RollEase, Stamford, Conn., the new exclusive distributor of Alkenz SunShadow solar screen fabric in the U.S., has announced that it is opening a new distribution center in Lenoir, N.C., making it one of the largest distributors of solar screen fabric in the country. The 30,000 sq. ft. facility will be fully operational on Aug. 15. [...]

Soyang Technologies, Hangzhou, China, has announced the formation of its Technical Textiles Business Unit, which will be managed by Paul Hunt, an Australian living in Hangzhou, offering more than 20 years of experience in technical textiles distribution in both Australia and Thailand. “The company is already recognized worldwide as a manufacturer and marketer of graphics [...]

Testing data for geotextiles are used in making critical decisions about civil and environmental engineering for large infrastructure projects, so performing the right tests to ensure compliance with various worldwide standards is key. Propex Operating Company LLC, Chattanooga, Tenn., performs geotextile testing on the company’s products at its Ringgold, Ga., laboratory, which is accredited by [...]

By the year 2020, INVISTA, a Wichita, Kan., producer of polymers and fibers, intends to reduce its energy intensity by 20 percent, a global goal that reflects the company’s commitment to more efficient operations. INVISTA has established an operations excellence framework to capture improvements in reliability, production, quality and yield, while advancing capital projects that [...]

Chemists at the University of Georgia, Athens, Ga., have announced the availability of a new technology that, when applied to natural or synthetic materials, creates a permanent antimicrobial action. The potential applications for the technology, developed by Jason Locklin, an assistant professor of chemistry, include medical linens, clothing, face masks, paper towels, diapers, intimate apparel [...]

Pharaoh Djoser, a warrior who reigned in Egypt 4,700 years ago, commissioned the first pyramid in Memphis as a permanent resting place. However, an earthquake in 1992 shifted the multi-step pyramid sideways, destabilizing its roof. Peter James, a former Royal Navy lieutenant commander, adapted airbags used as explosive cushions by the British Army to a [...]

A key obstacle preventing the Chinese textile industry from growing stronger may be the shortage of technical workers, says Xu Kunyuan, vice president of the China National Textile & Apparel Council (CNTAC). According to China View (XinhuaNews), 70 percent of front-line textile industry employees are farmers and likely to change jobs. “The country’s textile industry [...]

[IGK Equestrian/North Brook Farms Inc.] Auburn, N.Y., U.S.A. Modern equestrians can have peace of mind when they latch their horses’ stalls and leave the barn. SuperStall®, a one-piece, customizable foam mattress system from IGK Equestrian, will keep their horses protected and comfortable. The system’s foam cushion, used in animal stalls in Europe for well over [...]

Complex designs, multiple materials and technology advances in body armor have made it difficult for purchasers in law enforcement and the military to determine a basic characteristic—weight. ASTM International (formerly the American Society for Testing and Materials) has proposed a new standard for comparing the relative weights of different body armor designs. The new standard, [...]

Prestyl USA, Spokane, Wash., a manufacturer of far infrared panels for residential and commercial spaces, is launching a series of Radiant Artwork heating panels that can be customized with thin-film graphics that bring form and function together. The company creates ultra-thin panels from French thin-film technology that’s been used in aircraft, ships, trains and public [...]