Chemical Countermeasures
And Advanced Materials Laboratory
December, 2017
December 1
December 12
December 18
December 21
Cotton Crop to be Exceptional in Texas
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 1, 2017)-Cotton crop in Texas this season will be exceptional in terms of yield.
This morning, over 50 people representing different regions of Texas and the entire spectrum of the cotton industry that included producers, agricultural lenders, policy personnel and researchers gathered in the conference room of the Plains Cotton Growers (PCG), Inc. office in Lubbock, TX. Probably, this meeting had the highest attendance this season, which shows the importance of cotton in the High Plains of Texas.
Quality of this season’s cotton was in the minds of all those who attended today’s gathering. In a question from this scribe to a producer, he responded “I am still harvesting, but the quality?” Maturity has been affected by cold weather during the end of September and early October, in High Plains.
Coming to the yield, there is going to be a lot of cotton from Texas. High Plains of Texas will have over 5 million bales of cotton. Texas is going to have a large crop, while we are experiencing some low micronaire issue in High Plains, other qualities are outstanding, stated, Mr. Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of PCG.
Producers are pleased with exceptional crop yield per acre. In High Plains, although good crop is expected, there has been good variability in the yield with some regions not performing well while others have exceeded normal expected production resulting in overall good crop. John Spence, producer from El Paso reported that his area is witnessing yields of 1300 pounds/acre for Upland cotton and 900 pounds/acre.
Toby Robertson of Robstown, TX who has a family farm of 10,000 acres stated that this year the crop has been exceptional with 1505 pounds/acre in his operations. Normal yields in his area are about 800-1000 pounds/acre, this year, it has been about 1500 pounds. Similar experience was shared by Jeff Nunley, Executive Director of South Texas Cotton and Grain Association, who stated that this year, his region will have about 1.8 million bales as against last year’s production of one million bales.
Mood in terms of market was very optimistic, as the demand is strong. While cotton is being harvested, cotton is at 73 cents which is a good signal of cotton’s demand world over. Mills in Pakistan and Turkey are buying U.S. cotton and more recently, the demand is huge from Pakistan, said a cotton trader. Overall picture is yields are good and the market is showcasing good price points. Prices never rise during harvest season, but this past two weeks or so, price is on the rise, which is a positive news for the industry said Shawn Wade, Director of Policy Analysis and Research at PCG.
With India’s crop downsized recently and the growing demand for cotton, United States cotton industry is looking forward to the new year with full optimism.
Supercapacitor Fibers Developed
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 12, 2017)-Supercapacitor fibers that can serve as power source for wearable technologies has been recently developed.
A team of scientists from Deakin University, Australia has spun 2-dimensional “MXene,” into fibrous strands, which can be a power source for electronic gadgets. The scientists from the Institute for Frontier Materials at Deakin University envision that one day clothing items such as trousers containing the supercapacitor fibers can help charge a mobile phone by just slipping into pocket areas in trousers that have these MXene fibers.
The new development comes from the process improvement where MXene, which is commonly not spinnable, when integrated with graphene sheets evolved as fibrous strands.
The team has been working on the process improvement to get spinnable strands for three years, led by Associate Professor Joselito Razal at Deakin. Energy gets stored at the microscopic spaces of the MXene-graphene fibrous strands.
According to Shayan Seyedin, a researcher in the Deakin team, this supercapacitor fiber can be an alternative to bulky batteries for charging gadgets.
The supercapacitor fibers showed high capacitance and electrical conductivity with good strength and flexibility, enabling them to be made into wearable clothing. The next task for the researchers is to make the structures more flexible and washable.
MXene offers good metallic conductivity and electrochemical properties and hence attracts researchers to develop new technologies using this material such as wearables.
The research has appeared in a recent edition of Journal of Materials Chemistry A.
Cost, washability and durability are challenges that need to be overcome in wearable electronics. However, due to novel applications and limitless opportunities for R & D in this field, wearable electronics attracts multidisciplinary researchers.
Year End Cotton Update from West Texas
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 18, 2017)-Cotton crop from Texas will be good, this year.
With Christmas on the horizon, harvest in the High Plains of Texas is nearly completed with about 85-90 percent of crop harvested. The recent estimate from the USDA, puts this year’s production of upland crop from the United States at 20.713 million bales (480 lbs. each). Cotton from the High Plains of Texas will be about 5.57 million bales (480 lbs. each) and the total crop from Texas will be about 9.5 million bales (480 lbs. each).
On Friday, December 15th, Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. (PCG), witnessed a large attendance of stakeholders to discuss the harvest situation, shipment of cotton, impending tax legislation in the U.S. Congress, to name a few. In welcoming the gathering at the last meeting of this year, Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of PCG recognized the importance of shared contribution and information sharing; stated, “the interest and participation of stakeholders with diverse expertise is a testimony to the importance of the cotton sector in the High Plains.” He added, the industry gains more information from such meetings that involve people from R & D, banking sector, representatives of elected officials and academics.
Shawn Wade, PCG’s Director of Policy Analysis and Research stated that this year’s crop in the High Plains will be larger than the last one with about 5.5 million bales. Last year’s crop was about 5.1 million bales.
Activities in Washington, DC are on a high gear this week to pass the Tax Cut and Jobs Act, which will result in the permanent reduction in corporate tax rate from 35% to 21%, that goes into effect next year. This probusiness legislation is expected to enable long term capital investments by the industry. Having returned from his recent trip to DC, Kody Bessent, PCG’s Vice President of Operations and Legislative Affairs stated, “overall, the revised tax code provisions should be positive for agriculture.”
Quality of this year’s crop from the High Plains of Texas is being closely watched by the industry. According to Danny Martinez, Area Director of the USDA cotton classing office in Lubbock, with about 50 percent of crop ginned in the 24 counties his office serves, but for micronaire issue, other important aspects such as length, strength and color grade are good. Seasonal average value of strength shows the cotton is in the strong range with the average strength being about 29.78 g/tex. Length is in the 36 staple, which is about what is expected in the area. This year, Martinez expects about 4 million bales to be ginned out of 72 gins, which gets classed in his office in Lubbock.
Mark Brown, Director of Field Services at PCG stated, quality has been a concern this year, with the low micronaire issue. Probable reasons could be the cool and cloudy weather in the month of September and some late planting situations that did not let the crop mature well enough for the harvest. High Plains will have good crop and so some gins may have to run until February or March to wrap-up this year’s crop.
With regard to the demand of cotton, Turkey and Pakistan are buying. Getting cotton quickly out of the shores of the United States is important from exports point of view.
Overall, 2017 has been a good year for the U.S. cotton sector in terms of production and demand.
The editor/publisher of TexSnips wishes the readers a joyful and safe holiday season.
India to Build its Textiles Sector
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, December 21, 2017)-India aims to grow its textiles sector by building skilled manpower.
As textiles are a major export commodity from India, its textile industry needs adequate resources such as skilled and trained manpower, financial capital for both current capital and long-term infrastructure improvements, research and development, promotion and marketing efforts.
Recently, the cabinet committee of economic affairs, under the leadership of Prime Minister, Mr. Narendra Modi has approved a new skill development program for the Indian textile industry with an outlay of 13 billion Indian Rupees (INR 1,300 crores) for a two-year period.
Human skills will be enhanced based on demand in specific fields within the textile sector and will be implemented through industry via in-house training and other institutions that have links with the industry. One important aspect is to re-tool or re-skill the labor to adapt technologies and to be employable in emerging fields.
One million people are expected to go through the skill development program with majority being trained in unconventional fields within the industry.
Being the second largest job provider in India, Indian textiles sector needs investments to enhance its human capital and infrastructure. The new scheme will focus not only on new entrants, but also on middle level managers and especially entrepreneurs.
Coimbatore-based The Southern India Mills’ Association (SIMA) has welcomed this support scheme from the government. Mr. P. Nataraj, Chairman of SIMA said, as India is lagging in productivity, with China ahead of the game, the new scheme will enable workers to achieve higher productivity.
Indian industry wants to adopt scientific principles to upgrade its productivity, improve quality and cut costs.
November, 2017
November 3
November 9
November 14
November 15
November 17
November 20
A Few Tips for Businesses
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 3, 2017)-Small businesses are the life blood of economy these days.
Entrepreneurs and small businesses can provide sound business advice, as they encounter a lot of challenges. On Wednesday, business people, students and academics participated in the 1-Million Cups Program at the Innovation Hub in Lubbock. This regular first Wednesday event offers a lot of networking opportunity for business people. Such events are very critical for small towns and rural communities.
On November 1st, two entrepreneurs provided some valuable tips that will be of help to start-ups.
Businesses can start from any idea and can be located anywhere. Ms. Mary Malmberg, owner of MKM Organizing focuses on organizing people’s homes. Malmberg helps people to clean their clutter. Who would have thought, there is money to make out of such businesses? Surely, this is an organized profession in the United States. For a small business owner, the ease of starting and doing the business is a must. Malmberg who moved from Washington, DC to Lubbock-TX stated that in Washington, DC, it just takes a day to open an LLC. Certainly, many would love be in such a situation. Malmberg believes in keeping the operating cost low so that people can afford to take cut in their earnings. This what Malmberg did, when she moved from DC to Lubbock so that her business could be attractive to communities like Lubbock. In other words, efforts to adapt and adjust can help to sustain a business in a new environment.
Perseverance is vital for entrepreneurs. Greg Bazar of Eleven Risk Solutions practices the mantra he preaches. Eleven Risk Solutions is cyber liability insurance company, which recently got recognized by the prestigious insurance firm, Lloyds of London. Greg and his business partners persevered till they could get an audience with Lloyds, which has enabled them to be an active player in the cyber insurance sector, when cyber threats are occupying headlines all over the world.
To a question from this scribe on how to appeal to giants in the industry or clients, to basically get a head start in the business, Bazar answered, “you should know what you are talking about?” This basically comes down to the art of convincing and negotiation. In the practical world, skill sets and resources such as motivation, support network, persistence, etc., matter.
New opportunity may arise from someone whom one has never met before. So, always keep looking for the next opportunity and when it hits, seizing it, is important.
Nanofibers from 3-D Device
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 9, 2017)-Nanofiber production may become cheaper due to a new development.
Researchers from Cambridge, USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have effectively utilized a less expensive commercially available 3-D printer to develop a nozzle microfluidic device to produce nanofibers.
3-D printed microfluidic device enables to get uniform nanofibers providing flexibility with regard to the structure of the webs. Luis Fernando Velasquez-Garcia of MIT’s Microsystems Technology Laboratories and his two postdocs have reported this development in the latest issue of journal, Nanotechnology.
According to researchers, using 3-D printed device to produce nanofibers will help to avoid the need for cleanroom and will make the process cheaper.
The technique uses emitters or nozzles which have holes made through them and hydraulically the fluid to be electrospun, is poured into the holes until holes are full. Then only, electric field is applied to develop nanowebs. The authors term this procedure as “internally fed.”
