As cities and municipalities grapple with aging infrastructure, the need for sustainable solutions becomes increasingly important. Cure-In-Place Piping (CIPP) is a revolutionary method that provides significant environmental and economic benefits. This trenchless technology has gained popularity for reducing environmental disruption and material waste, making it a more sustainable solution for pipeline rehabilitation. In this article, we’ll explore the many benefits of Cure-In-Place Piping and how it contributes to greener infrastructure.
What is Cure-In-Place Piping (CIPP)?
CIPP is a trenchless method used to repair damaged pipelines by inserting a resin-saturated felt liner into the existing pipe. The liner is then cured in place using heat, water, or UV light, forming a seamless, jointless pipe within the existing infrastructure. Once cured, the newly formed pipe is strong and durable, restoring the pipeline’s structural integrity while eliminating the need for extensive excavation.
The materials used in CIPP play a critical role in its effectiveness and environmental benefits. Companies like Bouckaert Industrial Textiles (BIT) specialize in producing felt liners for CIPP applications. These liners are often made from a blend of fiberglass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers, which are known for their strength and durability. The blend of these materials not only improves the overall performance of the liner but also enhances the environmental benefits of the CIPP process. By providing a robust liner that, once impregnated with resin, creates a pipe with greater strength and longevity, BIT is helping ensure that CIPP repairs are built to last.
Environmental Benefits of CIPP
Reduced Excavation and Environmental Disruption
Traditional pipe replacement involves large-scale digging, which can devastate landscapes, disrupt local ecosystems, and contribute to soil displacement and waste. In urban areas, excavation also means tearing up roads, sidewalks, and other infrastructures, leading to increased material waste and environmental impact.
CIPP, however, eliminates the need for extensive digging. The repair happens from within the existing pipe, minimizing disruption to the surrounding environment. This not only helps preserve natural landscapes but also reduces the amount of waste material generated from excavation. In many cases, CIPP can be completed with only small access points, significantly reducing the project’s footprint on the environment.
Lower Carbon Footprint
The process of digging up and replacing pipes involves heavy machinery, increased transportation needs, and higher energy consumption. These factors collectively contribute to higher carbon emissions. Traditional pipeline replacement methods often require multiple machines to excavate, transport waste, and lay new pipes. This extended use of equipment increases fuel consumption and results in higher greenhouse gas emissions.
By avoiding these resource-intensive steps, CIPP projects can reduce their carbon footprint significantly. According to estimates, trenchless technologies like CIPP can lower carbon emissions by up to 85% compared to traditional methods. Research conducted by the Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University highlights the long-term environmental and cost-saving benefits of using trenchless methods for infrastructure repairs
The ability to complete a project without the need for large-scale machinery not only conserves fuel but also contributes to cleaner air by reducing emissions from construction vehicles.
Efficient Use of Materials
CIPP’s material efficiency is another factor that makes it an environmentally friendly option. Traditional methods require removing old pipes and replacing them with new ones, which generates significant waste and demands new raw materials like plastic, concrete, and steel. These materials have their own environmental costs, from extraction to manufacturing and transportation.
With CIPP, the existing pipe is retained, and the only materials needed are the resin and felt liner used to create the new pipe. By using the original pipeline as a mold, CIPP eliminates the waste associated with disposing of old pipes and minimizes the need for new materials. BIT’s use of fiberglass and PET blends for their felt liners provides an additional layer of sustainability. Fiberglass offers exceptional strength and temperature resistance, while PET, a recyclable plastic, ensures durability and contributes to a lighter environmental load. These materials are not only high-performance but also offer a longer-lasting solution, reducing the frequency of future repairs.
Water Conservation
Pipelines, especially older ones, are prone to leaks, leading to the loss of significant volumes of water over time. Water loss from leaky pipes is not only wasteful but also leads to increased energy use, as more water needs to be treated and pumped through the system to meet demand. CIPP addresses this issue by creating a watertight, seamless pipe that eliminates leaks and prevents further water loss.
By preventing leaks, CIPP helps conserve water and reduces the strain on water treatment facilities, which in turn conserves energy. The more efficient a pipeline system, the less energy is required to treat and distribute water, which contributes to lower carbon emissions overall.
