In textile development regulatory requirements, effective odor control and the familiar hand feel of materials need to be considered as a whole.
On October 27th 2026 at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland, Oregon, emtec’s textile consultant Harrie Schoots will be discussing how this can be achieved using the TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer.
His presentation will explain the process of translating subjective haptic experiences into objective, measurable data with the help of the device developed by German manufacturer emtec Electronic GmbH.
The future of the textile industry is shaped by the legal landscape surrounding it. As new regulatory requirements are introduced, manufacturers need to adapt constantly. Now, antimicrobial solutions used for odor control in apparel are expected on restricted substance lists in the EU and need to be replaced by alternative chemicals.
But when the chemistry changes, the fabric may change with it. New odor-control substances are switched in at the finishing stage, which can alter softness, smoothness, hand feel and flexibility of a fabric.
Measuring the Impact of New Textile Finishes
This can have noticeable consequences, especially for underwear and athletic wear containing spandex, ranging from reduced comfort to a poorer fit and potential returns.
That’s where emtec’s TSA comes in: The device can gather essential haptic properties objectively and make it possible to measure the differences between an approved reference product and newly formulated textiles.
These include surface softness, smoothness and stiffness, as well as deformation behavior and elasticity, which can provide important insights into stretching and recovery behavior.
With the TSA textile producers, brands and suppliers can benefit from a data-based foundation for evaluating alternative chemicals and finishing formulations without losing sight of product quality.
Read More: Turning textile touch into measurable data – emtec’s TSA live at TITAS 2026 in Taipei
Virtual Haptic Data Supports Textile Approval
Additionally, the Virtual Haptic Library allows measuring data to be stored, documented and shared along the supply chain.
This supports well-informed approval decisions, accelerates development processes and helps balance regulatory compliance with consumer expectations regarding convenience and functionality.
“Stop the Stink” Examines New Odor-Control Requirements
The panel discussion aptly named “Stop the Stink” will feature experts discussing the challenges of odor control in textiles.
Listeners will be provided with an extensive overview of the legal and regulatory requirements and the new technologies aiming to help brands still meet customer expectations.
Accordingly, Harrie Schoots’ part focuses on helping textile manufacturers comply with the necessary requirements without compromising the feel of their products.
Meet emtec at Functional Fabric Fair Portland
Fellow manufacturing company Quick-Med Technologies kindly offered to provide a display area at booth number 152 at the Functional Fabric Fair 2026 for showcasing emtec’s TSA to industry visitors.
Those interested are invited to learn more about objective hand feel testing and talk to our textile expert Harrie Schoots in person on Tuesday, October 27th and Wednesday, October 28th – schedule an appointment via mail (harrie.textiles@gmail.com).
Even before the fair begins Schoots will be available for personal meetings to discover how objective haptic measurement can facilitate the transition to alternative chemicals and ensure textile product quality.
This unique opportunity serves as a space to discuss specific application questions and learn more about using the TSA in product development, quality control and the switch to alternative finishing chemicals.
