Nonwovens partnership promotes development of textile functionality

The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech University has announced a partnership with Enercon Industries Corp. designed to combine each organization’s expertise to develop technology to advance the functionality of nonwovens and technical textiles. Associate professor Seshadri Ramkumar says that the partnership will explore the opportunities of commercializing atmospheric plasma technologies to make apparel-grade nonwovens and other value-added fabrics, such as liquid-repellent fabrics and breathable protective fabrics.

Plasma technology is a surface modification treatment technique using gasses to modify the surface of materials and make them more suitable for various applications, such as making a fabric more or less absorbent. Recently, atmospheric pressure plasma technology has been developed in which the plasma treatment can be achieved in normal atmosphere pressure, making the process commercially feasible.

Texas Tech’s Nonwovens and Advanced Materials Laboratory at TIEHH focuses on fundamental and applied research activities to develop sophisticated materials that help improve human health and the environment. Enercon Industries, headquartered in Menomonee Falls, Wis., is a major manufacturer of equipment for the plastics and packaging industries. For further information, contact Seshadri Ramkumar, s.ramkumar@ttu.edu, or Rory Wolf, Enercon’s vice-president of business development, rwolf@enerconmail.com.