When it comes to investing in an inflatable boat, the quality of the seams is critical. Nearly every raft is made up of multiple panels held together by seams. If those seams were to fail mid-trip, all of the air would quickly leak out of your boat. In general, there are two methods for bonding the seams of an inflatable … Read More
As river rafting transitioned from an unusual hobby to a mainstream outdoor sport in the 1970s and 1980s, Glenn Lewman recognized the need for better boats. At the time, nearly all rafts were made from PVC simply because it was inexpensive. But Lewman saw the potential of another material – TPU – that would offer superior durability and raft design. … Read More
Rigid-hull inflatable boats (RIBs) are built with inflatable or foam-filled collars that enable stability and better floating. RIBs are commonly used for rescue, military, and commercial applications. RIBS can also be used as dinghies for larger vessels, as well as leisure crafts. As for size, RIBs are generally built to be compact and lightweight for increased speed and versatility. Although, … Read More
Coated textiles such as PVC fabric and TPU are used across a wide range of industries. Medical products, boating supplies, industrial processes, and everyday things like pool liners and hospital mattresses. The advantage of these coatings is that they enable your products to last longer, confer water resistance, and increase durability in harsh conditions. If you are sourcing PVC alloy … Read More
Welding is one of the most common ways to join thermoplastic-coated materials used in the technical textile industry. Fabric welding is straightforward, relatively inexpensive, and offers unparalleled flexibility and strength when it comes to joining technical fabrics together. While not all types of fabrics can be easily welded, virtually all thermoplastics exhibit excellent weldability. The process of thermoplastic welding consists … Read More
THE IMPORTANCE OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL If your company deals with environmentally hazardous liquids, there’s a good chance you’re required by the government to have a response plan in the event of a spill. Your plan might need to include contingencies for spill prevention and control, as well as appropriate countermeasures. Often, meeting spill containment requirements involve placing physical barriers around … Read More
Flexitanks—also referred to as flexibags, collapsible tanks, or bladders—are safe even for storing hazardous materials like crude oil if they’re built to the proper specifications. That’s especially important in today’s volatile oil market, when producers are scrambling for any space available to store their crude. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the world’s very large crude carriers, tanker ships, pipelines, and … Read More
Life jackets, or personal floatation devices (PFDs), play a critical role in the safety and survival of those who play and work on the water. PFDs are required by law to meet stringent performance criteria, and this includes the life jacket material they are constructed from. Most PFDs are constructed using nylon or polyester fabrics of varying weights (measured in … Read More
The technical coated-fabrics that are used to construct inflatable boat bladders require strength, flexibility, wear resistance, puncture resistance, and, of course, ease in welding and handling, among other attributes. Most modern, certified options are nylon or polyester fabrics coated with either Hypalon (CSM), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), or Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU). However, TPU-coating dominates the market for good reasons. Let’s explore … Read More
Wiefferink, a European leader in processing flexible synthetic materials, was approached by an entrepreneur to develop flexible storage tanks for drinking water at the 2012 London Olympic Games. Wiefferink had limited time to come up with a solution that would be suitable for governmental standards at the Olympics and that would reflect the large-scale and transitory nature of the event. … Read More
Successful flexitank manufacturing involves a lot of parameters, some less obvious than others. Quality aspects for flexible storage tanks run the gamut, from materials selection, chemical compatibility and strength considerations to safety, economic and environmental sustainability. This article focuses on the importance of accurate flexitank capacity calculation, and its potential implications on safe and efficient flexitank usage. Calculating Flexitank Capacity … Read More
The weakest part of any product manufactured from coated fabrics can be usually found in its welds and seams. And, as the proverb by Thomas Reid goes, “a chain is only as strong as its weakest link.” In this article, we take a look into the importance of weld quality and the significant role it plays in extending the lifetime … Read More
In today’s world of fast commercial activity, disaster relief needs, challenging droughts, and other environmental conditions, there is an increasing need for safe and economic storage of all types of liquids. In this article, we take an introductory look into flexitanks, also known as flexibags. Flexitank storage is a relatively new and efficient way of storing liquids for various applications. … Read More
Flexible fuel bladders are a preferred alternative to steel and composite tanks for fuel storage, especially in situations where critical infrastructure is compromised or non-existent. The wide range of applications and extreme environmental conditions result in very demanding material specifications; Endurance, safety, and ecological considerations, all come into play. In this article, we will take a dive into the specifics … Read More
We are excited to announce that Erez-USA has combined forces with our local North American partners Engineered Polymer Technologies, and together we are launching a joint venture. Introducing E²: A World of Possibilities. We believe that by combining the manufacturing capabilities and ingenuity of EPT and Erez, E² will allow us to go further and cover a wider spectrum of … Read More
