23 September 2009,
Ilkeston – UK based specialist warp knitter Baltex, has developed a range of novel
warp knitted spacer fabrics using
Coolmax Fresh FX, which have been independently tested at the University of
Bolton and found to outperform other spacer fabrics in their comfort
properties. The company’s new Coolmax Fresh FX fabrics, which were launched at
this year’s Techtextil, are part of its wider XD range of 3D knitted spacer
fabrics.
According to Baltex, the Coolmax Fresh FX fabrics incorporate
yarns which are inherently anti-bacterial and have exceptionally good wicking
properties. Baltex’ Managing Director, Charles Wood says: “The fabrics are currently
being commercialised as linings for body armour and also for a range of
products in the healthcare market where comfort properties are of the utmost
importance.”
Orthopaedic spacers
Baltex has also developed a novel elastomeric spacer fabric in
conjunction with the University of Bolton, which is being used as a material
for orthopaedic knee braces. The company has been working on the project for a
number of years and has gradually improved the performance by modifying the
elastic properties of the fabric. A predicted level of compression can be
applied according to how much fabric is used. The new fabric sold under the Baltex
XD Spacer brand promises to break new ground for elastomeric spacer materials
in the healthcare market, the company says.
Advantages and
applications
Baltex uses both warp and weft knitting technologies and its
XD range of three dimensionally knitted fabrics, are produced on both double
needle bar warp-knitting machines and circular knitting machines. Fabric thickness
varies from 3mm to 20mm. The principal advantages of XD spacer fabrics are breathability,
insulation, compression strength, durability, recyclability and pressure
redistribution.
Spacer fabrics are being widely used for the replacement of
foam and neoprene products and with the possibility of knitting different
fibres on different faces many properties can be achieved. Baltex works with
the University of Bolton who test the thermo physiological properties of its
knitted spacer fabrics and claims it is the only company who design and produce
3D fabrics with comfort performance in mind.
XD Spacer Fabrics are being used in key applications such as
cycle helmets, boot soles, composites, medical products, neoprene replacement,
compression bandages, fire fighters clothing and body armour. Fibres employed
are polyester, Coolmax, Nomex, Kevlar, polyamide and microfiber yarns.
Long pedigree
Baltex is a knitting company with a long pedigree in
technical textiles. The company was
founded in 1831 by two brothers, William and Francis Ball in Ilkeston, Derbyshire
and developed novel fabrics and registered patents before winning a gold medal
for innovation at the UK’s Great Exhibition of 1851.
“Since that time Baltex has continued this pattern of innovation.
We have developed the skills, used to produce pure silk fabrics, to process and
knit some of the world’s most technical fibres. It is this high degree of skill
and the expertise of our workforce which have put us at the cutting edge of technical
textiles,” Charles Wood says.
“With a wide range of machinery and fibre types we can
produce fabrics with many different characteristics, and can design and produce
exactly to a customer`s specification”, adds Charles Wood.
Providing innovative
solutions
Baltex aims to become the UK’s leading producer of knitted
fabrics in the technical textiles sector and a key player in the European
marketplace. By pursuing innovative solutions from all of its members of staff it
provides a unique customer focus where every employee has an input into helping
achieve its customer’s requirements.
“Through high levels of customer service and great attention
to detail we have proved ourselves as the favoured supplier in a number of industries.
We intend to build on these strengths and whether for a new or established
customer, small or large we pride ourselves in giving you a level of service you
would be proud of yourselves”, commented Charles Wood.
Today Baltex is continuing to innovate, keeping up with the
latest developments in highly technical yarns. The company works closely with
both its suppliers and customers to find new and exciting applications for
materials with high performance properties.
Baltex designs, manufactures and supplies technical textiles
in a number of locations in the UK and Poland. It has the facilities to provide
a reliable and competitive source of supply for all your technical textiles
needs across Europe and beyond. The company was a winner in the International
Trade category in the Queen's Awards in 2009 and exports its goods to more than
16 countries across the EU, the USA and Far East.
Baltex has full testing facilities in its laboratory and the
company is approved to ISO 9000 by Lloyd's Register Quality Assurance.
Baltex is a supplier
of solutions in the following areas:
Military and Security
MOD approved supplier, IRR and FR fabrics (infra-red
reflective), printed camouflage materials, spacer fabrics for body armour
Aerospace
Airbus and Boeing approved fabrics for Airframe seals, EMI shielding
fabrics, seating fabrics, spacer fabrics for ejector seat project
Automotive
Aramid hose fabrics, priming systems for bonding to silicone
rubber, aramid, polyester, glass fabrics, high strength knits for flexible
reinforcement, leading European supplier of knitted fabrics for rubber
reinforcement
Composites
Knitted glass fabrics, knitted Kevlar fabrics, bleeder
cloths
Industrial
Fabrics for high temperature environments, cut resistant
fabrics for industry, EMI shielding fabrics for a range of industries, fabrics
for coating and lamination
Healthcare
Sling fabrics, 3-dimensional spacer fabrics, anti-bacterial
textiles, spacer fabrics with bacteriostatic silver yarn
Download Baltex company brochure
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