Nanofibers are produced basically by controlled chaos which in a way leads to variability in fiber size and less uniformity of the web. In other words, there is some sort of “self-assembling,” process when the fibers are dispersed by electric field and collected on collectors such as screens. Patters are obtained based on the nature of the collector.
A few years back, Thandavamoorthy Subbiah working in this scribe’s laboratory effectively handled the self-assembly process to develop honeycomb like PU nanofibers.
Nanofiber production techniques are evolving to have high productivity and have better control of the fiber and web uniformity.
The 3-D device is a step in the right direction.
Nonwoven Sector to Grow
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 14, 2017)-Globally, nonwoven sector will experience growth.
Nonwoven sector is an established sector in developed countries, while some work needs to be done in markets where it is still at infancy.
Affordability and awareness are the two important factors that will push for the exponential growth of this sector. Quantity, consistent quality and price affordability are important for the nonwoven and technical textiles sector to grow in developing markets like India, stated Govind Periwal, CEO of Dahej, India-based Pioneer Hygiene Products.
On a foggy morning last Friday, having his flight from Dallas delayed by an hour, Periwal visited the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory in Lubbock, TX, to discuss new applications and opportunities for PE films in hygiene products.
Pioneer Hygiene Products with a current annual capacity of 6,000 metric tons of PE films is India’s largest breathable PE film manufacturer.
In the past five years, many companies are coming-up in India to focus on hygiene products. India has global giants like P&G, KC and Unicharm who are active players in the market. The issue is slow penetration in rural areas, stated Govind Periwal. When it comes to diapers, pullup pants are gaining momentum, in India.
Hygiene and infrastructural sectors will drive the growth of nonwovens. The single nation-wide taxation policy on goods and services (GST), will help with promoting the nonwovens sector as it will push domestic manufacturing, stated Periwal.
First Estimate of India’s New Season Cotton Crop
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 15, 2017)-Today, India’s first estimate of the current season’s cotton crop has been released.
Today, Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI) has released the first estimate of cotton crop for the current season (October ‘17-September ’18). India is projected to produce 37.5 million (375 lakh) bales of cotton, each weighing 170 Kgs.
Last year’s crop was 33.725 million (337.25 lakh) bales (170 Kgs each).
The increase this year is due to increase in the acreage by about 19% compared to the last season.
India’s cotton balance sheet this new season will show surplus with a closing stock of 3.9 million bales. Export this season will be at the same level as last year at 6.3 million bales of 170 Kgs each. Total domestic demand will be 32 million bales.
The chance of having enhanced production more than the first estimate of 37.5 million bales is slim. Yield this season will be affected by pink boll worm infestation and unseasonal rainfalls in September-October timeframe in the cotton belt.
Stagnancy in the price realization for pulses and oil seeds has led the farmers to diversify to cotton. Farmers switched to cotton during kharif season, June-July planting season, primarily due to price issue with pulses and oil seeds, stated an agriculture analyst based in Mumbai.
Arrival of cotton has just begun and only by the end of this month, exact picture of quality and production will be known, but it is likely that the production may not exceed the first estimate projected today.
High Plains Cotton Harvest on Progress
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 17, 2017)-High Plains of Texas is gearing up with its cotton harvest.
With high humidity levels putting a brake on cotton harvest recently, producers are going on high gear this week to harvest cotton. Given the high expectation in yield, cotton harvest may continue till Christmas.
Stakeholders of High Plains’ cotton industry gathered this morning at Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. (PCG), to talk about the harvest, yield and quality of the crop.
The moisture was in the minds of people, as it delayed the harvest in the region. Producers are sensitive to humidity levels while harvesting because it can impact the quality of cotton during the ginning process said, Seth Byrd, Extension Cotton Specialist, TAMU in Lubbock. On average the harvest in the region has reached one-third mark.
Variability in terms of yield and quality across the region is one to watch for this season.
Lubbock county has reached about 40% of its harvest mark and progressing north of Lubbock, harvest is around 25% said, Mark Brown, Director of Field Services at PCG. Variability has been influenced by the late plating date well into June, said Brown.
While some producers felt the yield is not turning out to what they expected to start with, the High Plains will have a good crop. The November USDA puts the High Plains region’s production at 5.375 million bales (480 lbs. each).
In regions, where there was timely rainfall and best conditions, dryland has been yielding 1.5 to 2 bales per acre and irrigated lands up to 4 bales/acre.
Harvest has begun in high gear, this week and may continue through Thanksgiving well into Christmas.
Two of the high cotton growing regions of the world, High Plains of Texas and India are expected to have higher crop this season.
Sage Advice for Businesses
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, November 20, 2017)-Without margin, there is no mission.
On a fine Fall day morning last week, interview with Mr. Bill Miller, CEO of Lubbock-based Breedlove Foods yielded a lot of valuable information, which may be beneficial to industries. Miller has been an entrepreneur since he was 27 years of age, banker and industry leader in Lubbock. His vast experience in leading several organizations has given him opportunities to handle complicated situations, which was evident from the discussion.
For an industry to exist, there needs to be a margin, said Miller. In businesses, people have to constantly negotiate with different stakeholders. A key aspect in the art of negotiation is to make people realize that they are appreciated. You need to live in the moment with the people who is on the other side of the table, stated Miller.
Working with national and international partners is good these days, which Breedlove follows. Breedlove works with organizations in 67 countries and is the world’s largest non-profit food relief processor. Safety and quality are important for any industry, whether being a food processor, clothing manufacturer, machinery maker, etc.
In a question from this scribe on what are some factors that fail businesses, Miller stated, other than working capital, lack of trust among people and poor communication lead to negative results.
An interesting point that came out of the discussion was that all companies have goals but they should have plans to stretch, in other words adapt to changing circumstances, in order to grow.
Industry should have a vision which should be supported by a mission.
In closing, Miller reiterated the importance of this sage advice, which many people try to follow, “poor plan properly executed is far better than a perfect plan, which no one will ever attempt.”
October, 2017
October 3
October 23
October 25
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October 31
Cotton Market to Witness Pressure
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 3, 2017)-Cotton market will show signs of pressure, for at least a short timeframe.
Looks like, there is going to be lot of cotton world over. Addressing the 95th Annual General Meeting of Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India, Nayan Mirani stated recently, “cotton prices are likely to witness a depressing trend.” The supply situation will dictate the price, while other factors may also factor into the price situation.
Even with the losses due to recent hurricanes in the cotton belt of the United States, the size of U.S. crop is expected to be larger. Indian acreage for the current season (October 2017-September 2018) is expected to increase by about 12% compared to last year. Expecting yield to increase by about same percentage points, India will have a bumper crop. If this scenario turns out be correct, there may be a situation that will warrant Indian government to support farmers by kicking in the minimum support price (MSP) operations.
Among many factors that have led to the increase in Indian acreage, an important aspect has been the shift from cultivating oil seeds and pulses due to lack of good prices for these commodities. There has been a stagnancy in prices of these commodities and government had to apply MSP for these products, stated an Indian market expert.
Cotton price is under pressure as the mill demand is not high. To exacerbate this situation in India, a confusion is prevailing with regard to the implementation of GST system. Given that Indian rupee has slightly weakened against U.S. dollar recently, export of goods such as textiles should be on high gear, which really is not the situation on the ground.
Weather so far has been reasonably good for Indian crop. Major cotton producing regions in Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh have received sufficient rainfall during the flowering season, which should translate into good crop, this season.
Buyers are basically in “wait and watch” situation, which is inserting pressure on the cotton market. Hopefully, there will be some stability from January of next year, stated an experienced and reliable source from Mumbai, India.
Octopus Inspired Camouflage Material
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 23, 2017)-Biomimetic approaches can help with the development of sophisticated high performance textiles.
A team of researchers from Ithaca, NY-based Cornell University and Woods Hole, MA-based Marine Biological Laboratory have borrowed inspiration from cephalopods such as octopus in devising camouflage materials.
Nonwoven textile structure was used in conjunction with elastomeric silicone membranes in developing a structure that enables papillae like structures, as found in octopus.
Scientists took clues from octopus’ morphology to develop synthetic structures which can transform quickly from its 2-dimentional structures into 3-dimensional shapes, which adapts well with its environment, similar to what octopus does in real life situations.
The nonwoven textile structure is flexible but not stretchable and has hierarchical structure which enables the stretchable membrane to assume 3-dimentional shapes. This is similar to what happens with the papilla in octopus. The textile structure helps with inflating and stretching the elastomeric membranes.
According to researchers, the hierarchical structure with the help of pneumatics will enable the 3D shapes to happen, which otherwise is not possible.
Such a biomimetic approach may one day help with the better designing of stretchable sportswear, protective and camouflage suits.
The work has appeared in a recent issue of journal “Science,” published by American Association for the Advancement of Science.
Nonwoven Association President to Keynote at a Major Congress
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 25, 2017)-Nonwoven sector is poised to have good growth and there is growing optimism in the sector as it metamorphoses into high performance engineered fabrics industry.
Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry popularly known as TAPPI is organizing an international nonwovens conference developed by its Nonwovens Division, NET, from April 16-18, 2018 in Charlotte, NC, USA.
Dave Rousse, President of Cary, NC-based Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, INDA, which has about 365 companies as its members, will keynote about the state of the nonwoven industry in the Nonwovens Conference of TAPPI in April 2018.
The event offers several added advantages to professionals in the nonwovens, textiles and technical textiles sector as it is co-located with TAPPI’s leading technical conference, PaperCon. The attendees will benefit from listening to sessions in allied disciplines such as paper making, pulp, etc. PaperCon is the “go to” place for people in wet laid and pulp sectors. Nonwoven and paper technologies are closely related and this conference will enable crossbreeding of ideas, which can take the nonwoven sector to the next phase, i.e., engineered performance fabrics.
“The synergies of TAPPI’s nonwoven conference with the larger TAPPI PaperCon brings out the natural history of all nonwoven processes to the first real nonwoven–paper. Today the two industries still share common technologies, equipment and supplier base that gives this conference a very strong base,” stated, Pete Wallace, TAPPI Fellow and nonwoven industry veteran based in Morganton, NC, USA.
The nonwoven conference will begin on the afternoon of April 16th with the much awaited kick-off lecture from Dave Rousse, president of the leading nonwoven association in the world. According to a latest report from INDA, durable nonwoven sector is expected to have faster growth than disposables, showcasing that there are a lot of opportunities for nonwovens as engineered fabrics.
“I am delighted to address the TAPPI nonwovens conference and look forward to meeting the many members of the paper industry who also produce nonwovens, either as a wet laid material or as a composite with paper,” stated Dave Rousse.
The participation of INDA in the nonwoven conference organized by the leading paper and pulp association has brought cheers in the community. In speaking about the nonwoven event, Larry Montague, President and CEO of TAPPI, which has about 8477 members aptly stated, “You never know where the next great idea will come from, but I assure you that conferences with combined settings is very likely to be one of those places.”
The organizers are accepting abstracts for presentations and more information about the event is available at: www.netincevent.org
Five Year Old Girl Enthused by Cotton Research
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 27, 2017)- Young students gathered on a cold Friday morning in Lubbock to learn about cotton research, first hand.