Photo courtesy of SAFE Boats International The Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB) construction market has traditionally been driven by factors such as boat lifespan, endurance, durability, ease of manufacture, field repair, and cost. In this article, we are looking into factors that have come into play during the last decade, shifting interest towards Polyurethane fabric for RIB construction, in place of … Read More
Image courtesy of Miller Weldmaster Thermoplastic product manufacturers often use welding to seal technical textiles during product manufacturing. This enables the creation of all kinds of coated textiles products involving complex shapes, large surfaces, and waterproof constructions of high durability. In this article, we present the considerations manufacturers should make when choosing a welding method, depending on their needs and … Read More
When it comes to the variety of uses for technical fabric, it’s clear that they run the gamut. From architectural to medical applications and many more in between. This wide range of functionality has led to the development of several different types of technical fabrics, each with its own set of performance characteristics. In this article, we present the 5 … Read More
Technical textiles are produced by combining a Polyester, Polyamide, Kevlar or others base fabric with specialized coatings thermoplastic polymer such as Vinyl, TPU, Polypropylene, and alloys. This results in a composite material with new properties, which neither of the materials can achieve on its own. This has led to the development of various coating methods, used in the production of … Read More
Companies today increasingly turn to environmentally friendly practices. By utilizing sound recycling and upcycling practices, they aim to reduce their carbon footprint and create cost savings. PVC coated fabric scrap is a necessary evil associated with the mass production process. That’s why as a specialized manufacturer, Erez has made it a priority to work towards sustainable product end of life … Read More
Companies promoting environmental control, need specialized coated textile materials. The challenge for a successful selection is choosing coated textiles with properties that meet final product application requirements. That’s why specialization is required when it comes to environmental control applications. Erez is an experienced coated textiles manufacturer that can tackle environmental control challenges and use cases with many different materials, fit … Read More
Retro reflection is a property used with various products and applications, providing increased visibility in low lighting conditions by means of passive illumination. From sheets and paint used in road signs, to critical applications like marine safety equipment, it is clear that retro-reflective materials enable the creation of a wide array of effective products. For many industry sectors using retro-reflective … Read More
A particularly significant milestone in the development cycle of any new technology, is its use in a real life product or application. Rightfully so, as it is one of the best ways to demonstrate its usefulness, showcase its potential, and spark imagination for new applications of the technology. In this case study, we will be taking a detailed look into … Read More
The European coated technical textiles industry is enjoying a strong market presence, as well as deep technical know how. The EU coated textiles and thermoplastics market is in lockstep with the overall technical textiles sector, which is projected to expand and grow with a compound annual growth rate of 4.5% for the next five to six years. This growth is … Read More
Techtextil2019 is a leading international trade fair for technical textiles and nonwovens, taking place in Frankfurt from 14 to 17 of May 2019. This international exhibition hosts more than 1,400 technical textiles companies of all sizes and from the industry’s entire spectrum. Manufacturers showcase products to more than 33,000 visitors, for a full range of applications including architecture, automotive, construction, … Read More
Environmental concerns are increasingly important to consumers, governments, and employees. For manufacturers of thermoplastic technical textiles, the disposal of waste materials (scrap) is an increasingly important environmental concern. Disposing of this large amount of scrap in a landfill is undesirable and costly. The responsible action is to either reuse or recycle this material. Today, we’ll look at these two options: … Read More
Likely, you are experiencing increased pressure as a manufacturer to incorporate sustainable practices into your business directives. But what does sustainability mean, and how can you identify business partners who share the same goals? Often, sustainability is broadly defined using the Three P’s—People (social), Planet (ecological), and Profit (economical). For the manufacturing world, these mean generating minimal negative environmental impacts … Read More
Image courtesy of Miller Weldmaster Erez offers a wide variety of PVC/PU-coated, polyester-based technical textiles that can be used in wide array of applications. These materials stand up to extreme weather conditions, chemicals, abrasion and punctures, as well exhibit high flexibility and UV stability. This makes them ideal for rescue boats, pontoons, ribs, flexible storage tanks suitable for most … Read More
Technically, thermoplastic-coated textiles can be recycled. Chemical processes exist that can retrieve the coating, base material, additives, glues, as well as the chemical solutions used in the dissolution process. And, recycling has many advantages. It can reduce scrap waste by 90-96%. This can save you disposal costs and help conserve valuable raw materials. However, there is still a shortage of … Read More
What is Sustainable Manufacturing? Sustainability means more than using environmentally friendly products. Often, it is broadly defined using the Three P’s—People (social), Planet (ecological), and Profit (economical). For the manufacturing world, these mean being a good community citizen through job creation and investment, creating product and community safety, and following the law and paying taxes — all while generating minimal … Read More
