. The The group plans to continue the production textiles, such as truck tarpaulins and tents. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Skene, of PPE for at least the next six months and Sweden-based ACG Kinna (which may opt to continue for longer to cater for See also: Preceding story, Oerlikon spearheaded the PPE initiative with sister international demand. Indeed, ACG Group Neumag commissions three production company ACG Nyström of Borås), Christian sees this multi-million-Euro initiative as a lines in China Moore, says: “We were shocked by how fast long-term investment, with the current things were moving and realised it would crisis revealing that the need to produce André Wissenberg, Vice President and hit us hard if we did not react.” PPE is greater in countries such as Sweden Head of Marketing, Corporate than was previously appreciated. Communications and Public Affairs, At an emergency meeting to explore the Oerlikon Textile. options available to the company, the ACG Group AB. Tel: +49 (2191) 67-2331. pressing demand for PPE from hospitals Tel: +46 (33) 178800. Email: [email protected]; and frontline workers fighting COVID-19 Email: [email protected]; https://www.oerlikon.com was recognised by the ACG Group board, http://www.acg.se
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 33 Applications update
Alexium unveils perpetual-cooling technology for textiles and foams
Technology that imparts a cooling function Phonon allows Alexium to serve better the In 2017, the company revealed plans to textile- and foam-based consumer market for total mattress cooling systems extend its range of products in other products, such as bedding, has been (TMCS) and the company says that a areas, including those using PCMs, launched by Alexium International Group. number of customer trials have proven the and thermal- and moisture- viability of the technology. It estimates that management treatments(3). Alexium says that the non-flammable and the US market for cooling technologies in non-toxic technology, called Phonon, TMCS is worth US$60 million, with such as See also: This issue, Flame-retardant demonstrates a rate of cooling that is up sheets, duvets and pillows worth an cotton mattress sock passes flammability to 200% higher than that generated by additional US$25 million. tests, page 36; and: alternative products, and this cooling function never stops working. Beyond bedding, the technology could (1)US companies race to commercialize be used in upholstery, medical technologies for cooling fabrics, The company, which has its headquarters products, sporting goods and outdoor https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/73551 in Cottesloe, Western Australia, and its apparel/accessories. principal operations in Greer, South (2)Strong momentum carries Alexium Carolina, USA, adds that the technology Formed to promote a reactive surface International into 2015, will complement its Alexicool phase treatment (RST) technology originally https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/52799 change materials (PCMs)(1). In contrast to developed by the US Air Force in response PCM technology, which works by to chemical and biological threats, (3)Alexium broadens its range of absorbing heat, Phonon technology Alexium has slowly developed since fabric treatments, counteracts the insulative effects of picking Greer for its operations in 2010. https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/73274 foams and textiles and constantly moves heat away from the consumer. Further, Since then, it has gradually built its staff Jason Lewis, Investor Relations, Alexium. the hotter a person gets, the more and narrowed its focus, which since 2012 Tel: +1 (864) 254-9923. actively the Phonon product works to has been on the development of flame- Email: [email protected]; cool them. retardant (FR) products(2). https://alexiuminternational.com
Richly textured polyester fabric wall coverings are easy to print on
company adds that the heavyweight introduction of this product line, users fabrics used to produce Scenic need not sacrifice printability or print Expressions Taffeta are more opaque, output when selecting a textile- more dimensionally stable and more based wall covering solution over a robust than other wall coverings made PVC material.” from such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Scenic Expressions Taffeta wall coverings The Scenic Expressions Taffeta peel-and- are made entirely from polyester (PES). stick product is coated with an easy-to- apply-and-remove, repositionable The heavy weight of the wall coverings adhesive designed to eliminate makes them easy to apply and remove, occurrences of peeling, shrinkage, Wall graphics printed on Scenic and enables them to do a better job of curling and wrinkling during installation. Expressions Taffeta are vivid and are masking imperfections in walls than neither too shiny nor too matte. lighter, less opaque fabric wall products. A paste-applied version is also available.
A range of fabric wall coverings is easy to Designed for installation in both See also: (1)ASTM F793/F793M – 15, print on and offers a unique combination residential and commercial settings, Standard classification of wall coverings by of aesthetics, durability and ease of Scenic Expressions Taffeta meets the use characteristics installation, according to its developer, key criteria of the F793 Durability Aurora Specialty Textiles Group Inc. Type II(1) standard from ASTM of West (2)ASTM E84 - 20, Standard test method Conshohocken, Pennsylvania, USA. This for surface burning characteristics of The company, of Yorkville, Illinois, USA, means it can be used in heavy-traffic building materials claims that the use of the wall coverings – commercial settings, including nursing called Scenic Expressions Taffeta – means homes and hospitals. Products in the Mark Shaneyfelt, Director, Sales and that designers no longer need to sacrifice range also have a Class-A fire rating Marketing, Aurora Specialty Textiles texture to achieve eye-catching, printed according to ASTM E84(2). Group Inc. imagery. Wall graphics printed on Scenic Tel: +1 (513) 260-1524. Expressions Taffeta are vivid, and are The Director of Sales and Marketing at Email: [email protected]; neither too shiny nor too matte. The Aurora, Mark Shaneyfelt, says: "With the https://auroratextile.com
34 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Applications update
Carbon-nanotube films for the production of climate-control textiles
A film made from carbon nanotubes The first author of the paper, NCSU (CNTs), which demonstrates the student Kony Chatterjee, adds: “We want neccessary combination of thermal, to integrate this material into the fabric electrical and physical properties for the itself. Right now, the research into production of fabrics that could heat or clothing that can regulate temperature cool their wearer, has been developed by focuses heavily on integrating rigid researchers at North Carolina State materials into fabrics, and commercial University (NCSU) in Raleigh, USA. wearable thermoelectric devices on the market are not flexible either.” The thermoelectric CNT film demonstrates A film made of carbon nanotubes is a high power factor (up to 521 μW.mK–2) To cool its wearer, Chatterjee continues, twisted into a filament yarn and wound and a good figure of merit (0.015–0.019) the CNT film can draw heat away from the around a tube in order to demonstrate at 300 K, and retains these properties body when an external source of electrical its flexibility. even when exposed to air for many current is applied to it. The researchers weeks. Further, the film is produced using have found that the film demonstrates a in the direction that the electric current processes that are relatively simple and low thermal conductivity—meaning heat is moving within the material. “You have do not require the use of excessively would not travel back to the wearer easily to measure each property in the same high temperatures. after being drawn from the body. That direction to give you a reasonable estimate also means that if the material were of the material’s capabilities,” said Liu. “This The senior author of a paper describing used to warm the wearer, the heat would was not an easy task, but we developed a the work(1), NCSU Professor of Textile travel with an electrical current towards method to measure this, especially for thin Engineering, Tushar Ghosh, says: “Many the body, and not migrate into the flexible films.” researchers are trying to develop a surrounding environments. material that is non-toxic and inexpensive, The research team has also measured the but at the same time is efficient at heating The researchers were able to measure the ability of the material to generate electricity and