Pantone D65 Stickers Used to Evaluate Color of Textiles

Pantone D65 Stickers Used to Evaluate Color of Textiles

Pantone LLC, an X-Rite company and the global authority on color and provider of professional color standards for the design industries, announced the availability of Pantone D65 Lighting Indicator Stickers. 

Similar to the D50 Lighting Indicator Stickers announced earlier this year, the new D65 Lighting Indicator Stickers make it easy for designers and manufacturers to determine if colors are being viewed under the right lighting conditions for accurate color evaluation, specification and matching. Whereas D50 lighting is commonly used for evaluating printed design work and photography, D65 is commonly used to evaluate the color of textiles, paints, plastics and other manufactured products. 

“Quality of light has a critical impact on color appearance, and making a color decision under the wrong lighting conditions can lead to costly and time-consuming mistakes,” said Giovanni Marra, director of corporate marketing at Pantone. “The new Lighting Indicator Stickers for D65 lighting provide a simple and economical way for designers and manufacturers to determine if colors are being viewed under the correct lighting conditions, allowing designers to be more confident in their color choices.” 

All Pantone Lighting Indicator Stickers (D50 and D65) have two light-sensitive patches that react to viewing illumination and change color under different lighting temperatures. Under proper D65-range lighting, the two patches will appear to match, and, if lighting conditions do not fall within the D65 range, the two patches will not match. The further the light source is from the D65 range, the greater the contrast will be in appearance. 

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ICAC Researcher of the Year 2012

International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC) Researcher of the Year program is entering its fourth year. The ICAC is now inviting applications for the “ICAC Researcher of the Year, 2012." The closing date for receipt of applications is March 31, 2012. All information about the program, including where and how to apply, is available on the ICAC web page under “ICAC Researcher of the Year."

A team of five judges headed by an internationally recognized university professor handles the evaluation process. The judges are anonymous to the ICAC and change every two years. Applications go directly to the panel of judges.

The ICAC initiated the Cotton Researcher of the Year Award in 2009. Researchers from universities and public sector research organizations are eligible to apply for the award directly or through their heads of institutions. In addition, colleagues can make a nomination on behalf of a fellow researcher. Researchers from all disciplines of cotton production research, including ginning, fiber quality and textile research, are eligible for the award. Researchers from non-member governments of the ICAC are not eligible for this award.

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Syria to focus on improve the working of cotton textile sector

The Syrian cabinet has approved a proposal to revive and improve the working of the Syrian textile and garment industry.

It has accepted the vision document prepared by the Ministry of Industry and asked the Ministry to prepare a plan to improve the competitiveness of the textile and apparel sector.

Speaking to reporters, the Minister of Industry said that by implementing the vision document, 609,000 new job opportunities would be created in the textile industry.

The paper envisages development of the Syrian cotton textile industry in order to avoid exports of raw cotton and also meet the needs of the domestic markets.

Read entire post Syria to focus on improve the working of cotton textile sector @ Fibre2fashion

India govt releases funds to boost Jammu & Kashmir handicrafts

In its bid to boost the handicraft industry of Jammu & Kashmir, the Government of India has released a sum of Rs. 105 million for upgradation of 2000 conventional carpet looms in the State. This was announced by J&K Minister for Industries and Commerce, SS Slathia.

The Minister held a meeting with the members of the Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) to workout the future course of action for development of trade and industry in the State.

Mr. Slathia presided over the meeting, which was attended by KCCI President Abdul Hamid Punjabi, SICOP Managing Director RK Razdan, Industries and Commerce Commissioner/Secretry Umang Narula, SIDCO Managing Director M Mauzam, JKI Managing Director Javed Iqbal, Handloom Development Department Director Chandra Gupta, Handicrafts Department Director Muzaffar Hussain and others.

