Global Textile Chemicals Industry – Trends and Demands

Textile Industry is an important segment of any economy. Apart from other things, textile chemicals have a significant role in its development. In the recent times, this industry has seen a dynamic change. The global demand patterns have altered. Now more and more environmental friendly alternatives of harsh chemicals are required by the textile manufacturers and suppliers. In the view of recession and otherwise also, the chemical manufacturers are in need of cost effective methods for production of textile chemicals. As such, many innovations have been introduced that have introduced new products and also improved the existing ones.

Market Trends of Textile Chemicals Industry
Before moving onto the product specific demands in the textile chemical industry, its better to know the recent market trends. The worldwide demand for textile chemicals is estimated to rise 2.8 % per year to $19 billion by 2012. Among the textile chemicals, colorants and auxiliaries are predicted to rise at a faster pace globally. Most of the chemicals will be consumed by two countries- India and China. However, other countries all over the world too, are showing improvement in their investments related to textile industry.

Demand of Textile Chemicals and Auxiliaries
Due to the demand of eco-friendly textiles and products along with legislation on health, safety and environment, new technologies are increasingly coming up in the field of textile chemicals. Polymers for technical textiles, have made most of the advance in recent past due to the fact that fibers made out of them posses semiconductor capabilities and thus have a strong growth potential. Apart from polymers, new coatings, laminates and binder systems are also developing as they add value to the end products. Textile wet processing chemicals which assist in lowering the cost of textile chemical production
are also in much demand. Chemicals are now preferably provided in bulk or semi-bulk containers thus avoiding the cost involved in drums and drum disposal.

It seems that the demands made from textile chemical industry has a clear direction. It is driven by the emphasis put on lower cost of production and environmental safety.

Read more...

Soft, Durable, Eco Friendly Bamboo Fiber!

The bamboo fiber is obtained from the pulp of bamboo plants. It is an eco-friendly fiber just like the banana fiber. It is fast becoming the choice of fashion designers due to its popular demand. Lets see why bamboo fiber is making way into the fashion circles and wardrobes of fashion conscious people.

Bamboo fiber is a complete package- it is anti-bacterial, UV protective, green & biodegradable, breathable & cool, strong, flexible, soft and has a luxurious shiny appearance. It can be softer than even silk when spun into yarn and with its microscopic round surface, it becomes very smooth and sit perfectly next to the skin without clinging. Apart from this, it has a good drapability that attracts designers to make fashion clothings from it.
Bamboo fabric has a fantastic absorption ability that evaporates sweat very quickly. In fact, it is 3-4 times more absorbent than cotton fabrics. These fabrics are highly breathable in hot weather and also keeps you warmer in cold season.

The most useful feature of bamboo fabric is its natural antibacterial, antifungal and anti-static nature. This is due to bacteriostasis bio-agent named "bamboo kun" which bonds tightly with bamboo cellulose molecules during the normal process of bamboo fiber growth. It not only makes bamboo fabric germ free but also odor free.

However, all these benefits results only when bamboo fiber is produced mechanically and not chemically. We come to know the bamboo facts only when we analyze how the processing of this fiber affects the qualities of the fabric. Chemical processing uses solvents that destroy most of its characteristics and also affect environment and plant workers. The mechanical processing, although more expensive and time consuming, retains its eco-friendly properties.
So, whenever, we opt for bamboo fiber, we must ensure that it is organically processed. Even if we have to pay a little more, we are contributing to our good health and better environment in the long run.

Read more...

Are You Choosing the Right Sewing Thread!

For a successful sewing project, many factors have to be considered. One among them is the selection of right sewing thread. sewing thread has to be compatible not only with the fabric but also with the machine settings. Using inappropriate thread can lead to broken needles, torn fabric and sewing machine break downs. However, before knowing how to select the right sewing thread, one must know what are the types of sewing threads that can be used for various sewing projects.

Types of Sewing Threads

Sewing threads come in various sizes represented in numbers or alphabets. The higher the number, the finer is the thread. Where letters indicate the size, A is finer while D is heavier. Mercerized threads are more smooth due to special finishes given to them. General purpose threads are used on light and medium fabrics while the heavy duty threads are used where the stitches require extra strength like in upholstery projects. Cotton, silk, nylon, polyester and cotton wrapped polyester with approximate size 50 are the general purpose threads. The threads above size 50 are finer, suitable for sheer fabrics. The coarse cotton, polyester, and cotton-wrapped polyester threads having approximate size 40 are considered heavy duty threads appropriate for sewing heavy vinyl, coating or upholstery fabrics.

Right Sized Thread for Different Fabrics

• For light weight fabrics such as batiste, chiffon, crepe, etc. a mercerized size 60 thread is good. It can be 100% polyester or cotton wrapped polyester.

• For medium weight fabrics like corduroy, flannel, gabardine, gingham, linen, muslin, wool crepe, etc. a mercerized size 50 thread is good. It can be 100% polyester or cotton wrapped polyester.

• For medium heavy weight fabrics like bonded wovens, canvas, coating, denim, duck, sailcloth, etc. a mercerized size 40 will do. It can be 100% polyester or cotton wrapped polyester "heavy duty" labeled thread.

• For knits such as bonded knits, double knit, jersey, tricot, etc. somewhat fine polyester, nylon or cotton wrapped polyester threads are good.

Tips for Choosing the Right Sewing Thread

• Consider the strength of the thread and the purpose it's going to serve.

