June has always been the month of great innovation. There are many new technologies in textile sector in between. Among those only ten most noticeable technologies will be included in this month’s segment. All these new technologies will bring new revolution in both textile and garment section.
1. Waste water heat recovery machinery showcased in Shanghaitex
Recently concluded textile machinery exhibition Shanghaitex presented heat recovery solutions from many companies. Many Chinese, Korean and Taiwanese companies presented their machinery and solutions for recovering heat from the hot waste water drainage. While talking to the exhibitors it has been known that they achieved very good market in China and demand for such machinery is increasing over there.
Such technology can help Bangladeshi dyeing industries to recover some heat from their hot drainage. This will reduce their gas bill and improve efficiency. Payback of such technologies are not that long as informed by the exhibitors.
2. TexCare® SRA 300 F Soil-Release agent: Innovation from Clariant
Switzerland-based specialty chemical producer Clariant has added TexCare® SRA 300 F soil-release polymer for powdered detergents to its TexCare product line. Clariant reports the polymer enhances the ability of the detergent to remove soils and help keep fabrics clean and white even after multiple washes, and is particularly suited to polyesters and poly/cotton blends. The new polymer uses anionic modification to enhance soil dispersion, and forms a protective layer on a fabric to reduce deep soil penetration into the fabric. The polymer also picks up soils and prevents re deposition during washing, which reduces the amount of fiber graying. The soil-release properties of the polymer have been tested on a variety of stains including olive oil, motor oil, curry, clay and sebum.
3. Wristband that monitors blood pressure
STBL Medical Research AG has developed a device that can be worn on the wrist and records the blood pressure continuously. The measurement is carried out by several sensors which simultaneously measure the contact pressure, pulse and blood flow on the surface of the skin in the vicinity of the wrist.The new sensor designed as an alternative to the pressure cuffs and invasive monitoring involving a catheter inserted into the artery, is as big as a wristwatch.
The fibre is electrically conductive, it detects any movement or change in pressure, converts this into an electrical signal and transmits this to the measuring device. This enables the measuring accuracy of the ‘blood pressure watch’ to be increased by more than 70%. The sensor will be cheaper than the existing 24-hour monitoring devices, such as those currently used in hospitals. Such devices cost up to 6,000 Swiss francs, meanwhile the blood pressure watch costs about ten times less.
4. Thermore introduces Aria thermal insulation
Leading Italian producer of thermal insulation for apparel and sleeping bags Thermore has introduced Thermore Aria, the latest line of avant-garde Thermore products. Made of 98% air, the new thermal padding is voluminous and light. It is suitable for contemporary garments like ultra-light down and packable down jackets. Thermore Aria uses certified Oeko-Tex raw materials. Test results showed that the product is non-allergenic, highly breathable and non-toxic.
It also proved it to be free of PFOA and PFOS (perfluorooctanoic acid and sulfonate), non-organic chemical substances recently denounced by Greenpeace as being dangerous for humans and highly polluting. These invisible qualities, which are difficult to judge are according to Thermore, are fundamental and to be noticed once the garments are worn.
5. New fibre development by Lenzing
Austrian Lenzing presented at Techtextil in Frankfurt a new flame resistant fibre especially for use in upholstery fabrics in public transportation vehicles. The newly launched Lenzing FR® fibre is able o meet all these rules. It is made from beech wood and is endowed with all the properties this natural fibre is offering. The fibre doesn’t melt, drip or show afterglows in comparison to conventional protective fibres. Especially afterglow offers a high degree risk for passengers. The flame resistant fibre delivers also a lower rate of toxicity and flue gas density in the event of a fire.
The new “divan” fibre is well suited for blending with wool. Both fibres complement each other in an almost perfect way, such as resistance to fading and excellent pilling performance, coupled with durability. It makes such upholstery a pleasant seating experience. Wool does not to be treated with ecologically harmful flame retardant agents, this allows another production advantage.
