A new Advanced Textile Materials Laboratory costing $2 million is to open at RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia, on May 21. It will be officially opened by Kelvin Thompson MP, alongside RMIT vice-chancellor and president, Margaret Gardner, and head of the School of Fashion and Textiles, Keith Cowlishaw.
The new unit features the latest testing and development equipment including gas analysis, spectrophotometery and devices to measure the moisture and air permeability of different textiles.

Researchers and students will also have access to a Weather-Ometer so they can simulate the impact of the natural environment on textiles and a thermal mannequin to simulate the skin response of human bodies to different textiles.

Mr Cowlishaw says: “Sustainability and green certification are the future for textiles and fashion and this new laboratory will help Australia’s textile industry enhance and develop products that are both high-performing and environmentally friendly.

“We are focusing on performance apparel, the analysis of contaminants in textile materials and the establishment of a testing regime to inform environmental textile and clothing standards in Australia.
“The new equipment will be used to teach students about the impurities in textiles as well as the durability and performance of products using alternative resources, and to apply this knowledge in designing ‘green’ textile products.
“We will also work with industry to provide in-depth, quantitative assessment of sustainability by analysing carbon emissions, water quality, contamination and energy management in textile and garment designs.”