Infrared Heat Increases Productivity of Flameproof Textiles

High-quality home textiles for curtains, armchairs and sofas should not only look decorative, they also have to be hard-wearing and flameproof. Textiles usually get flame-retardant by a coating with special chemicals or saline solutions.

By retrofitting a new, Heraeus medium wave infrared system at their South Ockenden factory, Essex Flameproofing have been able to treble the capacity of the drying process used in the production of fire retarding upholstery and curtains. At the same time, they have also significantly reduced energy consumption. Forgotten candles or a short circuit in the toaster - just at home it can burn fast if one does not pay attention. Curtains and home textiles should not contribute to the spreading of a fire and therefore they . have to be equipped with flame-retardant properties.

Essex Flameproofing is a long-established company which works with designers and specifiers, fabric manufacturers, major retailers and upholsterers to impart fire-retarding properties to furniture and fittings. This is achieved by treating the fabric of the upholstery or curtains with flame-retardant chemicals to . comply with British and foreign standards and flame retarding regulations. The application of the relevant chemicals/coatings is a wet process and drying is, necessarily, an important production stage.

Upholstery is made fire-resistant by spraying the back of the upholstery cloth with a latex flame-retardant coating, which must then be dried. Previously this was achieved by heating the coated upholstery web with a long wave infrared system. However, to meet increasing demand for the company's expertise, it was decided to investigate ways of speeding up the drying process.

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Carpet qualification improved

UK-based carpet manufacturers can now access an improved qualification to help train staff in the technical aspects of production.

The new Certificate in Textile Technology places more emphasis on sample analysis, the employee’s ability to determine the properties of yarns and carpet structure, and understanding of production processes. The aim is to build learners’ ability to diagnose and remedy production issues.

The revised content of the qualification was co-ordinated by Skillfast-UK, the Sector Skills Council for fashion and textiles, in collaboration with employers.


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Budget 2009-2010 is un-friendly – APTMA

The annual budget 2009-2010 is one of the un-friendliest budgets for the industry, said the All Pakistan Textile Manufacturing Association (APTMA). The Executive Committee of APTMA collectively criticized the proposed budgetary measures.

The Committee also observed contradictions in the finance bill regarding the claims made by the government to stabilize the economy. These contradictions will nullify all the efforts taken by the industry for the survival of employment and exports.

The spinning and grey fabric-weaving segment has been separated again. The viability of spinning mills below 28000 spindles has been questioned by the Finance Advisor of the PM, Mr. Shaukat Tareen.

APTMA asserts that the unavailability of analysis and evidence behind the assertion is influencing the policy; hence, it recommends a policy based on facts and figures.
Spinning is an extension of the agriculture economy of cotton, so a misguided policy could cause unemployment in industrial as well as agricultural sector.


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Propylene prices continue to ascend across all regions

Propylene prices in the Far East region, which had risen on the previous Wednesday, continued to climb and FOB South Korea shot up from US $816-821 per ton to $858-859 per ton, yesterday. Prices of Propylene (polymerization level), FD Northwest Europe and CIF Northwest stayed flat at last Wednesday’s level of €570-580 per metric ton and €560-570 per metric ton respectively. The US markets, which had picked pace in the previous three weeks, kept up the momentum once again and moved from US cent 34.380-34.630 per lb in the previous week to US cent 36.000-36.500 per lb on June 17. Source: Fibre2fashion

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Cotton inventories with textile enterprises dip in May

In the month of May, domestic cotton prices stabilized after a rise in mid-April. Since the beginning of cotton auction on May 22, overall spot market, although faced with pressure, remained stable. A survey done among cotton consuming companies shows that total cotton inventories stood at 900,000 tons, which excludes state cotton reserves, as at the end of May 2009. This compares unfavorably with 1.36 million tons at the end of April. Up to the end of May, 40 percent of surveyed enterprises still had good level of stocks. As textile enterprises wait for announcement of more favourable policies from the government, they still intend to exist on hand to mouth basis. Source: Fibre2fashion

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'Placement Linked Skill Development Programme' going on in full swing

For the first time, CIFFKIDS is supplying its own trend descriptions for August, and they will offer everything ranging from city chic to colourful hippies who care about the planet. The four trends which can be seen at the CIFFKIDS TRENDSHOW in August are: CIFF City, Colour Games, White Stories and Green Mapping.

