The Sustainable Green Printing Partnership (SGP) provides sustainability certification to the printing and graphics industry, and leading companies such as HP, Durst Image Technology, Top Value Fabrics and DuPont support the nonprofit organization’s goals. Printers need to offer environmentally friendly options for clients focused on sustainability, and SGP has established industry standards and the opportunity [...]

University of California Davis (UC Davis) researchers have developed a self-cleaning cotton fabric claimed to kill bacteria and break down toxic chemicals when exposed to light. The work was funded by the National Science Foundation, the U.S. Defense Threat Reduction Agency and the Jastro Shields Graduate Research Fellowship from the UC Davis College of Agricultural [...]

Mainland European nations developed screen printing for outdoor flags and banners more industriously than other markets and have embraced digital fabric printing technology because of its ability to turn a profit on lower volume print runs, according to Brook International, a supplier of fabrics to flag makers and digital printers. New digital printing machines caught [...]

The Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation co-sponsors the INSEPLATEX project, coordinating efforts of three private technology research centers to find textiles and plastics that incorporate insecticidal effects. Tecnalia, Leitat and Aimplas, all located in Spain, are incorporating specific biocides that repel urban pests into certain textiles and plastics. Successful bug-repellent products would be of [...]

Hanwha Polydreamer, Seoul, South Korea, has a dream job: creating five themed plazas at the 2012 International Exhibition in Yeosu, South Korea, an event expected to attract an estimated 8 million people from 103 countries. The event, held to create harmony among the earth, ocean and global ecosystems, will have enormous visibility, as will ECM, [...]

Kevin Yonce, ATA's new chair, identifies three goals to strengthen the specialty fabric industry’s leading association. By Sigrid Tornquist "I was taught early on in my experience with volunteer leadership that you should have between three and five goals in order to be effective,” says Kevin Yonce, MFC, IFM, CPP, newly elected chairman of the [...]

[Flying Colors Inc.] Berkeley, Calif., U.S.A. The Tostitos Fiesta Bowl football games at the University of Phoenix Stadium in Glendale, Ariz., provided the ideal platform for Tostitos to promote the launch of their all-natural product line on a grand scale. Flying Colors Inc. created a fun and festive brand presence with bold fabric graphics installations [...]

[KSK Visual Ingenuity] Cleveland, Ohio, U.S.A. KSK Visual Ingenuity has begun pursuing new areas of business it would not have considered a few years ago and is offering creative consulting to help customers find innovative solutions. This UV gloss-laminated vinyl around the tower at Sesame Place theme park in Langhorne, Pa., proves the flexibility of [...]

High frequency (HF) welding of PVC and PU fabrics with metal is now easily done with the ForFlexx method from Forsstrom High Frequency AB, Lysekil, Sweden. The patented innovation can save time and money when producing a variety of products, such as truck and boat covers, tarpaulins, tents, fabric structures, pool liners, sunshades, billboards, inflatable [...]

Value Vinyls introduces a new line of 18-ounce PVC-coated vinyl to meet CPSIA (HR 4040) standards. Advantage Sportiva is formulated with DuraGUARD, an EPA-registered antimicrobial agent, and meets standards for phthalates and lead levels. It has achieved high test results for strength and durability and meets all major fire-retardant standards. With a matte finish, it’s [...]