The technical textiles becoming quite important nowadays is constantly growing strongly compared to traditional textile and the garment industry. In the field of technical textiles, the intensive works are conducted by various organizations and institutions in most countries including Turkey. As a result of these studies, the technical textiles are used in such fields as the industry, the aerospace industry, the military, the maritime industry, the medicine, the construction industry and in areas that require functionality and that are used for high-tech applications. Eşref Akın, Board Member of Öztek Textile Finishing Plants Industry and Trade Co., Ltd. that has an important place in the field of technical textiles in Turkey and in the world and that is also a member of Nuclear Power Plants, answered the questions of our Publishing Group.
Stating that Öztek Textile, which was established in 1995, makes 5 million meters of fabric dyeing, printing, weaving, knitting, finishing, coating and laminating, Eşref Akın said that: "Öztek Textile is one of leading firms in field of the textile in Turkey. By focusing on R & D studies since 2001, our company started the production of technical textile which is constantly growing and developing.
Expressing that the application areas and the market share of technical textiles are expanding and that the production of technical textiles and the product variety have been gradually increasing in Turkey in parallel with the developments in world markets, Akın said that: "Today, the textile products, which used to be utilized only for clothes, have been used in such sectors as construction, agriculture, transport, defence and health purposes with multi-functional and high-performance products. We expect that the use of technical textiles and its importance in human life will expand and increase in the coming years.”
R&D Studies Are So Important for Technical Textiles
Stating that the primary objective of the textile industry is to produce high value-added, high quality, original and special products and put them on market, Akın expressed that it is necessary to give great importance to R & D for developing high value-added, innovative, competitive and technical products. In this context, Akın said that Öztek Textile produces quality, technological military textile products which can be produced only by a few companies around the world. Expressing that they determine the needs in advance and continue with innovative steps, Akın said that they produce cost effective products which meet the needs of customers.
We are developing products for the defence industry
Öztek Textile, which produces products for the defence industry developed as a result of long research and high-budget R & D studies, has an important place in this sector which grow by 20 percent each year. Saying that all of their products are patented, Akın stated that they are the first firm which produces ultra lightweight water and wind proof breathable tent and sleeping bag fabrics as a result of R & D studies carried out within Öztek Textile, in Turkey.
Stating that the products of technical textiles, called as smart products, are produced by using much more technology, Eşref Akın continued his speech as follows: We produce textiles which protect from electromagnetic waves. The staff who carries jammer are exposed to very high electromagnetic waves. We have developed fabrics that protect from electromagnetic waves in order to avoid from this situation.”. Expressing that this fabric can also be used in order to prevent area eavesdropping, Akın said that it is not possible to be eavesdropped if the mobile phone is wrapped or attached in a cell phone case. In addition, saying that they produce clothes for cold climates, Akın expressed that: "One of our most important products is lightweight, breathable C.B.R.N clothe and collective protection tent providing chemical/biological protection.
Besides these developments, we produce Multispectral Camouflage Nets providing protection against visual, thermal, night vision and radar detections, bulletproof ballistic fabrics, and vests, medical isolation tent, clean area clothes, EMI protective clothes for pregnant women, Near Infrared (NIR) fabrics and maintenance-free fabrics.”
We Make Environmentally Friendly Production
Stating that Öztek Textile, which is a company which implements the latest technological innovations in accordance with customer needs in environmental awareness for the first time in Turkey, gives importance to details in production and services, and quality understanding for the highest level with all units, Eşref Akın expressed that their machines are designed for the latest technology products and especially for the production of technical textiles and different product groups. He stated that they also make pilot production for all of the R & D carried out for such processes as weaving, dyeing, printing and finishing.
Expressing that they give importance environmental awareness in the production of advanced technology technical textiles when they choose their machines, Akın said: "We prefer fast, high quality and latest technology machines providing the production of advanced technical textile products by meeting the needs of market."
Akın finished his speech as follows: "We are the largest manufacturer of Turkey in terms of production, technology and sales volumes. The mission of Öztek Tekstil is to present the new in the best way by combining such features as innovation and technology with fashion concepts. We make investments for geo-textile fabrics. The fact that we are strong in R & D and technology makes us different. There are some works that we want to use its capacity better. We target to become one of the largest firms in the world when we reach our target."
