Textile processing industry is an energy/ water/ chemical intensive industry. From fiber production through yarn and fabric manufacturing, and fabric finishing variety of additives, colorants, chemicals, water and finishing are used. Environmental hazards associated with the textile fiber processing in the form of solid waste, gaseous emissions during processing, and the released of undesired/ toxic content in processed liquor were recognized in studies. Environment- friendly processing methods and devices are desired in the development of textiles processing.

The purpose of this special issue (SI) is to addressed, describe and discuss the development coupled with the research and innovation in the important topics of textile and fiber processing. Researchers may report original research work, case studies oriented towards the development of subject, review papers, and reports elucidating the development of particular devices showing environment- friendly nature over successive stages of time.

Combination of textile technology and medical sciences has resulted into a new field called medical textiles. New areas of application for medical textiles have been identified with the development of new fibers and manufacturing technologies for yarns and fabrics. Development in the field of textiles, either natural or manmade textiles, normally aimed at how they enhance the comfort to the users. Development of medical textiles can be considered as one such development, which is really meant for converting the painful days of patients into the comfortable days.

Medical textiles are one of the most rapidly expanding sectors in the technical textile market, according to reports, and hosiery products with medical industry applications are among a long list of textile products being consumed in that market.

An important field of application of textile in medicine has been developed such as wound care and preventing chronic wounds. Bandages and wound dressings are most commonly used because they are affordable and reusable. The medical textile should have bio-compatibility, flexibility and strength.

Most of the medical textiles are prefabricated ready-to-use products. They are made from various bio-compatible skin-friendly fibres with some inherent properties and added functionalities. The added functionalities may be imparted during the production of the fibres or applied as a specialty finish to the fibre, yarn, fabric or the product itself.

Various techniques of application are required for finishing of medical textiles with specific finish that may include: coating, spraying, padding etc. Such finishes must be applied in infection-free environment or the finished product may be required to be sterilized before use. The finish to be applied may have an auxiliary function or may be an integral part of the whole product. Standard products for coating on the field of medical application are self adhesive plaster, wound dressing and compresses, plaster and bandage materials, collagen and siliconised tissues, and operation and post-operative textiles such as clothing and covers. The properties required may be hydrophobicity, hydrophilicity, alcohol repellency, water density, medicine release and nano porosity. Applications of such medical fibers may take part in various field of life to serve human being to live comfort and healthy .