#Associations

2022-09-15

AATCC announces new nylon sleeve

The AATCC Nylon Sleeve 129 & Standard of Fade is now available in a new, more sustainable format. The nylon sleeve fabric, or standard control fabric, is used in AATCC Test Method 129, Test Method for Colorfastness to Ozone in the Atmosphere under High Humidities. The test method is popularly used by labs in the quality control of carpet materials and other textile materials. The purpose of the test is to determine a fabric’s resistance to color change as a result of Ozone in the atmosphere at elevated temperatures with relative humidity above 85%.

The Nylon Sleeve 129 & Standard of Fade help lab operators determine the duration of one test cycle, or ‘cycle of fade’. The 2-part set act as a guide, showing the before and after color of the standard fabric. Before the test, the Nylon Sleeve 129 is a tubular knit fabric displaying a hunter green shade. After the test is conducted for one ‘cycle of fade’, the Nylon Sleeve 129 displays a color that matches the Standard of Fade, a green-gold shade.

In conducting the test, the Nylon Sleeve 129 is placed inside the test apparatus, an Ozone chamber, along with the specimens to undergo testing. After one ‘cycle of fading’, the Nylon Sleeve 129 matches the color of the green-gold ‘Standard of Fade’.

NEW STANDARD OF FADE: IMPROVED SUSTAINABILITY, INCREASED VALUE

The material for the Standard of Fade is a foamboard material that has been painted using 100% Acrylic paint. In this process, less water and dye were used to develop Lot 11, compared to the dyed Standard of Fade of previous lots. The next iteration of AATCC TM129 will reflect the change to a non-fabric Standard of Fade, once completed by Committee RA33.

NYLON SLEEVE 129 FABRIC

The Nylon Sleeve 129 has been developed by traditional dyeing processes, using disperse dyes. It can be used in sizes as small as 1 x 1” to conduct AATCC TM129. Lot 11 of the product features a label on the bag, rather than on the fabric, allowing for more yield of the fabric. When not in use, the Nylon Sleeve 129 & Standard of Fade should be kept in the original packaging.

QUICK START GUIDE: IMPROVED GUIDANCE

The accompanying Quick Start Guide allows for ease-of-use of the standard reference materials for both new and seasoned lab operators. The Quick Start guide comes complete with visuals, a simplified version of the test method, removing the guesswork from the testing process. A Certificate of Analysis and Conformity explaining storage, shelf life, and composition is included.

ORDER TODAY

Are you conducting AATCC TM129 for your customers? For consistent results, use the standard control fabric. Restock your Nylon Sleeve 129 & Standard of Fade today with the new and improved Lot 11. To get more information or to order the new nylon sleeve, visit https://members.aatcc.org/store/

AATCC announces 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition winners

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) recognized the winners of the 2025 Herman & Myrtle Goldstein Graduate Student Paper Competition. Founded in 1982 to give student members the chance to conduct and present original research, the competition was renamed in 1994 in honor of Herman and Myrtle Goldstein, following their US$60,000 endowment. Their gift is a lasting remembrance of their dedication to young people in the textile industry.

New funding available for textile research

The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2026. Applications must be submitted by October 1, 2025, to be considered.

Meadow Grove Research joins ITMF as Corporate Member

Meadow Grove Research is a commodity research firm specializing in supply, demand, and trade analysis in cotton and other soft commodities. Providing clarity to the complex nature of the global fiber supply chain is one of its most formidable services. The firm thrives on customer engagement and providing the best framework for critical decisions.

Sustainability: European industry calls on EU to keep Single-Use Plastics Directive unchanged

A broad coalition of European industry associations, including EDANA, Euratex and Plastics Europe, has urged EU institutions to maintain the current legal framework of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD). In a joint statement, the organisations argue that reopening the Directive at this stage would create legal uncertainty, increase regulatory complexity and undermine investment, while its implementation across the European Union is still incomplete.

Textile machinery: Italian technology charts the course for revival

Operating in a scenario characterized by geopolitical instability, slowing industrial investments, and new protectionist pressures. This is the main challenge for the Italian textile machinery industry that emerged during the General Assembly of ACIMIT (Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers), held today in Milan at the Shareholders’ Hall of Palazzo Edison.

New skills for a circular textile economy

Based on the results of a comprehensive analysis, the Erasmus+ project Skills4Circularity is developing three practical training modules covering recycling technologies, eco-design for the circular economy and sustainable manufacturing. The content of the first module, Recycling Technologies, has now been developed and validated together with industry representatives. The module provides participants with knowledge of regulatory requirements, material sorting and the preparation of textile waste for recycling.

Rieter sees Barmag integration on track as orders and sales rise

The first half of 2026 was shaped by the successful completion of the largest acquisition in Rieter’s history. The Man-Made Fiber Division enables entry into the growth segment of man-made fibers and sustainably strengthens Rieter’s market position in the Asia region. The expanded Group is now the world’s leading system supplier for the processing of natural and man-made fibers. In the first half of the year, initial cost savings in material costs and operating expenses have already been realized. The targeted synergies are expected to amount to at least CHF 20 million by the end of the 2028 financial year. Due to the completion of the acquisition on February 2, 2026, the first half of the year for the Man-Made Fiber Division only amounts to five months.