CLOTH THAT “BREATHS”

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 11, Issue 53, 14 July 1947, Page 8

CLOTH THAT “BREATHS”

MANCHESTER PRODUCT UNIQUE FORM OF CONTROL A private form of control probably unique in the cotton industry was announced at Manchester recently for the production of a new fabric. During the war the Shirley Institute evolved the fabric which permitted exertion without inside condensation yet kept pilots dry and warm.

Commercial exploitation has been safeguarded by the forming of an association whose producer ■ members bind themselves to meet the specifications, thus, protecting the certifying mark from debasement. Any member of the Shirley Institute may join the association on this one condition. Already 63 firms in the production branch of the industry and 87 merchant converters and 83 garment makers have joined. American competitors are in the market, but it is claimed that only in Lancashire can yarn of the requisite quality be spun, woven and dyed successfully.

There is nothing new in the processes by which the ventile fabrics are made. The secret lies in accuracy at every stage. In the finer range yarns, softtwisted, are given a close Oxford weave to produce a light fabric with minute interstices that close as the cotton swells when wet.

Proofing does not gloss the gaps and the cloth can therefore “breathe.”

Export is beginning and a big trade is expected in countries where rain is heavy or frequent. The Board of Trade recently gave a second allocation for this purpose and also in a very small way for the home non-utility trade, but output will inevitably remain small until the industry gets more fuel and labour.