Reduced Traffic and Energy Consumption
The shorter project duration of CIPP not only leads to less fuel consumption and lower emissions but also results in reduced traffic congestion. In many cities, pipeline repairs can cause road closures and traffic disruptions, forcing vehicles to idle in traffic or take longer routes, which increases fuel consumption. With CIPP, the need for road closures and extended construction timelines is minimized, leading to less disruption for commuters and lower overall energy use during the project.
Longevity and Durability of CIPP Repairs
One of the most significant environmental benefits of CIPP is the longevity of the repairs it provides. Once cured, the newly formed pipe is resistant to corrosion, cracking, and root intrusion, all of which are common issues in older pipelines. The durability of CIPP repairs reduces the need for future interventions, meaning fewer resources are needed to maintain the pipeline over time. Many CIPP installations can last for 50 years or more, making it a long-term solution that minimizes the frequency of repairs and the associated environmental costs.
By using fiberglass/PET blends for their felt liners, BIT enhances the strength of CIPP installations. This increased strength ensures that pipelines can withstand greater pressure and environmental stresses, further extending their lifespan and reducing the need for repairs. The combination of fiberglass and PET offers superior tensile strength, making it ideal for high-stress applications where durability is essential.
Protecting Ecosystems and Reducing Pollution
Traditional pipe replacement can result in the release of dust, debris, and potentially harmful materials into the environment. In some cases, excavating pipelines near waterways can introduce contaminants into the water supply, threatening local ecosystems. CIPP minimizes these risks by containing the repair process within the existing pipe, reducing the potential for pollutants to enter the environment.
Additionally, because CIPP does not require extensive excavation, it avoids disturbing nearby ecosystems. Whether the pipeline runs through a forested area or under a city street, the trenchless nature of CIPP ensures that the surrounding environment is preserved during the repair process.
Conclusion
As the world shifts toward more sustainable practices, Cure-In-Place Piping offers a greener, more efficient solution for pipeline rehabilitation. Its ability to reduce environmental disruption, lower carbon emissions, conserve water, and extend the life of pipelines makes it an environmentally responsible choice for infrastructure projects. By leveraging cutting-edge materials like BIT’s fiberglass and PET blends, CIPP installations provide enhanced durability and long-term performance, ensuring that repairs are both sustainable and built to last.
Bouckaert Industrial Textiles plays a key role in advancing these green initiatives by supplying high-quality felt liners that contribute to the environmental benefits of CIPP. As more cities and industries embrace trenchless technology, CIPP will continue to be a vital tool in the effort to create greener, more resilient infrastructure.
In the world of pipeline rehabilitation, cure-in-place piping (CIPP) has emerged as a revolutionary solution. This trenchless method has gained significant popularity due to the many benefits it provides, the most important being eliminating the need for costly and disruptive pipeline excavations. Many tools and materials are utilized in the process of cure-in-place piping, but the material that makes the magic happen is the felt lining that creates the repair for the already-existing pipe. In this comprehensive guide, we delve into the fundamental aspects of CIPP, the technology it utilizes, and why felt is so important to this process.
For those visual learners here is a quick introductory video from NASSCO (the CIPP/trenchless trade association). For more depth, keep reading!
What is CIPP?
The focus of CIPP is to repair damaged pipelines without the need for complete replacement and costly excavation. CIPP is primarily employed in sewer and wastewater systems but could be used elsewhere. The process of CIPP involves inserting a liner with a thermosetting resin into the existing pipeline. This liner will conform to the shape and size of the pipe, and it is then saturated with resin. The liner is inflated using water or air pressure to press the liner against the walls of the existing pipe. The resin is then cured using heat or ultraviolet light, which essentially creates a new pipe inside the old pipe. This cured liner provides a smooth and durable interior surface that can restore the flow capacity and structural integrity of the pipeline.
What are the benefits of CIPP?
CIPP is a relatively new technology, and there are many benefits that have caused its surge in popularity.
Cost-Effectiveness
CIPP is significantly more cost-effective than other repair methods. CIPP eliminates the need for extensive digging, which reduces labor costs and expenses associated with restoring the excavated area. Additionally, the shorter project duration and reduced downtime contribute to cost savings.
Minimal Disruption
CIPP is a trenchless technology, meaning it requires minimal excavation or disturbance to the surrounding environment. This makes it particularly appealing in densely populated regions, urban areas, or locations with sensitive ecosystems.