cooling. CNTs, if used appropriately, material’s thermal conductivity accurately using a difference in temperature, or thermal are safe, and we are using a form that through a collaboration with the laboratory gradient, between two environments. happens to be inexpensive, relatively of NCSU Assistant Professor of Mechanical The researchers believe they could take speaking. So it is potentially a more and Aerospace Engineering, Jun Liu. The advantage of this for heating, cooling and to affordable thermoelectric material that researchers designed an experiment to power small electronics. could be used next to the skin.” measure the material’s thermal conductivity Liu says that while these thermoelectric properties were important, it was also key Devan Chemicals adds multi vitamin blend to R-Vital range that they found a material that was also flexible, stable in air and relatively simple A multivitamin blend has been added vitamin E and ginger, and – when applied to make. “The point of this paper is not to Devan Chemicals' range of micro - to textiles – is designed to improve the that we achieved the best thermoelectric encapsulated active ingredients for health of its wearer. performance,” Liu continues. “We achieved application to fabrics (R-Vital). something that can be used as a flexible, According to a Business Unit Manager at electronic, soft material that is easy to Launched at Heimtextil 2019 in Frankfurt, the company, Marleen van der Auwera, fabricate. It is easy to prepare this material Germany, on 8–11 January(1), R-Vital vitamin C is an antioxidant, meaning it and easy to achieve these properties.” microcapsules can be attached securely to protects skin cells from damaging free fibres and store active ingredients, radicals created by exposure to ultraviolet Ultimately, the vision of the project is to protecting them from the heat and light (UV) radiation. She continues: "Vitamin E is design a smart fabric that can heat and of the surrounding environment, and an antioxidant as well, and may help cool its wearer, and can harvest energy. preventing premature chemical reactions, protect cells from damage. We included even during textile manufacturing ginger in the blend because it is known See also: (1)ACS Applied Energy Materials, processes. In normal use, typically as the for its anti-inflammatory properties.” Online, In-plane thermoelectric properties result of friction between the fabric and of flexible and room temperature doped the skin, the microcapsules burst open, See also: (1)Technical Textiles International, carbon nanotube films, releasing their contents, which can be February 2019, Heimtextil showcased https://doi.org/10.1021/acsaem.0c00995 substances such as Aloe vera, coenzyme technical textiles for a good night’s sleep, Q10, vitamin E and cannabidiol (CBD). page 31; Tushar Ghosh, William A. Klopman These substances are then absorbed https://www.technical-textiles.net/node/74592 Distinguished Professor, College of through the skin. Textiles, North Carolina State University. Felix Vanassche, Marketing Assistant, Tel: +1 (919) 515-6568. Devan of Ronse, Belgium, says that its Devan Chemicals NV. Email: [email protected]; multivitamin blend contains vitamin C, Tel: +32 (55) 230110. http://www.nscu.edu
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 35 Applications update
Mann+Hummel’s outdoor-air filter system gains global traction binding and catalytic junction. The Director of the company's reduction. Public Air Solutions business, Jan-Eric Raschke, says: “In the best-case scenario, Stuttgart test case the Filter Cubes proved to effectively As the home of both reduce PM values by 40%, although they Mercedes and are affected by weather conditions and Porsche, Stuttgart is performance varies. This, however, is a key loction in sufficient to get the emissions below the Germany’s specified limit for NO2 of 40 micrograms automotive industry, per cubic metre on average throughout but in January 2019, the year and we now have fifty Filter Cube a partial car ban was columns operating at three sites in imposed there, Stuttgart, and three further projects Mann+Hummel's Filter Cubes installed in Indaiatuba, Brazil. effectively in Ludwigsburg.” preventing any Mann+Hummel reports that the use of its diesel vehicle over ten years old from Looking at the bigger picture, the filtration systems for purifying outdoor air entering the city of 630 000 people. economic benefits are substantial, with (Filter Cubes) could prevent the need for the cities across Germany considering similar imposition of vehicle bans in city centres. For a number of years, a rising protest bans on older diesel vehicles and Stuttgart movement had drawn attention to the even looking at imposing bans on those The nonwoven media within the Filter city’s status as the most polluted city in the not measuring-up to the Euro V emissions Cubes is based on a combination of a country and called for action. A measuring standard, which could apply to vehicles highly effective filter layer for trapping fine station installed in 2017 at the notorious produced up to 2014. particles, and a special activated-carbon Neckartor road junction – which is used by layer, which in tandem trap over 80% of the up to 80 000 cars each day – repeatedly In a city the size of Stuttgart, this would fine dust and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) that exceeded one of the three limit values for potentially impact around 50 000 car pass through them. Owing to its large inner emissions of particulate matter (PM) and owners at an estimated cost of around surface area, the highly porous activated specifically NO2. €150 million, making the Filter Cube carbon is able to absorb NO2 efficiently and technology a valid alternative to keeping the use of a combined filter media enables Mann+Hummel of Ludwigsburg, emissions below the specified limit. a particularly high air throughput, with low Germany, however, believed it had the energy consumption. The pollutants are solution to this problem and in a pilot Going international retained using a number of different project at the end of 2018, installed 23 of In July 2020, a further 26 Filter Cubes processes—physical adsorption, chemical its Filter Cube filter columns at the will be installed on a highly used section of road in Heilbronn city centre and the technology is being adopted Flame-retardant cotton mattress sock passes flammability tests outside Germany.
Prototype foam mattresses that feature principal operations in Greer, South In Seoul, South Korea, eight Filter cotton socks treated with a halogen-free, Carolina, USA, for the treatment of cotton Cubes have been installed by Samsung phosphorus-based finish (Alexiflam NF) and cellulose-based textiles. In testing C&T Corp at the Everland Resort have met the requirements of the undertaken by Underwriters Laboratories leisure park to ensure cleaner air for flammability standards required for their (UL), cotton socks treated with Alexiflam NF visitors, in addition to installations at a sale in the USA. met all of the flammability requirements of children’s playground in a newly built Title 16 Code of Federal Regulations Part residential complex. Flame-retardant (FR) socks are used to 1633 (16 CFR 1633). encase the inner cores of foam mattresses In Indaiatuba – an inland city in Brazil with and are designed to reduce the rate at The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of around 235 000 people – four Filter Cubes which the core burns, and the chances of Alexium, Robert Brookins, says that his have been installed in the city centre for a it ignited in the first place, in the event of company will now "begin working with six-month assessment study. a fire. Conventional socks are made using new and existing customers on how they glass fibres, exposure to which can cause can use the FR cotton socks in their Success will see the technology rolled-out rashes, irritation of the eyes, and soreness product lines.” in other Brazilian cities. of the nose and throat should they migrate through a person's home. See also: This issue, Alexium unveils Laura Montag, Mann+Hummel. perpetual-cooling technology, page 34. Tel +49 (7141) 98-3354. Alexium NF has been designed by Alexium Email: laura.montag@ International Group Ltd, which has its Jason Lewis, Investor Relations, Alexium. mann-hummel.com; headquarters in Cottesloe, Australia, and its Tel: +1 (864) 254-9923. http://www.mann-hummel.com
36 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Applications update
Powering devices through sweat using flexible supercapacitor
A flexible supercapacitor that can use human sweat as an electrolyte, and could potentially generate enough power to run exercise monitors and other electronic devices has been developed by researchers in the UK.