• All-purpose polyester thread works best for most projects done with a sewing machine.

• Look for compatibility with the fabric's structure and try to select the one similar in fiber content of the fabric for sewing project.

• Match the color of thread with the most dominant color in the fabric. If can't find it, select the one that is one or two shades darker. Never go for lighter shades, they tend to be more visible.

• Use cotton thread for fabrics having little or no stretch as the stitches may break if used on a stretchy knit fabric.

• Use polyester thread for synthetic or stretchy fabrics.

• Use fine cotton or silk thread for very sheer or delicately woven fabrics like lingerie or sheer garments.

• When using metallic thread for machine sewing, ensure that the thread is labeled suitable for machine sewing.

• For quilting projects or similarly layered projects, use quilting thread which is all-cotton and has a finish that lets the thread to slip more easily through the fabric and batting layers.

Now thread your sewing machine and create amazing projects!

Read more...

Lycra Spandex- The Wonder Fabric for Comfort and Fit

It's generally believed that natural fabrics are the most comfortable ones. I am not opposing the fact. I just want to highlight the characteristics of Spandex, which is a synthetic fabric yet very comfortable and gives a great fit to our garments.

Spandex is an elastic fiber, and it was introduced by DuPont under the trade name "Lycra" in 1958. The brand name, Lycra, got so famous that it became the synonym of spandex and now all the varieties of spandex were known as Lycra. It was developed as the alternative to rubber but proved to be so good that it left rubber far behind. It has better resistance to heat, oil, and abrasion in comparison to rubber. However, the quality due to which spandex is loved so much is its stretchability. It can be stretched to almost 500% of its length. It is lightweight, soft, smooth, supple, durable and has higher retractive ability i.e. it can bounce back in its original shape in a very effective manner. As such, it never leads to bagging and sagging of the garment.

All the characteristics of spandex are due to the variety of raw materials that are used to make the stretchable spandex fiber - prepolymers which produce the backbone of the fiber, stabilizers which protect the integrity of the polymer, and colorants. Apart from the basic prepolymers, catalysts etc. stabilizers, such as antioxidants, are added to protect the fibers from damaging sources like heat, light, atmospheric contaminants, and chlorine. These fibers are manufactured in four different ways- melt extrusion, reaction spinning, solution dry spinning, and solution wet spinning. However, solution dry spinning alone produces over 90% of the world's spandex fibers.

As far as application of spandex is concerned, it is widely used in making of active sports wear, work wear and garments that provide support such as hosiery, bra, corsets etc. The level of comfort and wicking ability of Spandex can't match any other fabric. Not only they are used in work wear and swim wear but also are gaining popularity for making apparels for plus sized population. Due to its many qualities, spandex give support as well as freedom of movement and ease to such people. The new seamless spandex not only supports a fuller figure, it also provides the illusion of a more toned frame.

Read more...

Comfort, Luxury or Eco- Friendly- What's Your Choice for Bath Towels

All of us have used cotton bath towels for a good portion of our lives. However, in this age of specialization, bath towels come in different materials and in a variety of sizes, patterns and colors. You have great options to choose from bath towels that are either comfortable, luxurious or eco-friendly. Some of them even have all the qualities!

Cotton Bath Towels
The natural cotton has a very good texture. It feels good against skin, and is very absorbent that makes it perfect for bath towels. Polyester is sometimes blended with cotton to prevent shrinkage and damage from wear & tear. However, such towels have lower quality than 100% cotton towels. Terry cotton is made by a weaving process that loops the fibers on both sides of the fabric. In the other variety- velour- these loops are cropped to give a smoother texture. However, velour has a tendency to bead water on the fiber which takes longer to dry. Velour towels are appropriate more for decorative purposes while terry cotton towels are for functional use.

Turkish Cotton Towels: They are thick, soft, and sturdy, and absorb water very well. More they are used, the more softer they get. However, using fabric softener when washing terry cloth towels affects their absorbency. Laundering the towels once or twice is enough to bring back their natural absorbent quality.

Egyptian Cotton Towels: Egyptian cotton is considered to be the finest cotton due to extra long fibers that make it soft and durable towel. However, they are a bit expensive than the terrycloth towels but give the real spa experience.
Organic Cotton Towels: Organic cotton bath towels, although costlier, are usually thicker and more plush. They contain around 700 grams of cotton per sq meter. The regular towels have only 200 to 400 grams of cotton per sq meter. They are environmental-friendly too. Organic Egyptian cotton bath towels are the most luxurious towels. They are extremely fluffy & absorbent, and generally larger than "regular" bath towels.
Bamboo Bath Towels
If you are more conscious towards environment, use bamboo towels. They are softer and dry quickly. Sometimes, they are blended with cotton. The best luxury bamboo bath towels have a nice blend of 65% bamboo & 35% cotton. Bamboo towels provide the best of both worlds- superior softness & absorption of bamboo and durability of cotton!


Microfiber Fabrics Towels
Microfiber Fabric is a synthetic fabric but have extraordinary qualities of absorption and cleaning. Towels made from it are thin, dry quickly, very lightweight and can absorb five times their weight in water. They are specially made for active sports purposes, so you can imagine how comfortable they would be even for daily usage!

Now when you know about all the available bath towels, Choose high quality towels. If you are going for eco-friendly towels, you can always recycle old bath towels!

Read more...