A group of 84 students accompanied by a handful of teachers, visited the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Lubbock-based Texas Tech University to know more about cotton.
The 8th grade students belong to Terra Vista Middle School, Frenship ISD in Lubbock. The school is situated in the middle of cotton fields and the students see cotton just outside their school ready to be harvested, during the cotton season.
As part of seeing what they learn in classrooms, the students visited the cotton research laboratory. In the group was a five year Ellie Sledge, daughter of a social science teacher, Joseph Sledge, who was so eager to visit laboratories. As the lecture demonstration began, responding to a question from this scribe, Ellie spotted cotton and stated, “fluffy.” Her father Joseph mentioned that such enthusiasm will lead students to choose science fields for their careers. This is what the school sets out to do every year to encourage students in science and mathematics subjects.
Although, the students who are from Lubbock, are familiar with cotton, they were thrilled to learn about different opportunities that are available for cotton products. Students were impressed with the oil absorption experiments using cotton and could immediately visualize many applications for cotton. One teacher who was from Louisiana recollected the Gulf of Mexico oil spill incident and stated that such developments are beneficial to the community.
While seeing cotton instantaneously picking up oil from oil-water mixture, “It is a complete win-win for the environment,” stated Kristina Janeway, the English teacher who accompanied the students. Students and teachers could connect their daily lives with science, which is the highlight of such field trips and lecture-demonstrations.
The cotton industry tries to reach out to consumers and create awareness on the advantages of cotton. Reaching out to middle and high school students, who are the future independent consumers should be part of that marketing equation, as well.
Educating the common public and young students about new products and benefits of science should be a priority for many different industrial sectors.
Middle School Students and Cotton Nonwovens Research
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 30, 2017)-Show-and-tell, practical demonstrations can attract students to science and engineering.
A group of 84, 8th grade students from Lubbock-based Terra Vista Middle School belonging to Frenship ISD visited the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University, last Friday.
The students were shown practical demonstration on how raw cotton nonwoven fabric picks-up motor oil. Two teachers who accompanied the students did hands-on experiments as well.
It was pleasing to see the curiosity and interest in students for science experiments. Interacting with middle and high school students is a learning experience for college professors as well.
A presentation about the applications of cotton nonwovens such as oil absorbents pads was shown, which was documented in a YouTube video whose link is appended below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AoCQkiWmMdI
It is becoming clear that field trips and laboratory visits are ways to attract school children to careers in science and engineering.
Vitals for Cotton Sector
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, October 31, 2017)-Maintaining the market share, enhancing consumer awareness and continuous investments in R and D are needed to advance the cotton sector.
Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Lubbock, TX-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., captivated the audience in a speech last Thursday at Texas Tech University (TTU) about the 2017 cotton crop and the industry overall.
As the talk was held in a conference room in the chemistry building at TTU, Verett quipped that chemistry drove him away from majoring in agro science to Business School, when he joined Tech in the Fall of 1971. Guess what, Verett comes back to chemistry building four decades later as a most respected leader in the U.S. cotton sector interacting with students and scientists on the current state of the United States’ cotton industry. Verett who farms 5,000 acres in Crosby County is a Tech graduate with an accounting degree.
Briefing about the current crop estimates from High Plains, two weeks lost due to cool weather in late September and early October would cost this year’s crop, but still High Plains’ crop would be good. “It is hard to get additional heat units in October for maturity,” stated Verett. Commenting on the estimates by the USDA, he stated that due to established procedures, at the end, they come out to be right. Projected crop from the High Plains this year will be about 5.44 million bales, while for Texas, it will be 9 million bales.
Asked about the survival of High Plains’ cotton industry in the next twenty years, Verett was very optimistic as this area’s weather will support crops like cotton which is highly drought tolerant. There is a need to produce quality crop for the reason that the market for U.S cotton is overseas. Even though United States’ consumers use textiles equivalent to 20 million bales, 80% of the crop is exported.
In answering a question from this scribe, Verett agreed that the U.S. cotton sector can have competitive and distinct advantage over other cotton producing countries by producing contaminant free cotton, with reliable delivery schedules and supplying consistent quality output.
Professor Eric Hequet, chairman of TTU’s Plant and Soil Science department and a renowned fiber quality expert highlighted the importance of maintaining a market share of 30% globally for cotton so that seed companies, textile mills and textile machinery companies will be motivated to find new products that can advance the industry. United States has done a better job in this regard with about 50% share due to promotion campaigns by the cotton industry.
The take home message here is that, with global population heavily concentrated in Asia, it is important that cotton maintains a healthy market share in those parts of the world.
September, 2017
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Cotton Update from West Texas
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 1, 2017)-All eyes are on Texas since last Friday, when hurricane Harvey hit South East Texas.
Major industrial sectors in Texas such as cotton, oil refinery and transportation have been hard hit by the natural disaster. Harvey has faded to be a depression now, but the loss to lives and properties have been huge. There have been over 30 fatalities and damages are in billions. The global impact has been such that my friends from Indian cities, Chennai and Ahmedabad have been asking about my wellbeing although I live in West Texas. Harvey has put Texas in the living rooms of many living some ten thousand miles away.
Cotton fields in South Texas have been flooded with harvested modules damaged. This would of course, impact ginning and the quality of the harvested crop. While Harvey was about to make landfall late last Friday, cotton industry people met in the Plains Cotton Growers’ office in Lubbock. Discussions centered on Harvey’s potential impact and cotton production this year. Industry leaders and participants at the last Friday meeting had South Texas cotton industry in their minds and were hoping for the best.
While touring Lubbock, this week, Dr. Kater Hake, Vice President, Agricultural and Environmental Research at Cary-based Cotton Incorporated showed me some pictures of damages to the cotton fields in South Texas, which he has received, that showcased damages to modules sitting in water flooded fields.
This year’s crop in South Texas has been mostly harvested, with tremendous yields as high as 3.5 to 4 bales in some fields. It is the cotton from this region that gets exported first every year. Mother Nature’s havoc would certainly influence ginning and the export of cotton from the belt that was hard hit by Harvey. This has also influenced the market, but over long run fundamentals will set the price right.
Turing attention to High Plains, the epicenter of cotton activities, away from the Harvey zone, weather has been pleasant. Mood is upbeat about this year’s cotton and there will be a lot of cotton. High Plains’ crop is looking good with less insect pressure. Weed issues have been well controlled. “Tremendously clean fields”, stated Peter Dotray, Professor of Weed Science in Lubbock.
Given the congenial weather so far, there will be a bumper crop in Texas. Hopes are high such that expectations for Texas ‘ crop will be about 9.5 million bales with High Plains contributing as high as 5.75 million bales. These expectations are higher than the latest projections from USDA, which was 8.8 million bales from Texas and about 5.2 million bales from High Plains.
“I am optimistic about good crop this year coming along,” stated Hake while touring Lubbock region, this week. Similar optimistic picture is also prevalent in India, with regard to its cotton crop this season.
“It all depends upon good warm weather between now and September-October timeframe”, cautioned, Shawn Wade of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. Let us hope for the best for South Texas’ cotton industry.
My sincere prayers for all those affected by Harvey and wish them safety and wellbeing.
High Plains of Texas to Have Bigger Cotton Crop
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 8, 2017)-Harvey has come and gone and the impact Irma will have on cotton is yet to be seen.
Having caused havoc in the Caribbean, category-4 hurricane Irma after slamming Florida coast according to forecasts, may move upward to South Carolina and Georgia. What influence it will have on cotton in the southern cotton growing regions like Georgia is not clear.
Today, in the Lubbock office of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., with a packed room full of cotton industry stakeholders, people started discussions focusing on the aftermath of hurricane Harvey on the global cotton sector.
“I could handle one storm and not another one in two week timeframe,” said one cotton merchant. South Texas cotton producers have come back to the fields recently to start picking the cotton. Cotton in the fields has weathered the storm better than expected. Round modules have performed well compared to the conventional ones.
While a few gins have been hit hard, the ginning industry is working diligently to resume operations to support the harvest.
Positive aspect is that the demand for cotton is strong and China is buying. What matters is that will the industry be able to deliver to China to meet their immediate demands in October-November months?
High Plains of Texas is hoped to have higher crop than last year. Weather between now and the harvest will influence how big the difference is going to be compared to last year’s crop. High Plains harvested about 5.118 million bales last year, which was the highest for the region in past five years.
Referring to national forecast from NOAA for next few weeks, Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Plains Cotton Growers was optimistic about the weather that could deliver a good crop. Forecasts show temperature above normal and below normal precipitation, which should enable good maturity.
Intermediate to long term forecasts are favorable from yield stand point and higher crop from High Plains stated, Shawn Wade, Director of Policy Analysis and Research at Plains Cotton Growers.
With the United States expected to export about 14.9 million bales, quality is the driver.
Novel Functional Cotton
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 15, 2017)-Incorporation of biological molecules to cotton may lead to novel functional cottons.
Finding value-added applications for cotton, enabling it to be wearable smart textiles will be the next phase of R& D in the cotton sector. This scribe has been advocating for developing functional cottons at farm level in addition to the industry focusing its efforts on yield and quality aspects.
A team of international scientists from Israel, Germany and Austria has used a biological approach to impart functionality to cotton.
External biological molecules that contain glucose moieties with specific functionalities were incorporated to upland cotton in vitro. The in vitro cultures were incubated with glucose moieties that could penetrate through the cell wall to be incorporated into fibers. Glucose moieties with magnetic complexes could enable cotton to be magnetic.
The incorporation of biological molecules enables fibers to have functionalities that are durable.
Washability, durability and wearability are some of the challenges faced by the smart textiles sector. The exploitation of biological methods may give new opportunities for natural fibers to penetrate in to technical textiles sector.
The authors claim that this approach could be adopted to other fibers such as flax and bamboo.
It would be really useful for the cotton industry, if such efforts translate to the farm level to develop functional fibers directly from plants.
The work reported in today’s Science journal published by the American Association for the Advancement of Science may be a step towards that direction.
High Tech Wipe
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 20, 2017)- A flexible high-tech wipe that has defense, homeland security and industrial applications has been developed to protect soldiers, emergency personnel and civilians.
Chantilly, VA-based First Line Technology is promoting “systems approach,” to combat threats from toxic chemicals. FiberTect® technology, developed by First Line Technology, feeds exactly to the immediate needs of the United States’ Defense and Homeland Security community.
First responders face a wide range of chemical threats, including chemical warfare agents and toxic industrial chemicals. To deal with this largely unknown threat, responders require a flexible, inexpensive, and broad spectrum protective fabric system.
An effective and universal dry decontaminant, capable of decontaminating personnel and sensitive equipment, needs to be non-corrosive and devoid of particles such as with the case of M-291 kit. Although there are a range of aqueous decontaminants, they do not have broad range of action as they are very specific to subsets of nerve and toxic industrial chemicals. Additionally, liquid based chemical decontamination technologies may be corrosive to sensitive equipment and even human skin.