Faster Installation
CIPP offers faster installation times compared to traditional methods. Once the liner is inserted into the host pipe, the curing process can be completed relatively quickly.
Versatility
CIPP can be applied to many types of pipes since it is suitable for a wide range of pipe materials, diameters, and configurations. This versatility makes CIPP an attractive option since it provides a flexible solution for rehabilitating several types of pipelines.
Longevity and Durability
The cured-in-place liner creates a new layer within the existing pipe, which enhances its strength and durability. The liner is typically resistant to corrosion, abrasion, and chemical degradation, prolonging the pipeline’s lifespan.
Environmental Benefits
The process of CIPP reduces soil disruption, minimizes the release of pollutants, and conserves natural resources. Additionally, CIPP eliminates the need for transporting and disposing of old pipes, further reducing carbon emissions and waste generation.
Why has CIPP grown so popular?
The growth in popularity of CIPP is due to the advanced technology that allows the process to have many benefits among other rehabilitation methods. From the materials used in CIPP to how the process is performed, these differences put CIPP ahead. Installation techniques like inversion, pull-through, and lateral lining have been refined to ensure accurate placement and eliminate errors. Quality control and inspection technologies further eliminate any room for error to create a more seamless process. These technologies can include things from robotic crawlers to cameras and sensors. Additionally, materials used in the process allow for the durability and longevity of CIPP repairs. Advancements in UV light curing technology have allowed for faster curing times, further speeding up the process.
However, the most important aspects of CIPP are the precise lining and the resin used to solidify it. Improvements made in the resin technology also allow for faster curing times, but more importantly, this ensures better adhesion to the host pipe. This is important because it strengthens the final product. Finally, the blend of high-quality liner materials is the most important aspect of the CIPP process. Different blends of materials are created to perform different tasks within the repair. This depends on the preferred performance of the repair. The ability to formulate different blends specific to repair goals significantly adds to the versatility of CIPP repairs.
What type of felt is used in this process?
There are many blends of material that can be used for CIPP, but the specific type of felt liner chosen depends on the application, pipe diameter, and project requirements.
Polyester Felt Liner: Polyester felt liners are widely used in CIPP applications. They are made from non-woven polyester fibers that are needle-punched to create a durable and flexible material. They offer excellent strength, stability, and resistance to chemicals and abrasion. These felt liners are suitable for various pipe sizes and provide reliable structural reinforcement.
Fiberglass Felt Liner: Fiberglass felt liners consist of a non-woven mat of fine fiberglass fibers that can be bonded together using resin or fiberglass mechanical needling. Fiberglass felt liners are known for their high strength and resistance to corrosion and chemicals. They provide excellent structural support and are often used in larger-diameter pipe rehabilitation projects.
Blended Felt Liner: Blended felt liners are a combination of different fibers, such as polyester and fiberglass. These liners utilize the strengths of each material, providing a balance between strength and durability. Blended felt liners offer improved performance characteristics and are often chosen for challenging pipe rehabilitation projects.
How do I choose the correct CIPP felt lining manufacturer?
Choosing the right lining material for your CIPP needs depends on your specific goals and expectations for your repair. Making sure you choose a felt manufacturer that can create high-performance blends is extremely important to ensure the job gets done correctly.
For over three decades, Bouckaert Industrial Textiles has established itself as a trusted manufacturer of nonwoven felt. At BIT, we manufacture custom needle punch nonwoven felt, as well as three types of CIPP liners starting at 6 ounces per square yard and 1 millimeter thick and going as high as 75 ounces per square yard and ½ inches thick. We are committed to helping our customers create the materials to meet their needs!
Situated in Rhode Island, our plant can produce a diverse range of felt products, thanks to our commitment to custom manufacturing. Everything is made in the USA, and our customers will experience no supply chain interruptions while receiving top-quality materials.
Whichever blend of high-quality materials is needed to meet your goals, we can help you manufacture it.
Have questions or want to source materials from Bouckaert Industrial Textiles for your CIPP application? Reach out to us!
There are more than 1.4 billion cars on the road today. So, it is no surprise that the automotive industry is one of the largest in the world in terms of revenue and employment.
Each of these vehicles require a significant number of resources such as steel, rubber, plastic, and aluminum. These raw materials go into everything from the engine to the circuit boards that control the car’s onboard computer system.
