Conventional carbon-fiber reinforced plastic (CFRP) requires at least five minutes to be molded into an automotive part, which has limited its use to high-end vehicles. The Teijin Group, Tokyo, Japan, now has the capacity to mass produce CFRP that can be molded in less than one minute, a development that may expand the use of [...]

A new 45,000-square-foot distribution center in Indianapolis adds to Top Value Fabrics’ growing capacity to provide industrial and recreational fabrics to customers. Increased demand for print media, CPSIA-compliant vinyl-coated polyester and nylon diamond ripstop fabric made expansion essential “to process orders on a quick and efficient basis and provide our customers with a high level [...]

Bluestar Silicones, a Chinese and French owned company with facilities in California and South Carolina, is moving its North American manufacturing and research operations to Charlotte, N.C. The company will invest $19.8 million in the Charlotte location over the next three years and receive a $340,000 grant toward the project from One North Carolina Fund. [...]

Country-of-origin labels should be mandatory for textiles imported from a third country and sold in the EU, according to the EU Parliament’s Internal Market Committee. Parliament was requested to vote on a technical proposal to cut the time it takes to get textile innovations on the market, but changed the focus to call for mandatory [...]

Maureen Gray, vice president of International Trade for Polo Ralph Lauren, is the new chair of the U.S. Association of Importers of Textiles and Apparel, following March 15 elections. “I’m looking forward to positioning USA–ITA as a leader in promoting free and open trade in this uncertain political and global climate. We have some work [...]

India’s Minister of State for Commerce and Industry says that the European Union has raised non-tariff barriers that work against India’s textile and garment exports, including labeling, certification and (REACH) Registration, Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of Chemicals requirements. “These issues will also be taken up with the EU in the next meeting of the India-EU [...]

The International Conference on Textile Coating and Laminating 2010 featured presentations on breakthrough coating, the European technical textiles market, adhesive webs, innovative laminated products and digital inkjet technologies, among others. International Newsletter Ltd. offers the complete conference (presentations and discussion) on CD-ROM at www.technical-textiles.net.

Graphics One LLC, Burbank, Calif., now has its 20 new portable display products available on a website that allows customers to find information in a streamlined and intuitive way. The company’s new website, www.graphicsonedisplays.com, encourages users to browse the simple-to-use portable displays, accessories, news, downloadable product information, videos and more.

[Iverson’s Design] Olympia, Wash., U.S.A. When a wakeboarding enthusiast wanted an alternative to the usual tall and bulky wakeboard tower, Iverson’s Design needed to hybridize several functions to get the customer back on the water: a boat top to protect the driver and passengers in the cockpit; the point of attachment to pull the wakeboard; [...]

[Clausens Canvas & PVC Ltd.] Leeston, New Zealand Clausens Canvas and PVC provided carpet lining, seat upholstery and the engine lid shell for a client’s jetboat hull and created a complete look that flowed from front to back. The carpet lining was completed before the motor was installed to ensure all surfaces were covered, including [...]