Vanguard Europe’s VKR3200-HS Roll-To-Roll Printer Makes European Debut At FESPA Global

AMSTERDAM — March 19, 2024 — A new look, advanced user-friendly software and the first public showing of the VKR3200-HS roll-to-roll printer in its new design are among the highlights of Vanguard Europe’s presence in Hall 2, Stand B10, at FESPA Global in Amsterdam from 19-22 March 2024.

Vanguard Europe is exhibiting alongside its regional strategic partner Pixia BV, and they are being complemented by Durst Software & Solutions.

The Vanguard VKR3200-HS is a true roll-to-roll printer delivering phenomenal quality for banner, static cling, wall covering and other flexible materials. The VKR3200-HS, capable of handling a single roll of 3.2 meters or any two-roll configuration of up to 1.6 meters, will be running on the stand. The Vanguard VK3220T-HS, which had its global launch at FESPA in 2023, will also be running in Amsterdam. During the event, the printers will utilize environmentally-friendly materials such as SignAgain recycled boards and Kavalan PVC-free frontlit banner.

As with all Vanguard Europe machines, the VKR3200-HS is designed in the United States and assembled at the European headquarters next door to the Durst Group HQ in Brixen, Italy. The new industrial design features a software that boasts a novel GUI that enables seamless processing of job order requirements independently for each of the dual rolls on the machine.

“We are incredibly excited to be at FESPA Global,” said Fabian Sottsas, Managing Director of Vanguard Europe. “Together with Pixia and Durst Software & Solutions we have two incredible partners to showcase our cutting-edge products, software service technologies. We have made significant progress within a short period of time, as we continue to grow business together profitably for our customers.

“Just a week after confirming Grup Transilvae’s partnership in Romania, we are preparing to share news of a new collaboration in France in the next few weeks, proving how committed we are to growing our operations quickly and efficiently. Our mission is to continue to replicate the success of our parent company, which has installed over a thousand LFP printing systems across the Americas.”

A company formed 14 years ago and covering BENELUX, Pixia Managing Director Jeroen van Dortmont said: “The hard graft in the build-up to FESPA has been so worth it. The team has done a fantastic job. We are delighted to have the opportunity to interact with a customer base that has a demand for superior quality, rapid production at industrial speeds, and yet is designed with environmental considerations, at competitive prices in the market.

The 75 square meter stand spotlights a true-flatbed and a roll-to-roll UV LED production printer. The Vanguard Europe software version of the Durst Workflow with Analytics, a sophisticated and exclusive feature in this market segment, completes an ultimate set of end-to-end solutions.

Durst Software & Solutions will be demonstrating its complete portfolio at the booth. The software solutions streamline the entire process, starting with initial file creation, through prepress, production, and final analysis for clients. These technologies facilitate enhanced levels of automation and efficiency, thereby enhancing print production procedures and efficiencies in business operations.

Posted: March 21, 2024

Source: Vanguard Europe GmbH

Duluth Trading Co. Wants Your Old Underwear — Yes, You Read That Right!

MOUNT HOREB, Wis. — March 20, 2024 — Ready to break up with those boxers or undies you’ve been ignoring in your underwear drawer? Duluth Trading Co. invites customers to say goodbye to those holey, stretched-out, tired, old undies and hello to a fresh start during its first Underwear Trade-Up event. On April 6, the Wisconsin-based workwear, outdoor apparel and lifestyle brand will offer the first 300 customers in each store the chance to trade-up a pair of their old underwear for a complimentary pair of virally popular Buck Naked® underwear, which boasts over 15,000 five-star reviews.

During the event, customers can bring their old underwear to any of Duluth Trading’s 65 stores in exchange for a brand spankin’ new pair of underwear. For those who decide on-the-spot they’re in need of an immediate underwear refresh, Duluth Trading’s “undressing rooms,” will be open and outfitted to assist customers in making the swap.

“Wear ’em in, carry ’em in, schlep ’em in, we don’t care how you bring them, just dig in your drawer for a pair of expired underwear and trade them ‘up’ at your local Duluth Trading store,” said Ricker Schlecht, Senior Vice President of Product Development. “Think of this as a win-win for your rear end! You get to ditch those dingy boxers for an upgrade, and we get the satisfaction of putting an end to subpar undies across the nation.”

