BÖNNIGHEIM, Germany — July 25, 2017 — As the temperature rises, human beings produce more sweat. Heat puts the body under great strain, which can reach dangerous levels — especially for the elderly. That is why the Hohenstein Institute has put together consumer guidelines with behavior and protection measures, as well as recommendations for clothing that also take physiological findings from “body mapping” into account.

There is also the question of whether textiles convince consumers in terms of safety (skin compatibility) and performance (odor management). Hohenstein has been investigating questions regarding clothing that is worn close to the body: How skin- friendly are the textiles? And: To what extent do the textiles reduce sweat odor?

Certified test series offer textile manufacturers the opportunity to test the skin compatibility and odor management of textiles from the development phase onwards.

The skin compatibility test uses laboratory conditions to test live cells and record adverse effects of toxins that could be released from the sample material by sweat. The method allows evaluation of the danger that could be posed by damage to the skin cells.

The test is particularly suitable for:

• Body-contact clothing — for example, sports clothing, underwear, fitness and functional textiles;
• Textiles for sensitive persons such as those with allergies, small children, invalids and elderly persons; and
• Reclaimed textiles.

Trusted advertising with the “Skin Friendly” label

If this test is passed in conjunction with the STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX product test, the textile is awarded the Hohenstein Quality Label “Skin Friendly”. Textile manufacturers receive an established label that can be used effectively for supporting advertising and attests to independent checks and trade safety for the consumer.

To what extent do modern textiles reduce sweat odor?

When a person starts to perspire, this leads to the production of sweat to eliminate excess heat and regulate the body’s temperature. Textile manufacturers are working on optimizing the performance of their products. As sweat is diffused through the textile, the interaction of bacteria, fluid transport and the adherence and release of odor molecules all affect the level of sweat odor in the textile. All of these areas must be taken into account to achieve optimum results in odor management.

As the only institute able to investigate all of these aspects, Hohenstein provides a three-stage check procedure to determine the reduction properties for sweat odor.

• How well, or how poorly, do odor-producing dermal germs multiply on the textile, measured during an application period of four hours, to get results as close to reality as possible?
• What percentage of sweat odor molecules adhere to the textile and therefore cannot be smelled?
• How strongly does the textile actually smell of sweat? In this practical experiment, test subjects wear sample textiles, which are then evaluated for the strength of sweat odor by odor testers. 
Labelled “ALL DAY FRESH” 
The test procedure described above allows Hohenstein to thoroughly investigate the topic of odor management in textiles. This involves testing materials in conditions that mirror reality, and the results help textile manufacturers to optimize their products. 
Products that can prove their contribution to reducing sweat odor are awarded the Hohenstein Quality Label “All Day Fresh”.

Posted July 28, 2017

Source: Source: Hohenstein Group

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — July 28, 2017 — Hospital Cooperative Laundry of Denver has achieved Hygienically Clean (HC) Healthcare certification for the second time, reflecting its commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and its capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing.

Recertification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

• Employees are properly trained and protected;
• Managers understand regulatory requirements;
• OSHA-compliant; and
• Physical plant operates effectively.

Facilities pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing to be certified initially, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and zero presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. To maintain their certification, laundry plants must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

HCL is owned by the hospitals it serves, producing more than 50 million pounds of laundry for these 36 hospitals and over 300 clinics. The operation began in Denver in 1991. Ten years later, a second facility opened In Pueblo, Colo. Today, the Denver laundry serves members and customers in Northern Colorado and Southern Wyoming while the Pueblo laundry covers Southern Colorado.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations through testing and inspections that scrutinize quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Hospital Cooperative Laundry on their recertification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their ongoing commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry facilities take every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted July 28, 2017

Source: TRSA

SALT LAKE CITY — July 26, 2017 — The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) hosted the Taiwan New Products Launch at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Salt Lake City. Four of Taiwan’s leading textile manufacturers presented innovative products: Far Eastern New Century Corp.; QMI Industrial Co. Ltd.; Singtex Industrial Co., Ltd.; and Tex-Ray Industrial Co., Ltd.

New product categories included cutting-edge fabric printing technology; smart textiles measuring heart rate and motion data; textile innovations utilizing fewer chemicals, water and raw materials while preserving function and complex colors; and the world’s first PFC-free durable water repellant (DWR) polyester filament, PFC-free soil release polyester filament, and bio-based membrane and foam from coffee oil.

The program began with distinguished speakers presenting welcome remarks and the vision for Taiwan’s textile industry.

Simon Lai, executive director, Taiwan Trade Center, San Francisco thanked attendees for their interest in Taiwan’s new product showcase. “Today, we are introducing breakthrough products and materials that represent the best of Taiwanese textile innovation,” Lai said. “The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market is the perfect setting for new partnerships.”

Joseph C.L. Ma, director-general, Taipei Economic and Cultural Office, San Francisco remarked: “With a global growing trend in eco-friendliness, Taiwanese suppliers have devoted research and development to green technologies to meet customer demands and achieve goals of sustainability and corporate social responsibility.” Ma emphasized Taiwan’s competitive advantage in functional, environmental, and smart fabrics comes from its strong development of functional artificial fibers, which helps produce a wide variety of fabrics. Taiwan’s fabric industry also incorporates semiconductor, biomedical and cross-industry innovations. “Today’s event provides a good platform for Taiwanese manufacturers and the global outdoor industry to foster more collaborations,” he concluded.

Melissa Wang, deputy director, Market Development Department, Taiwan Textile Federation presented “The Vision of Taiwan Textile Industry,” including product differentiation, design and creativity, function combined with eco-consciousness, and branding.

