Technical Absorbents (TAL) has been officially recognised for innovation by two leading industry organisations. The Super Absorbent Fibre (SAF^TM) manufacturers’ KoolSorb^TM coolant fabric was recently listed by Future Materials Magazine in its top 100 innovations of 2012, and has since been selected as a finalist for an IDEA achievement award in the category of Roll Goods. The industry will select the recipients of the IDEA awards through online voting at http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/2013-idea-achievement-awards and the winners will be revealed in April at the INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics industry, exhibition and conference in Miami.

KoolSorb^TM fabric is a patent-pending technology. It can be converted into a wide range of garments which are worn next to the skin under heavy clothing. The fabric stimulates the dissipation of heat and moisture through the rapid absorption and containment of body sweat. The material in touch with the skin remains relatively dry and conducts heat away from the hot areas of the body. This results in a cooling effect of up to 6°C for the wearer – directly reducing the risk of heat-stress. Garments made using this technology can be laundered multiple times.

“KoolSorb^TM has been in development for some time,” explains TAL Business Development Manager Dave Hill. “2012 saw us start promoting the technology quite heavily. Feedback from the industry and also the media has been extremely positive, and the number of enquiries from potential customers continues to grow. “These latest accolades are extremely positive and will provide further valuable exposure for TAL, its SAF^TM technology and of course KoolSorb^TM.”

The IDEA13 Achievement Awards, sponsored by INDA, in partnership with Nonwovens Industry magazine, recognize the leading new products in five categories – Short-Life Converted Product, Long-Life Converted Product, Equipment, Raw Materials and Roll Goods – in the global engineered fabrics industry introduced since IDEA10.

“These IDEA Achievement Awards promote innovation and recognize outstanding achievement within the worldwide engineered fabrics community and it is fitting that they will be presented during IDEA13, the most important industry trade show of the year,” says Dave Rousse, President of INDA.

Votes can be cast at http://www.nonwovens-industry.com/2013-idea-achievement-awardsuntil 29 March 2013