Hot Topics
Fibers for nonwovens – in pursuit of viable alternatives
As has been previously noted in International Fiber Journal, the nonwovens industry needs alternatives to synthetic fibers, and specific sectors need them fast (see “Legislation poised to boost demand for Lenzing’s lyocell fibers,” IFJ, Issue 6 2019, page 20). With the imminent arrival of the European Single-Use Plastics Directive, and similar legislation planned in North …
Plastic microparticles and microfibers in the environment
There are huge and growing amounts of plastic waste products in the environment. The plastic debris in the oceans mostly occurs from improper waste disposal. Plastic particles can be present from direct water and air discharges of particles as well as from solar, chemical and mechanical degradation of larger products. These degradations are very slow …
Textiles 2025
Ongoing deceleration of economic growth has been increasingly affecting textile businesses and final end-use at retail stage. Responding to this trend, The Fiber Year GmbH has developed a new report, Textiles 2025, which projects market sizes and per capita consumption for 173 countries. Market sizes provide the basis for formula-based predictions using demographics, national GDP …
Considering the digital transformation of the textile industry
Digital transformation and Industry 4.0 will increasingly impact the competitiveness and economic success of small and medium-sized enterprises in the future. Within this changing work environment, companies face several challenges. Besides the implementation of software and digital solutions, further competences of employees, as well as their motivation and confidence towards digitized processes, need to be …
Student Spotlight: Performance of carbon fiber nonwoven composites in crash tests
Sai Aditya Pradeep is pursuing a Ph.D. in Automotive Engineering in the Materials and Manufacturing Specialization at Clemson University where he is conducting research on the scalable production of thermoplastic nano-cellular foams via supercritical fluid assisted injection molding. Another important area of Pradeep’s research is the characterization of recycled nonwoven carbon fiber composites and development …