North Carolina State University

A new study has found that synthetic apparel is by far the largest source of plastic waste. The synthetic value chain accounted for 18 million tonnes of waste in 2019, making up 89% of all plastic waste from the global apparel industry that year. 

Researchers in the US have concluded that cellulosic microfibres from flushable wipes, tissue paper, and cotton fibres generated from bleached cotton jersey knit fabric biodegrade extensively across all tested conditions.

A new study from NC State University is combining machine learning with three-dimensional embroidery techniques to create a fabric-based sensor that can control electronic devices through touch.

Imagine you can make a yarn, just a regular textile yarn, that you also make into a battery. You can basically hide it in your clothing. A team of researchers is working on this which could well be a significant development for wearable technology.

A new project in the US aims to disrupt and revolutionise the $96 billion textiles industry, driving advances in smart textiles, wearable technology, medical textiles and protective textiles.

Researchers have concluded that in terms of emerging conversion technologies, optimisation also of processes will be critical to the success or failure of alternative feedstock sources for textiles.

Scientists from the US have developed a metallic coating treatment for clothing which can repair itself, repel bacteria and even monitor a person’s heart signals.

Recycling a fabric’s component materials could soon be a reality as researchers have found a way to separate blended cotton and polyester fabric using enzymes.

Reducing carbon emissions and developing environment-friendly paths to fertilizer production are increasingly urgent challenges facing our world. But, the ability to discover and quickly scale solutions will require innovative partnerships across public and private sectors. A new interdisciplinary research collaboration will be working towards new solutions.

A partnership between educational institutions in the US and Honduras will facilitate the continued reshoring of textile and apparel production to the US and Central America. A texfash.com report.