On Its 130th Anniversary Carrington Textiles Shows How The Role Of R&D Goes Beyond Fabric Development

Image Courtesy of Carrington Textiles

Adlington, United Kingdom: Carrington Textiles, a global leader in workwear fabric manufacturing, has survived the ups and downs of the textile industry in the UK in the last 130 years by constantly adapting to market changes and responding to the needs of customers, wherever they are in the world.

The company’s Research & Development team has been instrumental in achieving this, by adopting new and innovative ways to approach fabric development.

Kirsty White, Carrington Textiles’ Research & Development Manager explains: “Carrington Textiles understands the importance of R&D in manufacturing and we constantly strive to be innovative so we are always at the forefront of fabric development, but we also want to make sure we get it right and we put the product through its paces to guarantee the best results.”

Collaboration is one of the biggest elements of the company’s research and development strategies, and over the years more and more partners have been added to the mix to make sure the development process is more efficient.

Carrington Textiles’ research & development processes have become much more collaborative in their approach over the years, by working closely with the whole supply chain involved, including fibre producers, spinners and weavers, their manufacturing sites and customers.

“Fibre producers have the technical expertise on their specific technology, spinners and weavers have the experience in textile construction and our manufacturing sites have know-how in terms of equipment and what’s feasible to process. Customer involvement is vital for us to guarantee that our fabric development is something the market needs and is looking for”, Kirsty adds.

But R&D in manufacturing is not only important to be able to stay at the forefront of innovation, but also to use processes that are gentle with the environment and to develop fabrics that are sustainable.

Circular manufacturing is a topic the company is currently focusing on. Taking part in a number of projects collectively with universities, partners and competitors, Carrington Textiles is working to make sure the end product is reusable in some way, therefore reducing our impact on the environment.

The use of innovative fibres that reduce microplastic pollution in oceans and textile accumulation in landfills, as well as chemistry that is environmentally friendly, are some of the most recent technologies the company has been successfully trialling for their products.

Part of the textile manufacturer’s Balance Range of sustainable fabrics, Hawksbill and Orca – due to be launched in the coming months - incorporate CiCLO technology, a sustainable textiles ingredient in the form of an additive that is combined with polyester at the very beginning of the fibre making process. When CiCLO Polyester ends up in the environment either through washing or end of life of the garment, it behaves like natural fibres, in turn reducing microplastic pollution and textile accumulation.

The expansion of the company’s stretch range and the introduction of lighter, yet durable fabrics are also a key focus for Carrington Textiles’ research and development strategy.

About Carrington Textiles:

Celebrating 130 years in 2021, Carrington Textiles is one of Europe’s largest textile suppliers to the workwear market.

With bases in the UK, mainland Europe and Asia, Carrington Textiles supports many of the world’s largest employers in sectors including heavy industry, hospitality, defence and health.

Formed in Lancashire, United Kingdom, in 1891, the company continues to lead the industry in textiles for personal protective equipment.

Carrington Textiles’ current product range includes sustainable, workwear, flame retardant, waterproof and defence fabrics, with properties that include anti-viral, antistatic, high visibility, water repellency as well as protection against chemical splash, electric arc and ultraviolet radiation.

Operating in 81 countries and with a wide international network of sales representatives, customers include: NHS, McDonalds, BUPA, TATA Steel, Shell, Coca Cola, Airbus, Jaguar Land Rover, BP, Arcelor Mittal to name a few.