BADINIERES, France — April 18, 2018 — Charlie Exton, a defense specialist at Porcher Industries, believes his company’s newly developed next generation blast resistant fabric is so light and comfortable that he plans to run this weekend’s London Marathon in a T-shirt and socks made from the material.

In response to the long term demand and requests of soldier’s agencies including the UK MoD DSTL and the USA DoD PEO, the new para-aramid based fabric by Porcher Industries’ Aerospace and Defense Business Unit has been developed to provide soldiers with an extra level of protection against improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in garments worn next to the skin.

Ever since their parallel development in both the US and Europe in the early 1970s, para-aramid fibers have undoubtedly saved many lives. As a class of strong synthetic fibers, with extremely high temperature resistance they have been employed to manufacture gloves, sleeves, jackets, chaps and other articles of protective clothing designed to protect users from cuts and abrasions, as well as heat. They also form the basis for multiple-layered, reinforced fabrics as the leading choice for bullet-proof vests.

Para-aramid based protective fabrics are also often considerably lighter and thinner than their equivalents made of more traditional materials, such as metallic fibers or densely-woven cloth, but can they really also be suitable for shaving off the seconds in high performance sports and conditions?

“Our newly developed material has undergone a full range of both bullet and fragmentation tests and is proven to protect against fragments which are propelled at lower speeds,” Exton explains. “Because it’s so light it takes out the dust, glass and small stones that can be blown at people and penetrate regular fabrics when an IED goes off. In an emergency situation, the medics can find the larger metal pieces easily enough, but when it comes to hundreds of stone and dirt fragments it becomes difficult, so it’s preferable to be equipped against them. It’s an issue the military is currently looking at around the world, in moving to the next step in personal protection for soldiers.”

“Obviously”, he adds, “light weight and comfort is a must. There’s a running adage that for every kilo in weight you add, you lose on average ten seconds in covering every mile, so this was a key consideration. Due to our fine weaving skills and design optimization, the Porcher Industries material is softer and lighter than traditional protection, and it’s that property that I wanted to demonstrate in this Sunday’s London Marathon.”

Charlie will be competing as part of Hereford Athletic Club’s British Championship team after which he then plans to further trial the next generation para-aramid protective garments in a gruelling 100km Ultra Marathon later this year. Thermal data will also be collected at points along Charlie’s route, for further analysis of the effectiveness of the fabrics.

Posted April 18, 2017

Source: Porcher Industries

CARY, N.C. — April 18, 2018 — Wipes that can help protect firefighters against cancer-causing carcinogens, a refillable tote wipe system and sustainably produced cleaning wipes made entirely from plant starches are the finalists for INDA’s 2018 World of Wipes Innovation Award®.

The winner will be selected by attendees at WOW 2018, June 5-8, at the Sheraton Grand in Chicago. INDA expects 500 senior-level participants from every area of the wipes segment at this year’s event, repeating last year’s strong turnout. WOW 2018 will feature emerging technologies, new applications and market insights for engineering new business growth.

INDA announced the three companies vying for the prestigious award are: Diamond Wipes International’s Hero Wipes™, National Wiper Alliance’s Rhino Wipe™ Tote System and Solugen, Inc.’s Ode to Clean Wipes:

Hero Wipes are specially formulated to remove toxic, cancer-causing carcinogens from firefighters’ skin after they exit a fire. These wipes are used on-site to decontaminate and clean the vulnerable skin of firefighters. A patent-pending balanced blend of ingredients isolates harmful chemical compounds and traps them in the tough and strong wipe.  Third-party testing shows that Hero Wipes remove 98 percent of the toxic flame retardant TCEP and 83 percent of the carcinogen Benzopyrene, a component found in soot.

Rhino Wipe Tote System features a carry handle and built-in adjustable straps to attach the water repellent container to surfaces (such as the back of a car headrest) for easy dispensing of Rhino wipes.  The reusable wipes can be rinsed and reused multiple times and are binder, silicone and solvent free. The patented packaging system offers portability for on-the-go uses and convenience.

Ode to Clean Wipes are the first wipes in which the substrate and the cleaning solution (Bioperoxide) are made entirely from plant starch. The young start-up company has developed an enzymatic process that is a less expensive and more efficient way to convert plant sugars into high purity hydrogen peroxide for use in various industries starting with these green cleaning wipes.

WOW Attendees Vote

The World of Wipes Innovation Award recognizes the winning product that both expands the use of nonwovens and demonstrates creativity, novelty, uniqueness and technical sophistication. Nominated products represent the entire nonwoven wipes value chain. Past winners have included the Chicopee’s Microfiber Floor Mop System, Tec Laboratories’ Tecnu Bites & Stings Medicated Itch and Pain Relief Wipes, and Clorox’s ScrubSingles Kitchen pads.

WOW attendees hold an important one-third of the vote in their hands. The award finalists will make their presentations on June 6 and INDA President Dave Rousse will announce the winner on June 8. The INDA Technical Advisory Board and the WOW Conference Planning Committee have equal one-third votes to the attendees in determining the top company for the prize.

The WOW conference will be headlined by presentations on the hottest topics, with exclusive insights on market data, flushability, substrates and ingredients, and sustainability presented by some of the biggest names in wipes. Kit Yarrow Ph.D., Professor Emeritus, Golden Gate University, will deliver the keynote address on Gen Z Deciphered: Insights and Strategies for Marketers.

A welcome reception on the 95th floor of the John Hancock Center offering Chicago’s most stunning panoramic city view of the miracle mile, two days of tabletop exhibitions and Dinner with Industry Thought Leaders are among the valuable networking opportunities.

