March 1, 2023
Fabric dyeing is one of the more polluting industrial processes, using many toxic chemicals and more than 1.3 trillion gallons of water annually. Colorifix, based in Norwich, U.K., is the first company to develop an entirely biological process to produce, deposit and fix pigments onto textiles. The company uses DNA sequencing to replicate colors that …
March 1, 2023
Accelerating Circularity is an action-oriented nonprofit focused on scaling textile-to-textile recycling through a collaborative approach. The mission is to create new supply chains and business models to turn spent textiles into mainstream raw materials in order to divert tons of textile waste from landfills and incineration. As part of that mission, Accelerating Circularity is releasing …
March 1, 2023
As we deal with ongoing winter weather, it’s important to be prepared for this year and next. In this article, we’re detailing the extreme risks associated with winter weather and sharing our top cold weather safety tips to protect your workers on outdoor jobsites. Types of cold stress There are a number of risks that …
March 1, 2023
There is an abundance of information available about sustainability that, while conveying much, can lack clarity. A simpler directive regarding sustainability would be this: If you produce something, to be “sustainable” (leaving aside the social aspects for the moment) you need to: 1. Use renewable and/or recycled materials 2. Create zero waste to landfill (including …
March 1, 2023
The U.S. Industrial Fabrics Institute and the Narrow Fabrics Institute, both divisions of the Advanced Textiles Association, are merging into one larger group. The new divisions will be known as the U.S. Industrial and Narrow Fabrics Institute (USINFI). NFI and USIFI have partnered in advocacy work and the Outlook Conference for more than 20 years, …
March 1, 2023
To help the Virginia Arts Festival celebrate its 25th Anniversary at a new venue, a new custom tent was needed. Tents LLC, of Frederick, Md., approached the Tukwila, Wash.-based Rainier Tent with a bold and creative idea for the Pat “Bunny” Perry Pavilion, a staple for the annual festival. Rainier’s graphic design team collaborated with …
February 27, 2023
The deadline is coming quick to submit a proposal to speak at the 2023 Advanced Textiles Expo, formerly known as IFAI Expo. Do you have textile knowledge you want to share with the industry? The Advanced Textiles Association is looking for experts from the textile industry and business leaders to speak on several categories: Classes …
February 1, 2023
Sometimes building a home to capitalize on the view of its surroundings may introduce some unintended problems. Fabric Structures, based in Whangarei, NZ, had been consulted by the owners of a home that had been designed and built around the north-facing aspect and proximity to the ocean and sand dunes of the Mangawhai harbor. Extensive …
February 1, 2023
The Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) and North Carolina State University (NC State) have announced the creation of the Advanced Textiles Association Extraordinary Opportunity Scholarship Endowment, which will support textiles student development at NC State’s Wilson College of Textiles and promote the textiles industry as a rewarding and valuable career path. Funding for this endowment comes …
February 1, 2023
Sails have propelled Brydon Roe’s personal and professional paths for as long as he can remember. He and his brother grew up boating and windsurfing on the lakes of Ontario, Canada, before getting their first jobs at a windsurfing shop and eventually opening their own. Enticed by its sunny beaches, they later moved to Australia, …
November 1, 2022
Along-awaited waterfront ferry terminal is up and running on Seaplane Lagoon, Alameda, Calif. Against a backdrop of the decommissioned USS Hornet aircraft carrier and the Alameda Naval Air Museum, the Seaplane Lagoon Ferry Terminal provides regular weekday commuter services from Alameda, Oakland and other areas east and across the Bay from San Francisco. While helping …
October 1, 2022
Shigeru Ban’s corporate campus in Biel/Bienne for the Swiss watch company Swatch Omega Group is a study in contrast. Expanding on a motif the international architect first developed for the Centre Pompidou-Metz, France, Ban created a massive load-bearing timber diagrid shell that encloses and forms the main building. As with the Metz project, the Swatch …
September 1, 2022
Overland Park, Kan., is the second largest city in its state, as well as within the Kansas City metro area. The city’s website claims it is “America’s largest inhabited park,” and it feels like it if you stand in any open field and look northeast toward downtown Kansas City where the green-glass iconic towers of …
