Aurora Specialty Textiles Group, Inc. is pleased to announce the addition of Sub-Suede and Universal Knit 400 FR to its line of sublimation fabrics. Sub-Suede is a truly unique polyester suede fabric and is compatible with both dye sublimation transfer printing and dye sublimation direct printing. Transfer printing produces suede-like feel while direct printing results in a plush, velvet-like feel. Dimensionally stable, Sub-Suede is ideal for display graphics, gaming table covers and other di

The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) has released its first ebook designed to help retailers better serve their customers. CRI is the trade association representing U.S. carpet manufacturers. The Carpet Chronicles: Highlights from the CRI Blog for Retailers and Their Customers is a three-section interactive electronic book that should prove to be a "handy" tool for the thousands of carpet retailers across the U.S. and beyond. "This ebook is aimed at a particular audience - retailers - provi

Egypt agreed to export 800 metric tons of cotton in the week ending Jan. 24, according to the Alexandria Cotton Exporters Association.The country has shipped 33,915 tons of the fiber, valued at $97.6 million, since Sept. 1, the association said today in its weekly bulletin. Exports in the past week included 400 tons of the Giza 88 variety and 400 tons of Giza 86, it said. Egypt produces the world’s finest extra-long staple cotton, which is stronger and softer than shorter staple cotton. The cott

Pakistan’s yarn export is expected to increase by 10 percent to 825,000 pounds this season (January to June 2013) as against 750,000 pounds during the same period last year to China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and Thailand due to greater demand, exporters said on Saturday. Pakistan usually exports 25 percent of its total production of 3 million pounds of yarn per annum while remaining is always sufficient for the value added apparel sector in the country. The country produces more than 255,000 poun

Weavers in the powerloom sector in the country's biggest Man-Made Fibre (MMF) hub in the city are facing tough days ahead with the prices of grey or unfinished fabrics witnessing a sharp decrease in the past one week. Industry sources said the demand for unfinished fabrics has decreased in the local market and that the prices have gone down by Rs 1.50 to Rs 2 per meter with the textile traders discontinuing the purchase due to less demand from the key consuming centres across the country. Grey

Crude oil prices rose in heavy trade on Thursday, buoyed by strong economic data from China, the eurozone and US, with U.S. crude prices getting an extra boost from expectations that the vital Seaway pipeline could resume full capacity operation within a week.US crude oil prices had plunged on Wednesday on news of the restricted flow, on expectations the reduced rates would cause a build of crude stockpiles at Cushing. The oil complex was also supported by encouraging purchasing managers' index

Ethylene prices in Asia rose to a nine month high on modest downstream demand and surge energy complex but amid thin trading activity. European ethylene market continued to see imports trickle in as cracker operators moved to cover for the upcoming turnaround season. In US ethylene spot price climbed as production outages continued to weigh in on the spot market. Paraxylene prices were driven up by active short covering for the February position in Asia. In Europe spot paraxylene prices were als

Asian benzene prices declined shrugging off the firming upstream crude prices. In Europe benzene prices also receded further as the markets were generally in bearish sentiment. US spot benzene price trended lower amid weaker market sentiment following lower European benzene levels. In Latin America, benzene prices went down despite nominally stronger crude. However, this did not deter caprolactum markets to firm up. Also supported by tight supply, caprolactum prices inched up and suppliers conti

Propylene prices gained in Asia on an open Asia-US arbitrage and tight Asia-US propylene arbitrage window open. The arbitrage from Asia to the US was opened with increased discussions between Asian producers and traders to fix cargoes. In Europe, Lavera cracker outage aided the upward trajectory in spot prices. Acrylonitrile markets firmed up high levels in Asia and prices gradually rose, given limited spot supply and high cost of propylene. The markets were also pulled up by continuously nort

Viscose staple fibre markets in Asia were dull with most downstream players finalizing their operations ahead of the coming Lunar New Year holiday in China. Markets in Pakistan were under pressure from cotton fibre while Indian viscose markets were quiet and prices mostly rolled over previous week’s numbers. Viscose filament yarn markets weakened further as downstream mills were mostly closing for Spring Festival in China, with a few mills planning to shut down early next week. Traders declined