There is an immediate need to develop a “system approach,” which will tackle the shortfall with standalone technologies. This concept has been advocated by Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL Science & Technology Review, March 2009). Having a wiping technology as part of the decontamination system offers several advantages such as avoiding the excessive use of chemical decontaminants and offering cost savings.
FiberTect® is a three layer, inert, flexible, drapable, nonwoven composite substrate for absorbing and adsorbing chemical warfare agents (CWAs), toxic industrial chemicals (TICs), toxic industrial materials (TIMs), and pesticides.
Amit Kapoor, President of First Line Technology stated, “Non-aqueous wipe technology helps with bulk decontamination of toxic chemicals. Testing has shown that bulk decontamination is an important step in the removal of contamination before applying neutralizing decontaminants. Dry wipe also helps to reduce the overall decontamination footprint for first responders while expanding response capability.”
FiberTect® decontamination wipe can serve as a standalone technology or used effectively as an integral component of a decon system. This can be used on personnel and sensitive defense equipment and can be handled very easily with regards to use and disposal. FiberTect® keeps life-cycle costs low and is self-contained and packaged for easy use, storage, and transport.
Some Tips for Industrial Innovation and Growth
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, September 25, 2017)-Collaboration with academia, building international tie-ups and leveraging financial resources to effectively transform ideas into commercial products will help with industrial innovation and growth.
The State of São Paulo in Brazil has been promoting the aforementioned concepts to build a vibrant industrial and innovation ecosystem. As part of growing and continuing international linkages, a delegation from São Paulo visited Lubbock, Texas, last week which included personnel from São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), a public funding agency which began operating in 1962 and university academics.
Financial resources and human talents are becoming difficult to obtain these days, which are influenced by many factors, both domestic and international. Competition from sister industries and other competing fields is a factor. Disruptive technologies that have immediate consumer acceptance have become fewer and far between, which emphasizes the need for multipronged collaborations.
The State of São Paulo in Brazil has realized this need since the early 1960s and has been effectively leveraging state funds to support industrial innovation and growth. One aspect they are actively pursuing is establishing formal research collaborations with institutes in many countries. This way, it benefits their industry and academia as well as those from other places such as Texas.
Speaking to an attentive audience last week in Lubbock at an event organized by Texas Tech University, Dr. Carlos Brito Cruz, Science Director of FAPESP, São Paulo highlighted the collaborations they have been able to forge with global companies such as GSK, Shell, etc. Unicamp, a state university in São Paula has been a pioneer in startups culture in Brazil, which has helped with the creation of about 454 companies that has resulted with over 21,000 jobs.
While speaking at the above event, Dr. Lawrence Schovanec, President of Texas Tech University emphasized the importance of international collaboration and stated, “research universities that aspire to address global and grand challenges in research and education should focus on international collaborations.” He added, “international linkages enable us to understand the culture and people of different nations, in addition to strengthening academic and research tie-ups.”
In the State of São Paulo, industries have a higher share in R&D expenditure followed by the state and federal governments. Industries contribute to about 57% in the total science and technology, research expenditure in the state and have an active role in the undertakings of R & D projects in big research centers funded by public agencies such as FAPESP. Perhaps, this is a valuable message for public funded centers in the United States and other countries.
More recently, the U. S. government is supporting many industry-academia collaborative centers as part of revitalizing its manufacturing sector. One such center related to textiles is led by Cambridge, MA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology called Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA).
Considering the State of São Paulo as a model, industries and academia can work together to effectively unitize human and financial resources to advance to their next stages of growth and development, such as job creation and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
August, 2017
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Functional Fabrics Developments
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, August 6, 2017)—Wearable textiles with electronic gadgets and circuits incorporated in them are gaining prominence.
Recently, an event was held at Cambridge, USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to support and encourage the development of smart fabrics with electronics and special functionality in them. The event brought students and researchers from MIT, Boston area and many others in developing prototypes of functional fabrics.
About 20 projects were showcased and two projects were selected as winners. Remote Triage involves sensors in fabrics, which can detect injuries and Security Blanket that has multiple applications were selected as winners in the event.
Other projects that were showcased at the event have exciting applications such as military clothing with RFID tags, stress detecting clothing, etc.
The event was organized by MIT Innovation Institute, Advanced Functional Fabrics of America and MD5, which is a partnership effort between U.S. Department of Defense and research intensive universities.
According to Bill Kernick, technology and partnership development executive of MD5, the three-day event was held to enable relationships with various innovators and U.S. Department of Defense and help in moving ideas forward.
In addition to this technology event, organizations like USA-based Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has been supporting student design competitions to support developing advanced textiles.
Although, wearable textiles sector is creating a lot of buzz, a concerted effort is needed to deal with practical and logistical barriers such as cost, wearability and durability issues.
Young Korean Scientists Explore US Labs for Oil Absorbent Research
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, August 21, 2017)- A team of young scientists from South Korea recently toured the United States to know about latest research on oil absorbents.
LG Corporation of South Korea, electronics and consumer goods giant is sponsoring LG Global Challenge as a way of promoting science and international understanding. The four membered team “UPONGE,” whose project is on ‘Secondary Pollution from Waste Oil Absorbents,” was one of the teams chosen to go to next round from the initial 2000 teams, which participated in this year’s challenge.
LG Corporation has supported the travel cost of the four young engineers to tour United States for two weeks and interact with scientists in two laboratories working on oil absorbents.
As part of LG supported scientific travel, the team visited with scientist at Argonne National Laboratory in Chicago who was involved with the development of oleo sponge oil absorbent. The team undertook a survey with citizens in New York’s Central Park about the awareness of oil spill and remediation methods. The team found that the public interviewed at Central Park were aware of the ill effects of oil spill, but were not much aware about what do be done with oil absorbent wastes, after they have soaked up the oil.
After completing the survey, the team visited Lubbock and had discussions with scientists at the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University. The team had an opportunity to actually use the cotton based oil absorbent developed at Texas Tech University to soak up oil. Mr. HyeonJae Lee of Pukyong National University of Busan, South Korea, conducted the experiment while at Texas Tech University.
Commenting about cotton product, HoJeong Ryu, team leader stated that being natural and reusable makes cotton sorbent more applicable as they do not lead to secondary contamination.
The team was impressed to see flat high plains farm lands where the cotton season is going on. The visit enabled the scientists to visit laboratories and more importantly provided an opportunity to see the United States which is blessed with diverse geography, people and culture.
The recent trip was the first trip for the team to the United States of America.
New Thoughts for the Cotton Industry
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, August 23, 2017)- Finding new markets and applications for cotton is becoming a priority for the cotton industry.
Over this summer, this scribe had an opportunity to interact with a few cotton leaders in India and it has become clear that the industry is looking into several factors such as availability of land for food vis-à-vis fiber, demand, cost and competition from synthetics. With higher crop predicted this season in the United States, expected to be largest in 11 years, price and demand factors will play important roles both from production and consumption points of view.
Cotton has derived demand, stated Mr. Suresh Kotak, Chairman of Mumbai-based Kotak Commodities Services, Ltd. With increases in production, a way to enhance the demand is to find new applications and markets. Enabling cotton to be a functional fiber, finding new markets with industrial applications will find new demand. Cotton industry has to enhance its R&D and marketing strategies towards these goals.
New techniques such as genomics can bring about these changes in production, application and economics aspects.
Interestingly, promoting cotton to be a food crop by finding more and added value to its seed may have some benefit. In a brief discussion with this scribe in Mumbai, Vinay Kotak, Director of Kotak Commodities stated that this strategy might work if proper and concerted efforts are made. Instead of marketing cotton seed as a byproduct, by making it main stay, fiber will be a byproduct. This will reduce the price and cotton will be much competitive with polyester. This has to work in sync with finding value-added applications for cotton fiber, such as industrial textiles, so that more demand and market value can be created.
United States’ cotton sector is working towards raising the profile of cotton fiber from being a commodity fiber through its R&D efforts in developing function fabrics out of cotton and focusing its attention on value-added cotton seed applications.
Electricity from Yarns
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, August 25, 2017)-Highly twisted coiled carbon nanotube yarns termed “twistron,” generate electricity efficiently.
A team of international scientists from the United States, South Korea and China led by researchers at The University of Texas-Dallas (UT Dallas) and Hanyang University, South Korea have reported in today’s Science magazine that these harvester yarns in electrochemical environment can transform mechanical energy to electricity without any external voltage source, in other words without the need of external batteries.
According to Na Li, at Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute at UT Dallas, who has been involved in the study, yarns charge with the help of electrolyte, without external batteries.
Mechanical activities on the highly twisted yarn assembles the charge closer to the yarns, thereby increasing the voltage, helping with harvesting of electricity.
The strength of the new development is that the yarns result in high energy output per cycle.
Stretching the yarn 30 timers per second generated 250 watts per kilogram of electric power, stated Professor Ray Baughman of UT Dallas, lead researcher in the study.
Shi Hyeong Kim, a postdoctoral researcher at UT Dallas and with Hanyang University did a bold study to prove the efficiency of the yarns, by experimenting the yarns in the cold waters off the east coast of South Korea. A 10-cm twistron yarn was attached between a balloon and a sinker on the seabed. With ocean waves, the yarn would stretch 25 percent, thereby generating electricity.
The task is to make these high-tech yarns economical and scale-up the production method.
May be one day, such high performance textile yarns can harvest energy from ocean waves.
July, 2017
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Indian Textile Industry Aims to Reach US$650 Billion by 2025
Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, July 3, 2017)—Indian Prime Minister sets the goal for Indian textiles sector to reach US$650 billion by 2025.
Mr. Narendra Modi, Honorable Prime Minister of India, while inaugurating India’s largest ever textile meet, Textiles India-2017 on June 30th in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, India heralded the strength and capacity of the Indian textile industry.
Speaking extemporaneously in Hindi and English thrilled a large audience in Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar with statistics about India’s textile industry and outlining the opportunities for the sector.
Using a slogan, “farm to foreign,” the Honorable Prime Minister, emphasized the need for increasing the exports to reach the target of US$650 billion by 2025.
Speed, scale and quality are necessitates for Indian textiles to compete against countries like China, said the Prime Minister. Innovation and research are needed to meet the demands of consumers in other countries as culture, life style and fashion trends are different. He also emphasized some specific areas such as organic dyes, which need attention.
This scribe was in the audience while the Prime Minister was delivering the inaugural address at the mega textile event that had over 1000 exhibitors and 15,000 registered buyers/delegates from many different countries.
Ministry of Textiles, Government of India organized the 3-day event, which attracted a large technical audience and general public.
International Cotton Leader Showcases Innovations
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, July 8, 2017)—Finding new applications and concentrating on functionalities of King Cotton are important.
Dr. Kater Hake, Vice-President of Agricultural and Environmental Research at Cary, USA-based Cotton Incorporated delivered the first Narendra C. Sheth Memorial cotton lecture sponsored by C. A. Galiakotwala & Co. Pvt. Ltd, in Mumbai on July 6th.
