#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.

BTMA backs global growth while investing in future UK leaders

As one of a number of new initiatives launched this year, the British Textile Machinery Association (BTMA) is launching the UK-India Textile Machinery Coalition. The UK-India Free Trade Agreement, signed in July 2025, has implications that extend across sourcing, competitiveness and long-term trade dynamics, believes BTMA CEO Jason Kent.

China projected to increase cotton production, yields, and imports in 2026/27

World cotton production in the 2026/27 season is projected at 25.9 million tonnes, exceeding global consumption of 25.2 million tonnes, according to the May 2026 issue of Cotton This Month. That means both production and consumption are expected to remain close to current season levels, while global cotton trade is projected to decline by 2.7% to approximately 9.6-9.7 million tonnes.

VDMA members at Techtextil: Smart technologies for technical textiles

At Techtextil 2026 in Frankfurt, the members of VDMA Textile Machinery underline their key role as global technology leaders for technical textiles and textile processing. With a strong presence of more than 50 members they will highlight how engineering excellence, innovation strength and sustainability expertise from Germany and Europe are shaping the future of the textile industry. Seven companies will be present at the VDMA group stand in the centre of hall 12.0.

Between geopolitical pressure and industrial resilience

In this interview, Dr. Janpeter Horn (VDMA) discusses the current challenges facing textile machinery manufacturers, shaped by geopolitical tensions, regulatory developments and subdued investment. He also outlines why innovation strength, integrated solutions and strategic positioning remain key to global competitiveness.

Techtextil 2026: KARL MAYER impresses as an innovative sector partner

KARL MAYER looks back with satisfaction on its participation in Techtextil 2026. From April 21 to 24, the international industry leader used the trade show in Frankfurt to meet with numerous key customers at its booth and, at the same time, establish many new contacts. Most visitors came from Germany, followed by major markets such as Poland, the United Kingdom, Turkey, France, and Portugal.

ECCO introduces first shoe featuring innovative protein-based fibre

ECCO, in partnership with Spinnova, announces the launch of the limited edition ECCO BIOM® 720, a first-of-its-kind shoe utilising an often overlooked leather by-product, transformed into a protein-based fibre. The fibres are produced using patented technology that advances material innovation while reducing waste and supporting full resource use across the leather and textile industry.