Abstract: Provided herein is a method of removing hair from a textile article or the like. The method comprises providing a solid or liquid composition comprising sodium hydroxide, dispersing the solid or liquid concentrate in an aqueous medium that is contacted with the textile article or the like, such that the concentration of sodium hydroxide in the aqueous medium is 1-15% w/w, and maintaining the aqueous medium in contact with the textile article or the like at a temperature between 10° C. and 120° C. for a period of between 1 and 180 minutes. The sodium hydroxide causes dissolution of hair from the textile article. There is also provided a concentrate comprising sodium hydroxide used in such method. Such method is particularly useful in treating human hairwear, especially hairwear used in sanitary conditions, such as food production, and for pet products to which animal hair may adhere.

Abstract: A fabric is provided that includes a knit structure having a geometric shape imparting an auxetic property to the fabric due to rotation of one or more portions of the knit structure. In some aspects, the fabric includes a knit structure having a triangular lattice shape that imparts an auxetic property to the fabric.

Abstract: A flexible fire and heat resistant material comprising an intimate mixture of organic intumescent filler and organic fibres adapted to char intensely within the temperature range of 200.degree. C. to 500.degree. C. The added presence of inorganic fibre components enhances the structural integrity of this structure both during char formation up to 500.degree. C. and at higher temperatures up to 1200.degree. C. once char oxidation takes place.