Addressing a large gathering of people from cotton and textile sector in Blue Sea, Worli, Dr. Hake highlighted key innovations in the cotton sector from around the world. Staging his talk to emphasize the importance of continued R&D in the cotton industry to compete against synthetics, Hake mentioned how Cotton Incorporated works with researchers in 55 institutions to advance the industry.
His impressive talk focused on developments from Brazil such as zero tillage cotton farming, which has resulted in the yield of 1500 kg/hectare, data utilization by US farmers to increase agricultural efficiency, etc. Dr. Hake advised that the agriculture sector should utilize advances from biomedical industry to enhance the yield such as Pocket Laboratory development from Africa.
Gene editing is a promising advancement, which would result in improving fiber quality according to Dr. Hake.
In addressing a query from this scribe, Hake stated, finding new applications for cotton and focusing on the functionality of cotton at the fiber and application levels are important for the cotton sector.
Dhiren Sheth, Director of C. A. Galiakotwala & Co. Pvt. Ltd., and former President of Cotton Association of India, stated that the purpose of Narendra Sheth lecture series is to inspire youngsters to involve themselves in cotton R& D. Many of Shri. Narendra Sheth’s contemporaries, who have played an important role in the Indian cotton sector attended the event.
Innovation Pathway for Textile Sector
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, July 23, 2017)—Five tenets of innovation will enable textile sector to develop as a value-added sector.
Practical experience and lessons learned from twenty-five years of experience in specialty textile chemicals industry has helped Ganesh Srinivasan, Director of Innovation at Bengaluru, India based Resil Chemicals to develop high-tech products involving a myriad of collaborations from around the world.
In an interview with this scribe in Resil Chemicals’ campus at Bommasandra, Bengaluru, Ganesh Srinivasan, articulated five principles of innovation, which his company practices. These involve: 1) customer focus; 2) creating new products based on customer expectations; 3) utilize collaborations from all corners to achieve results; 4) communication with stake holders and 5) community involvement.
Resil, whose annual revenue is about US$ 30 million, produces 15,000 tons of specialty chemicals catering to textiles, pharma and agriculture sectors. In fact, it has about 500 formulations related to textiles.
A valuable asset, which Resil has is, its vast network of collaborators in India and abroad. These collaborations have turned laboratory research into commercial products quickly. One such example is its collaboration with Indian Institute of Technology, New Delhi that has resulted in a cost effective silver particulate technology for antimicrobial textiles. A tie-up with Acticell of Austria has resulted in eco-friendly denim finishing technology.
Resil’s clients include key global brands such as Wrangler, Van Heusen, etc.
Ganesh opines that the textiles sector should focus on collaborative R and D to move forward.
Textile Education Should Sync with Practical Training and Research
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, July 30, 2017)—Future textile education should involve practical training and research in addition to classroom teaching.
Mr. Prakash Awade, former textile minister of the State of Maharashtra, India emphasized the importance of comprehensive education in engineering that should have research experience and internships as part of the regular curriculum, while speaking recently at a function in Ichalkaranji as part of training workshop on Technical Textiles to faculty and students at the DKTE Textile and Engineering Institute.
Tutorials on nonwovens and technical textiles were delivered by this scribe at the DKTE institute. At this event, Professor P. V. Kadole, director of the DKTE institute, emphasized the importance of linkages with industry and international institutes.
DKTE institute has about 1200 students in textile curriculum leading to diploma and degree certificates.
Ichalkaranji, situated in a fertile agricultural belt in Maharashtra is a prominent power loom sector with over 1,20,000 power looms in operation in the region. In addition, the region has the largest concentration of shuttle less looms with about 14,000 high speed shuttle less looms. Most recently, support from the Government of India has resulted in the establishment of a Center of Excellence in Nonwovens, which is serving as an incubation center for emerging nonwoven sector in India.
Nonwoven Sector’s Growth in India
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, July 31, 2017)—Nonwoven and technical textiles have important roles to play towards the growth of the Indian textiles sector.
India wants its textile sector to reach $US 250 billion by 2020. There needs to be growth in natural fiber, synthetic fiber, conventional and technical textiles sectors to achieve this economic figure.
Government of India has supported the growth of nonwovens industry by establishing a Center of Excellence in Nonwovens in Ichalkaranji, Maharashtra.
Amidst lush sugarcane fields, a nonwoven R&D and incubation center is fully operational at DKTE Textile and Engineering Institute in Ichalkaranji. Some 90 companies have availed the help from the institute in their product development and research.
Trutzschler’s 2-meter wide needlepunching line with domestically made through-air bonding machine serve nonwoven companies and start-ups in developing a myriad of nonwoven products that find applications in filtration and insulation. A coating line has been added for functional finishing of nonwovens. Industry regularly uses the manufacturing size nonwoven machines and the testing center for their product development stated, Aniket Bhute, Assistant Director of the center.
The center has been financially supported by DKTE Institute and has been established by public and private partnership stated, Professor P. V. Kadole, Director of DKTE Institute. Many novel projects such as linen needlepunched nonwovens, solar water nonwoven filter, membranes for ethanol-water separation are currently ongoing at the center.
Nearly a decade ago, this scribe predicted the growth of India’s nonwoven sector using the relationship between per capita nonwoven consumption and GDP growth rate. The model predicted India’s growth to be in double digits, which is now fairly accepted growth figure for the nonwoven sector in India.
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Toxic Chemical Protective Nonwoven Fabric
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, June 12, 2017)—A team of U.S. scientists has used improved coating method to develop chemical warfare protective nonwoven fabric.
Collaborators from Edgewood Chemical Biological Center of the U.S. Army and North Carolina State University have deposited zirconium based metal-organic-framework (MOF) material using refined method. The technique has resulted in thin coating using atomic layer deposition of the catalytic layer to degrade toxins. Polypropylene nonwoven fabric with the MOF thin coating was able to degrade warfare simulant DMNP effectively, rather quickly.
The unique aspect of this research has been the growing of zirconium based MOF on the nonwoven fabric at room temperature, unlike earlier research work which needed elevated temperatures.
This work has appeared in a recent issue of the journal Chemistry of Materials.
Indian Company Debuts Cotton for Technical Textiles
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, June 22, 2017)—A company based in South India has developed mechanically processed cotton varieties suitable for use in absorbent technical textiles products.
Globally, nonwovens sector is in the lookout for new fibers that are sustainable. To fulfill this need, South India based Jayalakshmi Enterprises has released two different types of processed cotton that can be used in nonwoven manufacturing processes such as needlepunching and hydroentangling to develop absorbent and other specialized technical textiles products.
Jayalakshmi Group has been in cotton textiles business for over five decades. Recently, they have diversified to develop cotton based high-tech products such as oil sorbents.
“We are in the phase of diversification and so developing cotton products that can fulfill the needs of the growing nonwovens and technical textiles sector is natural growth process for us,” stated Mr. S. Velmurugan, the general manager of Aruppukottai based Jayalakshmi Enterprises. They have so far developed two types of cotton. One variety has soft silky touch and is the high-end variety from Jayalakshmi Enterprises.
Jayalakshmi Group has an annual turnover of about Rupees 150 crores and is into developing specialized cotton yarns and allied cotton products.
Chennai-based Wellgro Tech trading group will be marketing the cottons for nonwovens and technical textile sectors.
“As we are into marketing adult diapers and incontinence products, collaborating with Jayalakshmi Group is a good growth strategy for us,” stated Venkatakrishnan, Founder/President of Wellgro Tech. Wellgro Tech will be looking towards domestic nonwovens wipe manufacturers and international players as its potential customers, said Nambi Srinivasan, marketing in-charge at Wellgro Tech.
Indian companies need to develop their nonwovens sector right from fibers to fully finished products that can be available at retail outlets. Such endeavors by conventional textile groups such as Jayalakshmi Group are much needed to advance the technical textiles sector in India.
Carbon Fiber Development
Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Bengaluru, India, June 27, 2017)—Australian scientists have developed an improved carbon fiber manufacturing process which could result in low cost of carbon fibers.
Maxime Maghe and Steve Atkiss, associated with Deakin University’s Carbon Nexus have invented a process that reduces energy with carbon fiber manufacturing by 75% and speeds-up the production process.
Deakin University has licensed the technology to LeMond Composites, founded by Mr. Greg LeMond, three-time Tour de France champion. “Technology developed by Carbon Nexus will feed the world with low cost carbon fiber,” said, Mr. LeMond.
There is a plan to have a carbon fiber manufacturing plant in Geelong with investment from LeMond Composites. Furnace Engineering of Victoria, Australia will be supplying machinery for this venture.
The licensing agreement between Carbon Nexus and LeMond Composites is first of its kind from Carbon Nexus, stated Derek Buckmaster, Director of Carbon Nexus.
Carbon Nexus was formed at Deakin in 2014 with investments from Australian Government, local and state agencies and Deakin University.
Mr. LeMond was the first cyclist to win Tour de France using carbon fiber bike.
May, 2017
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Collective Effort Needed to Advance the Industry
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 5, 2017)-Cotton industry needs collective effort by all stakeholders to advance.
End-user communities, research organizations, financial institutions, policy makers need to work with cotton, agriculture and for that matter any industrial sector to advance.
Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Gowers, Inc. has been the champion of the collective spirit and it can serve as model for the global cotton and textile industries.
As the planting season is on the High Plains of Texas, stakeholders related to the industry gathered today to discuss planting season, cotton market situation and federal support programs.
Researchers from Texas AgriLife Research and Extension, Texas Tech University and USDA presented scenarios with regard to pest management, weed control, moisture situation, etc. With the medium to long-term climatic conditions, showing above average precipitations for this region, this season should be very positive for cotton.
Global demand of cotton is good, which may be a driver for more cotton planting in the High Plains.
However, as cotton being non-food crop is subjected to many uncertainties such as consumer demand, price volatility, competition from other producing countries and cost of production. With heavy dependency on weather, to have sustained advancement in sectors such as cotton and production agriculture in general, safety net policies are needed.
Today’s meeting at the backdrop of latest budget situation highlighted the collective and positive working spirit of producer associations such as Plains Cotton Growers.
Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Plains Cotton Growers, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts among all stakeholders to carry through stressful situations, which the US cotton industry has been facing recently.
Global textile and cotton industry whether a major cotton producer like India, or leading apparel producer like Bangladesh needs to have strong associations such as those in the United States to take care of the needs of their producers, manufacturers.
More importantly, when it comes to advocating support structure to the respective governments, while appreciating the contributions of other allied industries, such associations are vital.stry.
India Expected to Produce More Cotton
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 10, 2017)-Indian cotton crop may see about 20 percent increase in the new season.
India’s current cotton crop for the season ending this September is expected to be about 34.1 million bales (170 Kgs each). However, next season’s crop (October 2017-September 2018) could be up to 20% higher than this current season.
Mr. M. M. Chockalingam, Chairman and Managing Director In-charge of state owned cotton company, Cotton Corporation of India (CCI), spoke this morning with this scribe and advised that farmers are enthusiastic in planting more cotton, next season. Mr. Chockalingam predicted that the crop increase would be about 15-20 percent next year.