The work of engineers from the Bendable Electronics and Sensing Technologies (BEST) group at the University of Glasgow, the supercapacitor can be charged fully by as little as 20 microlitres of fluid and is robust enough to survive 4000 cycles of the kinds of bends it might experience in real-world use. The supercapacitor being developed by researchers at the University of Glasgow can be charged fully by as little as 20 microlitres of sweat and is robust enough to survive The supercapacitor, described in the 4000 cycles of the kinds of bends it might experience in real-world use. journal Advanced Materials, comprises a polyester (PES) and cellulose fabric coated volunteers run outdoors and on a fluids onto skin. What we have been able to with a thin layer of a poly(3,4-ethylene - treadmill while wearing a 2 cm x 2 cm do for the first time is show that human dioxythiophene) polystyrene sulfonate version. The runners sweated enough for sweat provides a real opportunity to do (PEDOT:PSS). The fabric acts as a substrate the device to generate about 10 milliwatts away with those toxic materials entirely, and separator, while the PEDOT:PSS acts as of power – enough to power a small bank with excellent charging and electrode and current collector. The team of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) – which discharging performance.” chose the PES–cellulose fabric because it is kept it going until the runner stopped. particularly absorbent, and PEDOT:PSS See also: Advanced Materials, A wearable because it offers a useful combination of The research team was led by Professor supercapacitor based on conductive flexibility and high electrical conductivity. Ravinder Dahiya, Head of the BEST group, PEDOT:PSS‐coated cloth and a sweat which is based at the University of Glasgow’s electrolyte, https://doi.org/10.1002/ As the fabric absorbs its wearer’s sweat, James Watt School of Engineering. He says: adma.201907254 the positive and negative ions in the fluid “Conventional batteries are cheaper and interact with the surface of the polymer, more plentiful than ever before, but they are Ravinder Dahiya, Professor of generating an electrochemical reaction often built using unsustainable materials, Electronics and Nanoengineering, that yields energy. which are harmful to the environment. That University of Glasgow. makes them challenging to dispose of safely, Tel: +44 (141) 330-5653. The researchers have tested the and potentially harmful in wearable devices, Email: [email protected]; effectiveness of the device by having where a broken battery could spill toxic http://www.glasgow.ac.uk
First satellite panel to be reinforced with natural fibres developed Working with the European Space Agency temperatures and (ESA), Bcomp of Fribourg, Switzerland, has has adequate developed what it claims to be the first panel strength to carry for satellites reinforced with natural fibres. sensitive equipment under the heavy The panel features Bcomp’s powerRibs loads encountered reinforcement, which comprises flax fibre during a rocket woven in a grid structure, and ampliTex flax- launch. The based technical fabrics. Once the satellite to vibration damping which it is fitted has completed its mission, that the part Bcomp’s ampliTex flax fabric reinforced with powerRibs. the component is designed to burn-up provides is also said completely upon re-entry to the Earth's to be significantly improved over a exploited in the manufacture of radomes, atmosphere, making it safe for humans, standard all-aluminium panel owing to antennae and even launcher structures. ground infrastructure and the environment the viscoelastic behaviour of the natural (so-called "design for demise"). fibre reinforcements. Christian Fischer, Chief Executive Officer, Bcomp. The bio-composite satellite panel Bcomp says that the panel is cost-efficient Tel: +41 (26) 558-8402. demonstrates the performance required and has low environmental impact, and the Email: [email protected]; of it when exposed to a wide range of technologies used in its production could be http://www.bcomp.ch
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 37 Medical textiles update
Empa develops electrospun cellulose wound dressing that kills bacteria
Electrospun membranes of cellulose that, (PU) to the cellulose solution from which In future experiments, the antibacterial when used as wound dressings, kill the fibres are spun. membranes will be equipped with bacteria in a highly efficient manner are additional functions. being developed by researchers at Empa To impart an antibacterial effect to the in St Gallen, Switzerland. membranes, they are saturated with a "The peptides might, for instance, be solution containing multifunctional functionalised with binding sites that The researchers believe that the skin- peptides that affect bacteria in numerous enable the controlled release of further friendly membranes could prove useful in ways and can bind to cellulose fibres. therapeutic substances," says Maniura. the fight against antibiotic-resistant Peptides possess several advantages over bacteria, such as Staphylococcus aureus and larger proteins—they are easier to produce See also: Advanced Healthcare Materials, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, which can cause and are more stable when exposed to the Volume 9, Issue 7, Antibacterial, long-lasting infections in wound sites. environment in a wound site. cytocompatible, sustainably sourced: cellulose membranes with bifunctional To produce the membranes, the In cell-culture experiments, the researchers peptides for advanced wound dressings, researchers – led by the Head of Empa’s have shown that the peptide-containing https://doi.org/10.1002/adhm.201901850 Biointerfaces Laboratory, Katharina membranes are well-tolerated by human Maniura – electrospin fibres of less than skin cells, but have a profound effect on Katharina Maniura, Head, Biointerfaces one micrometre in diameter into delicate bacteria. Maniura says: "In bacterial Laboratory, Empa. multi-layered fabrics. The stability and cultures, over 99.99% of the germs Tel: +41 (58) 765-7447. flexibility of the membranes is ensured were killed by the peptide- Email: [email protected]; through the addition of polyurethane containing membranes." https://www.empa.ch/web/s404
Shrink-resistant superabsorbent fabrics for use in wound dressings and can become number of current projects in which we hard, which is are exploring other end-uses [for it].” often not desirable”. He explains that Anita Bemrose, Marketing Manager, other sterilisation Technical Absorbents Ltd. methods can be Tel: +44 (1472) 245205. used, but when Email: anita.bemrose@ silicone materials techabsorbents.com; are included in the http://www.techabsorbents.com pads, as is frequently the case, EtO Technical Absorbents Ltd says that its superabsorbent fabrics sterilisation is the Flat-knitted compression can absorb up to 200 times their own weight in water. preferred treatment. product variant launched
A superabsorbent fibre (SAF) for the man - The degree of shrinkage caused to SAFs by Medical device manufacturer, Medi USA ufacture of superabsorbent nonwovens the EtO sterilisation process depends very has launched an addition to its range of that are resistant to shrinkage has much on the product design and const - flat-knitted compression products for the been launched by Technical ruction, Paterson adds, but in general, the management of oedema. According to Absorbents Ltd (TAL). new SAF has been tested and proven to the company, of Whitsett, North Carolina, reduce fabric shrinkage by around 70%. It is USA, Mediven Cosy 450 enables freedom The company, of Grimsby, UK, says that it suitable for use in all SAF nonwoven formats, of movement while possessing high has developed the SAF for use in advanced including those that are needlepunched, wall-stability. wound-pad dressings. The fibres are thermally bonded or airlaid. capable of withstanding the ethylene oxide Offering a supple feel with durable (EtO) sterilisation process often employed While the proprietary process developed support, the product is positioned in the production of such pads. This by TAL for the production of this new between Mediven 550, which provides sterilisation process typically takes place at fibre and for fabrics made from it was the strongest and most reliable hold of temperatures of 37–63°C and while EtO prompted by the specific requirements of the range, and the lighter, more discreet can be applied in gas form, it is often mixed wound-pad dressings, the company sees Mediven Mondi 350 variant. with steam. TAL Product Development opportunities for its application in other Director, Mark Paterson, says that the areas as well. Paterson concludes: “It is an Melissa Williams, Medi USA LP. exposure of superabsorbents to water extremely flexible fibre that can be easily Tel: +1 (336) 449-4440. during production can cause problems: switched with existing SAF grades when Email: [email protected]; “Regular SAF grades tend to shrink a little manufacturing fabrics and we have a https://www.mediusa.com
38 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Medical textiles update
Cotton-based bandages to treat diabetic wounds and burn injuries
Cotton-based dressings that are highly effective for the treatment of diabetic wounds and burns injuries have been developed by engineers from the UK’s University of Sheffield.