Here’s how the program works:

On Saturday, April 6, starting at 10 a.m. local time, customers can bring in any brand of old, worn-out underwear to their local Duluth Trading store.

In exchange, the first 300 customers will receive a new pair of Duluth Trading Buck Naked® underwear in the color and size of their choice. (In-store only while supplies last. Limit one per customer.)

The old underwear collected throughout the program will be disposed of in provided “bio-bags.”

To participate in Duluth Trading’s Underwear Trade-Up event, find a nearby store at www.duluthtrading.com/find-stores.

Posted: March 20, 2024

Source: Duluth Trading

Thermore Introduces Freedom Stretch Insulation

MILAN — March 19, 2024 — The Thermore group today announced the debut of its most dynamic stretch insulation in its five decades of innovation: Freedom.

Made from 50 percent post-consumer recycled polyester, this unique and compelling insulation offers ground-breaking stretch while providing warmth across a multitude of uses, including alpine sports, running, golf, commuter, fishing & hunting, cycling and a host of other active pursuits.

The Thermore group today announced the debut of its most dynamic stretch insulation in its five decades of innovation: Freedom. Made from 50% post-consumer recycled polyester, this unique and compelling insulation offers ground-breaking stretch while providing warmth across a multitude of uses, including alpine sports, running, golf, commuter, fishing & hunting, cycling and a host of other active pursuits.

Dynamometer testing shows that the insulation — which comes in four levels of warmth, ranging from 60-150 grams per square meter — has incredible elasticity and recovers to 100 percent of its pre-stretch size time after time.

The ability to provide warmth while also allowing for a dynamic range of motion is what impels performance brands to utilize Thermore in their product lines.  The new Freedom insulation adds a higher level of comfort and functionality than what was previously attainable in the stretch category. It reaffirms Thermore’s place in the textile industry as a true innovator that is deeply rooted in performance and sustainability.

The Freedom stretch is bluesign and GRS certified. It’s machine washable, can be dry cleaned and is easy-care for the consumer- and very design friendly for product developers with its high resistance to fiber migration.

This represents another step forward in Thermore’s ongoing dedication to commit to a sustainable product line. Thermore pioneered the use of recycled fibers in the 1980s and has mastered the technology ever since.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: Thermore

The LYCRA Co. Joins Performance Days Seminar On Textile Recycling

WILMINGTON, Del. — March 19, 2024 — The LYCRA Co., a global leader in developing innovative and sustainable solutions for apparel, has announced its participation in seminars held during Performance Days Munich, March 20-21 in Germany. The seminars will explore the current state of polyester recycling from textile waste, and is hosted by Accelerating Circularity, an action-oriented non-profit organization focused on textile-to-textile recycling systems on a commercial scale.

Jean Hegedus, The LYCRA Company’s Director of Sustainable Business Development, will be a panelist at Performance Days from March 20 to 21 in Munich, Germany. Photo — Business Wire

Jean Hegedus, The LYCRA Co.’s director of Sustainable Business Development, will be a panelist in the Recycled Polyester Database Launch session, held in the Reality Zone from 3 to 4:30 p.m. each day of the fair. The platform brings together polyester recyclers and fabric producers who are incorporating textile feedstocks into their processes and products.

Following the presentation, panelists will discuss the challenges of using textile waste and how to overcome them. Then they will break into groups to offer brands and retailers the opportunity to speak directly with providers in more detail.

The LYCRA Co. has been a leader in the development of specialty polyester fibers made from textile waste, offering COOLMAX® and THERMOLITE® EcoMade fibers made from 100% textile waste since 2021. These fibers are of virgin equivalent quality, and are available in staple, filament and insulation forms and can be used in a broad variety of applications from performance wear to outdoor garments, to socks and ready-to-wear.

To help customers realize the benefits of sourcing products made from textile waste, last year The LYCRA Company launched “Waste for Good,” a new promotional campaign that features the tagline, “Don’t Waste this Opportunity.” The messaging promotes the advancement of circularity in the apparel and textile industry with COOLMAX and THERMOLITE EcoMade technologies.

