Monforts Industry Advanced Technology Centre for Textiles

Monforts is using its Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) to help textile makers test new ideas before using them in large factories.

The center opened in 2013 and covers about 1,200 square meters. It has two full MONTEX finishing lines. It also has a THERMEX dyeing system a color kitchen and smaller test machines.

Customers can bring their own fabrics to the center. They can test them on real production machines in a private setting. The tests can help them find the right heat, speed and process for their fabrics.

The center has a special line for technical textiles. These include fabrics used for signs, filters, flooring and other products. The machines can work at temperatures of up to 320°C.

Monforts has also added a Baldwin TexCoat G4 digital spray system. It can put chemicals on fabric in a more exact way. These chemicals can include softeners, water repellents and fire protection products.

Monforts says this system can help cut water, chemical and energy use by up to 50% when used with MONTEX machines.

Another line at the center is made for knitted fabrics. The machines handle these fabrics gently and use low tension. This helps protect fabrics that can stretch easily.

The Eco Applicator on this line can also reduce the amount of water in fabric before drying. Moisture can fall from about 60% with a normal padder to about 40%.

The center also has a THERMEX system with Econtrol technology. Monforts says almost 1,000 THERMEX systems are now working in key textile countries. More than 150 use Econtrol.

A new Universal Energy Tower can recover heat from air leaving the process. It can provide energy savings of up to 25%, depending on the process.

Monforts says the ATC helps textile makers test new products and processes before spending money on new factory equipment. It also helps companies work toward lower use of water, energy and chemicals.

The goal is simple: help textile makers turn new ideas into useful products that can work well in real factories.