Denisol® Indigo For Latin America

Located in Salvatierra, Guanajuato, this is the third Archroma plant in Mexico.

From its new plant in Mexico, Archroma offers regional textile manufacturers an Indigo Denisol® supply source close  to its final market.

TW Special Report

Switzerland-based Archroma — a manufacturer of dyes and specialty chemicals for sustainable solutions — started operations at its new plant in Mexico last January. The plant’s main production is Denisol® Indigo pre-reduced liquid used in the textile industry.

Located in Salvatierra, Guanajuato, this is the third Archroma plant in Mexico that provides service to textile manufacturers in the country as well as other Latin American markets; and it is the only indigo plant available in the region. For local manufacturers, the fact that there is now a plant in Mexico is a competitive advantage since they have a supply source close to their final market.

Archroma launched Denisol Indigo liquid into production in 2015, in Jamshoro, Pakistan. There, the company has implemented a zero liquid discharge operation to preserve the water in the area, in accordance with the company’s approach to sustainability and natural resource preservation.

Archroma continuously challenges the status quo in the deep belief that it can make the industry more sustainable.

In line with this mission, the company is following a clear agenda — convert denim dyes in the Latin American region and around the world to Denisol Indigo liquid instead of indigo powder in the dyeing process, which will lead to massive reductions in the use of indigo dye itself, as well as sodium hydrosulfite and caustic soda.

An estimated 65 percent of the denim industry still uses indigo powder and Archroma’s denim specialists are focusing on transforming this into liquid pre-reduced indigo, and as a result being able to reduce the impact on the environment.

Archroma has become a specialist in ecologically advanced denim fashion colors and designs with its unique offerings. Solution systems and technologies are available to denim manufacturers and brands featuring Denisol Indigo liquid. Denisol is used in Archroma’s

CLASSIC INDIGO FLOW system. Its Diresul® Smartdenim Blue, a blue liquid sulfur dye designed to imitate a neutral greenish blue color, features in Archroma’s INDIGO REFLECTION. Both Denisol and Diresul feature in CLASSIC UNDERTONES, a sulfur bottoming system that brings a new layer of color creativity to indigo denim.

“With the growing consumer awareness and the demand for ecological and sustainable fashion, textile manufacturers are exploring new clean ways to produce and dye denim,” said John Jansen, Archroma commercial president for the Americas. “This is where Archroma can add value with innovative solutions, as well as color systems, and creative and avant-garde denim effects. With our indigo plant in Guanajuato, Mexico, we are providing our customers through the American continent a supply source of indigo, closer to their final market allowing them to accelerate delivery times in an industry where the speed of updates is critical.”

Although Archroma has not shared information about the investment in the Guanajuato, Mexico, plant, the company shows interest in the country where it seems it will continue investing in the medium- and long-term because Mexico is one of the main denim manufacturers in Latin America with production of approximately 300 million fabric meters per year. For this reason, Archroma sees great potential for the dye supply for the denim treatment which also will contribute to a decline in imports from China.

In addition, the Mexican market is very important for Archroma’s textile operations, representing between 25 and 30 percent of the income from its Americas region.

The plant’s main production is Denisol® Indigo Liquid used in the denim industry.

About Indigo Denisol® Pre-Reduced Liquid

Denisol Indigo is a pre-reduced indigo solution at a 30-percent concentration. The company reports it is easy to use, and allows high reproducibility and deep shades while reducing impact on wastewater compared to indigo powder.

It is compliant with major official eco-standards and requirements from retailers, brands and leading fashion companies and helps to produce fabrics suitable for current eco-labeling.

Some of the reported advantages of Denisol liquid compared to indigo powder are:

  • Chemical consumption: Stock vat preparation is not needed, therefore less sodium hydrosulfite and sodium hydroxide are used.
  • Sustainability: Reduced impact on wastewater treatment plant including chemical oxygen demand, biological oxygen demand, sulfates and sulfites, and total dissolved solids.
  • Easy handling: Automated dosing allows for a simpler handling process.

Regarding technical advantages, Indigo Denisol Liquid offers:

  • Increase in productivity with less indigo required to achieve the same depth of shade;
  • Better shade consistency and reproducibility, and higher color yield achievable; and
  • Improved rubbing fastness on dark tones.

For all these advantages and for being a sustainable solution, Denisol Indigo pre-reduced liquid has received the Cradle to Cradle Products Innovation Institute’s Gold Level Material Health Certificate.

Innovation In Dyeing

Pretreatment is indeed a key step in textile production and the diversity of fibers and quality variations are major challenges in consistently obtaining a perfectly prepared fabric ready for subsequent processing steps.

Archroma’s portfolio offers wide possibilities in dyeing effects and colors, from the traditional to innovative, while maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability. Its products are designed to address the specific dyeing requirements of all types of effects.