“We are grateful to Accelerating Circularity for hosting this event and highlighting the need to move to textile waste as an input, thus setting the stage for our industry to close its own loop,” Hegedus said. “This is particularly important as recycled bottles are projected to be in short supply within the next few years, with bottling companies working to secure supply for their own recycling efforts.”

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: The LYCRA Co.

The World’s First 12-Head Comber: The Trützschler TCO 21XL Provides High Levels Of Performance And Quality

MÖNCHENGLADBACH, Germany — March 19, 2024 — Boosting productivity has never been easier! The new high-performance comber TCO 21XL makes it possible to increase productivity by 50 percent. Real-world results from spinning companies worldwide — including Bakan Tex in Uzbekistan — have confirmed the TCO 21XL’s high levels of performance and quality. Why is this new comber grabbing attention among top spinning companies? Find out here.

Great performance in Uzbekistan

Diagram 1

Our customer Bakan Tex, headquartered in Uzbekistan, has already enjoyed an exclusive sneak-peek at this machine. Bakan produces 14,500 tons of combed cotton yarn per year (ranging from Ne 20 to Ne 40) at its state-of-the-art spinning mill. The company has a high degree of automation and focuses on future- oriented technologies.

Diagram 2

“The production and quality data of the TCO 21XL are simply fantastic,” says Mr. Sekar, General Manager at Bakan Tex. “We’re incredibly excited about how the 12-head comber is going to benefit our business.” Bakan Tex was able to perform a comprehensive comparison between eight-head and twelve-head machines under identical production conditions because it already has TCO combers installed. You can see the results on Diagram 1 and Diagram 2.

Further results are promising

Diagram 3

The team at Bakan Tex was thrilled to see how one comber can meet its market needs so effectively. Further results in Turkey, for example, confirmed higher productivity at no compromise in quality, stable running performance and very satisfactory endurance test results. These trials were carried out for ring spinning with uzbek cotton as the raw material. The yarn count was Ne 30.

Lower cost of ownership

Diagram 4

Next to boosting productivity, the TCO 21XL requires 25 % less space to accommodate the same number of combing heads (see Diagram 4). This reduces initial construction costs and also results in lower ongoing operating costs, including costs associated with lighting, air conditioning and other overheads. Our new ONLINE NOIL MONITORING function also enables further cost savings by automatically detecting variations in the noil and giving a warning signal in case of significant changes. Of course, the TCO 21XL also features the proven drive technologies DUAL DRIVE and 2TWIN DRIVE for a completely synchronous running on all combing heads and a uniform combing result.

The world’s first 12-head comber: TCO 21XL

We are excited that this innovative comber has started fulfilling its most important role – delivering outstanding productivity and quality to customers worldwide.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: The Trützschler Group SE

Hyosung Presents new regen™ Planet-Friendly Textile Solutions At Spring Trade Shows

SEOUL, South Korea — March 19, 2024 — Expanding its dedication to ongoing innovation and delivering sustainable solutions for a wide range of needs throughout the value chain, Hyosung will introduce a distinctive range of certified sustainable materials at forthcoming international trade shows this spring.

At Performance Days Munich & Functional Fabric Fair Portland

From nature to performance fiber

Creating a more powerful sustainable story, Hyosung has expanded its offering of regen™ Bio-Based Elastane, replacing nearly all the fiber’s raw materials previously made with petroleum-based resources with 100-percent renewable resources. The company recently received an independent third party LCA for its expanded offering of regen Bio-Based Elastane.

Hyosung was the first company to commercially introduce USDA and SGS-certified regen Bio-Based Elastane made with 30-percent renewable resources in 2021, which has been successfully adopted by leading global brands. According to an independent third party LCA, the manufacture of 1 kilogram (kg) regen Bio-Based spandex reduces its carbon footprint by 20 percent as compared to the production 1 kg of conventional spandex.

“We are very excited about our expanded regen Bio-Based Elastane offering that further reduces our dependence on fossil fuels and carbon emissions,” said Claire O’Neill, Hyosung director of European Brand Marketing. “As a comprehensive provider of sustainable textile solutions, our goal is to provide textile options that meet the diverse needs of our mills, brands, and consumers. We take pride in achieving this objective.”