The bandages are said to aid the wound- healing process by releasing an agent that promotes the formation of new blood vessels (angiogenesis).
Working with scientists from Pakistan, the Sheffield researchers claim that the bandages, which contain pro-angiogenic agent 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), could Researchers from the University of Sheffield have developed two types of dressings – a be more affordable and accessible for cotton–wax dressing (left) and a nonwoven cotton dressing (right) – that could help the patients in developing countries – formation of blood vessels, which is a crucial part of the healing process for wounds. where there is an urgent requirement for dressings to treat chronic wounds – The research was a collaboration between Commercial launch of piezo - than conventional options. researchers from the Interdisciplinary Research Center in Biomedical Materials at electric fabrics from Japan Such bandages need to be safe and Pakistan’s COMSATS University Islamabad, A piezoelectric fabric that generates effective, need to accelerate wound Lahore Campus, led by Dr Muhammad Yar, sufficient electricity to kill bacteria as it is healing, must not stick to the wound and and researchers from the University of moved, thereby providing a deodorant should create a barrier that prevents Sheffield’s Department of Materials function, has been developed by Japanese infection from external pathogens. Science and Engineering, including Dr companies Murata and Teijin Frontier. Anthony Bullock and PhD student Serkan Angiogenesis is a key stage of the wound- Dikici. It also involved clinicians in The two companies have established a joint healing process, but is impaired in chronic Pakistan and Cotton Craft, a wound- venture, called Pieclex and based in Yasu City, wounds. In the case of burns injuries, dressing manufacturer in Lahore. for the research, development, manufacture the upper skin layer is damaged, which and sale of the fabric, which is also called also disrupts the formation of new The team are continuing the research in Pieclex. The fabric is based on polylactic acid blood vessels. Pakistan and now plan to conduct clinical (PLA) and requires no chemical agents or trials in order to bring the dressings a step organic solvents to function. It generates The research team tested two types of closer to commercialisation. electricity as it expands and contracts, killing dressings loaded with 2dDR, which has the bacteria that – by breaking down sweat been found to promote the formation See also: (1)Journal of Tissue Engineering and sebum – generate odours. Pieclex of new blood vessels. They discovered and Regenerative Medicine, Online, intends to develop a range of products that both types of dressings – a Developing affordable and accessible based on Pieclex fabric, including sportswear nonwoven cotton dressing and a pro‐angiogenic wound dressings; and innerwear, industrial filters and sanitary cotton–wax dressing – stimulated incorporation of 2 deoxy D‐ribose (2dDR) materials. It will start production and sales in blood-vessel formation in a fertilized- into cotton fibres and wax‐coated cotton 2020, and the partners hope that it will chicken-egg model(1). fibres, https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/ generate revenues of ¥10 billion by 2025. doi/abs/10.1002/term.3072 Emeritus Professor of Tissue Engineering “The new fabric makes use of Murata’s at the University of Sheffield’s Department Dr Anthony Bullock, Research Associate, piezoelectric technology and knowledge of Materials Science and Engineering, Department of Materials Science and cultivated through products such as Sheila MacNeil, says: “The new dressings Engineering, University of Sheffield. [surface acoustic wave] SAW filters, we are developing are demonstrating the Tel: +44 (114) 222-6036. resonators and sensors,” says Murata potential to treat these wounds more Email: [email protected]; Chairman, Tsuneo Murata. effectively than the current treatment https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/engineering methods. The nonwoven cotton fibres See also: This issue, Electroceutical fabric would be ideal for treating chronic Dr Muhammad Yar, Associate Professor eliminates coronavirus infectivity on wounds and ulcer wounds because of for Interdisciplinary Research Center in contact, page 44. their good absorption capacity, while the Biomedical Materials, COMSATS 2dDR-containing cotton–wax dressing University Islamabad. Corporate Communications, Teijin Ltd. would be more appropriate for treating Tel: +92 (42) 111-001007. Tel: +81 (3) 3506-4055. burns wounds because of its non- Email: [email protected]; Email: [email protected]; adhesive properties.” https://lahore.comsats.edu.pk/ircbm http://www.teijin.co.jp
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 39 Testing and standards update
Versatility of top-loading washing machine appeals to manufacturers of sportswear
SDL Atlas says that its Vortex M6 is the only needs of its customers. Several sportswear commercial-grade washing machine retailers have updated their apparel- available that has been designed specifically testing standards to recommend the SDL to address the needs of the most recent Atlas Vortex M6 for use by their vendors, standards from the American Association of factories and testing laboratories. Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC). See also: (1)AATCC LP1-2018, Home These include the LP1-2018 (Table I, IIC, laundering: Machine washing; IID, IIIA and IIIB) standard(1), and its https://members.aatcc.org/store/lp001/2212 predecessor the M6 Monograph. Melissa Nypaver, Marketing According to SDL Atlas, of Rock Hill, South Communications, SDL Atlas. Carolina, USA, the wash settings of the Tel: +1 (803) 329-2110, x 24. top-loading system are highly Fax: +1 (803) 329-2133. The Vortex M6 top-loading washing customisable, meaning that it can be Email: [email protected]; machine from SDL Atlas. tailored to meet the individual testing https://sdlatlas.com
Testing the acoustic insulation provided by vehicle parts SDL Atlas introduces fixture for testing stretchable fabrics floor systems to be evaluated rapidly and efficiently. SDL Atlas' MMT: Moisture Manage - Previously, samples of around one square ment Tester with metre in size were needed to determine the Stretch Fabric the noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) Fixture (left of a material. Using ATLAS, samples of no of image). more than ten square centimetres are required. Further, Autoneum says that SDL Atlas has Autoneum’s Airborne Transmission Loss owing to the four highly sensitive micro- developed a Analysis System (ATLAS). phones installed on ATLAS, only two series fixture that of trials are required to collect precise and enables the A system for determining the levels of valid data—enabling time savings of up accurate testing of stretchable fabrics using its acoustic insulation provided by parts for to 50% compared with the use of MMT: Moisture Management Tester. automotive interiors has been developed conventional testing systems. by Autoneum of Winterthur, Switzerland. The company, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, Anahid Rickmann, Head USA, says that such fabrics are often laid flat Called the Airborne Transmission Loss Corporate Communications and when tested, meaning that data gathered Analysis System (ATLAS), the system Responsibility, Autoneum. regarding their moisture-manage ment enables the sound transmission loss of Tel: +41 (52) 244-8388. properties may be incomplete. such as carpets, inner dashboards and Email: [email protected]; SDL Atlas’ three-piece Stretch Fabric Fixture holds a fabric sample in a stretched Retech invests in its Swiss technical and testing facilities position for testing. The degree to which Specialist in the heat-treatment of streamline its systems for accepting the sample is stretched can be easily synthetic fibres, Retech, has built deliveries and shipping its products. adjusted to the requirements of the test a new logistics centre and has using the scale on the fixture’s handle, and upgraded the technical and testing The complete re-fit of the company’s samples can be stretched by up to 50% of facilities at its headquarters in technical centre and test laboratory will their length. Once the degree of stretch is Meisterschwanden, Switzerland. increase its capacity to develop such set, the sample is clamped, removed from as heated godets, and systems for the fixture and placed directly onto the Construction work on the logistics centre temperature regulation and temperature MMT for moisture-management testing. began at the end of February 2020, shortly transmission, and to conduct long-term before the outbreak of the human corona- trials of these technologies. Melissa Nypaver, Marketing virus (covid-19) pandemic, and the Communications, SDL Atlas. building was officially opened in mid-July. Tamara Kramis, Sales Assistant, Retech. Tel: +1 (803) 329-2110, x 24. Retech says that the centre will enable it to Tel: +41 (56) 676-6633. Fax: +1 (803) 329-2133. improve its procedures for production, Email: [email protected]; Email: [email protected]; assembly and quality assurance, and to http://www.retech.ch https://sdlatlas.com
