Speculation about future technologies is a staple of internet discussion but the clothes of the future are seldom included. When I interviewed science-fiction author Neal Stephenson recently, he opined that clothing was “pretty highly evolved" already and was unlikely to get any better. I am more optimistic.
Levi Strauss & Co. (LS&Co.) today announced a new water action strategy that represents an evolution in thinking around water use in a global supply chain, particularly in areas already facing water stress, and a new way to define successful water stewardship in manufacturing. It leverages the latest water science and data, consultations with leading water experts, and the company’s own water management experience and leadership over the past three decades to set a new standard for the company and the industry.
Singapore-based RGE has joined H&M and a number of other groups to invest in Finnish waste-to-textile-fibres start-up Infinited Fiber Company Oy (IFC). RGE has also signed a co-operation agreement with the Finnish company to help commercialise its technology.
Since early 2018, IFC has been operating a 50-tonne per annum pilot plant in Espoo that produces textile fibres testing purposes. H&M and VF Corporation are among the groups testing the fibres the Espoo operation has produced so far.
If anyone doubts the staying power of cotton, consider that it was used 7,000 years ago for clothing in Ancient India, according to “The History of Clothing.” Its popularity has only continued, as modern performance technology has enhanced cotton’s natural properties so brands and designers can meet consumer demand for the fiber.
Nanotex, a leading provider of nanotechnology solutions for textiles, has a number of innovations that are applicable to cotton, said Kathryn Czuchra, marketing manager.
Considering the number of apparel retailers on the ground and online, it would appear to be a winning category. But broad sales trends are not in the sector's favor.
Several apparel retailers are struggling. Ascena is regrouping as sales plummet, unloading its discount banners entirely. L Brands is propped up by its personal care brand Bath & Body Works as Victoria's Secret loses share. J. Crew is in disarray, hobbled by debt and putting its hopes into its much smaller Madewell brand.
With the recent launch of Acabada ProActiveWear, the first CBD-infused textiles are officially hitting the market. The fabric treatment behind the CBD-infused textiles was developed by Devan Chemicals, a Belgian company specialized in functional finishes for the worldwide textile markets.
A giant production site broke ground on Monday in east China's Shandong Province, with an annual production capacity of 1 million tonnes of new nylon materials.
With a total investment of around 20 billion yuan (around 2.83 billion U.S. dollars), the site covers an area about 200 hectares in the city of Zibo.
It will also have an annual production capacity of 500,000 tonnes of hexanediamine, 500,000 tonnes of adiponitrile and 500,000 tonnes of acrylonitrile.
DOMO Chemicals and Solvay have signed today an agreement for DOMO to acquire Solvay’s Performance Polyamides Business in Europe. This includes Engineering Plastics operations in France and Poland; High Performance Fibers in France; Polymer and Intermediates operations in France, Spain & Poland. The agreement also involves a joint venture between BASF and DOMO in France for the production of Adipic Acid. The Business comprises Production, Sales, Technical Support, R&D and Innovation services which currently have a combined headcount of approximately 1100 employees.
Bangladesh's exports in the first month of the current 2019-20 fiscal year ending next June surged 8.55 percent to nearly 4 billion U.S. dollars, an official said Tuesday.
The Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) official told that export performance for July was 3.88 billion U.S. dollars.
Of the total earnings, he said the country's income from ready-made garment items, including knitwear and woven, stood at 3.31 billion U.S. dollars.
A list of terms and definitions that can be used within the burgeoning smart textiles community was the first standard approved by ASTM International’s smart textiles subcommittee.