Ocean Protection Initiative

At Performance Days and Functional Fabric Fair, Hyosung will also present the latest innovations with its GRS-certified, 100 percent post-consumer recycled regen Ocean Nylon made from discarded fishing nets. Third party LCA data shows that the manufacture of 1 kg regen ocean post-consumer recycled nylon made with discarded fishing nets reduces CO2 emissions by 73 percent, fossil resource use by 76 percent, and water consumption by 98 percent compared to the manufacture of 1 kg of conventional nylon. Under its proprietary recycling process, Hyosung recently increased production and re-launched regen Ocean Nylon in early 2023, which has led to major outdoor brand adoptions that are launching new products made with the material this spring.

David Kwon, senior manager of Hyosung’s Nylon and Polyester marketing team, will join a panel discussion exploring what ocean-bound plastic is exactly and what can be done with plastics already at sea led by Technical editor of WSA magazine, Sophie Bramel, held on the second day of Performance Days, March 21 at 2pm.

Reuse. Recyle. Regen.

To meet consumer desire for sustainable apparel that offers comfort with performance benefits, Hyosung has uniquely added multi-function properties in the manufacture of its certified 100 percent recycled Elastane, Nylon and Polyester fibers. For instance, Hyosung’s regen Askin Polyester offers cool touch, UV protection and quick drying benefits. Its regen Xanadu is a mechanical stretch fiber made with a blend of recycled post-consumer PET and plant-based materials providing a performance fit.

At Kingpins Amsterdam

Innovation for denim you want to live in

At Kingpins Amsterdam, Hyosung will present new denim stretch innovations with its CREORA® 3D Max Elastane. Hyosung’s CREORA 3D Max elastane delivers high-performance stretch and recovery with a very small portion of elastane content uniquely allowing the garment to be recycled according to Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s The Jeans Redesign.

Anticipating denim brand needs, Hyosung has added sustainable and functional versions of the fibre that matches the same performance and recyclability benefits as conventional CREORA 3D Max Elastane, which include USDA and SGS-certified regen Bio-Based 3D Max Elastane, RCS certified, 100-percent recycled regen 3D Max Elastane made from industrial waste, and CREORA Easy 3D Max Eastane that provides soft power and excellent stretch.

“Hyosung is dedicated to developing various versions of denim spandex with added bio-functionality in the future, said Simon Hong, Hyosung Denim Lead.  “This initiative aims to provide consumers with options that prioritize not only eco-friendliness but also comfort and convenience. By incorporating special features into these products, Hyosung seeks to enhance the overall user experience while contributing to sustainable practices in the fashion industry.”

At Kingpins, Hyosung will sponsor and participate in a panel discussion with denim design professionals with varied prospectives on what fit might look like in 5 years’ time.

Hyosung can be found at Performance Days Munich March 20-21, stand 50x, Functional Fabric Fair Portland, April 17-18, booth 1608, and Kingpins Amsterdam April 24-25 taking place in the SugarFactory.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: Hyosung

Sustainable, Leading In Digitalization And Innovative Textile Technologies At ITM 2024

ISTANBUL — March 18, 2024 — ITM 2024 Exhibition will host the latest innovations in textile machineries, technologies, artificial intelligence supported machines, software and design marvel devices. Visitors who visit the ITM 2024 Exhibition, where innovations from every field of textile from weaving to knitting, from yarn to digital printing, from finishing to denim will discover innovative, environmentally friendly and pioneering technologies in digitalization for a sustainable future.

ITM 2024 International Textile Machinery Exhibition, which will be organized in collaboration with Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. and Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş. and in partnership with Textile Machinery and Accessories Industrialists Association (TEMSAD), will open its doors to its visitors at Tüyap Fair and Congress Center between 4-8 June 2024. ITM 2024 Exhibition, which will turn into a platform full of state-of-the-art machinery, digital design trends and sustainable production solutions; will give exhibitors the opportunity to discover the most up-to-date and effective applications in the sector.

