India officially launches Technology Mission for Technical Textiles

Government of India on Thursday, January 20th launched its 5 year national mission on technical textiles to boost the growth of the nascent nonwovens and specialty textiles sector.

The plan has an outlay of US $45 million (200 crores Indian rupees) and the timeframe will be from 2011-2015. This was announced by Mrs. Rita Menon, India's Textile Secretary in an event jointly organized by the Ministry of Textiles, India and the trade body, Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FICCI) in New Delhi.

Under this mission there are two mini-missions. Mini-mission I will focus on establishing four new centers of excellence and enhance the R& D capabilities in India. The four centers planned are nonwovens, composites, indutech and sportech.

Each center will be given a maximum of US $ 5.45 million (Rupees. 24.5 crores). Mini-mission II will focus on the marketing aspects to boost both domestic consumption and export opportunities.

It is hoped that funds will be disbursed soon so that projects can begin as early in April this year. A conference has been convened for interested parties in Mumbai by the Office of Textile Commissioner on January 25th.

The mission opens-up opportunities for fiber producers, consultants and machinery makers. The mission will explore all sorts of fibers such as cotton, recycled fibers and processes in developing products and will build a good knowledge base through contract R & D at different institutes.

Original Source: India officially launches Technology Mission for Technical Textiles @ Fibre2fashion

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Textile Testing International ties up with James Heal for new lab

During the IGATEX exhibition which was held in Lahore, Pakistan, during October 22 – 24, 2010, Mr. Hamed K. Lateef, CEO of Tti, finalised a deal with James Heal, for the supply of their Elmatear2 tear strength tester, which helps to finalise and fulfil Tti’s ambitious laboratory expansion plans.

The Elmatear2 from James Heal is a robust and durable digital tear testing instrument, boasting a wide range of innovative features, including: a higher capacity of 128 newtons, automatic pendulum weight detection and automatic zeroing, plus sophisticated controls to help simplify and accelerate routine tear testing.

The relationship between Tti and James Heal initially began in 2004 with an enquiry for HEAL’S Wascator, ICI Pilling Box and the Crockmeter. However, this relationship was further developed at the ITMA ASIA exhibition in Shanghai during June 2010. Mr. Hamed K. Lateef visited the James Heal stand with some samples, and Simon Dakin, International Sales Manager at James Heal, conducted demonstrative tests on the Elmatear2, to highlight its capabilities. Mr. Hamed K. Lateef was impressed with the results and decided to purchase the Elmatear2 for inclusion in their new laboratory project.

Mr. Hamed K. Lateef expressed his satisfaction with James Heal:

“Since our inception, Textile Testing International (Tti) has been continuously adding and upgrading its equipment to meet the ever demanding needs of the market. James Heal has always played a major role in providing world class instruments, consumables and service to Tti. Consequently, our latest laboratory expansion and technology upgrade is attributed to our close liaison with James Heal; with the help of a Technology Partner like them, we are always ‘one step ahead’ in adding value to our customer’s products”.

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Complete knowledge bank on technical textiles unveiled

Today’s dawn brings forth an exciting, spanking new, innovative and full of freshness B2B portal for the globally vibrant technical textiles sector. Fibre2fashion the worlds largest B2B textile, apparel and fashion website has unveiled www.technicaltextile.net which will introduce and provide an entire gamut of services to the initiated as well as the uninitiated into the fascinating world of technical textiles.

Technicaltextile.net would provide knowledge based information on a global perspective of an emerging sector, which is expected to dominate future trends and technologies in textiles. It will also deliver value-added global business services and in the process facilitate sourcing and marketing requirements.

A 24x7 platform, technicaltextile.net carries key information for suppliers, buyers, consultants, institutes and associations through news, articles, white papers, trade fairs & conferences happening around world. The portal would strive to disseminate quality and authentic information for the sustainable development of the technical textiles sector by providing information about key policy changes affecting domestic as well as international business.

Among the key services provided by the portal to the global technical textiles sector are -

• Sourcing help desk.

• A complete knowledge bank for the entire supply chain in technical textiles.

• Assistance in inking strategic alliances with companies.

• Connecting with Ministry of Textiles in India. .

• Branding & promotion solutions through online as well as print media in the target markets.

• In-house creation of product specific project reports.

• Online trade fairs.

• Strategic alliance with Textiles Intelligence to deliver key market reports for the industry.

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Far Eastern recognized for Outlast polyester fiber development

Outlast Technologies, leader in heat management and moisture reduction technology, recognizes Far Eastern New Century Corporation as the primary partner involved in the new Outlast polyester fiber development. Outlast polyester, Outlast’s most recent R&D innovation, is the first-ever heat management polyester fiber.

Outlast selected Far Eastern as a key development partner because of its reputation as a world-class producer of high quality textile products from fiber through to fabric. Far Eastern’s extensive development capabilities proved invaluable in taking the basic technical concept of Outlast polyester through to new fibers, yarns and fabric.

Far Eastern’s chemical fiber division, manufacturer and seller of fiber and textile products, is developing fibers for both the short staple cotton spinning system and the long staple worsted wool system. Its spun yarn division developed a range of Outlast polyester / cotton yarns, and its fabric division developed the world’s first Outlast polyester knit fabrics.

Other significant partners include Fountain Set Ltd. and Chia Her Industrial Company Ltd., both long standing partners with Outlast viscose and Outlast acrylic. Hong Kong-based Fountain Set Ltd., one of the world’s largest circular knitted fabric manufacturers, offers a range of Outlast polyester knitted fabrics; Chia Her Industrial Company Ltd., Taiwan’s leading woven fabric producer, provides a range of Outlast polyester woven fabrics.

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Partners establish research institute to develop textile-based composites

Philadelphia University and MAG are establishing the Philadelphia University MAG Composites Institute for research and development of new textile-based composites that could have wide application in industry, including the aerospace, automotive and energy sectors.

The new research institute will be funded in part by $1.1 million from MAG, whose chairman and chief executive officer is Dr. Eng. Mo I. Meidar, a Philadelphia University alumnus and member of the University's Board of Trustees. MAG, headquartered in New York, is the world's leading developer of automation technologies for producing composite structures, as well as one of the largest global suppliers of machine tools and manufacturing automation systems for the durable goods industry.

In addition to the Philadelphia University MAG Composites Institute, the funding also will support a new B.S. in Engineering program with a concentration in composites, one of the only such programs in the country. The first courses in composites will be offered in fall 2011.

"Our partnership with MAG to support new and important research in composite materials and expand our academic programming in engineering has myriad advantages for both MAG and the University, as well as for our students and faculty and the industries that are likely to benefit from the development of new textile-composite materials," said Philadelphia University President Stephen Spinelli Jr., Ph.D. "It's a perfect example of an industry leader and a professional university partnering to create extraordinary opportunities in engineering science and education."

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