One of the often-overlooked parts needed in manufacturing a car is automotive felt.
What Is Automotive Felt?
Automotive felt is any type of felt that goes into the manufacturing of automotive vehicles. Truthfully, this is a very broad definition as vehicles may use many different types of felt.
However, automotive felt differs from the ordinary felt that your grandma uses to make slippers in one important way – it has to be extremely precise.
Vehicle manufacturers are notorious for being extremely selective about the quality of materials that go into their vehicles. This is why manufacturers who work in the automotive industry need to ensure that every single piece of product that leaves their line needs to meet rigorous standards.
These standards are the same with automotive felt.
How Is Automotive Felt Used?
Automotive felt is used all throughout the vehicle from the engine to the trunk. And these applications are not all for the same purpose.
Some automotive felt is used as acoustical material to reduce the sound outside of the vehicle. Other felt is used as thermal insulation to keep parts of the engine from getting too hot.
Vehicle Headliner
Headliners cover the ceiling of a vehicle to hide the bare metal and electronics.
The headliner is a very important part of any car because it also adds a layer of acoustic properties to diminish sounds outside of the vehicle.
Felt is often used to add protection to these electronics and then it is covered with a stretchy woven fabric such as nylon or cotton to make the headliner.
Thermal Insulation
One of the most common problems when manufacturing a vehicle is finding areas where the heat of the engine is disrupting other parts of the car.
Automotive felt is a great solution to this because of felt’s thermal properties.
Car manufacturers will often find hotspots that need to be cooled down and felt has proven one of the most cost-effective ways to do this.
Trunk Liner
Trunk liners are the material used to protect your trunk against damage from dirt or spills.
Trunk liners needs to be inexpensive, durable, and able to be molded into the perfect shape to fit different styles of trunks.
Automotive felt fits each of these characteristics which is why you will find this fuzzy nonwoven felt in so many trunks.
Vehicle Air Filtration
You will often find felt used in the air filtration systems in cars because one of felt’s many great properties is in its ability to filtrate both liquids and gases.
So, the next time you take a big breath of clean air in your car, you can thank automotive felt!
Door Panels
Doors are often filled with thick, airy felt to add an extra layer of acoustical insulation to vehicles.
Felt allows doors to reduce the sound of the road while maintaining a relatively light weight so as to not add additional strain on door hinges.
Buzz, Squeak & Rattle
Even with all of the previously mentioned applications for felt in vehicles, car manufacturers still use it as a last resort when something in the car buzzes, squeaks, or rattles.
Automotive felt’s large list of beneficial characteristics allows it to be used in the nooks and crannies of cars where wires may wiggle, or buttons may jiggle.
Choosing An Automotive Felt Manufacturer
Choosing the right automotive felt manufacturer can be a challenge as many felt manufacturers specialize in only a small range of densities.
Another problem arises in the fact that automotive felt needs to have a very low margin of error.
Felt manufacturers who usually focus on other industries such as clothing or filtration will have trouble getting their machines to make products with minimal variations.
Bouckaert Industrial Textiles has been a leading manufacturer of nonwoven felt for more than 30 years.
Our plant, located in Rhode Island, has the capability to manufacture a wide range of felt specifications because of our focus on custom manufacturing.
Whether you need extremely dense, fire-resistant felt for thermal insulation or thick and fluffy felt for door panels, we can help you manufacture it.
Restaurants, bars, cafes, hotels; we leave the comfort of our homes to indulge in these spaces.
COVID-19 restrictions have eased and the long-desired opportunity to frequent our forgotten social lives is now present. Properly designed noise control measures in your public spaces can make a difference between a returning customer and a bad Yelp review in these post pandemic times.
Sound: A Health Risk
We cannot escape noise. Our daily lives are inundated with a variety of sounds from the landscapers outside our homes to the swirling conversations surrounding us at the bar.
The most serious potential risks to our health are:
hearing loss
hearing impairment
tinnitus
But the most pervasive effects trigger issues with our physiological health.
Fact: Sound levels above 85 dB are considered harmful. Exposure to sound levels at or above 120 dB can cause immediate damage.
Sound disrupts our sleep, concentration, heightens our stressors by releasing cortisol, elevates blood pressure and heart rate…
And, to put it simply, too much sound is annoying. We don’t see noise or feel it, so we write off issues as non-noise induced. But for the average guest, noisy spaces make for uncomfortable environments.