40 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Te c h n i c a l Technical Textiles International TEXTILES international Buyers Guide
Buyers Guide Sections IN PRINT AND ONLINE: Textiles A worldwide, comprehensive, technical Woven and knitted fabrics textiles buyers guide from the publishers of Nonwovens Technical Textiles International. Coated and laminated fabrics Composites A fully searchable interactive guide to the Raw materials and chemicals major worldwide companies supplying, Machinery and equipment producing and nishing technical textiles
r.BKPSDPNQBOJFTIJHIMJHIUFE Weaving machinery r'SFFMZBDDFTTJCMFPOMJOF Knitting machinery r'VMMBEESFTTFT Narrow fabric machinery r*OEFYFECZBDUJWJUZBOECZDPVOUSZ Nonwoven machinery Other production machinery r0WFSDPNQBOJFTXPSMEXJEF Finishing/processing machinery To advertise in the next Buyers Guide contact Control/testing machinery +JMM(XJOOVUU5FM Recycling equipment Email [email protected] or Textiles and textile-based products by .BSJB#PY5FM market Email: [email protected] Agricultural/horticultural IN PRINT: Architecture/building and construction
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... continued from page 10 Decontaminating face masks easily using a simple dry-heat method
An easy-to-operate and inexpensive The researchers then tested the filtration However, multiple masks can be stacked household appliance could be used to performance and fit of the decontam - to fit inside the cooker at the same time. decontaminate the face masks inated masks. Verma says: “The respirators instrumental in the fight against the maintained their filtration capacity of See also: (1)Environmental Science and human coronavirus (covid-19) pandemic, more than 95% and kept their fit, still Technology Letters, Dry heat as a decontam - according to researchers in the USA. properly seated on the wearer’s face, even ination method for N95 respirator reuse, after 20 cycles of decontamination in the https://doi.org/10.1021/ acs.estlett.0c00534 A team at the University of Illinois at electric cooker.” Urbana-Champaign has demonstrated Vishal Verma, Assistant Professor, Civil and that N95 face masks, which are capable The researchers note that the heat must Environmental Engineering, University of of filtering at least 95% of particles of be dry – no water should be added to the Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. 0.3 µm and above, can be decontam - cooker – and a small towel should cover Tel: +1 (217) 265-6703. inated by exposing them to dry heat for the bottom of the cooker to keep any part Email: [email protected]; 50 minutes in an electric cooker, such as a of the respirator from coming into direct https://cee.illinois.edu/directory/ rice cooker, without affecting their contact with the heating element. profile/vverma filtration performance or fit. This could enable disposable N95 face masks to be re-used safely. Led by Civil and Treatment allows for re-use of medical-grade face masks Environmental Engineering Professors Thanh Nguyen and Vishal Verma, the A German hospital group says it has Helios can currently recycle up to 8000 researchers have published their findings developed a treatment that allows the masks a day and the cost of treating each is in the journal Environmental Science and re-use of high-quality face masks worn about the same as buying a new one, but Technology Letters(1). to protect medical workers at risk of the ability to re-use existing stock protects exposure to the virus (SARS-Cov-2) the hospitals from potential shortages in Verma says that numerous methods can responsible for the current the supply chain, as were witnessed in the be used to sterilise N95 face masks, but global pandemic. early stages of the pandemic. Some many of these negatively affect the observers have also expressed concern filtration performance and fit of the Berlin-based Helios Kliniken GmbH uses about the scale of the pollution being personal protective equipment (PPE). The dry heat in a multi-stage process to generated as a result of the large amounts researchers hypothesised that the sterilise the masks (which satisfies the of single-use personal protective application of dry heat might European Standard EN 149 for classes equipment (PPE) currently required. decontaminate such masks, while FFP2 and FFP3) without degrading their maintaining their performance and fit. ability to filter small particles. Tests before The quality control assessments of the Further, such a method would not leave and after the treatment confirm that the treated masks were conducted by RJL any chemical residues on the masks, masks can continue to trap nanoparticles Micro & Analytical (RJL) of Karlsdorf- would not require the masks to be (smaller than 0.3 µm). Neuthard, Germany, a specialist offering specially prepared and would be widely research and analytical services, in a accessible to people at home. They Typical FFP2 and FFP3 masks use multiple laboratory certified by the International decided to test an electric cooker, a layers of fabrics to provide the filtration. Standards Organization (ISO) of Geneva, type of device many people have in Helios’ study showed that other Switzerland. It performed X-ray micro - their kitchens. techniques, such as applying steam at tomography examinations of their above 75°C, provide effective sterilisation, structure using Bruker's micro-CT system, The researchers determined that one but damage the filter fabrics. Similar and particle-retention tests confirmed the cycle in their cooker on its rice-cooking results were found with chemical and integrity of the filters. RJL will now setting, which maintains the contents of radiological treatments. continue to supply quality-control the cooker at around 100°C for 50 services for the recycled masks. minutes, effectively deactivated samples The Helios group’s solution is to wash the of Tulane virus, rotavirus, adenovirus masks for 35 minutes at 70°C inside sterile To aid global efforts to combat the and transmissible gastroenteritis virus units, following the recommendations pandemic, Helios is making its method (TGEV) applied to the surfaces of N95 made by the Robert Koch Institute of freely available. masks, and did so more effectively Berlin. Subsequently, the masks are kept than ultraviolet (UV) light. TGEV and the at 70–75°C for nine hours in a convection Karl-Heinrich de Roi, Head of virus responsible for covid-19, SARS-Cov-2, oven with circulating air. The heat Infrastructure, Helios Kliniken GmbH. are both enveloped positive-strand supplied must be carefully controlled: a Tel: +49 (30) 9401-0. ribonucleic acid (RNA) viruses with few degrees cooler and the SARS-Cov-2 Fax: +49 (30) 9401-57509. a genome encapsulated in a viruses survive; a little too hot and the https://www.helios- nucleocapsid protein. fabrics are damaged. gesundheit.de/kliniken
42 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Covid-19 update
NASA investigates decontamination methods for protective equipment
Methods and technologies for the decontamination of personal protective equipment (PPE) for those working in the aerospace industry and for those caring for patients with human coronavirus (covid-19), have been developed by researchers at the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)'s Glenn Research Center and University Hospitals (UH), both in Cleveland, Ohio.