Special guest, Derek Miller, president of the World Trade Center, Utah spoke about the importance of international trade to Utah and its successful relationship with Taiwan.

Four of Taiwan’s leading textile manufacturers presented innovative products.

Far Eastern New Century Corp. presented two world-first products. FENC ^® TopDry^® Zero is the world’s first PFC-free DWR polyester filament. The polymer is intrinsically water-repellent, offering permanent and superior DWR performance. FENC TopClean is the world’s first PFC-free polyester filament allowing for easy soil removal. The polymer naturally eases removal of soil and stains when soaked in pure water, while offering superior nylon-like comfort. Additionally, the company showcased FENC DynaFeed^™ which uses a highly durable ultra-thin organic matrix to seamlessly and sustainably integrate the textile world with the digital. The DynaFeed directly measures real-time performance information during training, which is then displayed in an app the athlete can use to fine-tune performance.

QMI Industrial Co. Ltd. presented The Aqua Terra fabric and the Roam Anywear Hood, two of the latest VAST Tech developments. Created with the user in mind, they allow active nature lovers to get closer to nature in their busy lives. Marrying function with form, the Aqua Terra fabric and Roam Anywear Hood offer minimalist designs, fusing multiple functions into singular products. They effectively limit the amount of production resources needed, making them environmentally friendly. Aqua Terra is a fabric for garments that go from the mountains, to the oceans, to the office. The Roam Anywear Hood easily inflates to become a pillow.

Singtex Industrial Co., Ltd. presented three products. The AIRMEM™, the latest innovation from S.Café^®, pushes textiles to a new level. Twenty-five percent of the material is comprised of coffee oil extracted from spent coffee grounds. Its membrane replaces petroleum-based materials with a more sustainable alternative. Twenty-five percent of S.Café’s bio-foam, The AIRNEST™, is derived from the sustainable source of coffee oil. The AIRNEST presents a new alternative to petroleum-based ingredients, while providing a high-performance textile. The AIRNEST applies to a wide range of functionality and end-user markets. S.Café’s innovation continues with its cutting-edge fabric printing technology, the P4DRY™. Repurposed coffee grounds give the print layer four key attributes: it dries quickly, controls odor, reduces the rate of condensation, and is tremendously sustainable.

Tex-Ray Industrial Co., Ltd., by 2020, will improve its environmental footprint by reducing water usage and decreasing CO2 emissions during raw material production. Texray Performance Green House supplies and presented a series of collections that maintain their beauty and performance while being non-toxic. The Eco series can be divided into three categories: less chemicals with more function, represented by T-Cool and T-Hot fabrics; less water with fancy colors, represented by the ECO-lor dyeing technology; less raw material usage, represented by Recycle Poly with Blue Dye products.

Exhibitors and attendees from the industry remarked it was impressive to hear the overview of Taiwan’s textile industry and learn about the innovative eco-products and materials discussed in the presentations and displayed in the demos.

According to estimates of the Taiwan Textile Research Institute’s ITIS research team (April, 2017), the output value (including overseas production) of Taiwan’s functional fabrics accounted for roughly 50 percent of the global output value of functional fabrics, making Taiwan the world’s largest functional fabric production base.

Posted July 26, 2017

Source: The Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA)

CAMBRIDGE/ASHLAND, Mass. — July 25, 2017 — Takeda Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.  and BioSurfaces Inc. announced today that they have entered into an agreement to initiate a research program designed to develop innovative medical devices to treat patients with gastrointestinal (GI) diseases using BioSurfaces’ proprietary nanomaterial technology.

Under the joint research program, Takeda and BioSurfaces will explore novel therapeutic approaches for treating GI indications. Takeda will provide scientific and technical expertise in gastroenterology, while BioSurfaces will provide medical device design and nanomaterial expertise and fabrication technology. Additional terms of the agreement are not being disclosed.

“We are excited to partner with BioSurfaces, whose pioneering technology aids our strategy of applying novel biomaterials to treat gastrointestinal diseases,” said Vincent Ling, Ph.D., senior director of the Materials and Innovation, Takeda Pharmaceutical Sciences. “Our research collaboration will lead to the development of cutting-edge use of biopolymers and device fabrication technology. Application of developed technology has the potential to help prevent strictures and promote healing of fistulas, which are common manifestations of GI diseases. Takeda has a long history of material innovation, and this collaboration with BioSurfaces is a further example of our expansion of therapeutic modalities into nano-scale biomaterials.”

BioSurfaces has developed a groundbreaking process for producing nanofibrous materials out of FDA-approved polymers. These materials can be made to form a variety of unusual and difficult-to-manufacture shapes while also demonstrating improved biocompatibility over other textile-based medical implants. BioSurfaces’ manufacturing process further allows the incorporation of drugs or other bioactive agents directly into the nanofibers for localized release.

“Our group has been developing and refining our promising nanomaterial technology for over 13 years. Various devices using our technology have been shown to fully integrate with the body’s own tissue in preclinical studies, which is a major differentiator from current woven and knitted textile materials,” said Matthew Phaneuf, president and CTO of BioSurfaces. “In addition to improved healing, our technology is designed to deliver drugs and/or bioactive agents directly to the disease area, putting the treatment right where it should be and not throughout the whole body, thereby reducing possible complications. These attributes are promising for the next generation of medical devices and drug-delivery systems. We are excited about the opportunity to partner with Takeda, a world leader and innovator in therapeutic interventions, to apply our technology to develop novel therapeutic devices for patients with GI dysfunction.”

Posted July 25, 2017

Source: Takeda Pharmaceutical