New Manufacturing Techniques such as Artificial Intelligence and Automation will be in the Spotlight at ITM 2024

2023 was a year in which sustainability, digitalization and innovation were highlighted. The use of recyclable materials, adoption of water-saving technologies and efforts to reduce carbon footprint heralded groundbreaking developments in the industry. Sustainability, digitalization, artificial intelligence and automation will continue to play a key role for the textile industry in 2024. Machines that are designed to increase production efficiency and reduce costs, new production techniques such as digitalization, artificial intelligence and automation will be one of the focus points of ITM 2024. Machinery and equipment designed to reduce environmental impact and made from sustainable materials will be featured at ITM 2024. Topics such as the use of recyclable materials, energy efficiency, waste reduction solutions, smart weaving machinery and production monitoring systems will also be presented at ITM 2024.

Intensive Demand for ITM 2024 Exhibition from Professional Visitors and Trade Delegations

Hundreds of exhibitors from Turkey and abroad are counting the days to introduce their latest technologies for the first time at ITM 2O24 Exhibition. Leading textile machinery manufacturers, global industry investors and professional visitors are planning to come to ITM 2024 Exhibition to see the latest technologies closely.

Trade delegations from dozens of countries are requesting to come to the ITM 2024, which is included in the list of ‘Domestic Fairs Covered by the Ministry of Trade of the Republic of Turkey. Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Iran, Egypt, Algeria, Morocco, Morocco, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, Serbia, Poland, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Mexico, Peru, Venezuela are among the countries that have requested a procurement delegation.

Turkish Consulates and Commercial Attaché Offices are supporting trade delegations with visa applications. If you want to take your place among the trade delegations coming to ITM 2024 Exhibition, you can apply to the Turkish Consulates and Commercial Attaché Offices in your country.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: Tüyap Tüm Fuarcılık Yapım A.Ş. and Teknik Fuarcılık A.Ş.

Polartec Unveils New High-Performance Fabrics With Sustainable Benefits — Polartec® Power Shield™ RPM And Expanded Shed Less™ Options

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — March 18, 2024 — Polartec®, a Milliken & Company brand and the premium creator of innovative and more sustainable textile solutions, is pleased to introduce Polartec® Power Shield™ RPM,  made from recycled polyester materials and the iconic Polartec 200 and Micro Series recycled fleeces featuring cutting-edge Polartec Shed Less technology. Designed to perform better, go farther and enhance the lives of those who wear them, Polartec Power Shield RPM represents yet another milestone in reducing impact on the planet and enabling circular processes.

Ramesh Kesh, senior vice president at Milliken & Company and business manager Polartec said, “Polartec has a 30-year tradition of textile innovation aimed at reducing the environmental footprint of our products. With these latest initiatives, we’re ramping up our commitment to prioritize the planet. Whether it’s minimizing our impact, creating products built to last, or fostering circularity, Polartec is dedicated to making a positive difference today, tomorrow and beyond.”

Made to enable circularity, Polartec Power Shield RPM is a recycled polyester fabric that revolutionizes weather protection by offering waterproofness, wind-proofness, and breathability that also ensures high-stretch comfort and resilience. With its high range of motion and highly durable 100 percent recycled polyester membrane designed for high intensity activities, Power Shield RPM elevates end use comfort and is perfect for runners, cyclists and golfers who refuse to trade performance for sustainability.

Polartec Power Shield RPM: Offering excellent stretch and recovery, this pioneering fabric features a highly durable non-PFAS coating to repel precipitation, 10,000mm hydrohead to keep it off, and is available in both 3-Layer and 2-Layer versions. When combined with an industry leading breathability spec of 30,000g/m2/24hrs, Power Shield RPM redefines the idea of unstoppable comfort for highly active users. Designed to satisfy the requirements of top-tier athletes and weekend enthusiasts alike, the use of sustainably sourced recycled polyester reduces both the product’s carbon footprint and the reliance on fossil fuels while enabling circular processes.

Less is more with Polartec Shed Less technology, an innovative process that decreases fiber fragment shedding during home laundering up to 85%* without compromising the performance or durability of the fabrics it’s applied to. Less shedding means fewer microfiber fragments end up in the oceans and waterways. Less shedding means more years of wearing indulgently soft Polartec fleece fabrics that help pave the way for a more sustainable future. Less shedding means more value, which is why this one-of-a-kind technology is now globally available on the most iconic Polartec recycled fleeces, Polartec 200 and Micro Series.