The researchers have developed and tested two new approaches – based on the use of atomic oxygen and peracetic acid, respectively – that could enable healthcare professionals to sanitise their face masks on-site and safely re-use them. Both may be useful to the aerospace community when traditional sterilization techniques are unavailable. The Chief Clinical and Scientific Officer at UH and President of UH Cleveland Medical Center, Daniel I. Simon, says: “While we currently have sufficient PPE on-hand to care for the The decontamination room at University Hospitals where the N95 masks are patients we have in our facilities today, we disinfected using the peracetic-acid method. need to proactively and prudently plan for potential future needs. This includes well and pass acceptance testing after “We have some exciting results,” says Raju. factoring-in the potential for supply-chain 20 minutes of atomic-oxygen treatment. “We found that the peracetic-acid shortages due to covid-19 surges in other In early May 2020, NASA provided a disinfection method is very effective in states, while also taking into account our prototype treatment system for UH to killing 99.9999% of viruses and even need to restart non-emergent and test on N95 masks. Early results confirm highly resistant bacterial spores from elective services.” that the method deactivates the virus contaminated N95 masks without any responsible for covid-19, and continued detectable loss of filtration, structural Atomic-oxygen method testing will determine the minimum integrity and strap elasticity for up to ozone concentration and exposure time five decontamination cycles. We believe Glenn Research Engineer Sharon Miller needed for disinfection. that the peracetic acid disinfection and Physicist Bruce Banks of Reston, method is the fastest method of mass- Virginia-based Science Applications “Ozone diffuses easily through and decontamination of N95 respirators International Corp (SAIC) have developed around objects, which makes it promising currently available.” the process and hardware necessary for for sterilizing inside an N95 mask filter or the decontamination of face masks using loosely stacked masks, and it could The decontamination method based atomic oxygen. Pervasive in low-Earth potentially sterilize without leaving a on atomic oxygen is currently being orbit, these single oxygen atoms can residue,” says Banks. “The process could be evaluated and early results are promising. remove organic materials that cannot scaled-up to treat multiple batches of PPE The peracetic-acid method has been easily be removed using other methods. or made portable for small hospitals in proven to work for five cycles of “On Earth, we create atomic oxygen by rural areas. No liquid chemicals would be decontamination, and the US Food putting ozone (O3) in a chamber and needed, just oxygen and nitrogen gas.” and Drug Administration (FDA) is heating it,” Miller says. “As the ozone reviewing this method for an emergency- decomposes into atomic oxygen, it can Peracetic-acid method use authorisation. kill organisms like viruses.” Doctors Amrita John and Shine Raju, Jan Wittry, Glenn Research Center. Further testing is needed to verify physicians specialising in infectious Tel: +1 (216) 870-0348. whether the method will work for disease and critical care at the Email: [email protected]; multiple decontamination cycles without Department of Medicine at UH Cleveland http://www.nasa.gov damaging the PPE. Recent filtration tests Medical Center, are examining the use of performed at an independent testing peracetic acid – a chemical disinfectant Carly Belsterling, University Hospitals. laboratory showed that N95 masks, which commonly used in the healthcare, food, Tel: +1 (412) 889-8866. are capable of filtering at least 95% of and water-treatment industries – as an Email: [email protected]; particles of 0.3 µm and above in size, filter option for decontaminating PPE. http://www.uhhospitals.org
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 43 Covid-19 update
Electroceutical fabric eliminates coronavirus infectivity on contact
Results that suggest coronaviruses are current-generating fabric for antimicrobial (1)Preprint submitted on 14.05.2020, 20:02 killed when exposed to an electroceutical applications in the management of and posted on 15.05.2020 in ChemRxiv; fabric have been reported in ChemRxiv(1) by infected wounds. https://chemrxiv.org/articles/ researchers from the Indiana University (IU) Electroceutical_Fabric_Lowers_Zeta_ School of Medicine of Indianapolis, USA. The researchers hope their findings Potential_and_Eradicates_Coronavirus_ will help enable US Food and Drug Infectivity_upon_Contact/12307214 Electroceutical fabrics feature a matrix Administration (FDA) Emergency Use of embedded microcell batteries that Authorization, which would allow the Dr Chandan Sen, Director, Indiana Center create an electric field and wirelessly technology to be used for fabric for for Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, generate a low voltage (0.5 V) in the face masks in the fight against covid-19. Indiana University School of Medicine. presence of moisture. They say that, currently, most face Tel: +1 (317) 274-8157. masks have little or no ability to kill Email: [email protected]; Coronavirus particles that attach to the viruses or bacteria. https://medicine.iu.edu surfaces of personal protective equipment (PPE) could contribute to the spread of See also: This issue, Commercial launch of Vomaris Innovations Inc. human coronavirus (covid-19). Such viruses piezo electric fabrics from Japan, page 39. https://vomaris.com can be electrically charged—they rely on electrostatic interactions to attach to their host and assemble themselves into an Suominen unveils nonwoven for surgical masks infective form. Suominen Corp has developed a fabric additional regulations in the regions of sale. The IU researchers sought to exploit the that the company claims passes the In addition, the fabric’s structure is affected coronaviruses’ own electrokinetic charac - European standard for the filtration by washing and must be re-tested to verify teristics to try to reduce their infectivity. efficiency and pressure drop specified for its functionality if it is intended to be re- Their latest research demonstrates that the the manufacture of certain surgical masks. used. However, the company does not ability of the virus to infect is eliminated recommend washing and re-using face within one minute of contact with the European Standard EN 14683:2019 masks made from Fibrella Shield. fabric, which disrupts the electrostatic specifies the requirements for surgical forces the virus needs to remain stable and masks as a barrier to particles with a range The company declined to give details of spread infection. of diameters of 0.65–7.0 µm, with the the fabric’s composition or the methods of results based on the average particle size. its manufacture. Suominen is already The data shows that coronaviruses are Suominen, a supplier of nonwovens for making the fabric at its plant in Nakkila, killed by exposure to the low-level electric- wipes based in Helsinki, Finland, says that Finland, currently producing enough for field-generating fabric, which is in the form its Fibrella Shield can be used in products approximately 15 million masks a month. of a broad-spectrum antimicrobial that satisfy the requirements for a Type II Subject to demand, it also has plans to woundcare dressing. Called V.Dox mask, while remaining comfortable increase the plant’s capacity. Technology, it has been commercialized by enough to breathe through. Using a Vomaris of Tempe, Arizona, USA, and modified test method, but according to the See also: This issue, Suominen to comprises polyester (PES) fabric printed requirements of the standard, masks made increase capacity for hydroentangled fabrics, with alternating dots of silver and zinc using the fabric have a filtration efficiency page 32; and: metal that create moisture-activated greater than 99%, while the pressure drop microcell batteries. across them is only typically 25.7 Pa. (1)VTT Technical Research Centre’s test report (in Finnish) VTT-CR-00403-20 The company currently offers a range of Wear tests on a panel of subjects also can be downloaded; wound-dressing products using the V.Dox resulted in positive feedback with respect