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Scientists developing new

shades of colored cotton

Scientists have successfully developed new shades of naturally-grown colored cotton aimed at commercializ-
ing the technique to fulfill the requirements of textile mills.
A team of four researchers at the BM College of Agriculture, Khandwa, part of the All India Coordinated
Research Project on Cotton developed four shades of brown cotton grown through conventional method by
mixing different wild varieties of cotton collected from across India. The team is now working on making it An eco-friendly solution
commercially viable through increased yield, strength and larger size.
Dr Devendra Kumar Shrivastava, the plant breeder of the project said, “Traditionally we have seen and used
white cotton but there are coloured varieties that are not cultivated by farmers because coloured varieties
yields are less and they have poor fibre strength and length. But now we are working on enhancing the for waterproof
characteristics of coloured variety so that they can be commercially used.”
Researchers at the college said that fibre length of coloured cotton is around 26mm, while textile mills want at
least 28-30mm. Poor yields and chances of contamination with white cotton makes it unviable for farmers. breathable textiles

Taiwanese innovator BenQ Materials has launched company says. According to BenQ its nano
a ground-breaking new technology for waterproof
Super Absorbent Fiber and breathable textiles. Named ad Xpore, it is the ‘exceptional’ by the industry leading ISPO
porous membranes have been recognized as
Textrends jury panel of journalists, designers, and
first genuine innovation in waterproof and breatha-
independent professionals. When selecting
ble technology for many years, providing not only
(SAF) at INDEX 2020 comfort with an exceptional ‘beyond dry’ experi- outstanding membrane and coating products, the
ence but it is also environmental friendly. The
ISPO jury placed two of BenQ Materials’ products
in the top 10, and three of them in the selection
company said “Xpore, a refinement of BenQ
Material’s AirySektor concept, is said to have
almost limitless applications in performance category.
GRIMSBY - Technical Absorbents Limited (TAL) is all Development Director Dr Mark Paterson. “The fibres clothing, home care, and medical care”. Xpore In independent tests, Xpore has demonstrated
set to offer a range of new fabric developments at are manufactured in-house and can be integrated technology is also said to be ideal for natural fibre remarkable and significant advantages over the
March's Index exhibition including a new range of into its needlefelt and thermo-carded fabrics for fabrics, such as silk, wool, and cotton, and even existing dominant technologies in this market, the
superabsorbent fabrics that provide a higher gel added durability. They provide decreased levels of for special materials requested by designers, such company adds. “BenQ Materials’s membrane
strength when wetted. As it enters the new decade, absorbency compared to standard SAF fibres but as leather. “Unlike existing products, Xpore innovations now control moisture with 10 billion
the development and promotion of its fabric portfolio still high absorbency compared to other available technology is safe and free of harmful PTFE/PFCs nano-pores per square inch each 20,000x smaller
continues to be the focus of the Super Absorbent technologies. Resulting fabrics will also absorb less (Polytetrafluoroethylene and Perfluorocarbons). than a water droplet and 200x larger than a water
Fibre (SAF) manufacturer. Amongst the new range but in certain applications this can be beneficial, e.g. vapor molecule to keep wearers dry and comforta-
are High Gel Strength (HGS) SAF fabrics which in some washable applications the fabrics durability Xpore technology also provides fully chemical ble in all conditions. As a result, compared to
incorporate more robust HGS SAF fibres. is more important that its ability to absorb large solvent-free processes from membrane manufac- competing products, BenQ Materials’ hydrophobic
volumes of liquid.” turing to lamination. Xpore not only sets a new nano-porous membrane offers better moisture
The fibres have been developed to allow the design standard for eco-friendliness from production vapor transmission, breathability and durability; is
and manufacture of materials that offer greater A number of HGS SAF nonwovens have already process to final product, but also offers true impenetrable to bacteria and mites; and is lighter
integrity and robustness in more demanding absor- been developed to aid the sampling process for breathability together with waterproofing,” the and faster drying.”
bent applications. “HGS SAF fabrics can only be prospective customers. Technical Absorbents can
brought from Technical Absorbents – it does not sell then manufacture bespoke fabrics containing HGS
the HGS SAF fibres commercially,” explains Product fibres to meet customers’ specific requirements.

February/March 2020 January/February 2020