“ SNIAFIL.”

Hokitika Guardian, 14 January 1926, Page 2

“ SNIAFIL.”

TREMENDOUS INTEREST AROUSED. BRADFORD MEN CONCERNED. [Australia & N.Z. Cable Association.] JjONDOX, Jan. 12. The “Yorkshire Post’s” description of the artificial wool made in Italy has aroused tremendous interest in Bradford, and the textile manufacturers, who a few weeks ago scoffed at the idea, are now flocking to the “Post’s” Bradford office to see samples of the cloth, though they will treat the matter with some reserve. It is gathered that the cloth made wholly from “Sniafil” is wliat is termed hard cloth, while a mixture of Sniafil and wool produces a presentable looking second grade cloth.

Tn this connection it is notable that even the ‘Sniafil” authorities in North Italy do no! entertain the hope of seriously competing with wool. They ingenuously suggest that the cheapening of suits of clothes will mean that the man who hitherto has been content with one suit yearly, will be able to buy two suits. Thus the demand for wool will not lie lessened. They also suggest that the new competition will be a factor in stabilising the price of wool at values at which Bradford can hope to regain its lost trade, and

notably that with Russia, and with other similarly impoverished countries. There are already nine of the artificial wool factories in Italy. Now a Bradford syndicate is completing plans for one such factory there. It is stated that the material “Sniafil” which resembles spun kapoe can be woven in the ordinary textile plant. The next test of its claims will he when a suit length sent from Turin, arrives at London and is made up. AA’hen the suit is completed the Yorkshire “Post’s” investigator will see how it compares for price and durability with the British article.

(THE XEAY TEXTILE DESCRIBED. “Sniafil, Italy’s new contribution to the textile world, a wool-resembling staple produced like artificial silk, and which is about to be marketed in the United States hy Snia A’isoosa’s representatives, the Commercial Fibre Company of America, will be to the woollen goods trade what “rayon” has been to the cotton and silk goods industry, an affinity that will not curtail the consumption of the animal staple but will stimulate its use, according to Afr P. G. Gurgo-Salice. general manager of Snia A'iscosa. who has arrived in Now A'ork from Turin, the centre of Italy’s rayon industry. Italian officials, states an American correspondent of the Auckland “Star.” expect to secure a tariff classification for sniafil under the provision a fleeting rayon waste, which pays a duty of 10 per cent., since it is under the yarn level, and inapplicable without either wool, wool waste or rayon itself.

Should they succeed, sniafil will have a tariff advantageously over rayon to the extent of 25 per cent, and the company hopes it may lie placed on the market in tile United States in quantity shortly at around 65 cents to 70 coni s a Hi. approximately half a crown to three shillings. The lact that it will he about toil Tents cheaper in England reflects the spread between the British and American levies on textile imports. AYoollcn goods manufacturers, including piece goods, hosiery and undciwenr. are keenly interested in the new wool substitute, or rather affinity, in their eagerness to meet consumers’ price pressure. Air Gurgo-Salice is mapping out a broad selling campaign, in which he expects to convince the American mill authorities that sniafil may he used in woollens much the same \v«iv us rnyon is used in cottons and silks. with many more advantages, some of which are described as follow : BIG FUTI'RE PREDICTED. "Sniafil,” he says, “which has practically the appearance of wool, can be called a real substitute of wool when woven U|- knitted, as tile goods manufactured with it can hardly be detected from those manufactured from wool. Only lately the experiments of Snia’s laboratories have reached a final stage by lieing able to produce successfully a fibre which, for its tenacity and elasticity. can he woven or knitted like wool or cotton. “1 believe that sniafil, born only a lew weeks ago, will become in the near future one of the three leading fibres, namely, cotton, wool and sniafil. Due to its low cost of production, sniafil will be manufactured in unlimited quantities. Snia A’iscosa already produces 13,00011) a day, and when the new large mill, which is being built in Turin, will be in full production, Snia Viscosa will have a daily output of sniafil of over 150,0001 b. It is expected that such production will be reached before the end of next year. “Sniafil is sold in locks, like wool, but there is no need of any process ol scouring, thereby obtaining 100 per cent efficiency from this raw material. “The method of carding, combing and spinning is identical to that oi wool. It lias been found, however, that these different processes are easier with sniafil than with wool, on account of the great adhesive power of the filaments. thereby avoiding any breakage either in the slivers or in the top. The only advice that Snia Viscosa gives to the twisters consists in the formula of the oiling of the sliver before going through the combing machine. TREATING TAYISTS. “The oiling formula which has been found most practicable is the foiowing: Rape seed oil, 30 per cent; araehis oil. 59 per cent; petroleum, 20 per cent, which must he used in the proportion of one and a half per cent on the top. "It has been found that a higher production can he obtained per spindle, and this on account not only of the

adhesive power of the fibres, but principally because of the iengtii. and the fineness ot the filaments. Yanis can lie easily spun to SO’s or i.'O's. having the same tenacity of wool, with about lb per cent less twist. The goods manufactured with sninfil, although having the appearance ot wool, are remarkable for their qualities. They can lx? washed easily; they are moth-proof, and they do not irritate the skin. Snialil is sold in standard lengths, six inches and two inches. The two-inch fibre can he spun on usual cotton machines, making it therefore possible for cotton spinners to enter the field ol wool spinning.” Tlie American representative of the new textile substitute declare that they do no think it will harm the woollen industry, no matter in what quantities it is produced. On the contrary, they believe that this new fibre will be_ to the woollen industry what rayon has lx?en to the silk industry, namely, that contrary to the view expressed by some pessimists, i-ayon, instead of curtailing and damaging the consumption of raw silk, has rather helped to popularise its use through a good many mixed fabrics.

It is stated that the steady price of sniafil will lie of great advantage to the weavers and knitters, eliminating the dangerous fluctuations which take place in the markets of cotton and wool.

Also, it is pointed out. wool manufacturers have lost this year hundreds ot millions of dollars throughout the world, and their industry has always lteen very precarious, but now. through the use of the new affinity to wool, they will lx? able to manufacture on n given cost, and therefore on a more conservative basis.

It is anticipated that before very long sniafil will i?o manufactured in verv large quantities in the United States, so that users of this fibre will find a ready supply on the American market.

There are some wool men in the United States who see the advent of the new substitute tending to force prices of wool downward, as there will be less of a demand for the actual woollen materials by the consumers, should' sniafil measure up to all that is claimed fqr that “affinity” of wool,

During the last few weeks woollen goods manufacturers have been protesting against the present high prices of foreign and domestic wools, and obviously these sjrme manufacturers have hailed with delight the announcement of the discovery of the wool substitute, the composition of which is a secret as yet.