Why So Noisy?
The number one complaint when dining out is poor service. The second is noise.
So when did the hospitality industry become so noisy? And why?
The trending upward levels of noise may have started in the mid-1990s with well known chef Mario Batali when he began playing the music in the kitchen and dining area. Now it has become commonplace to amp up the volume to create a “buzz” that draws people in.
It has also become a tactic for quicker turnaround. Research has shown that restaurant and bar owners use excessive levels of noise because it pushes patrons to eat faster thereby leaving sooner.
All five of our senses influence our perceived reality of not only places, but the food and drinks we consume. But further scientific research has shown evidence that noise interferes with our sense of taste. Because noise is a distractive nuisance, it becomes easy to mess with the senses.
Other purposeful choices in décor amplify noise. Modern design trends are the greatest conductors of sound. Gone are the days of plush booths and tablecloths; elements of style that helped dampen noisy spaces. Substituted with glass tables and bare floors, sound now bounces around freely with little absorption opportunities.
Where to Look for Acoustic Problems
To understand sound, it is good to know the basics of how sound travels.
Sound is vibrational energy. There is direct sound which travels directly from the source to the receiving end (for example, you and your partner talking over breakfast in your apartment). And then there is reflected sound. Reflected sound is direct sound bouncing off walls, floors and other mediums. The reflected sound is what gives us reverberations or echo. And why sound becomes exasperated in most spaces.
Think of a disco ball except with loud music, kitchen sounds, employees working, and the rolling conversations all overlap and bounce off one another making for, “Say that again” and “I can’t hear you” staple quotes of the night.
Sound treatment can be expensive. Hiring acoustic engineers and sound consultants can drive up the price. And altering your already designed interior can create issues for an already established institution.
There are simple ways to addressing noise issues without mind blowing renovations. First, taking inventory of intentional noise practices (as we mentioned, loud music) coupled with the décor of your space will help you pinpoint where sound is amplified.
Keep in mind the materials in your space (hard materials like steel or glass are non-absorbing) and the landscape of your interior. A cheap alternative to testing for room acoustics is a simple clap test. In your space, clap your hands together and wait to hear for the initial “slap” followed by its echo. The longer the sound continues, the more reverberation time your room holds. It’s an easy way to hear for where your acoustical problems lie.
Balancing Noise Levels with Acoustic Treatment
Thankfully, acousticissues in your space are not a unique problem. And most acoustic insulation solutions do not have to take away from the defined aesthetic of your brand.
The addition of acoustic panels improves sound quality by reducing the amount of reflected sound. Materials like PET (recycled polyester) absorb sound waves, dampening the sound by transferring the vibrational energy into kinetic energy, or heat. And they come in a variety of forms. Placing your acoustic panels accordingly (and relative to your space and its dimensions), you can effectively mitigate noise.
What Types of Acoustic Panels are Best for You?
Sound is the main issue. Turning off the music won’t change sound traveling. To find the right acoustic treatment, you need to take these things in to consideration:
Dimensions of your space (high ceilings, etc.)
Furniture materials, flooring, windows, doors
Noise absorbing material and “dead” space
Keep in mind the tone of your space. Acoustic panels do not have to dull the vibe; with so many options and designs, you can enhance without compromise.
Here are some acoustic solutions that can fit in to your space.
Acoustic Panels and Art
Acoustic panels can be any size and shape, placed in a variety of configurations at designated reflections points. In this scenario, less can be more, enhancing walls with modern visuals.
Acoustic panels can also double as artwork. Stock photos or custom images can be printed onto any size panel to give you a piece of artwork that works as your sound dampening tool. And in our post-COVID world, you can utilize acoustic panels as custom dividers (movable or fixed) for designated areas that will buffer sound and maintain safety regulations. They can also act like booths without the bulky nature.
Ceiling Baffles and Clouds
To better your bar and restaurant guests’ experience, hanging acoustic solutions can mitigate noise in a non-conspicuous manner. Or conspicuous: they are perfect examples of how to create artistic focal points in your space. Depending on shape and size, they are effective at tuning out unwanted noise in greater ranges of angles.
Plus, they can double as lighting fixtures, creating a two for one in your space’s décor.