August 1, 2022
The Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indigenous community in Scottsdale, Ariz., has a dedicated space that is surrounded by a high-end commercial plaza on its land. Located at the crossroads of two major roads, the shopping complex is composed of numerous brick-faced masses that have tribal art affixed to the curved walls. One corner of the complex …
July 1, 2022
Vicinity Centres at Chadstone, located in Melbourne, Australia, is considered by some as the Fashion Capital of Down Under. Chadstone’s high-end fashion shopping precinct includes retail, commercial and leisure zones and recently was grafted to a new five-star hotel, the Hotel Chadstone Melbourne MGallery by Sofitel, via a fabric tensile canopy dubbed “The Link.” “The …
June 1, 2022
Fans of the San Diego Symphony have been singing praises for the new outdoor performance venue featuring The Rady Shell, inaugurated August 6, 2021, with a full-orchestra concert and a packed audience. As any musician will tell you, acoustics at outdoor performances are often a disappointing aural experience due to wind, intrusive noises and other …
May 1, 2022
More than ever before, architects are being called upon to dramatically improve the performance of their buildings, and fabric can help with this mandate. The key to implementing this is to reduce the embodied carbon in buildings. It’s a given that 40 percent of global resources goes to the built environment, so our construction industry …
January 1, 2022
With commissioned work coming to a halt last year because of the pandemic, artist Liam Hopkins set out to design his own project—a venue that would inspire and evolve. The result is Lazerian Space, a combination art gallery and cafe on King Street in Manchester, England. Inside the space, guests lounge and nosh within one …
December 1, 2021
While the Grand Palais, Paris’ historic exhibition hall and museum complex, is closed for a multi-year restoration project, a membrane-wrapped temporary venue installed on the Champ de Mars in the shadow of the Eiffel Tower is taking its place. Designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte of Wilmotte & Associates, the temporary structure dubbed “Grand Palais Ephémère” …
October 1, 2021
In the autumn of 2020, while Michigan was experiencing a sharp rise in COVID-19 cases, the governor and the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services put in place a three-week ban on indoor dining in restaurants. To keep their doors open, many Detroit restaurants turned to tents, heaters and other ways to extend their …
December 20, 2021
The Industrial Fabrics Association International is now accepting proposals for presentations at IFAI Expo 2022. IFAI Expo will take place Oct. 12-14, 2022, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., with education Oct. 11-14. IFAI is accepting proposals for 50-minute classroom sessions in several categories: Advanced Textiles Shade & Weather Protection Specialty Fabrics Marine …
July 7, 2021
Messe Stuttgart announced that its new U.S.-based show Sun Shading Expo North America will not be held in 2021 as a separate trade show but will instead contribute its expertise in internal and external sun shading systems at IFAI Expo 2021 in the form of expert talks, open discussions and more. IFAI Expo 2021 will still take place …
May 10, 2021
Registration is open for IFAI Expo 2021. IFAI Expo celebrates the 100th anniversary of the show this November, and you won’t want to miss it! After a long hiatus of in-person events, this year’s show is the perfect place to reconnect with your industry. Register now to get the Early Bird rate! Early Bird rates end …
December 1, 2020
With today’s digital printing options, there’s no reason for an awning client to be limited to colors and patterns in a book or traditional customization methods, according to Andrew Medley, regional sales manager for Trivantage. “Digital printing offers unlimited capabilities, and it is a solution to providing the customer exactly what they want—personalized messaging, the …
December 1, 2020
During IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, Jeff Sponseller, executive vice president of sales and marketing at Miller Weldmaster, led a campfire session titled “How to Select the Correct Welding Technology for Your Business.” “Essentially a good weld means that the fabric will tear before the weld does,” says Sponseller. Many types of different materials can be …
December 1, 2020
