Ethiopian Journal of Textile and Apparel

Design and Development of Smart Sandals for Visually Impaired Individuals in Nigeria, Enhancing Safety and Leveraging the Value Chain

2025-05-16T10:16:58+02:00

The high prevalence of visual impairment in Africa poses significant challenges to mobility and personal safety, particularly in environments with hazardous terrain. This study presents the design and development of smart sandals equipped with advanced technology to detect and alert users to the presence of sharp objects, thereby enhancing safety and independence for visually impaired individuals. The project adopts a value chain approach unique to Africa, integrating locally sourced materials, community-driven production processes, and innovative technology to create a sustainable and affordable solution. The smart sandals feature embedded sensors and alert systems that proactively warn users of nearby sharp objects, significantly reducing the risk of injuries. Beyond addressing safety concerns, the project fosters socioeconomic development by engaging local artisans, manufacturers, and technology developers. This inclusive approach promotes economic empowerment, job creation, and skill development while ensuring the sandals remain accessible to underserved and marginalized communities. By combining human-centered design principles with a sustainable value chain framework, this initiative underscores the transformative potential of wearable technology to improve quality of life. The project not only mitigates safety challenges for visually impaired individuals but also contributes to broader economic and social advancements across Africa, demonstrating a scalable and impactful model for innovation.

Causes of Workplace Stress and Problems in the Textile Industry, as well as Strategies for a Better Workplace: A Comprehensive Review

2025-05-16T10:17:00+02:00

Workplace stress in the textile industry is a complicated issue that has a substantial impact on employee well-being, productivity, and organizational success. Long working hours, high production demands, poor working conditions, and lack of job security are all significant contributors. Furthermore, the industry's fast-paced nature, combined with regular changes in consumer tastes and technology breakthroughs, increases staff stress. Repeated work and physical strain of textile manufacture can potentially cause burnout and health problems. Addressing these challenges requires a comprehensive approach focused on improving workplace conditions and promoting mental health. Effective strategies to create a better workplace include implementing flexible work schedules to improve work-life balance, providing access to mental health resources, investing in ergonomic equipment, encouraging open communication channels, and encouraging team building activities that promote a supportive culture. Leadership plays a crucial role in mitigating stress by actively engaging employees, recognizing their efforts, and providing opportunities for professional development. Textile companies can build a more robust workforce, lower turnover rates, and improve operational efficiency by using these tactics. Commitment to employee well-being not only generates a happier workplace, but also encourages productivity and sustainability within the textile industry.

Development and Characterization of Cotton Flame-Retardant Textiles Using Additives Made from Animal Bones

2025-05-16T10:17:02+02:00

This study investigates the use of animal bone-derived compounds used as sustainable flame-retardant agents. The study used Kombolcha Meat Industry's automatic machine to grind cleaned bones into a fine powder, then sieved to remove larger particles. Mini tab of Taguchi was used to analyze fabric FR efficiency and durability. Nano bone powder was applied to cotton fabric using the conventional pad-dry-cure method with a dispersion agent (Triton x-100) and a binder (Printofix S New, styrene acrylic copolymer) as a binder. Standardized fire testing procedures, including vertical flammability tests, limiting oxygen index (LOI), and thermal stability analysis, are used to evaluate flame-retardant behaviourof the fabric after they have been chemically treated with components derived from animal bones. To guarantee the usefulness of the treated fabrics in daily applications, their mechanical qualities, softness, and general durability are also assessed. Additional bands were detected in the FTIR spectrum at 1720 cm-1 (C=O str.) and 1258 cm-1 (P=O str.), as well as 1078 cm-1 phosphorus-based polymer produced on cotton fabric. Thermal behaviour in nitrogen atmosphere was also investigated and it was found that at 10%, 15%, and 20% bone powder concentrations, respectively, the char yield increases by 18.78%, 33.78%, and 45.39% at 600ºC and the onset temperature of deterioration of treated cotton fabric falls by 37ºC. The auto flammability test at 45 degrees showed that treated cotton fabric self-extinguishes after 18.2 seconds, contrasting with untreated fabric that burns the entire 15 cm sample length.

