Warehouse Two LLC is an independent inventory-sharing service created for durable goods manufacturers and their authorized distributors, allowing participants to tap into the inventories of many other companies to find what they want or sell what they have. Enduratex™ (also known as China General Plastics Corporation of America) provides vinyl-coated fabrics to the automotive, hospitality, [...]

It may not be made in the U.S.A., but a report analyzing the value chain for apparel manufactured overseas outlines where and how U.S. workers contribute to the value and global production of imported apparel. Trade economist Dr. Susan Hester’s report, “Analyzing the Value Chain for Apparel Designed in the United States and Manufactured Overseas,” [...]

Polyether ether ketone (PEEK), used to make polymer implants for spinal or other bone injury, doesn’t bond well with bone. Bioactive coating can improve bonding, but the coating needs to be heated to 500 degrees C, a temperature that melts PEEK. Research scientists at North Carolina State University (NCSU) have discovered a two-step process to [...]

How can a fabric product claim to be organic? Until recently, the only standard was the OE standards for tracking organic cotton from raw material to production to final product. Textile Exchange, a nonprofit dedicated to accelerating sustainability in textile manufacture, partnered with the Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) on a new organic content standard (OCS) [...]

Mexico took the first step in an official dispute resolution process through the World Trade Organization (WTO), claiming that China illegally supports its textile and clothing industry under world trade law. The Mexican government claims that China’s textile and clothing policy breaks the WTO’s subsidies and countervailing measures agreement, the general agreement on tariffs and [...]

According to a new report, “Strategies of Leading International Technical Textiles Companies, 3rd edition,” many industry leaders responded to the global economic crisis by shedding parts of their businesses deemed ‘non-core’ to private equity investors. Author Adrian Wilson provides a clear, balanced analysis of other structural changes and cutbacks, including strategic shifts in acquisitions, cost [...]

A new book, “Smart Textiles for Protection,” outlines how materials that sense and react to environmental conditions are being integrated into personal protective clothing—and examines a wide range of end-use protective applications. The book explores material types, surface treatments, nanofibers, smart barrier membranes, sensors, actuators and computers in protective wear, and also provides a discussion [...]

Herculite® Excel M Series™ is a new high performance PVC textile, featuring exceptional pliability and matte PVDF eight-year finish. For commercial awnings and canopies, it’s fire resistant, heat sealable and completely waterproof to protect people and furnishings from UV rays and inclement weather. Distributed exclusively in North America by Tri Vantage, and backed by Herculite’s [...]

SEFAR® Architecture’s newÊEL-30-T1-UVÊis an inert, light-transmitting fluoropolymer, 100 percent PTFE fabric forÊuse in exteriorÊshading applications, including membrane and lamellar structures, retractableÊcanopies, umbrellas, sun awnings and screens. With a unique UV-absorbingÊadditive in its coating, reducing the amount of UVA and UVB rays transmitted throughÊthe fabric, it has a sun protection factor value (SPF) of 80, but [...]

Soluna 19 oz. polyester reinforced PVC material is extremely waterproof with an aesthetically appealing orange peel, low-sheen finish. Easy-to-clean, resistant to fading, mildew and fungus, it is dimensionally stable to prevent sagging, has superior tensile and tear strength and is flame resistant. Designed for fixed awnings or other outdoor applications. Available in 11 popular colors [...]