Blogs

Key takeaways EU Digital Product Passport planning for textiles highlighted the need for machine-readable product data and verifiable test evidence.   European Parliament AATCC issued a 2025 update to its Manual, and ISO released new methods covering antifungal activity and nonwovens mechanical penetration. Labs should refresh SOPs and control plans.   ISO+3aatcc.org+3aatcc.org+3 Certification and chemical management tightened. OEKO-TEX announced 2025 regulation changes. ZDHC

Key takeaways Anchor your workflow to recognised methods. Use IWTO-47  for wool diameter and IWTO-62  for length and diameter in tops and slivers for traceable results.   member.iwto.org +1 Build your quality system around ISO/IEC 17025  and report measurement uncertainty  using the GUM. This improves confidence and comparability.   ISO+1 Set calibration intervals based on risk, stability and use. NIST  does not mandate a single fixed interval.   NIST Use Interwoollabs IH Sta

Key takeaways Accurate, rapid fibre data is foundational for circular fashion. It enables sorting, blending and verification across recycled and virgin inputs.   Textile Exchange OFDA2000 and OFDA4000 provide fast, standards-aligned measurements that help reduce rework and off-spec production.   OFDA+1 Recognised methods such as IWTO-47, IWTO-62 and ISO 137 support credible quality documentation and sustainability claims.   member.iwto.org +2OFDA+2 Recycled streams are variab

Key takeaways Wool labs and mills use OFDA under recognised IWTO methods for diameter and, in tops and slivers, true length distribution.   member.iwto.org +1 Peer-reviewed alpaca studies show fibre diameter and variability are key selection traits, reinforcing the value of objective distribution data.   Frontiers New research identifies OFDA as a promising high-throughput tool for hemp fibre diameter measurement, supporting textiles and composites work.   Taylor & Francis On

Key takeaways OFDA is an optical image-analysis method recognised by IWTO for wool that can be applied to many natural and synthetic fibres with appropriate preparation, delivering rapid, distribution-level metrics (mean micron, SD, curvature). ( Woolwise ) Emerging peer-reviewed work shows OFDA’s applicability to hemp  and cotton , complementing existing methods used for bast fibres. ( tandfonline.com ) In alpaca , objective micron and curvature data support grading and bree

Key takeaways Objective, real-time data:  OFDA2000 measures fibre diameter and distribution on-farm in seconds, enabling decisions during shearing and selection. ( OFDA ) Better classing and preparation:  Using objective measures (micron, CV, comfort factor) helps build more uniform, market-aligned lines. ( awtawooltesting.com.au ) Support breeding choices:  Pair OFDA measurements with EBVs/ASBVs to select rams and ewes for target micron and lower variation over time. ( Sheep

Introduction Demand for faster, more accurate wool testing is rising across the supply chain. The OFDA4000, an Optical Fibre Diameter Analyzer developed by Robotic Vision (OFDA) brings automated imaging and analysis together to streamline laboratory workflows for tops and slivers. Traditional methods such as projection microscopy, Laserscan and Almeter have served the industry well but can be slower and more labour-intensive. This post explains where the OFDA4000 fits, how it

TL;DR (Summary Box) • The International Wool Textile Organisation (IWTO)  sets global standards for sampling, testing and reporting ( IWTO Wool Testing ). • Accurate, repeatable fibre testing underpins fair pricing, trade credibility and fleece data integrity. • OFDA (Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser)  enables objective fibre measurement (OFM) with high throughput and IWTO‑aligned workflows (overview in SGS OFDA technical note ). • Labs and producers strengthen compliance via

Flax (linen) is prized for strength, handle and sustainability. What’s harder is getting consistent, comparable measurements  of fineness and length. Unlike wool, flax doesn’t have a single, trade-wide true-length standard; instead, labs mix permeametric fineness  (airflow) and image-analysis width  methods, plus microscopy for identification. ( Iteh Standards ) This guide sets out what’s standard today, what’s evolving, and a practical OFDA-based  workflow you can apply now—

Hemp is back in the spotlight for textiles, nonwovens and composites. Yet labs and mills still face a basic problem: how to measure fineness and length consistently . Unlike wool, bast fibres lack a single, trade-standard method that everyone follows for micron/width and true length distribution. Recent reviews emphasise fragmented methods, challenging sample prep, and inconsistent outputs . ( MDPI ) This guide summarises what’s commonly measured today, where the gaps are, an

When fibre measurements drive grading, contracts or genetics, method clarity matters. Two IWTO procedures sit at the centre of reliable results: IWTO-47  — measures the mean and distribution of fibre diameter  using an Optical Fibre Diameter Analyser (OFDA) . ( member.iwto.org ) IWTO-62  — determines fibre length distribution  (true length) and diameter in wool top & slivers  using the OFDA4000 . ( member.iwto.org ) Below is a plain-English walkthrough of what each covers (an

Flax has earned its place in modern textiles for performance and sustainability, but consistent linen quality still depends on what’s...

If you work with wool or other animal fibres, getting fibre diameter (“micron”) right isn’t optional — it drives handle, processing...

Flax is enjoying renewed interest. From premium linen to bio-composites and low-impact homewares, this bast fibre sits at the...

Silk fabric has been treasured for centuries, admired for its luxurious feel, natural sheen, and remarkable strength. Originating from...

In the world of textiles, fabric quality is determined by much more than colour or pattern. The very fibres that make up a fabric its...

In the vast world of natural fibres, few have stood the test of time like flax material. Ancient civilisations spun it into linen for...

Linen has long held a place of prestige in the world of textiles. Known for its crisp feel, natural elegance, and durability, it’s the...

For thousands of years, linen fabric has been a cornerstone of civilisation; used in clothing, bedding, décor, and even mummification....

Imagine a fibre that has been cherished for thousands of years, woven through the history of civilisation, and yet is now shaping the...