Wildfires, hurricanes, a pandemic and civil unrest have wreaked plenty of chaos on the commercial insurance market in 2020. Steve Christenson, with Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC, offered guidance to business owners Nov. 9 at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020. “The business insurance market has been going through several changes this year,” says Christenson, with U.S. …
December 1, 2020
In the 2020 IFAI Virtual Expo presentation, “The Inside Scoop on Shade, Lighting and Acoustics,” Cynthia Thompson, MFA, president and founder of Transformit in Gorham, Maine, wowed conference participants with a slideshow of her company’s projects that highlight the stunning possibilities of interior fabric architecture. Thompson said many different markets can make use of permanent …
December 1, 2020
Thinking about selling your business—either to an outside party or the next generation? Then it’s time to start considering how your equipment and processes fit into your succession plan. Jonathan Palmer, the second-generation owner and CEO of equipment supplier Autometrix, and Autometrix director of global sales Truy Pham, led an educational session at IFAI Virtual …
November 16, 2020
In a session at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, “Smart Textiles Standardization, Active Illumination,” Dr. Jan Beringer, senior scientific expert Hohenstein Group, explained the new standard for active illumination that will soon be implemented in European Union countries. Organizations worked together to develop the standards. It is notable, he said that both textile and electronics industries …
November 16, 2020
A presentation at IFAI Virtual Expo 2020, titled, “Rapid Prototyping and Textile Product Development” urged attendees to use “sticks and glue … whatever method you have to get your idea out there.” The presenter, Dr. Andre West, director of the Zeis Textiles Extension (ZTE), Wilson College of Textiles, NC State University, may not have meant …
March 1, 2023
There is an abundance of information available about sustainability that, while conveying much, can lack clarity. A simpler directive regarding sustainability would be this: If you produce something, to be “sustainable” (leaving aside the social aspects for the moment) you need to: 1. Use renewable and/or recycled materials 2. Create zero waste to landfill (including …
March 1, 2023
As we deal with ongoing winter weather, it’s important to be prepared for this year and next. In this article, we’re detailing the extreme risks associated with winter weather and sharing our top cold weather safety tips to protect your workers on outdoor jobsites. Types of cold stress There are a number of risks that …
March 1, 2023
To help the Virginia Arts Festival celebrate its 25th Anniversary at a new venue, a new custom tent was needed. Tents LLC, of Frederick, Md., approached the Tukwila, Wash.-based Rainier Tent with a bold and creative idea for the Pat “Bunny” Perry Pavilion, a staple for the annual festival. Rainier’s graphic design team collaborated with …
February 1, 2023
A New York-based start-up called Automatic Construction has developed a way to create quick construction using inflatable flexible formwork. The concept is simple: roll out the reinforced flexible plastic 3D structure, for instance in the shape of a house, fill it with air, then pump concrete into the structure, and wait for it to dry. The …
February 1, 2023
Empty shelves and rising prices are constant reminders of the many challenges and disruptions that continue to plague the complex supply chains that span the globe. But supply chain transparency is moving to the fore, with consumers and regulators paying ever more attention to where products are sourced and how they’re produced. Cotton especially is …
February 1, 2023
Sometimes building a home to capitalize on the view of its surroundings may introduce some unintended problems. Fabric Structures, based in Whangarei, NZ, had been consulted by the owners of a home that had been designed and built around the north-facing aspect and proximity to the ocean and sand dunes of the Mangawhai harbor. Extensive …
January 1, 2023
You know the story. Textile waste is one of the largest causes of pollution on the planet. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that Americans alone generate more than 15 million metric tons of textile waste annually, which is about 104 pounds per person per year. And we’re not just talking about clothing. Textile waste …
January 1, 2023
When the 2021 Edinburgh International Festival asked Worcestershire, U.K.-based Fews Marquees to provide structures for three of its performance areas, the company had no hesitation in recommending its Igloo marquees for the event. And while the job may have been more than Fews bargained for, it was a challenge worth accepting. “Back in August last …