This year, farmers in India have realized good price for cotton, which has not been the case in grains. Cotton farmers have received Rupees 6000 for one quintal of seed cotton (Kapas), whereas, the minimum support price set by government has been only Rupees 4160 per quintal.
Pulse grain production has been high this year, which has resulted in lesser price for producers. Prices of edible oil seeds has been stagnant.
Higher price expectation is driving more cotton planting, which is clear from the plantings so far in northern areas such as Punjab, Haryana and Rajasthan. Seventy percent sowing has been complete in this region already.
The weather seems to be favorable for the next season, with early and above average rainfall expected in cotton planting zones in the country. Overall increase will come from increases in acreage and yield.
According to a source based in Mumbai, who has been in the cotton business for many decades, the higher price scenario will result in the diversion of plantings in pulses and edible oil seeds towards cotton.
Wearable Exosuit Developed
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 16, 2017)-Virginia Tech and Lowe’s have collaborated to develop a lift assisting wearable exosuit.
The exosuit has been developed to assist employees to be comfortable and safe while lifting weights in stores. The prototype has been put to validation at Lowe’s store in Christiansburg, Virginia.
The technology uses soft and flexible electronic elements making the suit wearable.
Alan Asbeck, Assistant Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Virginia Tech along with a team of eight students collaborated with Lowe’s Innovation Labs for this project.
The next phase of the project is to examine the physical effects of the suits while using such as comfort, ease of use, etc.
Lowe’s is committed to explore opportunities to improve workplace environment stated, Kyle Nel, Executive Director of Lowe’s Innovation Labs.
According to Joe Sirico, store manager at Lowe’s Christiansburg location, developing such technologies help to keep associates from being worn out.
More and more it is becoming apparent that innovations and applied developments in textiles cut across disciplines and come from non-traditional textile research powerhouses. Textiles truly lends into many multidisciplinary endeavors involving basic sciences, manufacturing technologies and electronics.
Cotton Has Unique Strengths
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 19, 2017)-Cotton is pre-sold on its comfort attributes. In addition, it has certain environmental benefits.
With planting in serious mode on the High Plains of Texas, stakeholders of the industry gathered at 7.30AM in the office of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers.
The meeting kicked-off with discussions about planting accomplished so far and then shifted to discuss about certain benefits of the natural fiber.
On an average about 20-30% of acreage has been planted in the High Plains. In Lubbock County, 30% of acres have been planted. Wind has been strong recently and has deterred some producers from going on a high gear. As usual in the region, it is the rain, which will determine the amount of production. It is the not number of acres planted, ultimately, weather and the number of bales produced are what matter and will influence the price and hence the demand.
“Rain fixes a lot of things,” stated Shelley Heinrich, a cotton producer, who farms about 3000 acres in South of Lubbock. With higher prices, producers are expected to plant more cotton acres. In High Plains, this year, 60% of acreage will be dryland and 40% will be irrigated. In recent years we had slipped a little and irrigated acreage had dipped to around 35% stated Shawn Wade, Director of Policy Analysis at Plains Cotton Growers.
While discussing the benefits of cotton, it’s not only the comfort on which cotton is pre-sold, there are also environmental benefits. More and more consumers are aware of the problems caused due to the bioaccumulation of micro synthetics in marine lives and ocean floors. Cotton being biodegradable can be a natural alternative to address this issue.
With the help of technology and good environmental stewardship, producers these days, use fewer resources such as water and chemicals in production. Even in the case of irrigation, High Plains’ producers practice supplemental irrigation techniques and are quick to adopt to water-savings management strategies.
Cotton’s natural benefits and improved manufacturing practices are enabling it to penetrate into high performance and active wear markets. The cotton sector needs to focus on imparting desirable functional characteristics to the fiber, without sacrificing its comfort to make it more attractive to these markets.
Silk Eardrums
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 22, 2017)-Research effort on silk membranes as eardrum implants by Australian Scientists is closer to reality.
London-based UK Wellcome Trust has provided a major grant worth a few million dollars towards the development of silk membranes and its clinical trials, according to Deakin University in Australia.
Deakin University and Ear Science Institute of Australia are the winners of the major grant, which will enable the research to progress towards clinical trials.
Researchers, Rangam Rajkhowa and Ben Allardyce of Deakins’s Institute for Frontier Materials have developed silk based membranes along with scientists at the Ear Science Institute.
According to the researchers, silk membranes are thin and vibrate like natural eardrum. As they are biocompatible, they biodegrade when natural eardrum is regenerated.
The clinical trials will evaluate how the membranes adapt to the human ear environment.
According to Professor Xungai Wang, Director of the Institute for Frontier Materials at Deakin, the three-year project has been funded by Wellcome Trust as part of its Translation Fund.
Bio Moisture Managing Suit Developed
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, May 26, 2017)-Biological cells embedded suits that adapt to changes in moisture have been designed.
Researchers at Cambridge, USA-based Massachusetts Institute of Technology have created breathable workout suit with flaps for better moisture control. The interesting feature is that the flaps are lined up with live biological cells that shrink and enlarge with the changes in the environmental humidity.
Additional product with similar technology is a sport shoe, which has been designed by the researchers.
The cells used can be designed using genetic engineering and are safe, according to the researchers. The suits can be functionalized to enable them to be color sensitive such as fluorescence and release pleasant odor when working out in the gym.
According to researchers led by Wen Wang, former research scientist at MIT’s Chemical Engineering, the cells are strong and can be coated on to fabrics.
Common nonpathogenic E. coli strain has been used, which shrink and swell with variations in humidity. These were then cell printed onto natural rubber latex. The cell lined latex was used to develop flaps which were tailored to the workout suit.
The work was recently published in the journal Science Advances and involved true multidisciplinary expertise involving fashion design, mechanical, chemical and bio engineering disciplines. The team collaborated with New Balance Athletics.
April, 2017
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IT Techies Foray into Technical Textiles
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 02, 2017)-Two Indian IT techies are venturing into technical textiles field.
In what seems to be a surprising reversal of trend, engineers are switching from information technology to the manufacturing sector.
India over the past two decades has gained reputation as an IT giant with its skilled IT engineers spread across the globe.
Chennai, in South India is known for its automotive and IT sectors and is the home base for Wellgro Tech, which is aiming at marketing domestically manufactured high-end nonwoven and technical textiles to domestic and export markets.
Wellgro Tech’s co-director R. Prabakaran, in speaking to this scribe recently stated that although IT sector has employment opportunities; the business as such has become very competitive. In echoing this sentiment, R. Venkatakrishnan, the other co-director stated that that is the reason, they have ventured into technical textiles, in particular to market hygiene products. There is need for good quality and cost effective adult incontinence products in India, according to their field research.
Within a short span of time, Wellgro Tech has acquired clients, who want domestically made quality hygiene products. According to the founders, initial effort will be to procure domestic products that meet stringent quality standards for their customers.
Wellgro Tech’s goal is to manufacture and supply domestically made high quality technical textiles products that cater to hygiene, automotive and chemical sectors.
It is interesting to note that both founders have 20 years of experience in the IT field, before they switched to technical textiles field.
Coloring Cotton with Cotton
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 18, 2017)-A collaborative endeavor has resulted in dyeing cotton with cotton.
Archroma has pioneered the concept of using natural wastes and byproducts to synthesize dyes to color textiles.
Bryan Dill from Archroma US, Inc, presented the “Earthcolors” technology at the recent international conference of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists in Wilmington, NC. Archroma has synthesized sulfur dyes from natural wastes such as almond shells, cotton gin wastes, plant byproducts and shoots of rosemary, etc. This technology originally came out of Archroma’s unit in Spain.
Archroma collaborated with Cary-based Cotton Incorporated in using sulfur dyes derived from cotton waste and gin waste to color cotton denims.
Mike Tyndall, Vice President for Product Research at Cotton Incorporated stated that this endeavor expands the boundaries of agriculture and utilizes agricultural resources to make dyes that replace petroleum precursors.
Cotton denims dyed with cotton waste will be coming into the market soon. These products will be environmentally and skin friendly, according to Archroma.
Interesting feature is that consumers will be able to trace the entire supply chain from the origins of the dyes and the natural raw material used in the process.
Demand Drives the Cotton Market
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, April 21, 2017)-Strong demand drives the cotton market amidst increased planting intentions in the United States.
Cotton industry stakeholders in the High Plains of Texas gathered in Lubbock, this morning with optimistic mood in spite of dense fog to discuss this year’s cotton planting, Washington politics and global demand and market scenario.
There is going to be lot of acres in Texas with about 20% increase in acreage predicted. Recent planting intentions report by the USDA estimates, Texas will have about 22% more acreage this year as against last year. Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc., estimates the increase will be significantly higher in the 1-N region of the High Plains, Central Texas and South Texas areas to achieve the overall increase of 20% in Texas.
The High Plains of Texas with 41 counties will have more cotton planted than any other region in the United States, stated, Verett.
The High Plains is expected to have 15% more cotton acres, this year. Shawn Wade, Director of Policy Analysis and Research at Plains Cotton Growers stated that the High Plains of Texas should see its highest planted acreage since 2011. In 2011, it seemed the region planted every acre available for cotton, stated Shawn Wade. The 2017 plantings will probably not reach that level, he said, but should easily reach 4.25 million acres.
One would expect with higher planting intentions, market would go down, but December futures is trading at about 75 cents.
Demand is strong with China coming into buying, makes the market stand steady. China and Vietnam are buying American crop. At this point of time, US is shipping cotton, which is good according to cotton sales people who were present at today’s meeting in Lubbock.
Global textile industry is in need for quality cotton and reliable delivery schedules.
March, 2017
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UK Invests Heavily in Advanced Materials Research
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 14, 2017)-United Kingdom is investing heavily to boost research and development in advanced materials.
As part of initial phase of investment, UK’s government is investing 128 million British Pounds to host Henry Royce Institute at The University of Manchester, which will have an estimated investment of about 235 million pounds from the government.
The initial investment will cater towards building and equipment. The institute will cater towards R&D of advanced materials for various sectors such as energy materials, nuclear and aerospace.
According to Mr. Jo Johnson, UK’s Minister for Universities and Science, the funding will help with the development of advanced materials such as graphene for different fields such as aerospace and healthcare.
The institute will comprise of seven research-intensive universities in the United Kingdom such as Manchester, Leeds, Cambridge, Oxford, Sheffield, Liverpool, Imperial College and two national laboratories that focus on nuclear and fusion energy research.
In speaking with this scribe recently, Daniel Cochlin of Henry Royce Institute said the building in Manchester will be up by the middle of 2019. Mr. Chochlin stated that the institute would focus on inventing and improving new materials that will perform better catering to advanced sectors.
The UK has already invested heavily in the National Graphene Institute that opened in 2015, which has attracted good support from the Europe Union as well.
Peacock Inspires Textile Coloration
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 15, 2017)- Peacock feathers have inspired scientists to develop a textile coloration process.