Read entire post India govt releases funds to boost Jammu & Kashmir handicrafts @ Fibre2fashion

Nepal’s Department of Industry to simplify cash incentive process for carpet‚ Pashmina

Nepal’s Department of Industry is considering further simplification of value addition process to assist carpet and Pashmina industries qualify for cash incentives.

Carpet and Pashmina entrepreneurs have apprised the Department that additional standards need to be incorporated in the existing cash incentive policy, as the raw materials used by them are not consistent.

Carpet manufacturers said it is difficult to maintain bills of all inputs used by them as they use raw materials that differ in thickness and also by their types. They use a variety of raw materials like hemp, allo and silk. The manufactured carpets also vary from 60 knots to 100 knots.

Pashmina item manufacturers also said that they use various kinds of raw materials, which makes it difficult to verify their value-addition under the existing rules.

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SNGPL to restore gas supply to Pak textile sector

After two days of talks between the representatives of All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA) and Petroleum Minister Dr. Asim Hussain, the Sui Southern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL) has issued a notification that it would restore gas supply to textile industries in the Punjab province from January 23, 2012.

SNGPL had stopped supply of gas to textile industries in Punjab from December 25, and had also faltered to keep its promise of restoring gas supply earlier this month.

Subsequently, APTMA had warned that it would shut all industries leading to large-scale unemployment, as textile industries in Punjab employ more than 10 million people.

SNGPL has divided Punjab province into four zones – Gujranwala-Islamabad, Faisalabad-Sargodha, Lahore-Sahiwal, and Multan, Bhawalpur & DG Khan.

Read entire post SNGPL to restore gas supply to Pak textile sector @ Fibre2fashion

China-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to affect Taiwan’s textile exports

Taiwan’s textile exports to China are likely to be hit by the China-Korea Free Trade Agreement (FTA), negotiations for which are going to start soon, Taiwan’s Bureau of Foreign Trade (BoFT) General Director, Bill Cho, said.

Besides textiles, China-Korea FTA is likely to impact exports of more than 2,000 items to China, particularly when Korea has already inked similar agreements with the EU and the US.

The China-Korea FTA would prove detrimental to Taiwan, especially if it takes form before the conclusion of cross-strait negotiations between Taiwan and China for further facilitations of mutual trade.

According to the Ministry of Economic Affairs, industrial machinery, petrochemical materials, machine tools and textile goods are all included in the list of items whose exports from Taiwan to China overlap with those from Korea.

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Mixed market for NZ wool with 72% of total offering

New Zealand Wool Services International Limited reports that the combined North and South Island Wool auction comprising 18,700 bales saw a mixed market with 72 percent clearance. The weighted indicator for the main trading currencies increased 0.94 percent compared to the last sale on 12th January contributing to a generally softer market.

The stronger NZ dollar combined with current market conditions saw targeted purchasing and variation in levels between selling centres, however, the overall market was generally easier. Mid Micron fleece saw the finer types ease by 3 to 5 percent with the coarser end firming slightly. Fine Crossbred Fleece in both Islands were 1 to 3 percent easier.

Fine Crossbred Shears were 1 to 2 percent cheaper in the South Island and 1 to 4 percent dearer in the North Island apart from the poor styles which were 2.5 percent softer. Coarse Crossbred Fleece were between 2 and 6 percent weaker apart from the Good Style in the North which were up to 2 percent dearer.

Read entire post Mixed market for NZ wool with 72% of total offering @ Fibre2fashion

Textile applications for pineapple and banana waste explored

Agricultural waste from banana and pineapple, which are eco-friendly and are found in abundance in Philippines, can be used as alternative materials for production of home textiles, apparels, non-woven and industrial fabrics and upholsteries.

Department of Science and Technology’s (DOST) Philippine Textile Research Institute’s (PTRI) researcher Nora Mangalindan presented the findings of her research at a recent forum.

PTRI aims to help the domestic textile and allied industries in attaining global competitiveness through use of indigenous resources and by enhancing their technical competence in production of textiles and quality assurance.

