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collected through Plastic Bank social enterprise. (GRS). As part of their Vitamin D collection, Himeya
has developed organic cotton pillow covers with
Advansa has also developed a “Back friendly” kapok fiberfill.
Climarelle filling, incorporating microencapsulated
phase change materials (PCMs) to promote New 351 colours have been introduced by Pantone
thermoregulation of the body and more restful sleep for its Fashion, Home+Interiors (FHI) Colour System,
on bed linen. A cooling treatment, named Tones of reflecting current and emerging colour trends in
Cool Bio, incorporating plant-based PCMs has also home textiles.
been developed to achieve thermoregulation in home
textile products. HeiQ, a Swiss company, has also BigSky Technologies, a USA based chemical manu-
developed environmentally sustainable thermoregu- facturer, has introduced fluorine-free and low-fluorine
lation treatment for home textile products. stain resistance technologies, called “GreenShield
Zero” and “GreenShield C6XL”, containing amor-
Climate360 Smart Bed has been introduced by Sleep phous silica nanoparticles, for home textiles. DEVAN
Number, a USA based company, incorporating chemicals co. has introduced Bi-OME Natural
SleepIQ technology to record data about the sleeper antimicrobial treatment incorporating chrysanthemum
to adjust mattress firmness and temperature for and linseed oil.
optimum comfort during sleep.
In the wake of COVID-19, several antimicrobial
Hologeni and Degintex have collaborated to develop products have been introduced, including: MagniPro-
fabrics incorporating Celliant technology comprising tect collection developed by Magniflex company,
PET with thermo-reactive minerals believed to promote based on ViroStop antibacterial and antiviral fabric;
blood circulation, thermoregulation and oxygenation. and a range of antimicrobial home textile products by
Trident group. Two of the Sanitized treatments,
A hypoallergenic fabric known as NexGen has been Sanitized T99-19 and Sanitized 11-15 of Switzerland
introduced by Seam Seal International for use as based Sanitized company have received verification
pillow protectors and mattress protectors. An to be effective against viruses after application to
environmentally sustainable fabric called Greencare polyester textiles. Overall, sustainability and function-
has been developed by Tessutica, from recycled ality continue to be the two major trends in the
waste, to comply with Global Recycled Standard development of home textile products.

Total world exports of bed linen, table linen, kitchen Among different types of linens exports, bed linen
linen and toilet linen were US$20,124 mn in 2019. had the highest share (54%), followed by kitchen and
China was the leading supplier of linens in the world toilet linens including towels (40%), and table linen
with a share of 40.4%, followed by Pakistan (16.2% (6%).
share), India (7.9% share), Turkey (5.9% share),
Germany (3.6% share), Portugal (2.8% share), USA was the world’s largest importer of bed linen,
Bangladesh (2.6% share), Netherlands (1.7% share), table linen, kitchen linen and toilet linen, followed by
Vietnam (1.7% share) and France (1.5% share). Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, France, Nether- EU Ecolabel, has been launched by Lenzing, which is “biodegradable additive” has been introduced by
Almost 80% of the world linens exports are contribut- lands, Australia, Canada, Italy and Spain. more environmentally sustainable because of Cocona- a USA based company- for manufacturing
ed by only 7 countries. Average value of per kg linens chlorine-free wood pulp bleaching process utilizing its polyester and polyamide fibers comprising 37.5
exported from China was US$8.03, Pakistan One of the key recent trends in Home Textiles ozone and hydrogen peroxide. Non-genetically temperature control Technology, to accelerate the
US$5.17, India US$6.59, Turkey US$7.97, Germany product developments is the use of more environ- modified cotton seeds are being developed for fiber biodegradation process. Advansa, a Germany
US$10.69, Portugal US$12.83, Netherlands US$7.96, mentally sustainable raw materials. A new Tencel Indian Farmers by Fairtrade Foundation and Pratibha based fiber manufacturer- has introduced a branded
Vietnam US$6.69, and France US$13.61. Modal fiber with Eco Pure technology, compliant with Syntex for cultivating organic and Fairtrade cotton. A Aerelle Blue fiberfill from recycled waste material

January/February 2021