Absorbent Furniture
One product, multiple functions. Sound absorbing furniture works well for physical comfort and sound buffering. In modern and sleek establishments, complimenting stark lines with plush furniture in lobby and rest areas soften trending contemporary styles and invite your patron so stay.
You Don’t Need to Reinvent the Wheel for Sound Management
Rendering your space acoustically “healthy” for patrons (and employees) can be easy without re-designing.
At BIT, we manufacture our Poly-Sonic Acoustic panel line to meet any acoustical need. Our panels are 100% polyester, free of any fiberglass or VOC, and customizable for all specialized products. From rolled good to hanging baffles, our partially recycled acoustic panels create top quality finished products.
The American economy would not be what it is today without outsourced manufacturing. But is it essential to the health of our industries?
What was once a cost-effective solution is now facing problems. Emerging regulation standards, longer lead times, rising shipping costs, and quality control issues are plaguing the global manufacturing industry. Whether you work with domestic manufacturers or not, sourcing decisions should be backed by careful analysis to avoid costly repercussions. Here is why staying in America can alleviate most issues concerning supplier relationships.
Keeping Manufacturing in America
Buying local is more than a transactional act of patriotism. And although the upfront cost may be higher, its best to remember that cheaper does not always mean better. In fact, according to a recent Thomasnet.com survey of manufactured goods buyers (given the current post-covid economy), over 83% of companies are looking to re-shore their supply chain within the next 3 to 6 months.
Here are the benefits of using a domestic manufacturer.
Higher Labor and Manufacturing Standards
Labor costs were the initial reason for the major trend in outsourcing that began in the later 1970s. Up until 2011, America witnessed millions of jobs move overseas to China. Today, we see a moving wage gap shrinkage between America and its foreign competitors every day (with global wages increasing by 20% year after year).
When addressing the issue of labor costs, you must consider the whole picture. High employee turnover associated with low labor wage costs typically results in low productivity. On paper, it looks mathematically sound to partner with an international manufacturer who makes a product for $4 an hour vs $20+ domestically. But the money saved will be tested by production rate issues associated with low labor costs. Not to mention the hassle of dealing with poor currency exchange rates.
In the United States, employers comply with the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) enacted in 1938 as a federal guideline for reasonable working wages and conditions. As a business, protecting your brand by working with morally compliant manufacturers benefits your company’s reputation (and your conscience).
“On-shoring” is making an economic comeback with a newfound desire for locally sourced goods. At BIT, we carefully manufacture our industrial grade felt for industrial application according to SAE and ASTM mandated standards. We guarantee quality control, provide samples, and welcome plant visits (all facilitated by transparent communication without any time-zones to maneuver).
Supplier Relationship Opportunities
Fostering a long-distance relationship with your manufacturer can be tricky; differing time zones and language barriers can lead to costly communication issues. Proximity to your supplier reaps the benefits of quick response times, so if there is an issue, it can be addressed with little to no repercussions. You also have the personal touch of meeting face to face with your supplier, giving you the firsthand opportunity to oversee the facility and operations.
Building a rapport with your manufacturer can lead to growing business opportunities. Recently, we were able to produce and color match our Poly-Sonic acoustic panel felt for our sound abatement customer located on the west coast. From a plant visit, their supply chain team witnessed our production line firsthand. This key insight provided them with a new line of upholstered materials to match their current acoustic panel line.
Shorter Lead Times with Lower Shipping Costs
More companies have begun “re-shoring” jobs in the past ten years due (in part) to unreliable international shipping costs. Less than 1% of goods travel by air to the United States. 99% of the rest of all goods arrive here by container. It can take anywhere from 2 weeks to 2 months for product arrival by boat. If shipping wasn’t costly enough, COVID had only exasperated prices with considerable surges in container freight rates at the height of the pandemic. Just as we believed business was normalizing, incidents like the Suez Canal in March prompted a new price surge re-emphasizing the uncontrollable nature of overseas shipping. If that does not complicate things enough, extra add-ons to your overall cost include local tariffs, customs and duty taxes.
The cost of transporting goods from the point of sale ultimately adds up to time. Can you meet the demand of your customers with the given supply of your manufacturer within a proposed time-period? Unlike labor wage costs, quantifying international shipping can be tricky and lead to missed ship dates or, worse, missing inventory. There is little to no control over maritime trade. And without the proper regulations in place, it might as well be impossible to know when your shipment will arrive in adequate condition. Economic/geopolitical disruptions, competition with foreign markets, and weak currency further complicate getting your product to its end destination.