According to the research, pineapple plantations span on almost 59,000 hectares in Philippines, with majority of them being in Northern Mindanao, Davao Del Norte, Western Visayas, Davao region and Eastern Visayas. This can yield 55,483 tons of pineapple fibre.

Read entire post Textile applications for pineapple and banana waste explored @ Fibre2fashion

Shoou Shyng Launches Cloud Production Equipment for Textiles

Shoou Shyng Machinery Co Ltd launched a new series of textile industrial cloud production equipment and each equipment contains a huge information system.

Like artificial skin needle punching machine, high-temperature oxidation alumina fibers double-site needle punching machine, 6000 g/m2 super thickness glass fiber needle punching machine, aerospace industrial ceramic fiber needle punching machine, green felt production equipment, Lightweight of automotive interior production line, the V-lap production equipment for heat-proof and Fire-Resistive material in aviation industry and bullet train.

Shoou Shyng’s needle punching machine which has special design is the most elaborate machine in the world.

Read entire post Shoou Shyng Launches Cloud Production Equipment for Textiles @ Fibre2fashion

Pak defers gas supply to Punjab textile industry

The three days a week gas supply that was to be restored from January 11, 2012 onwards to textile industries in Pakistan’s Punjab would now be restored from January 16, 2012, Federal Petroleum Minister Dr. Asim Hussain assured All Pakistan Textile Mills Association (APTMA).

APTMA has strongly criticised Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for its failure in honouring its obligation of restoring supply from January 11. It stated that this has unnerved not only the textile industry at large, but even the industrial workers.

APTMA cautioned that if the issue is not resolved at the earliest, it is likely to result in large-scale redundancy in the country’s textile industry.

Read entire post Pak defers gas supply to Punjab textile industry @ Fibre2fashion

Cape Wools Merino indicator at record highs

The first sale of the New Year opened on a positive note when wool prices rose sharply and the Cape Wools Merino indicator gained 7.1% to close the day at a fresh record of R105,15/kg (clean). This is up 49% on the corresponding sale last season and 1% higher than the previous seasonal high.

This is the highest level ever for the South African indicator.

There was keen competition from the various sectors of the trade for quality fleeces and the prices of most of these types rose to well above the R100/kg mark. In the 22-micron category gains of up to 10% were posted.

The price increases were in line with Australia, where the market posted gains just before the Christmas recess and continued to improve at this week’s sales.

The rand was 1.3% weaker against the US dollar compared with the previous sales’ average rate, trading at R8,06, but at R10,28 it was 3.8% stronger against the euro.

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Ceylon Handlooms back in trend

The National Level Task Force (NLTF) formed on a high priority basis on December 22 by a top Minister for the development of Sri Lanka’s handloom sector started work on 10 January on the loom industry’s future roadmap as previously scheduled. The new national level project is expected to deliver value and professional structure to Sri Lanka’s $ 13 Mn and growing handlooms sector.

“This effort will bring in Ceylon Handlooms brand to the international markets and also will upgrade and modernise in order to attract more youth to the industry to sustain its long term course. More importantly, this is a collaborative effort by the Ministry of Industry and Commerce with various stakeholders such as the private, cooperative and provincial council level industries and the Universities” announced Rishad Bathiudeen, Minister of Industry and Commerce of Sri Lanka on 10 January at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce at Colombo 03.

Minister Bathiudeen announced this in the immediate aftermath of the in-depth, follow up discussion and presentations held on 10 January after the pioneering meet of the high level taskforce on 22 December at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.

Read entire post Ceylon Handlooms back in trend @ Fibre2fashion

Tamil Nadu approves Rs 90 million subsidy for textile parks

The proposal for providing subsidy of up to Rs. 90 million to all the textile parks to be established in the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu under a consolidated scheme has been approved by the State Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa.