https://mleu.globenewswire.com/Resource/ Technology under the Procellera and to the softness and odourless properties Download/7433a860-76c8-4aad-87c1- JumpStart brands that have demonstrated of the fabric, and showed that masks 87fe61add75a an antimicrobial effect, including impact made with it remained comfortable for on several multi-drug-resistant and several hours and did not generate an Johanna Sirén, Category Manager, biofilm-forming bacteria. Vomaris says the unwanted build-up of moisture, says the Suominen Corp. electroceutical technology offers clinicians company’s Johanna Sirén. The testing(1) Tel: +358 (50) 520-5360. a non-antibiotic solution for infection-risk was conducted by the VTT Technical Email: [email protected]; reduction for use in face masks and Research Centre in Espoo, Finland, which http://www.suominen.fi potentially other surface treatments. also helped to develop the fabric. Owing to the standard applying to end-products, VTT Technical Research Centre, Dr Chandan Sen, the paper’s lead author Suominen adds that convertors are performance testing of protective and and Director of the Indiana Center for responsible for repeating the tests to surgical masks. Regenerative Medicine and Engineering, confirm the compliance of their own face Email: [email protected]; previously worked on developing the masks, and should also ensure they meet all https://www.vttresearch.com
44 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Covid-19 update
Spunbond nonwovens used in Embedded zinc ions for antimicrobial polyamide fabrics medical face masks for Dutch healthcare initiative A range of antimicrobial polyamide (PA) 6.6 embedded. The active zinc ions cannot be fabrics (Acteev Protect) for the production of washed away, unlike topical finishes or Colback nonwovens are being used in face masks, air filters, apparel and upholstery coatings, while the PA fabrics are durable, efforts to solve the shortage of personal has been developed by Ascend Performance yet soft on the skin, and the nonwoven protective equipment (PPE) in healthcare Materials of Houston, Texas, USA. filtration media – available in nanofibre, institutions in The Netherlands. meltblown and spunbond form – Ascend’s Vice President, Lu Zhang, says: efficiently block unwanted particles. As part of a public–private enterprise, “Bacteria, mildew and other microbes the Colback production site in the growing on fabrics and filters cause the item “The embedded zinc in its ionic form is a Netherlands offered its support after to break down, discolour and give-off powerful inhibitor of bacterial growth,” being contacted, together with other unpleasant smells. Acteev Protect guards said Vikram Gopal, Ascend’s Senior Vice companies, by the Dutch government. against that microbial growth, keeping the President of Technology. “Zinc is an The resulting consortium distributes the articles clean.” essential element needed for bacterial medical masks wherever the need in growth, so bacteria readily allow it inside national healthcare institutions is greatest. The technology has been in development their cell bodies, but the zinc ions Manufactured by Low & Bonar of London, for several years, but with the recent outcompete other essential elements UK, now part of the Freudenberg Group of shortage of personal protective equipment such as manganese and magnesium. Weinheim, Germany, the lightweight, thin (PPE) that is resistant to microbial growth Without those minerals, the microbes and highly permeable Colback spunbond caused by the human coronavirus (covid- cannot grow or reproduce.” nonwovens are now included as a 19) pandemic, Ascend has accelerated the reinforcement layer in FFP2-certified launch of the product by partnering with Other products use silver as an medical face masks, which are produced independent laboratories to undertake antimicrobial, but it comes with unwanted in The Netherlands by AFPRO Filters testing and by reallocating resources to environmental consequences, Gopal adds. of Alkmaar. scale-up production. “The current global “Silver is typically used as a finish or a scarcity of microbe-resistant materials is coating and that process is water- See also: This issue, Freudenberg works not going to end unless manufacturers intensive. The excess silver also has to be with North Carolina State University to areable to obtain the right media,” Zhang disposed of, eventually ending-up in our manufacture face masks, page 4. says. “We saw a way we could quickly waterways.” Zinc, however, is classified as meet those urgent needs with this Generally Regarded as Safe by the US Edgar Berkhout, Business Development innovative technology.” Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Manager, Low & Bonar BV. Tel: +31 (85) 744-1239. Acteev Protect comprises woven, PA 6.6 wovens and knits have considerable Email: [email protected]; nonwoven and knitted fabrics made from advantages over other types of PAs in https://www.colbacksolutions.com PA 6.6 fibres, in which zinc ions are garments and other textile applications, according to Harrie Schoots, President- Elect of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) and a For more on the technical textiles industry’s response to the pandemic, see: Senior Business Leader of Ascend’s textile business. “This material resists abrasion • Fiberpartner looks to develop • Berry Global to supply Medicom in and does not pill or shed microfibres. It has biodegradable face masks; support of UK face-mask programme; a soft hand and excellent drape, and it can https:// www.technical- https:// www.technical- be dyed solid or bright colours,” he says. textiles.net/node/75816 textiles.net/node/75740 “Uniforms or activewear made with Acteev • General-purpose face mask meets Swiss • Oerlikon Nonwoven sells meltblowing line Protect will be durable and comfortable, standard; https://www. technical- to an Australian company for first time; and can be designed to match current textiles.net/node/75800 https: // www.technical- colour trends". Further, because the zinc • Standard for the manufacture of general- textiles.net/node/75736 ions are embedded in the PA during the purpose face masks; • New line is able to produce up to one- polymerisation process, Schoots says that https:// www.technical- million face masks a day; knitted and woven articles made with textiles.net/node/75778 https:// www.technical- Acteev Protect retain their antibacterial • Report charts impact of pandemic on textiles.net/node/75655 effect for up to 50 washes or more.” demand for meltblown nonwovens; • Machinery to make face masks and their https:// www.technical- straps; https://www.technical- Acteev Protect is Ascend’s first product textiles.net/node/75776 textiles.net/node/75639 available as ready-to-use fabrics. • Andritz launches line for the production • zwissTEX launches face masks that are of respiratory masks; both antiviral and antibacterial, Nicki Britton, Ascend Performance Materials. https:// www.technical- https:// www.technical- Tel: +1 (713) 315-5891. textiles.net/node/75571 textiles.net/node/75653 Email: [email protected]; ascendmaterials.com/acteevprotect
Autumn 2020—Technical Textiles International 45 Events diary
November 2020 May 2021 September 2021 3 November 4–7 May 7–10 September Advanced Textiles Conference Techtextil/Texprocess/Heimtextil INDEX Online. Frankfurt, Germany. Geneva, Switzerland. Jennifer Fisher, Registration, Industrial Thimo Schwenzfeier, Director Marketing Delphine Rens, Marketing and Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Communications, Communications Coordinator, EDANA. Tel: +1 (651) 222-2508. Tel: +49 (69) 7575-6291. Tel: +32 (2) 740-1822. Fax: +1 (651) 631-9334. Fax: +49 (69) 7575-6781. Fax: +32 (2) 733-3518. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] https://ifaiexpo.com/advancedtextiles https://techtextil.messefrankfurt.com http://www.edana.org
