R&D

In the last decade, advanced textiles materials have been developed as a result of a number of research and innovation projects addressing in particular the construction sector, which represent one of the biggest markets for textile products.

<h3>Validation and commercialisation of improved solutions for rest systems from ALL4REST Project</h3>
The integrated solutions developed during the previous ALL4REST project (tactile/thermal comfort improvement, quantitative and qualitative evaluation of comfort or sleep quality) were based on new biofibres, the integration of thermoregulating systems, and on the use of new hotmelt adhesives, heatable textiles and microencapsulated scents for aromatherapy.

Electroluminescent light bulbs (EL) and organic led (OLED) are efficient, thin and eco-friendly light sources. The existing systems are usually based on hard glass sheets. Flexible lamps on thin metal of plastic foils are being investigated. However, they only allow a bent shape or show a poor mechanical strength.

In times of rapidly increasing energy prices and growing eco-consciousness, textile finishing looks for modern, eco-friendly, energy and cost effective application and curing systems. To date, the textile industry still uses energy-consuming techniques for water and solvent removal and as well as for curing after (wet) chemical treatments.

The interest in biopolymers is growing fast. Especially PLA finds interesting industrial applications, more and more in durable end products like technical textiles and not only in disposables. Previous research has shown that PLA fibres can be made to have very good mechanical properties, including high tenacity and a much higher elongation than neat PLA. The fact that there are multiple PLA grades with a range of melting points opens up the possibility of developing self-reinforced PLA composites, a domain which has previously not been explored.

In samenwerking met Centexbel startte het Textiel onderzoeklabo TO2C van de vakgroep Mode-, textiel- en houttechnologie van de Hogeschool Gent op 1 februari 2013 het IWT TETRA-project ProCOM op. Zowel in de normalisatiecommissies, tijdens de productontwikkeling als bij de aankoop van werkkleding wordt te weinig aandacht besteed aan de comforteisen van de eindgebruiker. Ook het wassen/onderhoud heeft een grote invloed op zowel de kwaliteit als het comfort van werk- en beschermende kleding.

The aim of <strong class="ultra">Bio-AmiCoFitex</strong> is to develop bio-based antibacterial and antifungal textile finishes and coatings complying with the criteria of the new biocide regulation. Because the rules and procedures to introduce biocidal products on the market will become much stricter, the textile industry has to look for non-hazardous alternative biocides. Biocides are used to prevent the growth of microorganisms.

Within H/OPLA, we will use plasma coating for hydrophobic and oleophobic coating of high added value textile.

Textile products with electric functionalities are being marketed as “smart textiles”. The European standardisation organism, CEN, has installed a workgroup TC248/WG31 where experts discuss the standardisation proposals related to ‘smart textiles’. At this very moment, a new work task is examining and developing the standardisation of conductive textiles.

Standards on fire retardancy and flammability are becoming increasingly severe because of the high number of lethal casualties due to fire. It is therefore of vital importance to add flame retardant products to textiles.