Naturally Advanced Technologies (NAT), Portland, Ore., and Vancouver, Canada, is set to provide
CRAiLAR® flax fiber to its development partners for processing into yarn and fabrics for downstream
applications. The company is processing the fiber in a facility in Kingstree, S.C., near 300 acres
of land used to cultivate fiber flax.
NAT recently completed spinning trials using Crailar flax fibers, and has teamed with
Winston-Salem, N.C.-based Hanesbrands Inc. to develop apparel products containing Crailar/ cotton
blends. NAT also has been conducting research in partnership with Hanesbrands and the U.S.
Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service to grow various flax strains and assess
their viability for use in Crailar technology. Potential applications for Crailar flax fiber
include denim, workwear, knitwear and home furnishings.
“We are fortunate to have flax fiber harvested from previous seasons available in our
warehouse, which allows us to begin production immediately,” said Ken Barker, CEO, NAT. He added
that 200 acres of flax were planted in the Kingstree area in winter 2010-11, with harvesting set
for this spring.
March/April 2011