How the Shed Less process works is as revolutionary as its results. Optimizing yarn const­ruction, knitting, chemistry, and manufacturing excellence, Polartec has engineered a way to ensure that the same fibers that give its iconic fleece a soft, comfortable hand now resist breaking or rubbing off – all without altering the trademark characteristics that make Polartec fleece the go-to choice for lightweight, breathable and cozy mid-layer warmth.

Polartec Micro Series: engineered to provide long-lasting comfort in a vast range of conditions and activity levels, this premium recycled fleece with Polartec Shed Less technology is made from a lofted structure with thermal air pockets to retain warmth without inhibiting breathability. Highly durable yet incredibly soft, Polartec Micro™ Series is both hydrophobic and fast drying, making it the most versatile synthetic fleece on the market.

Polartec 200 Series: the modern version of the original PolarFleece, which in 1993 became the first performance fleece knit from yarn made from recycled plastic bottles, is now treated with state-of-the-art technology to protect its longevity while protecting the planet. With greater resiliency, lightweight warmth and faster drying times, Polartec 200 Series sets the industry standard when it comes to high-performance synthetic fleece.

Karen Beattie, director of Product Management at Polartec, added, “Our dedication to environmental circularity extends from incorporating repurposed plastics and plant-based fibers, to employing non-PFAS treatments and reducing both emissions and waste across our production and distribution platforms. It is seen in the longevity and durability of our fabrics, ensuring our products can be cherished for generations. We make sure nothing feels better, performs better, or protects better than Polartec, in complete harmony with the world around us.”

* Test results using AATCC (American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists) TM212-2021 test method for fiber fragment release during home laundering.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: Polartec®, a Milliken & Company brand

Techtextil Frankfurt 2024: Systems For The Testing Of Fibers And Advanced Materials Will Be Showcased By Key Members Of The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA)

MANCHESTER, UK — March 18, 2024 — Sophisticated systems for the testing of fibers and advanced materials will be showcased by key members of the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) at the forthcoming Techtextil 2024 exhibition which takes place in Frankfurt, Germany, from April 23-26.

James Heal Performance

James Heal, for example, has established strong ties with major producers of technical textiles over many years and with its latest Performance Testing collection of instruments has put the emphasis on making testing simple, fast and intuitive.

The latest James Heal AirPro air permeability tester is used to test the resistance of the flow of air through woven, knitted or nonwoven textiles. Its software offers flexibility with standards and comprehensive reporting options and different test head sizes are available, making it suitable for a range of applications and standards.

The James heal HydroView hydrostatic head tester is designed to measure the penetration of water into materials.

The HydroView hydrostatic head tester is meanwhile designed to measure the penetration of water in materials which have an end use that requires water resistance, such as those in the medical, geotextiles and nonwovens sectors. It is also proving essential in the testing of end-use applications for technical textiles ranging from protective gloves, diving suits and winter sports apparel to fishing waders, roofing, tenting, ground sheets and more.

Water repellency is another important function of technical fabrics from a safety and comfort perspective and with the TruRain, James Heal has reduced the volume of wastewater and energy consumed in water repellency tests to a fraction of that of competing products.

James Heal is at stand A40 in Hall 12, at Techtextil 2024.

Visual accuracy

Colour is the prime focus of VeriVide (Hall 12, stand A70) and its systems are widely employed by manufacturers of technical textiles for end-use applications including automotive, aerospace and other transport interior materials, seat belts, airbags, helmets and gloves, and even medical implants and prosthetics.

Coordinating colour palettes on a wide range of materials is a constant challenge for the airline industry that can be overcome with the Verivide DigiEye system.

For non-contact color measurement and digital imaging, VeriVide’s established DigiEye system collects and processes data that can be communicated and shared instantly, enabling manufacturers, producers and processors to speed up quality control, sustain product integrity and reduce waste. DigiEye also enables the non-contact measurement of curved and textured parts and provides objective and accurate colour data.

Patterned fabric inspection

The precise detection of faults during the production of technical fabrics has recently been significantly advanced with the introduction of the latest WebSpector automated fabric inspection system by Shelton Vision (Hall 12, stand E54)

Building on its market leading vision system for plain, single colour textiles, Shelton’s patent-pending image processing techniques now recognize and adapt to complex patterns — even those on fabrics with significant distortion and deformation.

