Specialty Fabrics Review May 2019 - 22

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INDUSTRY NEWS
International standard for e-textiles

Polypropylene nonwoven market growth

Water sports apparel sales grow

The AATCC research committee RA111,
Electronically-Integrated Textiles, recently
approved the evaluation procedure AATCC
EP13, Evaluation Procedure for Electrical
Resistance of Electronically-Integrated
Textiles. One of the first international
standards for e-textiles, the procedure provides
detailed instructions for measuring resistance
of e-textiles, a key indicator of functionality.
It also includes guidance and calculations
for determining change in resistance after
laundering, stretch or other treatment.
AATCC standards are developed, approved
and periodically reviewed by a global team
of volunteer subject matter experts.

The global polypropylene nonwoven fabric
market is expected to reach $33.23 billion by
2025, expanding at a CAGR of 6.4 percent.
Rising demand for polypropylene nonwoven
fabrics from geotextiles in railways, highways,
airport projects and water conservancy is
expected to boost the market growth. Fabrics
used in personal hygiene products include
diapers, wet and dry wipes and cosmetic
applicators. High demand for diapers in
emerging regions will contribute to the
market growth, but developed economies,
such as the U.S., Europe and Japan, are likely
to witness sluggish growth.

According to a report in issue 64 of
Performance Apparel Markets from Textiles
Intelligence, water sports apparel sales will
grow substantially over the next five years.
Markets that stand to gain a competitive edge
must address environmental sustainability
and demand for apparel that is lightweight,
comfortable and offers improved
performance properties. Brands must
develop products that provide improved
comfort, advanced lining fabrics and even
greater insulation and stretch. Seamless
garments and safety features should also
be prioritized.

Equipment rental revenue forecast
The latest five-year forecast from the American
Rental Association calls for equipment and
event rental revenues in North America
to surpass $61.5 billion in 2019, including
$55.8 billion in the U.S. and $5.7 billion in
Canada, up 5.3 percent compared to 2018.
Similar steady growth is expected in each of
the successive years of the forecast, to reach
nearly $70.9 billion in revenue by 2022. The
current figures project slightly less growth
than was forecast in October 2018.

Malaysia textiles report
According to a report by Textiles Intelligence,
Malaysia's textile and clothing industry
is one of the country's largest established
manufacturing sectors. The industry employs
more than 90,000 people directly, and its
exports were valued at $3.3 billion in 2017.
The report looks at the development of the
textile and clothing industry in Malaysia,
featuring a geographical, political and
economic profile, a review of government
policies and investment incentives and an
examination of Malaysia's infrastructure and
human resources.
22 REVIEW MAY 2019

Letter to the editor

Specialty Fabrics

FEBRUARY 2019

review

Trusted information
through a century of change

Dear editor,
strong
Concerning your article "Clearing up the differences"
(February 2019), we take issue with the quotation
"extruded vinyl ... can be an appropriate choice for
applications that don't see prolonged exposure to the
environment." Many factors determine the longevity
of a vinyl window, but how the vinyl is processed is
not one of them. Responsible suppliers formulate their
Clearing
up diffe
products to be stable and to resist UV degradation. Whether the
rences
W
surface finish is created by polished rollers or polished plates
should have no bearing on the serviceability or the longevity of
the window. There is reason to believe that protective urethanebased coatings provide scratch resistance and add to longevity.
However, these coatings are now available on extruded vinyl
in rolls as well as press-polished vinyl in sheets. Many users feel that polished
sheets offer better optical qualities than roll goods. Others feel that extruded
vinyl offers very acceptable optics and they focus on cost-to-benefit ratio for their
windows. Our market is constantly evolving, and new products are emerging with
improved and added properties. Users should evaluate the acceptability of each
type of product for their own cost and application needs.
PUBLICATION

SERVE

Paul Aumento relies on both employees and customers
to keep Creative Textile Solutions a responsive,
market-driven, value-added manufacturer.

SPECIAL ISSUE

FROM CUSTOM TO CUSTOMER

New technologies, new techniques, new fabrics,
new marketing, new markets and customers that
want custom quality fast-where are the growth
areas, and how do you stay on top of them?

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$12 us | $17 can

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1/25/19 12:59 PM

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BY JEFF
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and make
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recommend l their wind face a myriad
shop to
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ations based ows, but to help
boat. "You
need to
MAIN CATE
take your
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54 REVIE
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FEBRU

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flexible clear
Flexible
ies of
vinyl, polyc
suppleness clear vinyl: "This each, as descri
arbonate
bed by
is a
and recent
sheets and
coatings.
advances great choice for many Zola:
acrylic
This
boat owne
use. It also material is clear in technology like
rs becau
Strata
has excell
plastic and
and milde
ent stabil
is soft and glass's scratch-resi se of its breathability
w resista
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flexible,
stant and
so it
Polycarbon nt."
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t
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fire-retardan when not in
also
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t, waterproof
plastic, but
proof. Howe
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and it can technology and
cost more
is
to replac
e

1/25/19

Sincerely,
Linda Pieta
Robeco

1:21 PM

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Specialty Fabrics Review May 2019

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