Fiber research in Turkey

In the wake of globalization hurricane, Turkey has lost many fiber production installations such as INSA, TEKSTİPLİK, İSTANBUL ÇORAP, SANCAK TÜL, NERGİS, POLYLEN. Despite this serious fall out, a new spring has started with many research projects supported by TÜBİTAK and other research supporting governmental bodies. The previous experience in fiber production has enabled Turkish researchers to pin point the needs and to utilize the most efficient ways to reach the beneficial results. The fiber research has started with the development of microfibers and filaments. AKSA has been truly successful in developing and producing acrylic microfibers. Polyteks and Korteks have been the pioneers as well as the major producers of polyester microfilaments. They are both today able to produce 150f300 polyester yarn with 0.5 dpf. The industry has been further developing dope dyed, special cross-sections for humidity regulation as well as monofilament polyester fibers, filaments and yarns. On the other hand, the academicians at the universities have also been working on fiber research in developing nanofibers, high water vapor absorbing fibers, fibers with special additives for conductivity, for high performance characteristics such as high tenacity, high modulus, high temperature resistance, thermo regulating. This paper will provide a birds' eye view of the fiber research carried out in Turkish industry as well as in academia.