#Composites

2019-05-15

Building: Reducing crime through design

Siniat’s newly launched Securtex® integrates Chomarat laid glass scrim into its gypsum plasterboard. According to the dry construction material specialist, it is the first plasterboard-only system certified to Loss Prevention Standard (LPS) 1175 and accredited by the Secured by Design Police Initiative. Siniat Securtex® helps withstand intruder attacks and meets the LPS 1175 Security Rating Class 1 standard.

ANTI-INTRUDER WALLING SYSTEM INTEGRATES CHOMARAT LAID GLASS SCRIM

Siniat Securtex® plasterboard contains a laid high-tensile glass scrim from Chomarat, combined with a dense gypsum core.

The glass reinforcement protects the building construction, because it dissipates the force across the whole area of the board, providing impact resistance to both deliberate and accidental damage. No other components are required in the system to design out crime and help avoid long-term maintenance costs caused by damage.

“Chomarat laid glass scrim brings extra mechanical strength and impact resistance to party walls and doorsets. Combined with a dense gypsum core, it prevents damage from tools typically used by opportunistic burglars, such as screwdrivers or from physical attack, eliminating the need for additional materials such as metal lath or ply in the partition”, explains Pierre Peyron, Industrialisation Engineer for Securtex®.

TAKING ADVANTAGES OF CHOMARAT EXPERIENCE BOTH IN TEXTILE & CHEMISTRY

“I have known Chomarat for years and we have forged a long business relationship: Chomarat is always ready to provide support and be creative in finding solutions. This is what happened with the Securtex® project” explains Eric Bertrand, Head of R&D, Innovation & Marketing at Etex Building Performance.

The laid glass scrim was developed in close collaboration with Siniat: “We designed this glass grid specially to provide good tensile strength and tear resistance. The diameter of the threads is selected to produce a grid with considerable flexibility and mechanical properties. Moreover, the Chomarat coating contributes to the flexibility of the grid and offers excellent resistance to puncture and aging”, explains Claudio Colombi, product manager for Construction at Chomarat.

Chomarat’s tailor-made solutions help provide up to 120 minutes of fire protection and contribute to a simpler installation.

“Production is a product”

From technical textiles and AI-driven robotics to the limitations of textile circularity: Professor Dr Thomas Gries looks back on more than two decades of development at ITA Aachen. In the interview, he explains why production technology remains a decisive success factor, discusses international collaborations and innovation ecosystems, and shares his views on the transformation of production landscapes and the challenges facing an increasingly regulated industry.

“We need to move away from the price trap and return to a value-driven mindset.”

With its new Textile Innovation Center, KARL MAYER is sending a strong signal for innovation, collaboration, and the future of textile applications. In this interview, Karl Josef Mayer discusses new opportunities in warp knitting, the processing of staple fibres, recycling, the changing role of machinery manufacturers, and why the textile industry must once again focus more strongly on the value of textiles. by Oliver Schmidt

“Innovation, resilience and international experience remain the great strengths of the Swiss textile machinery industry”

Geopolitical uncertainty, growing competitive pressure from China, new free trade agreements and the shift towards a circular economy are currently reshaping the global textile industry. In this interview, Cornelia Buchwalder discusses the current mood within the Swiss textile machinery sector, the industry’s distinctive innovative strength, new market opportunities in India and Asia, and the technological trends that could shape the upcoming trade fair cycle leading up to ITMA 2027.

Fewer pores, greater impact tolerance: Peter Dornier Foundation Prize 2026 honours material research on fibre-reinforced composite components for aerospace industry

Microscopically small pores that form during manufacture, or barely visible impact damage, can severely impair the load-bearing capacity and service life of fibre-reinforced composite components. Two young researchers have presented groundbreaking work in this field and will both be awarded the 2026 Peter Dornier Foundation Prize: Dr.-Ing. Benedikt Neitzel from the Technical University of Ilmenau for his doctoral thesis on pore minimisation in the RTM process, and Johanna Buschmann, M.Sc., for her master’s thesis, completed at the German Aerospace Centre, on the improved impact tolerance of 3D fabrics compared to 2D laminates.

JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 highlights Taiwan as a strategic hub for the global composites industry

The third edition of JEC Forum organized in Southeast Asia brought together 350+ participants from 22 countries for three active days of high-level Business Meetings, conferences, and networking, emphasizing Southeast Asia’s growing role in the global composites market. Held for the first time in Taipei from 23 to 24 June 2026, following the successful first editions in Bangkok, JEC Forum Southeast Asia 2026 confirmed its position as the region’s leading business platform dedicated to the composites industry.

MEL Composites supports ELA Aviation with advanced composite materials

MEL Composites is supplying advanced composite materials and process consumables to ELA Aviation for the production of its next-generation gyroplanes. The collaboration underlines MEL Composites’ growing role in advanced aerospace mobility, providing lightweight materials designed to improve aircraft performance, manufacturing efficiency and structural reliability.

Brazil sets new cotton export record and consolidates global leadership

Brazil ended the 2025/26 commercial year with a new record, consolidating its position as the world’s largest cotton exporter. Between August 2025 and July 2026, the country shipped 3,373,941 tonnes of the fiber, 19% more than in the previous cycle, and reached record revenue of US$5.3 billion. The result represents a milestone in Brazil’s expansion in the international market and reinforces the country’s role as a strategic supplier to the global textile industry.

The LYCRA Company expands its co-creation vision through an immersive Lifestyle District at Intertextile Shanghai.

The LYCRA Company, a global leader in fiber and technology solutions for the apparel industry, is reimagining the trade show experience at Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics Autumn Edition, which opened today in China. Building on the success of last year's ALL IN concept, the company has expanded its co-creation vision into a 356-square-meter Lifestyle District featuring partners Jingzili New Material, JYT Textile, Lianxingfa Knitting, and Trend Textile. The district is part of a larger 895-square-meter pavilion showcasing a total of 19 co-exhibitors. Together, they demonstrate how innovations in fiber, fabric, and garments can be combined to create compelling solutions for both work and play.

Plastic-free stretch technologies drive new direction for denim innovation

As the denim industry looks for ways to reduce its reliance on synthetic fibres, plastic-free stretch technologies are gaining momentum. Developments based on mechanical fabric construction and natural rubber are demonstrating that comfort and stretch can be achieved without conventional elastane, supporting both recyclability and circular product design.