Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) and the Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) announce that submissions for the 2027 MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards are due Sept. 30. This awards program is exclusively open to Marine Fabricators Association (MFA) members. From design excellence to quality workmanship, MFA Fabrication Excellence Awards showcase projects that represent the breadth of the industry. [...]

Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) announced the 2026 recipients of the Outstanding Volunteer Award and the results of the call for board candidates at the Annual Meeting and Advanced Textiles Expo Preview webinar, Sept. 9. Outstanding Volunteer Award winners The Outstanding Volunteer Award program was created in 2012 and recognizes a handful of dedicated ATA volunteers, [...]

SPX Balanced Sailcloth is built with high-tenacity polyester yarns and tightly woven for integrated UV protection. Photo: Bainbridge International SPX Balanced Sailcloth is designed to provide performance, durability and value through a balanced construction with near-parity strength in warp and fill. Built with high-tenacity polyester yarns and tightly woven for integrated UV protection, it offers [...]

New Jersey Gov. Mikie Sherrill signed bill S1281 into law Aug. 27. The law prohibits the sale, manufacture and distribution of apparel and diaper products containing intentionally added PFAS beginning in 2028. Apparel The bill defines "apparel" as: Clothing items intended for regular wear or formal occasions including, but not limited to, undergarments, shirts, pants, [...]

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit has upheld the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) 2024 decision to designate some "forever chemicals" as hazardous substances. The judges ruled Aug. 18 that the EPA was within its authority to designate the chemicals as hazardous. Additionally, the court rejected [...]

The National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) released new national survey findings from 2,000 active U.S. recreational boaters. The results show that congestion at ramps and marinas, limited storage availability, and waterway maintenance issues are widespread and impacting how often Americans boat. According to the survey, 80 percent of boat owners experience congestion at their primary [...]

Registration is open for Advanced Textiles Association's (ATA's) Annual Meeting and Advanced Textiles Expo® 2026 Preview webinar, Sept. 9, 1–2 pm EDT. The webinar is free to ATA members and nonmembers. Craig Zola, chairman of the ATA Board of Directors, will provide the annual State of the Association report for fiscal year 2026, as well [...]

Registration is open for the Level Funded Health Plan: Predictable Costs, Control and Savings webinar, Sept. 2, 1–2 pm EDT. The webinar is open to Advanced Textiles Association (ATA) members only. Attendees will learn about the Major Medical Health plans available to their employees through ATA, including how level funding works and its advantages. Melissa Cook, [...]

West Marine Inc. announces that it has successfully emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy, marking the completion of its comprehensive financial restructuring. The company exits Chapter 11 with increased flexibility to continue investing in the products and services customers know them for. West Marine has reduced its debt by more than $265 million and obtained an [...]

Following an agreement between the U.S. and Canada Aug. 18, the U.S. has paused the implementation of tariffs on certain goods from Canada for three days, delaying the effective date to Aug. 22. The 50% tariffs were set to take effect Aug. 19 pursuant to Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930. They were [...]