The Transition from TD55 to TD57 Yarn Sizing
After many years of success with our well-known VTX sizing reference of yarn, VCY TD55, it became clear that change was necessary. Despite the positive feedback we received from customers who relied on TD55, time and market demands drove us to reassess our approach. The evolution of the market and the growing competitive pressure, particularly from companies able to achieve similar yarn performance with a reduced number of twists, has been a driving force behind our push to innovate.
A Response to Market Challenges:
For years, TD55 was our go-to solution, but as competitors reduced twist numbers while maintaining similar yarn performance, we saw a need to evolve while maintaining the high quality that our customers have come to expect.
The competitive pressure grew, pushing us to modernize TD55. Three years ago, we began working on a new sizing formula to improve yarn performance, reduce twist numbers, and meet the high standards of the PVC-coated fabric industry, all while addressing the need for cost reduction without compromising quality.
A Collaborative Approach to Innovation
The journey toward the new TD57 sizing formula has been challenging due to the wide variety of PVC coating technologies by our customers and diverse fabric needs. A key advantage was our collaboration with Adfors, a trusted partner in sun and insect screen production. Their expertise in testing sizing materials and evaluating yarn performance, particularly PVC adhesion and fabric defect rates quantification that is hard to express, was invaluable in this process.
Reaching the Finish Line: TD57
Through extensive trials and evaluations, Vetrotex developed the TD57 sizing formula, which significantly improves PVC adhesion and allows us to reduce twist numbers in our yarns without negatively affecting performance. TD57 enables a 25% reduction in twist for standard yarns references and up to 50% in specific cases, making the production process more efficient and cost-effective for customers. The requalification process from TD55 to TD57 is in progress currently, and hopefully will be terminated until the end of 2025.
"As we continue to innovate and push the boundaries of what’s possible, TD57 represents a major milestone in our commitment to providing high-performance solutions. By reducing twist numbers while maintaining the quality our customers expect, we are not only staying ahead of the curve but also empowering our partners to meet the challenges of a competitive market with greater efficiency." says Vraspir Pavel, Director of Research and Development at Vetrotex