|
|
| Issue date:01/12/2006 |
| ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel - Dec 2006 Issue |
| Source:Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel |
| by Geoff Fisher |
|
US-based Chemical producer Huntsman has indicated that its recent acquisition of the Textile Effects division of Ciba Specialty Chemicals will lead to an increased emphasis on technical textiles, and especially protective textiles.
In 2005, 29% of Huntsman Textile Effects total sales of US$1.04 billion were for the processing of technical textile products. According to Michael Effing, Vice President, Textile Effects, Region Europe, Middle East and Africa, this proportion is predicted to expand to about 50% by 2010/11 as additional resources are applied to research and development.
Under the Huntsman structure, Textile Effects is part of a new division called Materials and Effects, where it has been combined with the group's Advanced Materials business (itself the former Ciba Performance Polymers division, which had been sold off to an investment company and traded as Vantico, before being acquired by Huntsman in an earlier transaction).
Strong protection and soft hand with Flovan CWF flame retardant |
Accounting for about 14% of Textile Effect's total sales of CHF1.3bn (US$1 billion) in the technical textile market in 2005, protective textiles have been identified as a focus for Huntsman. In response, the business recently introduced several new developments for the protective textiles segment:
Premax is a new pretreatment for white, dyed and printed fabrics made of cellulose and its blends. It is designed to offer maximum process safety, reproducibility and overall process cost reduction. The Premax system comprises the new Tinoclarite Max bleaching processor and Ultravon Pre surfactant.
The new 3P (polyamide protection in processing) concept offers improved textile performance of polyamide fibers during high-temperature dyeing, drying and heat-setting, moulding, fabric storage, fabric use and laundering, and exposure to chlorine or nitrogen oxides or ozone. The system prevents yellowing or browning and promotes shade and whiteness consistency.
Ultra Release DuPont Teflon fabric protector for stain release and wash-out of dirt and grass stains and the 3XDry technology offer enhanced performance and comfort characteristics for workwear, corporate wear and military clothing.
Michael Effing |
Silcoat is a new range of silicone coating products for technical textile products. These are especially applicable to protective clothing where high performance is required, such as abrasion resistance, ageing resistance, cold and heat flexibility, high wash durability, heat stability and electrical insulation properties.
A new range of high-performance silicone coating products has been launched for technical textiles and other high-end applications, including protective wear. Dicrylan S, W and C polymers have very high resistance to abrasion, ageing and fluctuating temperatures, as well as heat stability and excellent wash fastness.
Meanwhile, Dicrylan L coating polymers have elastic and insulation properties, as well as high resistance to abrasion and ageing. In particular, this range complies with industry environmental regulations for carpet backing.
Special finishes on medical textiles enhance protection |
Flovan CWF, a new flame retardant for polyester, cotton and their blends, is said to be cost-effective, halogen-free and leaves treated textiles with a soft hand. Containing phosphorus and nitrogen, Flovan CWF is applied by padding and is compatible with selected polymers, fluorochemicals and softeners. The product is suitable for curtains, mattresses, technical textiles, automotive applications and construction materials.
Woven textiles currently account for a large share of the protective textiles sector. However, in the protective nonwovens sector, which includes disposable medical/surgical gowns, Huntsman is working on treatments for polypropylene spunbond-meltblown-spunbond (SMS) and polyester/wood-pulp fabrics. Here, the requirements include alcohol/blood repellency, antistatic effects, softness and drape, barrier properties, high air permeability and a high cost/performance ratio.
Low-volume but high-value
Although protective textiles represent just 1% by volume of the total global technical textiles market, the sector is a high unit-value business.
In 2000, the segment accounted for 240,000 tons of finished product, but was valued at US$5.2 billion. By 2010, the sector is forecast at 350,000 tons valued at almost US$7 billion.
Protective textiles include flame retardant (FR) clothing, nuclear biological chemical (NBC) protection, other military textiles, cut-slash protection, ballistic protection, facemasks, dust protection, chemical protection, foul-weatherproof clothing (FWC), high-visibility clothing and harnesses.
Overall, the segment is growing by around 3% per annum. The biggest markets by value are FR clothing and FWC, which are growing at just under 3% a year. Although smaller, the markets with the highest growth rate are facemasks and ballistic protection, which are exhibiting an annual increase of over 5%.
High IQ Cool Comfort: no sweat Ð keep cool |
Global branding program launched
Huntsman's Textile Effects business segment has launched a comprehensive branding program for innovative textile color and finishing effects. The first five "intelligent" effects in the new High IQ (Innovation and Quality) program are Cool Comfort, Lasting Color, Freshness, Easy Care Plus and Sun Protection. Additional concepts are being developed, with two more effects to be launched by the end of 2006.
The program is designed to add value both for the consumer and the entire textile processing chain, explained Matthias Fossel, Head, Concept Center Finishing, Printing and Carpet. "High IQ goes beyond a product by encompassing both dyes and chemicals," he said.
Just two months into the scheme, more than 400 textile mill partners had already been identified and/or licensed, with the first hangtags showing up at retail by the third quarter of 2006. |
|
| We are collecting readers' comment for improving our website. If you are willing to help, please CLICK HERE to complete a survey. Your comments matter. |
|
|
|
|
| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
|
| Copyright © Adsale Publishing Limited. Any party needs to reprint any part of the content should get the written approval from Adsale Publishing Ltd and quote the source "ATA Journal for Asia on Textile & Apparel", Adsale Textile English Website - www.AdsaleATA.com. We reserve the right to take legal action against any party who reprints any part of this article without acknowledgement. For enquiry, please contact Editorial Department. |
|
|
|
Close
|
|
|
Write a mail to the editor : 