December 1, 2022
John Veith [ age 36 ] Director of Project Management Birdair, Inc., Buffalo, N.Y. 8 years in the industry How did you get involved with this industry and at what age? I was hired by Birdair at 22, as a project engineer. It was my first job out of college. I knew of Birdair from …
December 1, 2022
Cool, comfortable shade is easy to underestimate and hard to ignore when it’s not available. Bill Moore saw an opportunity in the fabric shade business when he moved from New England to California in the early 2000s. “I was struck by how much good space was going unused, due to the sun.” Moore started researching …
June 22, 2022
The U.S. Department of Labor will provide a funding opportunity for $11.7 million in Susan Harwood Training Grants to support the delivery of training and education to help workers and employers identify and prevent workplace safety and health hazards. Administered by the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the grants will target disadvantaged, underserved, low-income, and other hard-to-reach, …
January 10, 2022
Oeko-Tex Association has released its annual updates to test criteria, limit values and requirements. In addition, its new Impact Calculator is now available for STeP by Oeko-Tex customers. The industry-specific tool will provide carbon and water footprint data essential to meeting climate goals. Later in 2022, Oeko-Tex will also introduce a new certification for corporate …
December 21, 2021
Industry veteran Steve Fredrickson is joining Rainier Industries as the National Sales Director for Rainier Shade. Frederickson has more than 25 years of experience in the textile industry, with several different companies. Most recently, he was sales director at Sattler Corp. “I started working with Rainier Industries in 1997; loved my time here and am …
December 20, 2021
The Industrial Fabrics Association International is now accepting proposals for presentations at IFAI Expo 2022. IFAI Expo will take place Oct. 12-14, 2022, at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, N.C., with education Oct. 11-14. IFAI is accepting proposals for 50-minute classroom sessions in several categories: Advanced Textiles Shade & Weather Protection Specialty Fabrics Marine …
December 17, 2021
Pantone, the global color authority and provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions for the design community, has introduced a new blue shade, PANTONE 17-3938 Very Peri, a dynamic periwinkle blue hue with a vivifying violet red undertone as the Pantone Color of the Year selection for 2022. Blending the faithfulness and constancy …
December 1, 2021
Messe Stuttgart is postponing R+T, a leading trade fair for roller shutters, doors/gates and sun shading systems, which was scheduled to take place in February 2022. “R+T is the most international event in Stuttgart. Three quarters of the exhibitors at the last edition of the world’s leading trade fair in 2018 came from abroad,” says …
October 21, 2021
According to the report “Global Textile Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Raw Material (Wool, Chemical, Silk), by Product (Natural Fibers, Polyester), by Application (Household, Technical), by Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2021-2028” by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global textile market size is anticipated to reach USD 1412.5 billion by 2028. The market is expected to …
October 14, 2021
Herculite Products Inc., an innovator and manufacturer of high performance and custom fabrics, has announced that Paul Flaherty and Marco Angelone have received leadership promotions. Flaherty has been promoted to the newly created position of chief strategy officer. In the new role, he will be responsible for the development and implementation of the company’s long …
July 9, 2021
According to a report by ResearchAndMarkets.com, the global technical textile market is expected to grow at CAGR of 8.0% within the forecast period of 2021 to 2029. The demand for textiles is increasing and consumers are expecting higher quality textiles with sustainable properties. These textiles are known for their superior characteristics over their traditional equivalents …
April 19, 2021
A gift to the West Virginia University Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design will provide fashion, dress and merchandising students with enhanced educational opportunities in textile science. To strengthen textile science and curriculum, Amy Bircher, a WVU alumna and founder and CEO of MMI Textiles Inc. of Cleveland, Ohio, donated more than $200,000 …
