Innovations in technical textiles and nonwovens awarded

The winners of the Techtextil Innovation Award 2015, presented for innovative ideas and future-oriented developments in the field of technical textiles, nonwovens and functional apparel textiles, were announced at the Techtextil / Texprocess fair in Frankfurt, Germany. These great innovations illustrate exiting new application for technical textiles and nonwovens

Continue ReadingInnovations in technical textiles and nonwovens awarded

Are excess heat and isotope changes in e-cat LENR reactor real? Part 1

A group of Swedish and Italian scientists published technical papers that seem to confirm excess heat in a low energy nuclear reaction (LENR) device called e-cat. The scientists found in the ash of the spent fuel dramatic isotope changes in nickel (Ni) and lithium (Li) without any harmful radiation. If this finding would be correct - LENR as transmutation of elements without radiation - it would turn our present knowledge of nuclear physics on its head- a scientific sensation.

Continue ReadingAre excess heat and isotope changes in e-cat LENR reactor real? Part 1

Textile printing supplier SPGPrints acquired by financial investor Investcorp

Financial investors are taking more interest in the textile printing and digital printing space. Investcorp has announced the acquisition of SPGPrints Group. SPGPrints, a Dutch company formerly known as Stork Prints, is a leading supplier of printing systems and consumables for textile printing.

Continue ReadingTextile printing supplier SPGPrints acquired by financial investor Investcorp

The sustainability of organic cotton and GM cotton – part 2 of 2

Organic cotton and genetically modified cotton (GM cotton) are opposite concepts to make cotton more sustainable. In that sense it is the target to reduce water and energy consumption of cotton agriculture and processing, and to reduce the amount of potentially hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides, released into the environment. A lot of totally contracting data can be found to support either one of the concepts, depending how things were examined and by whom studies were funded. This article tries to bring to light some of the issues related to cotton, GM and organic.

Continue ReadingThe sustainability of organic cotton and GM cotton – part 2 of 2

The sustainability of organic cotton and GM cotton – Part 1 of 2

Organic cotton and genetically modified cotton (GM cotton) are opposite concepts to make cotton more sustainable. In that sense it is the target to reduce water and energy consumption of cotton agriculture and processing, and to reduce the amount of potentially hazardous chemicals, such as pesticides, released into the environment. A lot of totally contracting data can be found to support either one of the concepts, depending how things were examined and by whom studies were funded. This article tries to bring to light some of the issues related to cotton, GM and organic.

Continue ReadingThe sustainability of organic cotton and GM cotton – Part 1 of 2

Enzymes – an alternative for wet processing of denim

Denim wet processing using chemicals is one of the pollution causing processes in thetextile mills. Textile garment manufactures use numerousbers of acutely toxic chemicals of which many are classified as hazardous. Several denim brands have committed to eliminate the release of all hazardous chemicals throughout its entire supply chain and products. In response to the Greenpeace Detox campaign, a group of major apparel and footwear brands and retailers made a shared commitment to help lead the industry towards zero discharge of hazardous chemicals (ZDHC) by 2020.This report gives an overview of the use of enzymes compared to traditional applications in the garment process of denim fabrics.

Continue ReadingEnzymes – an alternative for wet processing of denim

Greenpeace launches another attack on sportswear brands concerning hazardous chemicals

Just weeks before the start of the football World Cup 2014, a newly released Greenpeace report, building up on earlier activities under the detox campaign, found a variety of potentially hazardous chemicals (PFOA, NPEO, and more) in sportswear products of adidas, Nike and Puma. Toxic chemicals were found in almost all football boots, gloves and shirts which were examined.

Continue ReadingGreenpeace launches another attack on sportswear brands concerning hazardous chemicals