The Chief Minister has approved the proposal with a view to help the State’s textile industry attract more investments, which, in turn, would lead to higher employment generation.

The Jayalalithaa government has been taking several steps to uplift the State’s textile industry by way of introducing several new technologies and innovative ideas.

A consolidated textile park scheme, aimed at ensuring development of the State textile industry through establishment of new parks and attracting new investments, is in existence since 2005.

According to an official release, the CM has given her approval for providing subsidies up to a maximum of Rs. 90 million to the textile parks to further intensify their development, and has also directed establishment of a monitoring committee to oversee implementation of the same.

Read entire post Tamil Nadu approves Rs 90 million subsidy for textile parks @ Fibre2fashion

TN handloom artisans to get new designs for sarees

With an eye to help the handloom artisans in the south Indian State of Tamil Nadu to get acquainted with the changing market requirements and exercise a firm foothold in the field, the National Institute of Fashion Technology (NIFT), Chennai, has undertaken a Design Development Project together with the Directorate of Handloom and Textiles.

Pursuant to the project, NIFT is creating some 700 contemporary, marketable designs for home furnishings and sarees, which would be presented to artisans in handloom clusters in Virudhnagar, Erode, Coimbatore and Dindigul.

The new designs would help artisans to better understand the present-day market requirements and produce products which can stand up to changing market requirements.

In addition, the State government has also undertaken a cluster development programme to make weavers’ groups self-sustaining and to increase their visibility.

Read entire post TN handloom artisans to get new designs for sarees @ Fibre2fashion

NY cotton futures leap over holiday period

Plexus Cotton Limited reports that New York futures made a big move to the upside over the holidays, with March gaining 750 points since December 22 to close at 94.74 cents.

After closing at 85.12 cents on December 14, the market has rallied an impressive 962 points over the last 14 sessions. However, while this move looks quite constructive on the chart, the fact that open interest has been declining sharply on Tuesday and Wednesday should be seen as a warning sign. Typically a powerful uptrend is validated by strong volume and rising open interest, which signals that a trend has momentum.

Surprisingly, open interest increased by only 1'531 contracts since December 14, which is not what we would expect to see in a ten cents move. Even more disappointing is that March open interest decreased by 7'880 lots, with most of this drop happening over the last two sessions.

This indicates that it was primarily short covering and profit taking that fueled the last four cents of the advance. Once the shorts are done covering, the buying will have to come from some other source, otherwise upside momentum will stall.

A lot of the short covering seems to be tied to the selling of physical cotton. When basis-long positions get sold to mills, merchants buy back the futures short that was hedging the physical long position.

Read entire post NY cotton futures leap over holiday period @ Fibre2fashion

Signature decorative fabrics & trims on display at Calico

Fabrics by Designer Charlotte Moss Debut at Calico Corners – Calico Home stores. Pretty patterns and updated classics in prints and jacquards arrive from noted designer, author and style-setter Charlotte Moss.

Interior designer Charlotte Moss has spent a lifetime creating elegant and inspired rooms. Now she has brought that signature style to her new collection of 92 decorative fabrics and 75 color-coordinated trims, all available at retail at the Calico Corners – Calico Home stores across the country and online.

With this collection, Moss brings to life her favorite designs in painterly patterns, pretty colors and a wonderful marriage of textures. "I approached this collection almost as if it were a wardrobe for rooms," explains Moss. "I feel fabrics should be instantly appealing, elegant and comfortable, and adaptable to different rooms and uses."

Making the collection well rounded—with lots of coordinates in wovens and prints and trimmings—was an important goal. "I want to inspire the customer to create her own vision—her look—with enough choices to do it easily and stylishly," adds Moss.

Many fabrics in the Charlotte Moss collection are inspired by antique textile documents and vintage clothing picked up on her travels. Other patterns are drawn from nature or adapted from motifs that she uses again and again in her residential design work.