Fabrics are not rigid and can be sheared or stretched while also being subject to local distortion, but the WebSpector system successfully deals with such anomalies in real time to provide a reliable inspection process at the same levels as plain fabric.

The unique and advanced software techniques ensure a totally clean image, allowing the full detection of faults on fabrics running at high speeds.

While the automotive interiors and one-piece woven airbags sectors remain major destinations for this advanced technology, further finished fabric WebSpector systems are now currently being supplied to manufacturers of performance wear and high-end fashion, denim, outdoor upholstery, sunscreen, mattress ticking, window dressings and even carbon fibre composites.

Splicing

Resource efficiency in the processing of such extremely expensive like carbon and aramid is meanwhile a key benefit of the latest splicing technologies of Airbond (Hall 12, stand E31).

Pneumatic yarn splicing is a clever process established in the textile industry for joining yarns and works by intermingling individual filaments closely together, to make joint which are stronger and flatter than knots.

The patented splicers in Airbond’s latest range are 3D printed, making them both lighter and stronger, and now enable the splicing of yarns in sizes of up to 16,000 tex – compared to the 1,200 tex most splicing machines can handle.

New fibers

Fibre Extrusion Technologies (FET, Hall 12, stand A84) works closely in collaboration with its customers on the development of specific multifilament, monofilament and nonwoven polymers for niche applications – over 70 to date – and designs the bespoke fibre extrusion and spunbond and meltblown nonwoven systems to successfully produce them.

Following the opening of its expanded Fibre Development Centre at the start of 2023, with considerably enhanced facilities more than doubling capacity and increasing efficiency, the company has significantly accelerated the number of technical trials it has conducted for clients.

Expanding markets

Other BTMA members who will be exhibiting at Techtextil 2024 include Avocet (Hall 11, stand B25) the manufacturer of Cetaflam high performance flame retardant (FR) chemicals, Ascotex (Hall 12, stand B41) a specialist in the development and application of yarn guides, and Vandewiele UK (Hall 12, stand D20) the UK arm of Bonas Textile Machinery specialising in high capacity jacquard technology for the weaving industry.

“Techtextil is an essential show for many BTMA members and there are growing opportunities in a number of rapidly expanding markets with exponential growth,” says BTMA CEO Jason Kent. “We are looking forward to some very fruitful meetings and discussions at Techtextil 2024, which is always an essential barometer for gauging where the technical textiles markets are headed next.”

Founded in 1940, the British Textile Machinery Association actively promotes British textile machinery manufacturers and their products to the world. The non-profit organisation acts as a bridge between its members and the increasingly diverse industries within the textile manufacturing sector.

Posted: March 19, 2024

Source: The British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA)

Textile Manufacturer Pincroft Invests In New Tech To Produce Nearly 70% Of Its Own Electricity

ADLINGTON, England — March 18, 2024 — Pincrocroft — a European textile dyer, printer, and finisher — released the company’s latest energy saving figures after investing €3.5m in a new Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant for its site, where the manufacturer is now able to produce its own electricity and recycle heat for use across its textile operations.

What is a CHP unit and how does it work?

A CHP unit is essentially a system that generates electricity and useful heat simultaneously from the same energy source. Usually, when electricity is produced, a great deal of heat is generated as a byproduct, which often goes to waste. A CHP unit captures this byproduct heat during electricity generation so it can be used across the production process.

With this technology, Pincroft has been able to produce 67% of its own electricity while the heat recovered from the CHP plant has saved an amount of natural gas equivalent to 658 tonnes of CO2 emissions during its first operating year.

“CHP is a proven technology offering a viable alternative to traditional centralized power generation, delivering a considerable efficiency increase compared to separate energy systems”, said Pincroft’s Business Strategy Analyst Louise Becart.

“As next steps, we are evaluating other sustainable technologies to combine with our CHP equipment, with the aim of reducing our reliance on natural resources and power consumption as much as possible, in line with our net zero goals,” Becart added.

Posted: March 18, 2024

Source: Pincroft

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