Domestic manufacturers can (potentially) bypass long lead times without the hassle of unwanted shipping costs, proving to be the most economical choice.
Tight Quality Control
Most companies partake in low-cost country resourcing to take advantage of available and cheap resources. With the added bonus of a low wage cost. But cut-down on operational expenses is easily disrupted by supply chain mishaps and unforeseen foreign barriers (geographical and political). As those are issues out of your control, the lack of quality control on product specs and regulations is slowly becoming a dangerous risk.
Knowing what could go wrong before it goes wrong should be detailed in advance to then formulate quality processes and policies relevant to your company. Minimizing overhead costs is appealing but can result in lower-quality materials managed by inexperienced workers leaving you with a not-so-great product.
This is not to say that every overseas manufacturer is a poor-quality choice. In recent years, international manufacturers have elevated production to mimic the standards and expertise of western principles. But most companies still fall short of properly executed quality policies and plans. With little to no insight into the production’s facility, relying on foreign companies to regulate in the name of your brand is risky. Good questions to ask yourself before engaging in business with any manufacturer (domestic or not) are:
Have they made this product before and under these regulations?
Not only have they produced them, but can they produce in mass production?
Are they able to ship to you on time?
Do they allow company quality checks?
We have worked with a handful of customers who have received acoustic panels from Chinese manufacturers with failure to test the finished product. Acoustic panels must pass a surface flammability test, testing both surface flame spread and smoke development (expressed as Flame Spread Index and Smoke Developed Index). You can read about our acoustic panel line with relative technical documentation here on our website.
To recertify the proper testing, the company chose to re-test the acoustic panels in-house upon arrival. Unfortunately for these clients, the quality control tests they were promised were never met, leaving the supplier and buyer at loggerheads over quality. After 3 months and threatened legal action, the refund from the supplier could not make up for robbed time and potential of a ruined reputation.
Diminish Risk with a Domestic Manufacturer
Like anything in life, you get what you pay for. And what you pay for has everything to do with overall product quality; from the sourced raw materials to the expertise of employees to the operational standards of the factory.
Localizing your choice of manufacturer places control back into your hands. And with a supply chain in sight, you can guarantee your company’s credibility all while promoting the local economy.
Interested in finding out if Bouckaert Industrial Textiles can help you re-shore your non-woven supply chain like we have so many others? Contact us today!
In design, sound matters. The function of a space is not determined by its aesthetics only but also by the sounds it makes.
“Sound may be invisible or only unconsciously perceived, but that doesn’t make it any less an architectural material than wood, glass, concrete, stone or light.” – Michael Kimmelman.
Sound inextricably becomes attached to function. But because design begins first on paper, it isn’t until we inhabit a room that we determine how to relegate noise.
The growing popularity of decorative acoustic felt panel installation proves that balancing the acoustics of a space does not have to clash with its original design elements. Although it’s true one size does not fit all when it comes to acoustic treatment, polyester felt is proving to be the choice material for acoustic felt panels by the design industry.
What is PET?
Polyethylene terephthalate, or PET, is a thermoplastic polymer resin comprised of recycled transparent plastics. PET is frequently referred to as polyester in textile applications but retains its acronym PET regarding packaging, bottling, etc.
Polyester was first patented in the 1940s by Dupont chemists in Delaware, U.S.A, as a new textile fiber. It wasn’t until the 1970s that new technology made it possible to mold PET into bottles. Today, it is the number one recycled plastic worldwide.
PET is highly flexible in its natural state and therefore easily moldable for its end use depending upon how it is processed. Its applications as the number one recycled plastic range from food packaging and bottling to fabrics to thermoforming in manufacturing and automotive insulation.
The textile industry is a significant end-user of PET, making up about 60% of overall PET consumption.
What is Polyester Felt?
Polyester felt is made of recycled PET plastics, mostly water bottles or other single-use products. The recycled material is compressed and melted down until left with plastic flakes. The plastic bits are then remelted and extruded as fiber. This fiber is then used to produce rolls or sheets of PET textile material, similar in any felting process. It can contain anywhere from 0% to 100% recycled content. Not only is it sustainable, but it is fast becoming the premium choice for sound dampening performance in lieu of other traditional materials, like fiberglass.
