New fabric reference material benchmark

GAITHERSBURG – Researchers at the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) have released a new fabric reference material designed to help the textile industry improve fibre identification in sorting operations and unlock higher recycling rates.

Facilities can use the material as a production quality‑control tool, particularly where complex blends and unreported fibre content create challenges for textile‑to‑textile recycling and feedstock purity.