Image courtesy of Miller Weldmaster Hot Wedge (HW) Welding Hot wedge welding, also known as bar welding, uses a heated metal wedge to provide the required heat for melting the thermoplastics. The wedge is precisely positioned at the weld point as two sheets of fabric or film are pulled across the heated wedge. The material is moved across the … Read More
The process for all thermoplastic textiles welding consists of the same basic elements: heat, pressure, and cooling. These three elements are controlled based on the materials being welded, the welding method, and the speed of the manufacturing process. However, many other factors affect the strength and seal quality: Tooling layout Weld thickness Material thickness Machine controls Operator experience In the … Read More
In today’s increasingly competitive market, technical textile product manufacturers constantly try to differentiate their products in order to stay ahead of the competition and gain a market advantage. With new GlowSpot, a patented retro-reflective material that can be applied in the external layer of any technical textile, manufacturers can now differentiate their products and offer game-changing, and possibly life-saving, advantages … Read More
The METSTRADE show is the world’s largest trade exhibition of marine related equipment, featuring more than 16,000 exhibitors in three different Pavilions. At this year’s METSTRADE show visitors will discover trends for specialized raw materials and composites for the marine construction industry, such as advanced retroreflective materials, for use in boating & safety applications. One of the central trends to … Read More
IFAI Expo 2018 is the largest and most anticipated technical textiles expo in North America, featuring more than 350 exhibitors. It is the annual gathering of over 12,000 suppliers, manufactures and end users in the Industrial Fabrics industry. This year’s visitors will learn about industry trends and be exposed to new products and technology, stemming from safety, transportation and environmental … Read More
The current state of the coated technical textiles market in the US is very positive, which is due to several converging factors. For one, the increased rate of US GDP and the overall optimistic state of the US economy have positively affected the coated textile market as well. Moreover, the US government has announced “The Bipartisan Budget Act”, an act … Read More
EVA-alloy coating is a copolymer vinyl alloy derived from common PVC. However, it is not simply PVC with additives – it is an entirely new polymer. Erez has used breakthrough polymer blending to create Erez ERcoat™, a uniquely strong EVA/PVC copolymer alloy that can stand up to the harshest conditions and containment needs. Tough and Flexible ERcoat™ is naturally flexible … Read More
Flexible fuel storage tanks can be designed to meet the requirements of virtually any application. In general, fuel bladders must provide: Low evaporation Custom made Excellent structural properties Compact when empty (flexible) Easy, minimum maintenance Safety in use Low bacteria development risk Rapid installation To deliver those benefits, the technical textiles they are constructed from must deliver strength and flexibility, … Read More
The world is increasing global, particularly when it comes to B2B trade. Marine safety products are no exception. To be profitable, manufacturers must be able to sell their products in multiple countries. To do this, you want to procure materials of the highest quality, at a reasonable cost, and meet internationally accepted standards. Here are 5 things to consider when … Read More
Whether you use coated textiles to manufacture marine safety equipment such as life jackets ( PFDs) or life rafts, or boating products like foam- or inflatable-collar boats, your product lines evolve and so do the requirements for the materials you use. Erez understands that you are always looking for new, precision, high-quality coated textiles. So, we constantly invest resources into … Read More
Flexible storage tanks are lightweight, foldable bladders used to store liquids. Often, the liquids being stored are drinking water or foods such as oils, wine, or milk. When used in these applications in the United States and Canada, tanks and their components must meet and be certified under a recognized safety standard such as the NSF/ANSI 61 standard (NSF 61). … Read More
Waterproof TPU fabrics bond a thermoplastic polyurethane membrane to a base textile, such as nylon or polyester fabric, to create a wide range of high-performing materials that maintain their flexibility yet are durable and waterproof. TPU has a long list of excellent material properties. It is abrasion resistant, tear resistant, has excellent bending and tensile strength, large elongation break, low … Read More
New technology to help marine safety equipment function better, for longer, in rougher conditions is coming to the fore, and businesses need to know what their options are for creating and upgrading products to feature the latest advances. TPU-coated textiles are incredibly versatile and, especially when using a polymer blend, can have many different valuable properties to help make your … Read More
The International Organization of Standardization (ISO) sets standards for a variety of different industrial products and processes. These standards are drafted by a worldwide federation of national standards bodies and then adopted by the ISO. Different countries and groups have the responsibility for setting different standards that are then reviewed and adopted internationally. Understanding ISO test methods for textiles is … Read More
Sourcing coated textiles for your marine products means you’re certainly considering different companies and potentially considering different varieties of coatings that are applicable to your end product. While you probably have a good idea exactly what you want, here are five questions you should consider to make sure your product will work as desired and the marine fabric supplier is … Read More
When sourcing fabrics for marine safety end products, many manufacturers look to textile suppliers for various types of TPU coated nylon fabric and TPU coated polyester fabric. TPU coated nylon and polyester textiles are primarily used for inflatable life jacket bladders and for inflatable life rafts. Within the marine industry, the technical and regulatory specifications required for the end product … Read More