Polyester felt’s lightweight durable nature (combined with an additional lower melting point ) create the ideal properties for acoustic felt panel design. Its capability to be easily cut, variety of color options, and limitless forms are making polyester acoustic panels part of the visual landscape in modern interior design.
Benefits of Using Polyester Felt in Acoustic Insulation
When we design for sound, we are designing for experience. Before, implementing sound insulation into already existing spaces meant the only solution was to hang unattractive hanging baffles and deal with the eyesore.
Now, polyester felt delivers an appealing design in junction with high-functioning performance rates of acoustic insulation.
There is a symphony of reasons the design industry is choosing polyester felt over any other material; acoustically, environmentally, and aesthetically.
Excellent Acoustic Performance
While it is possible, it is challenging to include acoustic design into a space before it has been occupied. In most cases, sound is the last piece an architect will fit into the puzzle. Knowing how a room will be used and where the potential challenges will be for sound issues are essential pieces of the puzzle to negotiate when implementing acoustic solutions. The building layout may not be flexible, but the acoustic solutions can be.
Polyester acoustic felt soaks up ambient noise in a variety of forms. Do you need to mitigate noise in your office conference room? Consider hanging acoustic clouds strategically over spots where noise reflection is at its highest. Are your gym guests experiencing an overload of noise in a large open floor plan? Ceiling baffles would work best here, especially when dealing with higher ceilings.
Using polyester acoustic felt to your best advantage involves finding your key sources of noise and adopting different paneling styles to adapt to the parameters that will help aurally orient your space.
Appealing Function in Design
If, as Kimmerman claims, sound is as vital as wood is for building framing, how far can we take acoustic solutions? Structural possibilities with PET are far-reaching. Its flexible form can be bent, molded, and shaped to any design for an assortment of interior applications, including furniture and lighting fixtures. Designers can exercise creative freedom with a host of different color options and texture choices (dependent on manufacturing methods).
Felt itself is a nuanced fabric that works to your elemental design. You can play it safe and subtle, blending your acoustic felt panels into the background or creating statement pieces that accentuate your already developed design theme. Acoustic insulation can be as simple as under-carpeting or as intricate as 3D ceiling baffles.
Ultimately, polyester felt complements a space without compromising it.
The Sustainable Choice
It is estimated that Americans alone throw away upwards of 35 billion plastic bottles a year. And subsequently, roughly 8 million tons of plastic end up in our oceans. But a major culprit of waste is the textile industry adding billions of pounds of waste to our landfills and depleting energy and water resources.
Reworking the end-use for so many single-use plastic products (and the proposed 95% of all textiles that do have the potential to be recycled), PET is the friendliest raw material in textile applications (among other industries) as well as the healthiest.
Polyester needle punch felt is manufactured without the demand for any chemical additives like glue or resin to bond the fibers. Furthermore, polyester felt does not give off VOCs or odors. This makes it safe for indoor use (able to meet building standards and certifications) while requiring fewer energy resources in the manufacturing process.
The amount of recycled content in PET material can vary from 0% to 100%, depending on the providing manufacturer’s specs and the customer’s desire for a “greener” source. It is not only recyclable at the end of its life but possibly reusable dependent on its modularity.
Designing for the Ears
The acoustic properties of a space have a significant impact on its residents. Managing unwanted noise by integrating acoustic solutions promotes your community’s overall wellness and health, whether it be at home or in your commercial office building.
In the acoustic design process, custom is the standard. Finding the best product for your project starts with making the quality choice of polyester felt. At BIT, we manufacture 100% polyester acoustic panels under our Poly-Sonic line. Each panel has a recycled content of at least 60% PET plastic and is made entirely in the US in our facilities.
Poly-Sonic acoustic felt provides fantastic sound quality that is available in any weight, thickness, or color necessary to meet your specialized products’ demands. We also provide rolled goods that can be molded into any form of acoustic panel solutions or used as a wrapping fabric for other soft-touch surfaces, so the design process is entirely yours.
Acoustics should be a part of your building design, whether you choose to stay traditional or seek out artful installations. Contact us today to learn more about our Poly-Sonic line and how you can begin designing your space for both eyes and ears.