Posted April 18, 2017

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

BRUSSELS — April 18, 2018 — EDANA, the global association serving the nonwovens and related industries, today disclosed the results of its annual nonwovens industry survey. Providing a comprehensive overview of the sector, the latest statistics demonstrate the industry’s drive and durability.

In 2017, nonwovens production in Greater Europe increased in volume by 4.3 percent to reach 2,544,450 metric tons with a total estimated turnover of around 7,869 million euros (+5.6 percent). Total European Union output is now close to 2 million metric tons.

Jacques Prigneaux, EDANA’s Market Analysis and Economic Affairs Director elaborated “we continue to see the expected variances within the EU region. Although some established players like France and the Benelux countries were at a standstill, many pushed on from last year with Greece, Romania, Czech Republic, Slovenia, the UK and Ireland all witnessing growth. In Greater Europe as a whole, the standout performers were Turkey, posting a double-digit growth rate, and Russia, where growth exceeded 9 percent.”

Divergent trends were also observed between the various production processes. Wetlaid production recorded the most important growth rate (+10.2 percent), mainly due to newly installed lines going fully operational in 2017. This type of web-formation now represents 9 percent of nonwovens produced in Europe. Short-fiber airlaid nonwovens production increased marginally by 1.3 percent in 2017. The production of polymer-based nonwovens (spunmelt and assimilated) recorded significant growth of 4.2 percent in tonnage and 4.3 percent in square meters. This type of fabric confirmed its leading position in the European nonwovens industry, with 41.0 percent of the market in weight and 65.0 percent in surface area. The total output of spunmelt products reached 1,056,494 tonnes (48,448 million square meters) in 2017. Drylaid nonwovens reached 1,056,742 metric tons, representing a 3.6 percent increase in tonnage.

Although the primary main end-use for nonwovens continues to be the hygiene market, with a 29.8 percent market share by weight, significant growth areas for nonwovens were recorded in other sectors; medical (+13.2 percent), automotive (+13 percent) and electronic materials (+21 percent).  Nonwovens sales to the personal care wipes market, flat in 2016, increased again last year posting growth of 5.4 percent in tonnes and 5.7 percent in surface area.

Jacques Prigneaux added: “The whole EDANA team would like to thank participating companies for their valued input to our annual survey. This data, combined with continuous monitoring of the industry, ensures EDANA statistics are a valuable planning and benchmarking tool for all our member companies.”

Pierre Wiertz, general manager, EDANA, said “For over 40 years, the annual EDANA statistics — the most comprehensive available — have proved a vital source of business intelligence for our member companies, offering unparalleled insight into the industry thanks to direct input from producers and exhaustive intelligence.”

A report with a detailed breakdown of the annual statistics is available exclusively to EDANA member companies — a valued benefit of membership of the network. Members can also access comprehensive figures for 2017 through the EDANA Statistics App (available on both IOS and Android and at http://edanastatapp.org).

Posted April 18, 2017

Source: EDANA

TEL AVIV, Israel/COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — April 17, 2018 — StemRad — a developer of  technology that shields first responders, astronauts and soldiers from harmful radiation exposure — announced today that the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the Israel Space Agency have signed an agreement for the launch of StemRad’s AstroRad radiation protection vest aboard NASA’s EM-1 mission around the moon, the last test flight before the space agency begins deep space manned missions. The deep space missions are the first since the Apollo missions.

The agreement was signed between NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot and Israel Space Agency Director Avi Blasberger today at the Space Symposium in Colorado Springs.

“AstroRad” is the second product developed by StemRad, following the success of its first product, called StemRad 360 Gamma — the world’s first wearable shield that provides meaningful protection from harmful gamma radiation — which is now widely used among first responders around the world. The 360 Gamma protects the pelvis, ensuring survival of critical bone marrow stem cells. For AstroRad, StemRad collaborated with NASA’s prime contractor, Lockheed Martin, to adapt its technology for use in space.

With the exception of the Apollo missions to the moon, human space exploration missions have always been confined to low earth orbit (within 1,200 miles of earth), where Earth’s magnetosphere repels the majority of radiation threats, including galactic cosmic rays and dangerous solar storms. When venturing into long, manned deep space missions, the threat of radiation exposure is significantly higher, posing one of the most significant challenges facing NASA as it prepares to launch manned missions to Mars.

The trial, called “Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment”, or MARE in short, is the first time that the impact of radiation exposure on humans is being measured in deep space. The test will be comprised of two Matroshka test dummies — one bare and one wearing AstroRad. The Matroshkas, containing thousands of radiation detectors, will be supplied by the German Aerospace Center (DLR).

While EM-1 will not likely encounter a solar storm, the mission will pass through the Van Allen radiation belt — a zone of energetic charged particles that emanate from solar winds — providing an opportunity to test AstroRad in conditions similar to those found during a solar storm. When passing through the belt, the radiation sensors in the dummies will be on and will record readings during the passage. Should the trial be successful, AstroRad will be used on the upcoming planned manned missions to deep space.

Additionally, AstroRad is expected to be used aboard the International Space Station beginning in 2019 for advanced ergonomic studies in microgravity.

“We are proud to be working with NASA, Lockheed Martin and our other partners in providing a critical piece of safety equipment, helping to usher in an era of deep space exploration,” said Dr. Oren Milstein, Founder and CEO of StemRad. “The team at StemRad has been working extremely hard to design, tweak and improve AstroRad and we are confident that it will pass the tests presented during the EM-1 mission with flying colors.”

Posted April 18, 2017

Source: StemRad