Read more about Signature decorative fabrics & trims on display at Calico @ Fibre2fashion

Brazilian cotton exports may rise 42.4% in 2011

In early 2011, sellers were optimistic regarding cotton prices and, in March, quotes hit record levels in both domestic and international markets. This led to an increase in the planted area and global supply moved up. The demand, however, has not followed the same pace. Cotton was traded at record values, so, purchasers were looking for cheaper alternatives.

Consequently, the demand for artificial fibers has grown, reducing the demand for cotton yarn. Cotton quotes shrank, but purchases of natural fibers, such as cotton, did not increase quickly as expected.

In the first three months of 2011, values in both the domestic and international markets upped, hitting a record in March, despite the low liquidity. In that time, agents wondered what limit quotes would hit.

Read more about Brazilian cotton exports may rise 42.4% in 2011 @ Fibre2fashion

ICAC estimates global cotton use to decline by 2%

The International Cotton Advisory committee (ICAC) presented Global cotton production is forecast 8% higher in 2011/12, compared with 2010/11, at 26.8 million tons, whereas consumption could decline by 2% to 23.9 million tons.

As a result of the projected surplus of 2.9 million tons, global cotton stocks could rebound to 11.9 million tons by the end of 2011/12. This recovery follows two seasons of relatively tight global stocks.

Almost 40% of the gain in global stocks this season could take place in China, due to the rebuilding of the national reserve. Between October 8 and December 30, 2011, a total of 2.1 million tons of domestic cotton were purchased for the China national reserve. Daily purchases are continuing.

There is no limit to the amount of domestic cotton to be purchased by the national reserve this season. In addition, it is reported that about one million tons of non-Chinese cotton has been bought for the reserve; this cotton will be shipped to China over the next few months.

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Solar machine to revolutionize Indian silk reeling

The traditional tiring technique of reeling silk, under which first cocoons are soaked in a pot and then yarn is spun manually, is likely to come to an end with the launch of the Solar Multi Muga Reeling cum Spinning Machine.

The new machine is so devised that it can simultaneously carry out the reeling as well as spinning jobs for different varieties of silk like Mulberry, Muga, Eri and Tasar without any laborious human effort.

The new machine is a brain child of Mr. Manoharmayum Manihar Sharma, an innovator and a master craftsman of Adarsh Kartha (Marked) Industries based in Nongmeibung Pung Makhong, near Imphal, the capital of Northeast Indian State of Manipur.

The machine designed by Mr. Manihar uses a solar plate to operate, which has a capacity to charge 17 volt to 15 watt on a usual sunlit day.

In the absence of sunlight, the machine has a 12 volt-2 amp charger attached to it, which acts as a back-up to support its operations.

Read more about Solar machine to revolutionize Indian silk reeling @ Fibre2fashion

Oerlikon Saurer shows the Volkmann Heat-SET at Domotex 2012

Domotex is the major trade fair for the floor covering industry and from 14th to 17th January 2012 is sure to once again attract the top specialist trade to Hanover. Visitors are welcomed to the Oerlikon Saurer Stand A31 in Hall 5. The Volkmann Product Line, the market leader for twisting and cabling systems for the production of carpet yarns, presents the new, innovative Heat-SET system.

With Heat-SET, the integration of heat-setting in the classic cabling process, the Volkmann Product Line sets a further milestone in carpet yarn manufacture. For the first time it is now possible to unite the process steps of cabling, heat-setting and winding in one work phase. Cabling and heat-setting are normally separate processes whereby the yarns are rewound respectively. The first step is the mechanical finish, followed by thermal stabilizing. Package handling and storage times should be taken into account.

Volkmann Heat-SET now combines the two finishing stages in a new method with only one rewinding process. This has many economic benefits; the production time is significantly reduced at the same time producing top quality, classic cabled BCF yarn.

Read entire post Oerlikon Saurer shows the Volkmann Heat-SET at Domotex 2012 @ Fibre2fashion