Peacock, which is the national bird of India, has inspired designers for many generations. Recently, a team of researchers from Dalian University of Technology, China has borrowed inspiration from the patterned structure of peacock feathers to derive structural colors in textiles, to make the coloration process more environmentally friendly.
Deviating from the concept of chemical colors, the scientists have developed 3-D colloidal crystals and have transfer printed on to voile fabrics to create structural colors.
The coloration formulation consists of polystyrene nanoparticles, polyacrylate, carbon black and water. The nano polystyrene is responsible for the 3-D colloidal crystal formation, which modulates the light to develop the structural color patterns. Polyacrylate is needed for mechanical stability of the colloidal structures on the fabric.
According to the researchers, colloidal crystals are promising alternates to organic dyes and pigments. Transfer printing of colloidal particles resulted in good wash resistant multicolored patterns similar to those in peacock feathers. The work has appeared in a recent issue of ACS Applied Materials & Interfaces.
Indian Cotton Situation Stable
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 16, 2017)- Cotton situation in India from both producers and users points of view seem to be stable.
Cotton price is reasonable, stated the general manager of a large spinning in South India.
In a morning telephone call with this scribe today, the general manager whose mill procures 40,000 bales (170 Kgs each) of cotton each year stated that spinners, ginners and farmers are realizing reasonable price since February. Spinning mills have been suffering over the past two years and many have been forced to close the doors due to cotton price volatility and weak yarn prices. This trend seems to have reverted. Currently, the mill has bought MCU-5 cotton at about Rupees 46,000 per candy (356 Kgs).
The mill in South India has about 68,000 spindles and spins cotton yarns with an average count of 65s Ne. They procure generally MCU-5 cotton with 30 mm staple and produce yarns with counts ranging between 60sNe and 80sNe, catering to bed sheets and poplin fabric producers.
Yarns prices have steadily climbed and is comfortable now, stated the source. The price of fine count 60sNe is about Rupees 290 per kilogram, which is reasonable. Over a period of one year, yarn price has gained about 40 rupees per kilogram for 60sNe, which is a favorable trend.
In India, this season’s 65 percent of cotton crop has arrived and if the price stability is maintained, it will be win-win for the cotton and textile sectors.
The source cautioned that if the cotton price skyrockets as was the case sometime back, it would make it difficult for the spinners.
At present times, according to the well-informed source, cotton price vis-à-vis yarn price is comfortable.
Wonder Material from Soy
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 20, 2017)- Graphene has been made using soybean oil by a team of Australian scientists.
Graphene, deemed recently as a wonder material is a type of carbon, which is strongest, thinnest with good electrical conductivity. These properties enable it have potential applications in wide array of sectors such as electronics, biomedicine and aerospace.
The Australian team led by CSIRO, Australia has come-up with a new method of graphene production termed, “GraphAir,” which uses ambient environmental conditions to grow graphene films. This process deviates from other conventional techniques that require high energy and extensive vacuum. The conventional methods are costly, which has prevented good commercial success of graphene.
In the new method, soybean oil was used as a precursor to develop graphene using one-step process. Interestingly, the team has experimented with leftover cooking and waste oils.
According to Dr. Dong Han Seo, the CSIRO scientist involved in the study, the new technique results in graphene with good and comparable properties with graphene developed using conventional processes.
The scientists envisage applications such as improving battery performance and developing cheap and efficient solar panels, to name a few.
In 2010, the Nobel Prize committee recognized two scientists from the University of Manchester, United Kingdom for their work on graphene.
Tips for Cotton and Allied Sectors
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 22, 2017)-Getting involved and being active participants are a few traits that are needed to push the cotton, textile related sectors forward.
Mr. Larry Combest, former Chairman of the US House Agriculture committee while reminiscing about his long experience in the United States’ Congress provided some value suggestions that are needed for people in any industry, in particular cotton sector.
Getting involved in the causes that affect the industry, by being very specific about problems and reasoning with policy makers will help to move the industry forward, said Mr. Combest.
Yesterday, Lubbock Chamber of Commerce hosted Salute to Ag Luncheon as part of National Ag Day celebration in Lubbock. In that event, Mr. Combest and his associate, Tom Sell of Lubbock- based Combest, Sell & Associates explained to farmers, academics and agribusiness people, some ways to accomplish bigger tasks such as passing farm bill legislation. Mr. Combest was the architect of the 2002 farm bill, who put together the bipartisan support for the bill, which provides the necessary support structure for production agriculture.
Lubbock is the epicenter of cotton production and research and has a thriving agribusiness such as insurance and lending agencies. Murvat Musa, Executive Director of Lubbock-based Reese Technology Center stated ”cotton's importance to the West Texas region goes beyond economics. It's truly embedded in the culture and is vital for future generations and the prosperity of families that have been providing cotton to the world.”
Trade is important stated, Mr. Combest. Echoing this sentiment, Tom Sell stated that United States produces more than it can consume and hence fair trade deal is important.
Getting to know people, putting alliances together and having a collective voice such as Chambers of Commerce are needed, at times when there are severe competitions for resources.
Governments around the world need to support research and programs to boost production, given many uncertainties that exits in the agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
Obviously, proposed reductions in U.S. agriculture department’s budget is ringing some alarm bells among researchers and producers.
In addressing this issue, Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers aptly stated that U.S. Presidents’ budget is a blueprint that hints about the priorities of the administration. However, the proposed cuts to USDA are troubling as they represent significant reductions to programs such as agricultural research and the delivery of programs through the Farm Service Agency.
Verett, who has been with Plains Cotton Growers since 1997, practices on a daily basis, those traits that were expressed by the Congressman to be essential tools to thrive in the cotton industry. Verett embodies the spirit of hard working farmers of West Texas, who believe in shared responsibility, fair trade and good civic and professional ethics.
Cotton Demand is Strong
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 27, 2017)-The demand for cotton is strong, which will be reflected in increased plantings.
High level of optimism was evident in Lubbock at the Plains Cotton Growers’ (PCG) meeting, this past Friday.
At least, 15% increase in acreage is expected against last year, this planting season in Texas. High Plains of Texas with 41 cotton-growing counties will see 15 to 20% increase in cotton planting this spring compared to last year.
Given the yield, quality of the crop and the price levels, cotton is the best crop in High Plains against food grains. High Plains has seen enhancement of quality in the recent crops with low bark, improvement in micronaire, which drive up cotton production, as there is demand for quality cotton world over. The importance of quality cotton with less contamination is a need felt by Indian cotton spinners. This may the reason; exporters like Australia are taking a serious look at Indian market, which itself is a leading producer of cotton.
Last year, High Plains of cotton planted 3.68 million acres of upland cotton, which is expected to go up this year. Steve Verett, Executive VP of PCG stated, growers are indicating an increase of cotton plantings for 2017, especially in our northern high plains region. Many of PCG’s members plant a various mixture of crops and we support their seeking the mix that is most efficient and profitable for their individual operation, added Verett.
The main reason for increased interest in cotton is the growing demand for cotton. Price fluctuations with synthetics and increase in general demand for cotton are major drivers. This season’s (October 16 –September 17) India’s crop is not what it was expected earlier, which also has aided more interest in cotton in the High Plains of Texas and elsewhere.
Of course, weather will be a major driver on what the yields will be for the 2017 crop in Texas, the leading cotton producing state in the United States. Large range modeling hints that good weather patterns in May to June period, that may be beneficial to cotton said, Matt Ernst, Fox34 chief meteorologist in Lubbock.
All pointers are pointing in the right direction for cotton and surely, demand is leading the charge for more cotton.
Walmart Pushes for Technology and Talent
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, March 31, 2017)-As part of reviving manufacturing, Walmart advocates for developing talent and technology.
Speaking recently to a standing room only audience at the 2017 international conference of the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) in Wilmington, NC, Joe Quinn, Senior Director of Public Affairs at Walmart presented a case for growing talent and new technologies to drive growth in manufacturing and economy.
Talent gap worries companies such as Walmart. Companies are supporting domestic manufacturing, which is having an improved image these days as clean, well paid and cutting edge. As long as it is economical and of good quality, leading companies will go for domestic manufacturing and suppliers. Quinn highlighted an example of how Walmart worked with Statesville-based Homestar, the furniture manufacturer, in delivering high quality office furniture, which is the most preferred item among college students.
Walmart, which started in 1962, is the world’s largest retain store with 5300 retail shops, which constantly adapts to new technologies as evidenced with their grocery pick-up program.
Companies are seriously looking into procuring products domestically diverting from China, although there are some challenges to do that. Quinn gave some advice on how to shift business from China such as locating locally made goods, increasing access to finance for small businesses, improving talented labor pool, to name a few.
Quinn’s closing statement that may be music to domestic manufacturers is that “we are in good place with talented young people and new technologies.”
Growing young people with interest in manufacturing and developing new technologies are important to grow diversified economies.
This week’s AATCC conference displayed a revival in manufacturing, particularly in advanced textile products.
February, 2017
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Indian Company Launches Environmentally Friendly Oil Sorbent
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 3, 2017)-South India based maritime services company has launched environmentally friendly and biodegradable oil sorbents.
There has been a recent incident of oil spill on the shores of Bay of Bengal in India at Ennore port affecting the marine life and the pristine beaches of Marina, in Chennai, India.
In the early morning hours of January 28th, an LNG tanker ship and a petroleum tanker collided at Ennore port resulting in spill. Reports indicate that this may have affected the marine life, resulting in dead turtles and oil-laden hatchlings washed ashore.
To aid the clean-up activities, government agencies and NGOs are working diligently.
A Chennai based maritime company; NAVTEK has come-up with a timely solution and has used its environmentally friendly absorbent mats at the spill site. NAVTEK has been in the works for some months now to refine their technology and has launched its product, which is much environmentally friendlier than synthetic polypropylene mats. They have 100% biodegradable mats and oil sorbents in their product basket.
Today, NAVTEK tested its product at Ennore port. In call with this scribe this morning (U.S. time) from Chennai, Mr. T. S. Rangarajan, Vice President-Technical of NAVTEK said, he personally evaluated the product on the oil spill site. “our mats absorbed the oil instantaneously.”
According to Rangarajan, the mat was able to absorb minimum 10 times its weight of oil in first shot of soaking. This ties in well with their earlier tests, which were carried out according to international standard by a third party accredited laboratory.
Companies like NAVTEK are contributing to Prime Minister Modi’s “Make in India,” effort by manufacturing and marketing Indian made products to solve global problems. According to NAVETK, they are also exploring international markets for their products, as well.
Innovations in Nonwovens to be Featured in an International Event
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 14, 2017)- New developments in nonwovens technology will be featured at a forthcoming international event.
Technical Association of Pulp and Paper Industry, popularly known as TAPPI will be organizing Innovative Nonwovens Conference (NET Inc) from April 23-26 in Minneapolis, United States.
TAPPI is a 100 year old professional association and provides a platform for the nonwoven industry professionals to interact with peers and exchange technical information. Pete Wallace, an industry veteran who has been with TAPPI for over 35 years commented, “for the past 35 years, TAAPI, Nonwovens Division (TAPPI-NET) has been the most important source of networking I have had in the industry. TAPPI has been essential to my career and in enabling me to do the best job possible for the companies I have worked for.”