Once again, it’s time to look at the trends for children’s fashion, and this time the team behind CIFFKIDS – headed by trend manager Ulla Skjødt from the Federation of Danish Textile & Clothing – is responsible for the trend descriptions for S/S 2010.

The four trend themes which will set the scene for children in spring and summer 2010 are CIFF City, Colour Games, White Stories and Green Mapping. And inspiration for fashion-conscious children can be drawn from everything ranging from city chic to colourful hippies who care about the planet.

“Children are very aware that you send signals about your personality with the clothes you wear. They know full well which clothes match their style, and they know what they want,” says trend manager Ulla Skjødt, adding:

“Ecology, sustainability and basically the future of the planet are still key topics in children’s fashion. I think we have reached a point where we need to map the challenges we face. Consequently, the theme ‘Green Mapping’ will be included at CIFFKIDS.”

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Good amount of cotton stocks in markets – Experts

Considering the weak response the state reserves auction is receiving from the textile sector, industry experts are of the opinion that there seems to be a good amount of cotton floating in the markets along with good inventories with the mills. The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) had announced release of an additional 1.523 million tons of national cotton reserves to meet the needs of textile enterprises in order to ensure supply and stabilize cotton market. But experts are of the opinion that, the state should have released the national cotton reserves earlier to prevent cotton prices from increasing too high, which would have not put pressure on the production costs of the textile mills. In order to prevent cotton prices from continued fall and protect interests of farmers, the state had procured 2.7 million tons of cotton in this year, which has greatly helped stabilize cotton prices in the markets. This had helped the prices to rise from the lowest level of 9500 Yuan per ton last year to current level of 13,000 Yuan per ton. In May, NDRC decided to release 1.5 million tons of national cotton reserves into the market. Read More..

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Spinning units in Jiangsu to participate in state cotton auction

Recently, influenced by a decline in auction price and volumes of state cotton reserves, spot price of lint cotton has slightly dropped in Jiangsu and so local spinning units are prepared to participate in the auction of state cotton reserves. It is reported that transaction price of local cotton in 328 grade is 13,000 Yuan per ton, down 50 Yuan from the previous week. Spinning units have accepted the current auction price level; especially since the release of old cotton is more attractive to local textile manufacturers. At present, cotton stock of local enterprises is almost exhausted and current market is not optimistic for textile industry, and the industry still faces pressure on sales of finished goods as well as financial problems. Factories have to ensure stability of operation and workers by insisting on certain scale of production, so they will also have to arrange for additional funds to participate in the auction and also solve problem of inadequate raw materials Read More..

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TAL to exhibit at PackPlus, India

2009 (UK)

Technical Absorbents Ltd (TAL) has announced that it will be exhibiting at PackPlus 2009 in India next month. The total packaging, processing and supply chain event will take place at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi between 8-11July and is expected to be double the size of the 2008 show. India’s fastest evolving packaging exhibition is the culmination of ten niche shows which focus on packaging, processing, converting and the supply chain. Packaging systems and technologies for a whole host of markets will be represented, including food, personal care, retail and pharmaceuticals and is a great platform for TAL to promote its Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF) technology to the country’s evolving food industry. TAL is owned by Bluestar Fibres Ltd, which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of China National BlueStar (Group) Co., Ltd – which in-turn is wholly-owned by ChemChina. One of the main applications for its super absorbent technology is SAF-based nonwoven food pads. As the company already occupies more than 50 per cent of the EU super absorbent market in the pre-packaged food sector, it is now focusing on developing its innovative technology in Asia. “Fresh food, including meat, fish, poultry, fruits and dairy products are often scrutinized by North American and European consumers,” explains TAL Business Development Manager Dave Hill. “This scenario is commonplace in the western world where demand is high for foods of the highest quality. “With pre-packaged foods becoming extremely popular, one of the most important considerations for the food manufacturer is how best to preserve the original quality of the product to achieve an optimum shelf-life. Effectively managing free exudates with a super absorbent food pad is one solution.”

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