Geosynthetic Materials Association (GMA) members are preparing to attend the 2015 Spring Capitol Hill Lobby Days April 21–22 in Washington, D.C.

The North East Canvas Products Association (NECPA) Annual Meeting and Expo was held Jan. 22–24 at the MassMutual Center in Springfield, Mass.

Dave Elliot of David’s Custom Trimmers, Queensland, Australia, and Neil Hancock of Aussie Boat Covers (Vic) Pty. Ltd., Victoria, Australia, recently achieved certification as a Master Fabric Craftsperson.

Full color palette presented in PP, polyamide and polyester fibers. Specialty chemicals company Clariant has released ColorForward Interiors 2016, the third annual trend and color forecasting guide for the fiber and textile market. Expanded this year to reach those serving the carpeting, upholstery, automotive and interior decoration sectors, the tool defines four trends expected to [...]

SCORE releases infographic depicting new data on mobile optimization. New statistics gathered by small business mentoring organization SCORE show the importance of mobile optimization for small business websites and how small business owners can convert mobile visitors into customers. According to the data, consumers use their smartphones to make buying decisions at every step of [...]

The Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014. The passage of the Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 late last year retroactively extended 54 tax breaks—but only for the 2014 tax year. The so-called “tax extenders” law opens the door for specialty fabric professionals to claim many of these popular (but temporary) tax incentives when 2014 tax returns are filed, or even after they have been filed...

Flexible composites are finding practical application in a growing number of industries. The world of composites covers a range of materials and applications. Flexible composites have long been manufactured to perform specific functions in generally demanding environments. Their tremendous strength-to-weight ratio and design flexibility make them ideal in structural components for the transportation industry. High [...]

Flexible and durable power-generating textiles are poised to make a difference in meeting tomorrow’s energy requirements. Looking forward, before imagination meets prototype, the next generation of energy-producing products seems unattainable. Looking backward, after such innovations are readily available, the development process seems logical—and simple. It’s the “hindsight is 20/20” phenomenon. While photovoltaic power-harvesting [...]

The Haaglanden Safety Region challenged Spark Design & Innovation, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, with finding a solution guaranteeing the Dutch fire service a raft that would allow a safe water rescue up to 650 feet from shore. Spark went to work, developing the Rescue TIP-Board® inflatable safety raft with unique properties that allow Dutch fire teams [...]

Practice sessions among professional dancers often take place in rooms with floor-to-ceiling mirrors that allow performers to observe choreography, assess synergy among the corps and monitor their own technique. Graphic and product designer Lesia Trubat, Barcelona, Spain, brings science to self-evaluation with prototype ballet shoes called E-traces that capture the pressure and movement of a [...]