Development of Antifungal and UV Protective Cotton Fabric Using Green-Synthesized CuO Nanoparticles And A. Nilotica Algae Methanol Extracts

2025-05-16T10:17:02+02:00

An innovative method for functional finishing of cotton fabric combining methanol extract of A. nilotica algae with copper oxide nanoparticles. Given the continuous need to create functional cotton fabric that is both risk-free and highly effective in comparison to alternative techniques, green synthesis nanoparticles have garnered a great deal of interest in the modern world. In the present work, cotton fabric was functionalized successfully with biosynthesized copper oxide nanoparticles and Azolla nilotica algae methanol extract. Cu₂SO4 was used as a precursor and methanol extract both as a reducing agent and combined with CuO NPs, which were applied through the pad-dry-cure method. Characterization was done using SEM, XRD, TGA, FTIR spectral analysis, and UV-vis spectrophotometer. The average particle size obtained was 21.63 nm. Optimization was done using Box Behenken Design while applying the two active agents. Then, the fabric was evaluated for its antifungal and ultraviolet radiation protection. The optimum value of 20.542mm zone of inhibition of antifungal activities (C. albicans), and UPF with a value of 90.34 was obtained. Therefore, CuO NP and algae extract-coated cotton fabric can be used for medical and other antimicrobial and ultraviolet protection needed applications.

Reviving of Textile Industry in Nigeria

2025-05-16T10:17:03+02:00

Elastane Fibers in Textile Recycling – Analyzing the Product Group T-Shirts

2025-05-16T10:17:03+02:00

Garments are made of a large variety of different materials, from blended fibers to haberdashery items and colorants or finishings, making it difficult if not impossible to predict the composition of the post-consumer textile waste stream. This mix of materials complicates recycling efforts, contributing to less than 1 % of fiber-to-fiber (F2F) recycled fibers globally. To strengthen the industry’s efforts towards a more sustainable and circular textile industry, we must focus, among other things, on design for recycling and thus address the current challenges of the F2F recycling technologies.

Most garments are made from fiber blends, typically containing two or more different fibers. While beneficial for comfort and durability, fiber blends pose a significant obstacle for high quality F2F recycling. Especially the fiber elastane, though usually only present in small quantities, is a great challenge; from the detection of the fiber up to the removal and recycling of it. In a previous study, we looked at common haberdashery items on T-shirts. The following study focuses on elastane contents in T-shirts, considering the fit of the garment of several brands. The results will help to understand the product group T-shirts better and allow us to formulate ecodesign guidelines based on the current market status quo. The ecodesign guidelines will enable the garment producers to make better choices during material selection regarding design for recycling and will help shift the industry towards a circular economy.

Resilient Fashion Cooperative Marketing in Promoting Sustainable Development Goals from Global Perspectives: A Review

2025-05-16T10:17:04+02:00

This review examines the role of fashion cooperatives in achieving the SDGs, with a focus on sustainability, economic empowerment, cultural preservation, social inclusion, and community development. The fashion industry is one of the largest contributors to global waste and pollution, and is known for exploitative practices and labor violations. Drawing on both published and unpublished sources, the review synthesizes systematic, technical, economic, social, and environmental data from various secondary materials and organizational reports. This study presents both empirical evidence and theoretical insights to demonstrate that fashion cooperatives marketing a collaborative effort among businesses, non-profits, governments, and communities are an effective tool for promoting sustainable practices and addressing societal and environmental challenges. By analyzing relevant theories and empirical data, the review highlights cooperative marketing’s potential as a strategic approach to drive sustainable development and significantly contribute to the SDGs. It examines key concepts, principles, and mechanisms through which cooperative marketing can enhance SDG attainment. Cooperative enterprises, inherently sustainable and participatory, address critical global issues such as poverty, equality, employment, gender, climate change, peace, and quality education. These cooperatives operate as social and environmental enterprises, fostering democratic knowledge, social inclusion, and resilience against economic, social, environmental, and financial crises. Drawing from a variety of secondary sources, including journals, peer-reviewed articles, books, theses, and conference proceedings, the review positions cooperative marketing as a valuable strategy for achieving the SDGs and creating a sustainable, inclusive future. It provides insights for managers, practitioners, policymakers, and researchers, emphasizing the importance of cooperative marketing initiatives in advancing sustainable development. Additionally, the study calls for further research to address challenges related to social progress and GDP per capita, which remain critical priorities for leaders in government, business, and society. Overall, this review establishes fashion cooperative marketing as a powerful mechanism for achieving the SDGs and promoting a sustainable, inclusive future. These fashion cooperatives provide a platform for designers and artisans to collaborate and share resources, knowledge, and skills. Additionally, they promote ethical practices and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.