Fibers and Fabrics

The United Nations proclaims 2009 as the International Year of Natural Fibers, citing the drive away from petrochemical-based fibers, to more "eco-friendly" fibers. However, some industry insiders might beg to differ, noting the ability to influence synthetic fibers with targeted processes for more comfortable, longer-wearing materials. Must buyers sacrifice comfort to save the planet, or is there a middle ground?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

In the opinion of some skeptics, much of what companies advertise today as sustainable is nothing more than greenwashing, that is, portraying not-so-environmentally benign products and manufacturing practices as good for the planet. Is today's "sustainability" movement mostly advertising hype or is it truly a fundamental shift toward environmentally sound business practices?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

U.S. textile manufacturers aren't directly asking for a bailout, but they do want help from the Obama Administration — extension of the government's Buy American provisions to more federal agencies.

Are the U.S. government's Buy American provisions, however limited, actually un-American in this age of free trade and global commerce? Or should the U.S. be doing more to protect and strengthen its own manufacturing industries, such as textiles?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

The European community involved in intelligent textiles has just published its first newsletter aimed at an unprecedented sharing of technical information among academia, the government and the business community. The goal is to keep Europe on the cutting edge of high-tech textile development, as this issue's Trend article states.

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.

By some estimates, Americans discard nearly 68 lbs of used clothing and rags per person each year, generating millions of tons of landfill waste. The British government recently unveiled a voluntary effort by government and London fashion houses to combat apparel waste and other ills related to clothing manufacturing. Do you think more regulation is needed to help stem the tide of textile waste or are recent efforts merely fashionable attempts at social engineering?

The preceding article is a "sneak peek" from Fibers & Fabrics, a newsletter from GlobalSpec. To stay up-to-date and informed on industry trends, products, and technologies, subscribe to Fibers & Fabrics today.