Polyester fabrics are hugely popular and practical that continue to find new uses and new markets. After long dominating the technical textile industry, it is rapidly taking over the modern fashion, sportswear and furnishings sectors thanks to its durability, crease-resistance and outstanding quick-drying properties, as well as its cost-competitiveness against cotton. Currently, there…

For a long time, there was a clear trade-off between sustainability and profitability, but that is no longer the case. Innovative new technologies, products and processes are balancing the equation in favor of environment-friendly business practices. Textile brands and mills now recognize that there are rewards, such as cost savings by conserving energy,…

Consumers, investors and regulators now expect apparel and textile brands and retailers to set and meet bold sustainability targets. This requires bold change at the mill level. But how can mills do what’s needed while also improving performance and profitability? Archroma Textile Effects’ longstanding Productivity Improvement Program (PIP) and Sustainability Improvement…

Debates about durable water repellency (DWR) will not die down. It is no surprise that it featured on the Textile Discovery Summit that the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) organized in Charlotte, North Carolina, at the start of October. Dr Kiarash Arangdad, the director of emerging chemistries at Elevate Textiles, spoke at…

The colors of nature, like sand, beige, brown, olive, khaki and grey, have been increasingly popular for apparel and home furnishings for several years now. These wholesome shades are expected to remain a key trend as they reflect growing appreciation of the natural world and people’s desire to feel calm and relaxed. Consumers…

Wool is ideal for high-value, sustainable products, from luxury fashion to high-performance activewear to heavy-duty carpets. But it is also relatively expensive and wool fibers are easily damaged during processing. Alessandro Larghi, Global Marketing Manager for Wool, Polyester and Polyamide (WPP) shares why preserving the quality of wool fiber matters and how it…

Questions: 1. At the moment, every new development, every new product should also be sustainable and environmentally friendly. What is your approach to a greener world in the finishing processes of textiles? Huntsman Textile Effects is proud to have long been an agent of change in our industry—working closely with textile mills and brands to find…

1. Tell us about your role in the company and what are your key responsibilities? I am the Vice President of Global Revenue and I oversee both the Commercial and Marketing functions of Huntsman Textile Effects. My role is to help our teams around the world connect with stakeholders, recognize and keep ahead of trends,…

The shift to nonfluorinated durable water repellents (DWRs) is gaining momentum. Top outdoor, sportswear and apparel brands—from Patagonia and The North Face to adidas, H&M, Levi’s and Zara—have been moving away from the use of perfluorochemicals (PFCs) in DWR finishes for weather protection and stain resistance for several years. In parallel, PFCs…