6. Technical Textile: PFOA and PFOS free Nano Coatings
Belgium based leader in low pressure plasma technology Europlasma launched a new range of nanocoatings under the Nanofics 110 brand name. The Nanofics 110 coatings are highly water and oil repellent type of nanocoatings deposited by low pressure plasma technology. The unique aspect of these coatings is that they are free from PFOA (Perfluorooctanoic acid, also known as C8 and perfluorooctanoate) and PFOS (Perfluorooctanesulfonic acid or perfluorooctane sulfonate) , meanwhile traditional nanocoatings with high levels of water and oil repellency are derived from long molecular chains which contain traces of PFOA and PFOS.
There is a general trend to move away from these chemistries for health reasons. The Nanofics 110 coatings are an addition to the existing Nanofics 120 range of nanocoatings and other custom designed coating systems. The Europlasma low pressure plasma machines have the flexibility to use both the Nanofics 110 and Nanofics 120 nanocoating systems.
7. Thermocool Shirt: A Duoregulation technology
A leading supplier of polyester fibre, filament and specialities, operating principally in Europe, Advansa is known for its range of branded and high-tech polyester fibres, and its capacity for innovation. Products featuring Advansa Thermocool Duoregulation are also available with a polymer from renewable sources, with silver ions imbedded in the polymer and made with fire retardant materials.
Working with Dachstein Triple, Advansa offers professional shirts featuring its Thermocool Duoregulation technology that is said to provide the needed duoregulation properties for athletes and wearing comfort during the race. The shirts’ fabric is designed to adapt to the thermal needs of the user and provide evaporative cooling or thermobuffering functions. Due to this special fibre technology optimal temperature adaption of the body helps to keep the wearer cool and dry during physical activity and thermobalanced during temperature changes.
8. Suominen increases flushable wipes capacity
Suominen, a leader in nonwovens for wipes, is to invest approximately EUR 2.5 million in the capacity expansion at one of its assets at the Windsor Locks plant in Connecticut, USA. The investment increases Suominen’s capacity to produce value added nonwovens products, particularly for the growing segment of flushable products.
The investment is aimed to increase the production capacity of Suominen’s Hydraspun Substrates – Hydraspun Dispersible Substrate is a product defined as flushable as defined by industry guidelines developed by INDA and EDANA, the industry associations.
9. New multiaxial machine developed by Karl Mayer Malimo
Textile machinery producer Karl Mayer Malimo has expanded its range of products with the launch of the new multiaxial machine for producing composites from which the rotors of the wind turbines are made. The predecessor of the new Maxtronic model, Malitronic Multiaxial, was launched in 2009 and has been proving itself successful since then.
This high-tech warp knitting machine operates with several freely adjustable weft insertion systems, it has a simple design and is a user-friendly machine designed for the wide range of applications. It uses modern materials and is able to perform sophisticated tasks, which has been seen as an improvement in productivity, textile quality and machine handling. Due to its complex design details and a number of implemented improvements and innovations, it offers a high level of productivity. The model combines the high speed and powerful performance together with gentle yarns treatment and accuracy.
10. Needle Technology: Automatic Needle Exchanger from CU4Motion
Automatic Needle Exchanger, a service machine for needle looms, is an excellent complement to Autefa Solution’s portfolio, With the Automatic Needle Exchanger CU4Motion has developed and built a perfect service machine. The machine is efficient and equipped with an adapted software system, so that reproducibility and safety at every needle exchange are most important. It was of major importance for us that the Automatic Needle Exchanger can be universally used for all practicable applications required from our customers and does not only cover inserting needles into new needle boards. It is about time that the hammer as the main tool disappears from the needle workshop.
Its feature includes- Universal application for all needle boards and needles Use of different needle designs, needle types and needle densities even in one board. Gentle treatment of the needle boards enables an extension of the service life of the needle boards, as they will not be damaged any more when worn or broken needles are exchanged. The system is capable of detecting damaged/broken needles as well as contaminations by fibre dust. Since the actual operation of exchanging needles is happening without the direct involvement of personnel and an entirely encapsulated environment, the system is offering an extreme high safety level.