The conference provides a good mix of market information and technology. The event will kick start with two keynotes. Andrew Willis, Technology Director at filter media manufacturer Hollingsworth & Vose will talk about “New Trends in Filtration,” and David Allan, Editor for Nonwovens at RISI Inc., will provide a market report on nonwovens field.
A Special feature of this nonwovens conference is that it is co-located with PaperCon, the premier pulp and paper conference of TAPPI. This gives opportunity for nonwoven professionals to learn about allied fields.
The conference will offer two workshops aimed at educating workforce in the nonwovens field and will feature, “Technical Textiles: 101,” and “Nonwovens Testing.” Added benefit to the participants will be the tutorials offered by PaperCon such as “Fiber Preparation for Tissue.”
In talking about the conference and the division that pulled the event together, Maureen Nunn of Pennsylvania Chemical Consultants stated, “TAPPI NET Division is the place where industry and universities come together to develop the next nonwoven industry innovations.”
Technical sessions will focus on many emerging topics such as cellulose nanofibers for nonwoven use, polyimide nanofibers for Li-ion battery applications, hemp fibers for wipes, nonwoven cotton substrate for separating oil from oil-water mixture, etc. Given the growth in smart textiles, a talk will focus on fiber device for energy harvesting.
More information about the nonwovens conference can be found at: http://netincevent.org
Australian Debut into Carbon Fiber Production
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 20, 2017)- For the first time, Australia will have the capacity to produce carbon fibers at scaled-up level.
Today, a wet spinning line has been installed at Waurn Pounds, Australia that will enable to carry out carbon fiber research starting from molecules to fully finished components.
Dr. Anita Hill, Director of Future Industries at Australia’s premier research organization, CSIRO stated that the carbon fiber research capability could disrupt the carbon fiber industry.
Using the CSIRO patented carbon fiber technology, the carbon fiber facility will help Australia to develop next generation high performance carbon fibers.
In praising the industry-academia partnership, Professor Jane den Hollander, Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University stated that Australia would benefit with the collaboration.
The wet spinning capability develops strands of thin fibers, which are thinner than human hair, which are then carbonized. According to CSIRO, an Italian company, with research inputs from Deakin and CSIRO researchers, built the wet spinning line.
CSIRO has had longstanding research reputation in the field of fibers and textiles. Deakin University in recent times has been extremely active in fiber research focusing on high performance and next generation fibrous materials.
Indian Cotton Consumption to Go Up Slightly
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 21, 2017)- India is estimated to consume 29.5 million bales of cotton (170 Kgs each), this season ending this September.
Within one month of its recent estimate, Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI) has revised the estimate of India’s cotton consumption and import numbers.
While the crop estimate is to remain same as the previous estimate at 34.1 million bales (170 Kgs each), total domestic consumption will be slightly up by 500,000 bales (five lakh bales) and is estimated to be 29.5 million bales (170 Kgs each). Imports are estimated to be about 1.9 million bales.
The total supply will be about 40.5 million bales and the available surplus at the end of this season will be about 11 million bales. With the revised estimate, the available surplus will come down slightly from the previous estimate of 11.4 million bales.
According Mr. Nayan Mirani, President of CAI, arrivals have picked up and it is about 200,000 bales per day. This reflects the positive feeling among producers as they are realizing good price for their crop.
Cotton Shows Promise as a Superior Oil Absorbent
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, February 27, 2017)-Raw and finer cotton in loose form comes out as best oil absorbent.
A collaborative research involving high school students from Lubbock, scientists from Texas Tech University and U. S. Department of Agriculture’s Laboratory in New Orleans has shown that micronaire, which is an indicator of maturity and fineness of cotton plays a significant role in determining cotton’s oil absorption properties.
The experiments carried out at the Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at Texas Tech University (TTU) has shown that raw cotton, which is finer and in loose form absorbs more oil than coarser cotton. This trend was evident in structured fabrics such as needlepunched and hydroentangled nonwoven fabrics, showing that finer cotton exhibited higher sorption values.
The results were published in the March/April 2017 issue of AATCC Journal of Research, published by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).
In addition to the useful result, the research displayed one of the interesting collaborations. The team involved very senior and junior scientists.
Two high school students from Lubbock, Luke Kitten and Ronald Kendall, Jr., conducted experiments in TTU’s Nonwovens Laboratory, which was supervised by a graduate student Vinitkumar Singh. Vinitkumar graduated Ph.D., from TTU and is currently employed as a Product Development Engineer at Sontara, a spunlace nonwovens manufacturer in Old Hickory, Tennessee.
The research also involved Dr. Paul Sawhney, who will be turning eighty in a few months, just retired last May from USDA after about 5o years of active research in the textiles field in the United States. The work has highlighted the importance of multidisciplinary research team involving next generation scientists and industry veterans.
The goal of the research at TTU’s Nonwovens Laboratory is to enable cotton to be a high performance fiber. United States’ upland cotton growers supported the work, through their Texas State Support Program. Lubbock-based Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. has been an active supporter of the work at TTU’s Nonwovens and Advanced Materials laboratory.
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Antibiotic Spider Silk Developed
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 19, 2017)-An interdisciplinary work has resulted in functionalized artificial spider silk using E.coli bacteria.
Scientists at the United Kingdom-based Nottingham University have utilized a concept called “click chemistry,” to synthesize antibiotic spider silk. Professor Neil Thomas of the School of Chemistry collaborated with life scientist Dr. Sara Goodacre and her team in the research. Recombinant silk fibers functionalized with levofloxacin was able to retain its antibacterial activity by slow release for up to five days after functionalization.
According to Professor Thomas, the biocompatible fibers can find applications in tissue engineering and biomedicine. The structure serves as scaffolds for cell growth and provides antimicrobial properties due to the presence of antibacterial agents, by slow release mechanism.
A chance meeting between chemist and scientists from SpiderLab resulted in antibiotic recombinant silk fibers, using “click reaction” technique. The work involved the synthesis of silk protein in a bacterium, where an amino acid not found in protein was added. This amino acid has an azide group, which helps with the click reaction resulting in the functionalized artificial silk.
The research was funded by the United Kingdom’s Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and has appeared in a recent issue of the online journal Advanced Materials.
Cotton Industry Begins this year with Optimism
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 20, 2017)-Higher production world over and increasing demand is the state of the cotton industry.
On the day of inauguration of the 45th President of the United States, cotton industry people gathered in Lubbock, USA for the Plains Cotton Growers’ cotton meeting.
2016 has been phenomenal for cotton production in the High Plains of Texas and the production in this region is expected to be about 5.05 million bales. This will be the fourth largest cotton crop produced ever in the High Plains of Texas. Technology adaptation and efficient production practices by the producers are some of the reasons for such high production. Australia is also having a good crop, so far.
While the cotton production is high around the globe, interest in cotton is also high among manufacturers. Mills are buying, stated one merchant who attended the meeting.
To a room full of stakeholders, “the crop has been phenomenal,” stated Steve Verett, Executive Vice President of Plains Cotton Growers, Inc. No one would have anticipated such a crop in September, added Verett.
While production has been climbing up, cost of production is on the increase, which is a concern among producers.
With regard to sales, there is interest among global buyers for U. S. cotton. There has been good export sales this week, commented one exporter. The trend seemed to be that, with high production, demand is also high. Given this scenario, it is expected that cotton will trade in 68 to 70 cents range this year.
Steady Rise in Indian Cotton Prices
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 23, 2017)-Indian cotton prices are seeing unusual rise during the current peak arrival season.
While, cotton production all over the world is on the rise, the cotton situation in India is getting serious attention due to steady rise in prices.
Spot prices of Sankar-6 and MCU-5 varieties are about Rupees 42,500 and 44,000 respectively per candy (355.6 Kilograms).
Currently, it is peak cotton arrival season in India, but the arrivals have been lagging behind what it was during the same period last season. While flowering was not that good, weather could not be blamed, as it has been reasonable for cotton during the growing season. The volatility has been attributed primarily due to trading issues and Indian government’s recent banknote demonetization policy.
Three different sources who are into cotton marketing, purchasing and spinning expressed the same reasons for the sudden increase in cotton prices.
The general manager of a 65,000 ring spindle mill in South India, stated that his company procures about 40,000 bales (170 Kgs each) of cotton each year at an overall price tag of about Rupees 60 crores (Rupees 600 million). The variation of about Rupees 1000 per candy in a day, can result in lot of economic upsets for mills in India. Since December, the price has increased by about Rupees 4,000 per candy.
A source familiar with marketing, stated that arrivals have been about 150,000 bales per day (1.5 lakhs bales per day), which is less by 50,000 during the peak arrival timeframe. Normally, the arrivals are about 200,000 bales per day (2 lakhs bales per day). Cotton farmers are reluctant to trade on credit and expect to be paid in currencies, which is currently difficult in India. Additionally, they are in a way waiting to sell cotton so that they could realize higher prices, the source stated.
The view from the spinning mills is that yarn prices are stable and there is demand for yarns and made-up goods such as bedspreads in export markets. This increases the demand for cotton and hence there is increase in the price of cotton.
It looks like cotton price come this March is going to be steep when the peak arrival season ends in India. Overall, the agriculture market is expected to be bullish in the coming months.
Indian Cotton Crop Estimated to be 34.1 Million Bales
By: Seshadri Ramkumar, Texas Tech University, USA
(Lubbock, USA, January 24, 2017)-India is estimated to produce 34.1 million cotton bales (170 Kgs each), this season (October 2016-September 2017).
Mumbai-based Cotton Association of India (CAI) yesterday, released the estimate, as the country was experiencing steady increase in cotton price. The total available supply this year will be 40.4 million bales.
While there will be slight increase in crop production this year by about 300,000 bales against last year, organized sector mill consumption will decrease and will be about 25.6 million bales. Last year, mills’ estimated consumption was about 27.5 million bales. The current year will end with a surplus of about 11.4 million bales.
Given that production will remain almost same as last year, with the expected lower consumption, based on demand-side economics, price should not see steady rise. However, the lack of supply during the current peak arrival timeframe is the main cause for such price volatility.
Nayan Mirani, the President of CAI has stated that the arrivals during this season are estimated to be lower than those during the same timeframe last year. There is a consensus among marketers and mill people that farmers are stockpiling kapas cotton to realize more value, which is resulting in drastic price fluctuations.
Another issue that is causing concern among mills in the State of Tamilnadu is the quality of cotton due to some mix up with comber noil and other waste cotton, according to a technical source from a reputed spinning mill. The quality issue is also affecting the price situation in India, added the source.
The southern state of Tamilnadu is home for over 2000 spinning mills and has to depend on other states for its cotton supply.
2017
Dr. Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D. • Texas Tech University • Department of Environmental Toxicology
Box 41163 • Lubbock, TX 79409-1163 • 806.885.4567 • s.ramkumar@ttu.edu