4–6 November June 2021 8 September IFAI Expo Smart Nonwovens (High-performance Online. 12–16 June Applications of Nonwovens) Jennifer Fisher, Registration, Industrial ITMA Asia + CITME Geneva, Switzerland. Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Shanghai, China. Jill Gwinnutt, Marketing Manager, Tel: +1 (651) 222-2508. Pearly Ang, ITMA Services. International Newsletters Ltd. Fax: +1 (651) 631-9334. Tel: +65 6849-9367. Tel: +44 (870) 165-7210. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] http://www.itmaasia.com http://ifaiexpo.com https://www.technical-textiles.online/NHPA See also, Inside back cover 22–26 June January 2021 Hightex 15–17 September Istanbul, Turkey. 26–28 January Enes Guney, Teknik Fairs Ltd Co. Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress Techtextil Russia Tel: +90 (212) 876-7506. Dornbirn, Austria. Moscow, Russia. Fax: +90 (212) 876-0681. Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress Office. Oksana Anikeeva, Director Techtextil [email protected] Tel: +43 (1) 319-2909-41. Russia, Messe Frankfurt RUS. https://www.hightex2020.com Fax: +43 (1) 319-2909-31. Tel: +7 (495) 649-8775, x 125. [email protected] Fax: +7 (495)649-8785. http://www.dornbirn-gfc.com [email protected] July 2021 https://techtextil-russia.ru.messefrankfurt.com 22–24 July November 2021 Asia Nonwovens Exhibition and February 2021 Conference (ANEX)/Shanghai 1–4 November International Nonwovens IFAI Expo 18–19 February Exhibition (SINCE) Nashville, Tennessee, USA. World Congress on Textile Coating (WCTC) Shanghai, China. Jennifer Fisher, Registration, Industrial Online. Icy Fan, Informa Markets. Fabrics Association International (IFAI). Jill Gwinnutt, Marketing Manager, Tel: +86 (21) 6157-7235. Tel: +1 (651) 222-2508. International Newsletters Ltd. Fax: +86 (21) 6157-7299. Fax: +1 (651) 631-9334. Tel: +44 (870) 165-7210. [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] https://en.since-expo.com http://ifaiexpo.com https://www.technical-textiles.online/WCTC August 2021 9–11 November Automotive Interiors Expo Europe March 2021 17–20 August Stuttgart, Germany. 9–11 March AFAC Jason Sullivan, UKi Media & Events. JEC World Sydney, Australia. Tel: +44 (1306) 743744. Rob Keen, Sales Manager, Hannover Paris, France. Fax: +44 (1306) 742525. Fairs Australia. Farah Boudjemia, JEC Composites. [email protected] Tel: +61 (2) 9282-7517. https://www.automotive-interiors-expo.com Tel: +33 (1) 5836-4399. Fax: +61 (2) 9280-1977. Fax: +33 (1) 5836-1513. [email protected] [email protected] https://www.afacconference.com.au March 2022 http://www.jeccomposites.com 23–25 August 28–31 March 15–17 March Techtextil North America IDEA Milipol Qatar Raleigh, North Carolina, USA. Miami, Florida, USA. Doha, Qatar. Kristy Meade, Show Director, Messe Misty Ayers, INDA (Association of the Flavie Rolland, Sales Director, Milipol Frankfurt Inc. Nonwoven Fabrics Industry). Exhibitions. Tel: +1 (770) 984-8016, x 2428. Tel: +1 (919) 459-3712. Tel: +33 (1) 7677-1556. [email protected] Fax: +1 (919) 459-3701. [email protected] https:// [email protected] http://en.milipolqatar.com techtextil-north-america.us.messefrankfurt.com https://www.inda.org
46 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 18-19 February 2021
Introducing the First Edition of the World Congress on Textile Coating The organisers of the successful and long-running conference series Textile Coating and Laminating (TCL) are pleased to announce its expansion and refocus as the World Congress on Textile Coating (WCTC). The event will debut 18-19 February 2021. In the modern textile industry, coating, surface modi cation and laminating are the key means to tailor textiles and nonwovens to create functional products for speci c, often high-performance, applications. The expanded event will take the necessary wide perspective on all these processes. Unlike other events, it won’t be an academic research-based meeting, but practical and industry-focussed.
Photos courtesy of Fibroline, Huafeng & Schoeller
CONFERENCE PROGRAMME TO DATE SESSION ONE: Machinery, equipment and processes for coating and laminating tDigital dyeing technology - imogo ABtA novel plasma enhanced chemical vapour deposition technology for hydrophobic/oleophobic durable coatings - AGC Plasma Technology Solutions/Unitex tMagnet roller coating: a versatile coating system for coating and minimal applications of textiles and nonwovens - MonfortstFibroline S-Preg: a new technology for powder coating - Fibroline tTactile sensation analyser - emtec Electronic GmbH SESSION TWO: Novel applications for coated and laminated textiles tHaptic cushion coatings - HuafengtSilicones for the textile industry: applications and advantages - Elkem SESSION THREE: Coatings and laminate materials tReinforcement and enhancement of composites through cross-laminated nettings made from renewable raw material - JX Nippon Anci SAStColloidal silica and percentage play for optimum purchase in textile coating - Advanced Flexible Composites InctA disruptive coating materialization - Tintex SESSION FOUR: Industry and market trends tUsing a cohesive supply chain to develop new concepts and ideas - Mascoe Coating Systems PLUS further speakers to be announced. SESSION FIVE: Environmental issues tFrom the fabric to the nishing: an all-round approach to the sustainable production of arti cial leather with waterborne bio-based polyurethane dispersions - Lamberti SpAtHow to be sustainable in the new European scenario: FAITGREEN experience - Fait PlasttEnergy-e cient drying technology for textile manufacturing - adphos Digital Printing GmbH tA water-saving hybrid manufacturing approach for functionalizing technical textiles - STFI SESSION SIX: The impact on industry and its response to the global pandemic A novel nishing process for nanoparticle binding to a textile interface for improved antiviral performance against Covid-19 - Mica NanoTech Ltd tDurable transparent treatment that can kill the novel coronavirus - A x Labs www.technical-textiles.online/WCTC Index to advertisers
Advertiser page Advertiser’s guide 1 Buyer’s Guide Online 41 High-performance nonwovens at Index Inside back cover Itema 7 Lenzing 5 Oeko-Tex Outside back cover SML Maschinengesellschaft Mbh 9 International Newsletters Inside front cover World Congress on Textile Coating 47
Forthcoming advertising features
Issue Advertising features Bonus distribution Order deadline
BUYER’S GUIDE Safety and protection For distribution at all major events in 2021, including:
Winter Medical Techtextil Russia, Milipol Qatar, Techtextil, Domestic Texprocess, Heimtextil, Itma Asia + CITME, Hightex, 27 November Building and construction ANEX/SINCE, Techtextil North America, Index, Geotextiles Dornbirn Global Fiber Congress and IFAI Expo Winter sports
To advertise, contact: Jill Gwinnutt. Tel: +44 (870)165-7210. Email: [email protected]; or: David Kay or Maria Box. Tel: +44 (1273) 423512. Email: [email protected]
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48 Technical Textiles International—Autumn 2020 Te c h n i c a l TEXTILES international
HIGH-PERFORMANCE NONWOVENS AT INDEX™
We are pleased to announce that in association with INDEX™ and EDANA, Technical Textiles International / TTNet have developed the programme for a half-day seminar on smart Nonwovens - high-performance applications of nonwovens. This will take place on 8 September 2021 in INDEX™ Lab, Room W (Hall 3) at 14:00 - 16:45. Experts from the following companies will present their latest technologies to the INDEX™ audience in Geneva: Fibroline SA, France NIRI, UK Nora n, Germany RISE Research Institutes, Sweden The session will be chaired by experienced industry specialist, Adrian Wilson. In addition, there will be an Innovation Lab where visitors can view products relating to the presentations given during the seminar. This display area is outside the seminar room.
SEMINAR PROGRAMME
Dry powder impregnation solutions - Jérôme Ville, CEO, Fibroline SA (France) Mass Customisation of Nonwovens for High-performance Applications - Ross Ward, New Business Development Manager, Nonwovens Innovation & Research Institute Ltd (NIRI) (UK) Innovation in Technical Nonwovens – Evolving USP - Marc Jolly, Head of Research & Development, Nora n Industries (Germany) GmbH Opportunities for production of nonwoven bio-based electronics, Hjalmar Granberg, Senior Research Associate, RISE Research Institutes of Sweden High-performance applications for nonwovens - an overview, Adrian Wilson, Seminar Chair, Technical Textiles International
The seminar will provide a taste of the kind of high-quality, insightful and informative presentations that feature in our conference series, Nonwovens for High-Performance Applications (NHPA)
Visit www.technical-textiles.online/NHPA for NHPA more information on our NHPA conference series and further details on the seminar at INDEX™ Geneva