| FIVE THAI TEXTILE INNOVATIONS TO BE UNVEILED AT BIFF&BIL 2008 |
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| Design and creativity in the textile industry are not simply limited to the production of fashionable fabrics. Research and development of new innovations in the textile and garment industry also help propel Thai products into the global market. |
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| The Department of Export Promotion, Ministry of Commerce, recognizes the importance of Thai researchers who have made a name for the country through their work, and is therefore presenting five of the top innovations to the world at Bangkok International Fashion Fair & Bangkok International Leather Fair 2008 (BIFF&BIL 2008) which is taking place from August 27-31, 2008 at BITEC Bangna. All five have been developed by the Thailand Textile Institute to enhance Thai products to meet international standards. |
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The first is a bullet-proof vest made from polyester, the first time in the world that artificial fibres have been used. It was tested by the military explosives testing unit under the Supreme Command Headquarters in Nakhon Sawan province. It has been awarded the 3A standard, the highest for lightweight body armour. Investment costs are only 20,000 baht per unit, yet the quality is comparable to that of imported models made of Kevlar ballistic fabric priced at 40,000 baht. |
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The second innovation is a surgical mask to prevent tuberculosis made from an extract of mangosteen – the first natural-based product of its kind in the world. Nano fibres were developed into non-woven pads that were then layered to get the smallest possible gaps that could be used as a air filter to screen out the most minute particles. The project used an extract of mangosteen to mix into the fibres for a 99.99% effectiveness in preventing TB infection. This filter is then inserted into the surgical mask. A patent has already been applied for here in Thailand. |
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Third is the development of banana fibres through industrial means instead of by hand as before. Banana fibres are shiny and can be interwoven with other fibres into garments of textiles that are environmentally friendly.
Fourth is a nano-zinc polo shirt developed from surplus silk scraps and cocoons. This is processed to get sericin and fibroin, the two main components of silk. The components are then processed and reduced to a nano-compound that is glaced onto |
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| textiles to give it special qualities such as increased humidity, comfort and UV protection. |
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Last, but not least, is a product that disintegrates after one use without harming the environment. This has been developed from other disposable non-woven products such as disinfectant pillow cases, disposable sheets that are anti-bacterial, cloth bags, wet napkins and nappies. |
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| All these amazing products have been developed from local raw materials with the support and cooperation of government and private sectors as well as educational and research institutes. They offer an alternative for textile manufacturers and related industries, who will use the results of the research projects to develop their own commercial products that will cater to consumer needs in the future. |
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| These discoveries will be put on display at BIFF&BIL 2008, the largest fashion and leatherwear fair in the ASEAN region, organized annually by the Department of Export Promotion for over 20 years now. The fair will take place at BITEC Bangna from August 27-31, 2008, with the first three days dedicated to trade talks, and the last two days open to the public. |
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| For further details, go to the website at www.biffandbil.com |
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