Swedish company Ab Initio has developed a range of flat knitted fabrics with sound absorbency properties, which it says can be used in decorative textiles for public, technical and commercial environments. The company says its unique Cullus fabrics combine function, flexibility with good aesthetics.

Ab Initio was set up as a spinout company from the Swedish School of Textiles in Borås, by Ulla Eson Bodin, Folke Sandvik and Helga Aiff in 2007 and began with the intention of manufacturing and marketing the Cullus materials but the fabrics are now manufactured by a local knitwear manufacturer.  The company works with the focus of creating knitted panels as well as wall coverings and free hanging sculptured and three dimensional objects and was appointed as an ‘Innovative Company’ by Vinnova in 2008.“We sell our products in cooperation with fabric wholesalers and distributors as well as directly architectural and interior designers. Cullus creates a healthy sound environment and can be used in panel lengths or acoustic boards”, Helga Aiff told KnittingIndustry.com at the recent Techtextil in Frankfurt.

Cullus is a flat knitted material which has the ability to form three dimensional objects that can be placed in a room to meet the acoustic needs of the user. Acoustic measurements have been carried out in hanging panel lengths and 3D forms and the company is keen to talk to potential commercialization partners. Results show that the sound absorbency stands in proportion to material area regardless of form, Ab Initio says.

Cullus is a three dimensional heavy duty material in flame retardant yarn, 100% polyester Trevira CS and is flame tested and approved for public as well as maritime environments. It can also be cleaned in a regular washing machine at 30 degrees C.

Cullus is produced in two different types. Cullus Molto weighs in at 1500gsm in absorbent class C and Cullus Mini is available in a weight of weight of 900gsm in absorbent class D. The fabric is sold by the metre in standard widths of 600mm and 800mm. Special requirements can be met up to 1200mm.

www.abinitio.se