AATCC in collaboration with Bangalore, India, based TecniTex Nonwovens Pvt Ltd., is organizing a major international conference in Mumbai October 1–2, 2013. The conference will provide a platform for technical papers on industry innovations and provide marketing and networking opportunities. Dr. Peter J. Hauser, AATCC President, and Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, Chairman of AATCC’s Materials Interest [...]

Trade ministers in 11 Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) countries charted a path to concluding negotiations in 2013—and allowing Japan to join the TPP negotiations in progress. The next round of talks is set for May 15-24, 2013, in Lima, Peru, and will include Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United [...]

Non-PVC banner materials from Cooley Group Cooley Group, a Pawtucket, R.I., manufacturer of banner substrates, announced in April that it would make and distribute its 100-percent recyclable, non-PVC banner materials for use with HP latex and UV inks. Initial products will include an HDPE-reinforced banner and Tyvek, both using ColorPRO Technology that meets industry-leading performance [...]

In 2007, Lenzing AG of Lenzing, Austria, granted a license for pilot production of new types of man-made cellulose (lyocell) specialty fibers to smartfiber AG, Rudolstadt, Germany. The cooperative venture paid off, and in the future Lenzing will exclusively produce the specialty fibers smartcel™ and SeaCell®, both developed by smartfiber AG. SeaCell fibers contain active [...]

Expansion in the flame-resistant division of Mount Vernon Mills, Mauldin, S.C., has led to creation of three new management roles to support a growing market. Melanie Sumner brings 17 years experience in Mount Vernon Mills’ finishing plant to her new role in research and development of yarns and fabric finishes. Ernie Terrell, FR technical specialist, [...]

Engineered Surfaces is the new name of OMNOVA Solutions’ decorative products business segment, producer of coated fabrics, laminates and films. OMNOVA Solutions, Fairlawn, Ohio, wants to emphasize the technology and innovation that give its products durability, cleanability, stain, abrasion, and chemical resistance, and on-trend design options. Among the innovative decorative products developed by OMNOVA are [...]

Arena Group acquires Karl’s Event Services Karl’s Event Services, Oak Creek, Wis., has been acquired by the Arena Group, a global provider of temporary structures, seating, design and overlay services for live events. Arena operates from multiple locations in the U.K., Dubai, Singapore, Malaysia, Portugal, Spain and now the U.S. Karl’s has supported events throughout [...]

Sew What? Inc. recognized as a Top Business DiversityBusiness.com, a resource portal for small businesses and large institutional buyers, recognized stage drapery manufacturer Sew What? Inc., Rancho Dominguez Hills, Calif., as its 2013 Top Business recipient. More than 1,300,000 businesses in the U.S. are eligible for consideration in DiversityBusiness.com’s annual business survey. Sew What? was [...]

The Association of the Nonwoven Fabric Industry (INDA) has become a member of the Sustainable Minds (SM) industry sponsor program, which will allow nonwoven manufacturers a discount on Version 3.0 of SM software released in May. The company is a leader in cloud-based Life Cycle Assessment software that enables manufacturers to efficiently and cost-effectively assess [...]

New nano foam fabrics with a honeycomb structure may increase the effectiveness of body armor in preventing traumatic brain injury and blast-related lung injuries, according to researchers at the University of California in San Diego, Calif. Yu Qiao, professor of structural engineering, reports that the nano foam helps disperse the force of impact over a [...]