The 2007 Southern Textile Research Conference

Textiles are the first interface between human beings and the surrounding world and they can considerably contribute to feeling protected and comfortable. They do this in a classic passive way via a good fit, proper thermal and moisture management and a pleasant handle. Today, however, they can also be transformed into cosmetotextiles - “active” players for an even better sense of wellbeing - by incorporating skin care or aromatherapy properties into them that can really make a difference to the consumer.

9:15 – 9:30 AM Break

9:30 AM Extrusion Of Complex Fibers –

Current Uses And Future Potential

Speaker: Dr. Dieter Keser, Hills, Inc

Modern extrusion technology can produce exquisitely complex fibers –multicomponent fibers,novel shapes, microfibers, nanofibers and combinations of these. The application of such fiber types is somewhat mature in filAMent yarns, but is still in its infancy for nonwovens. This presentation will explore the technology, current applications and potential.

11:00 – 11:15 AM Break

11:15 AM Challenges Facing a New Product Introduction

Speaker: Patrick Vesay, Standard Textile

In today’s marketplace, where the role of manufacturer for commodity products has been marginalized, the need for successful product development and new technology has become paramount. The search for niche markets, and competition therein, has provided many companies another opportunity for success, or in some cases a lifeline. For those venturing into or producing new products for the industrial or technical sectors, there are some critical elements that are being overlooked when introducing these new technologies to prospective customers.

The ability of new products to live up to their sometimes fantastic claims is increasingly rare. The balance between marketing and performance is something that must be struck in relation to the needs and priorities of the new market as opposed to other markets previously or simultaneously served, such as retail. Also, the ability of a product to be modified or customized to meet a variety of end-user environments is all the more important to keep out of the “one size fits all” category at a time when everyone wants a customized technology. And finally, there are many great technologies that never make a successful impact because companies have inflated ideas about how much their technology is worth in the market. Prospective customers are left to figure out how to absorb an increase in cost to account for technology licensing, royalties, and technical support to sell into a market that ultimately wouldn’t bear the premium needed to turn a profit.

12:45 PM Lunch

Afternoon: Private discussions

7:00 PM Cocktails

8:00 PM Dinner

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 2007

Morning Session

7:30 AM Welcome - Officer Elections and By-law Amendments.

7:45 AM Outlook on Flame Resistant Textiles

for Global Contract Markets

Speaker: Victoria Bousman, Marketing International

An overview of the global and US markets for flame retardant textiles and the different approaches to creating an FR material. A review of the current Global and US regulations covering FR Textiles for different markets and applications.

9:15 – 9:30 AM Break

9:30 AM Silver Technology in Textiles

Speakers: Don Alexander, Anovotek LLC

Dr. Robert Curtis, Eastman Kodak Company

The use of silver as a value-added treatment for textile products continues to increase. Silver has a long history of safe, effective use in a wide variety of applications where antibacterial performance is desired. Silver has historically been used for food service accessories such as silverware, serving containers, pitchers, etc. and has been used extensively in medical applications for teeth fillings, as effective eye drops, on burn wound dressings, and for medical devices such as catheters. Using silver as a value-added treatment for textiles is a logical extension of the technology. Applications of silver vary from fiber extrusion, to silver plating, to topical application of silver compounds.

Recently there has been extensive discussion throughout the industry regarding statements issued by the US EPA that the US EPA intends to review nano-silver technology. The statements by the US EPA and the ensuing discussions and publications have created questions regarding the use of silver on textile materials. This paper will review the past, current, and anticipated future use of silver technologies. The presenters will share detailed safety and environmental information that has been gained over decades of use and evaluation of silver compounds. This paper will equip the attendees of the STRC with information that will help them make sound decisions about the use of silver in textiles.

11:00 – 11:15 AM Break

11:15 AM Contribution to the Investigation of Anthropometric

Measurements of Body Dimensions and Adaptation

to the Garment Size System

Speaker: Dr. Darko Ujevic, Professor and Dean

Faculty of Textile Technology, University of Zagreb, Croatia

Anthropometry as part of the anthropology discipline is the study of the measurement of the human body in terms of the dimensions of individual human body parts. Under present conditions of manufacturing fashion garments the significance of the size system is of paramount importance. Over the period from 2004 to 2006 the first comprehensive anthropometric measurement on the sample of 30,866 test persons from birth up to people aged 82 years was made in 20 Croatian counties and in the city of Zagreb. The paper also describes anthropometric properties, measurement procedures and implementation strategy.

12:45 Lunch

Conference adjourns