Denim is one of the textiles of greatest interest to the company, and Archroma has made a number of contributions to the denim industry with cutting-edge dyeing technologies and products that bring together creativity, performance and sustainability — as is illustrated by its Denisol Indigo pre-reduced liquid.

Using Archroma auxiliaries for indigo dyeing, customers can improve the consistency and the workability of the dyeing process, which will result in a high level of quality, according to the company. Customers also can achieve a uniform, level dyeing appearance, as well as reduced staining on indigo dyeing machinery, according to the company.

With its production at the Guanajuato plant, Archroma confirms its commitment to the success of the textile manufacturers in the region by offering them a higher-performance solution that reduces costs and at the same time allows manufacturers to have a lesser impact on the environment.

The company’s focus remains on making the textile industry a sustainable activity, both economically and ecologically.

July/August 2020

Quality Fabric Of The Month: Effective Combination

University study showed face mask made using ProCool® and Zorb 3D fabrics from AKAS was highly effective in blocking transmission of virus-like particles.

By Rachael S. Davis,Executive Editor

When it comes to face mask design, there are many attributes that are important. The mask must be large enough and fit well, it must provide adequate filtration, and it must be breathable and comfortable against the skin. Fabric treatments to protect from bacteria and viruses also may be considered.

AKAS Textiles and Laminations — a family-owned high-performance fabric company based in Bensalem, Pa. —took all of these design attributes into consideration when it shared suggestions with customers about how to select AKAS fabrics for the inner, middle filtration and outer layers of a face mask. The company also made some prototype masks that it donated to a local hospital and shared with people in its community.

The company was surprised to recently discover that a study — “Effectiveness of Common Fabrics to Block Aqueous Aerosols of Virus-Like Nanoparticles” — performed at Northeastern University in the Department of Chemical Engineering and published in the peer-reviewed scientific journal ACS Nano, found a mask made using AKAS fabrics offered the best filtration properties in an aqueous media under positive pressure of 20 kiloPascals simulating a sneeze or cough. The study examined some 70 masks made using common fabric combinations and in different mask styles, including the N95 respirator mask, to determine each mask’s ability to block the transmission of virus-like particles.

The AKAS mask tested features inner and outer layers of ProCool® Performance Fabric and a middle filtration layer of Zorb® 3D Stay Dry Dimple fabric. According to the study, the combination of these two fabrics tested 72-percent more effective than the N95 respirator.

The ProCool variant featured in the mask is a two-sided inter-knitted fabric with one-way wicking properties. The Zorb 3D Stay Dry Dimple fabric is an engineered design featuring a wicking layer on top of a dense cellulosic core.

For the face mask applications, AKAS also created a new Zorb 3D variant withthe addition of an antimicrobial Silvadur™ treatment. AKAS has applied for patents for the ProCool and Zorb fabrics as well as its mask design.

Archana Sharma, CEO of AKAS and affiliated company Wazoodle, said: “I looked at our entire fabric range before honing in on this combination. Before that, I studied the construction, materials and efficiencies of cloth masks, surgical masks and N95s in detail. I thought if we could harness fabric properties — hydrophobic fibers with hydrophilic, knit structures that formed multiple barriers, and a convoluted maze to stop, trap and hold aqueous aerosols, we might have something that worked. And by adding an antimicrobial we could expect the trapped microbes to be continuously destroyed, preventing build up.”

Sharma notes the company made prototypes and tested them in-house for breathability and design, but made no claims because there was no official test data. AKAS was unaware of the Northeastern study and only learned its mask — shared by a local hospital — had been tested when the results were published.

“I was delighted that our U.S.-based fabrics were determined to be the best combination of fabrics tested in the study,” Sharma said. “The results validated our theory and expectations.”

The prototype mask is washable, as well as comfortable despite its bulk, according to Sharma. The company plans to engineer a lighter version in the future. AKAS still does not make any claims about its prototypes, but believes it is on the right path and hopes to offer wholesale quantities of masks soon.

For more information aboutAKAS fabrics for face mask production including ProCool® Performance Fabric and Zorb® 3D Stay Dry Dimple fabric, contact President Sidharth Sharma +215-244-2589; info@akasllc.com.

July/August 2020

July/August 2020

PVH Corp., New York City, has named Martijn Hagman CEO for Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe. He replaced Daniel Grieder who has retired.

Ernesto A. Maurer

Ernesto Maurer was elected president of the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX) for a four-year term. He is president of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association, and has served as first vice president of CEMATEX for the past four years. In addition, the CEMATEX general assembly elected Swedish Textile Machinery Association (TMAS) President Mikael Äremann first vice president; and the Belgium Textile Machinery Association (Symatex) President Charles Beauduin second vice president.

Hudson, N.C.-based Outdura®, a division of Austria-based The Sattler Group, has hired Teresa Buelin to fill the role of business development and marketing manager. She will focus on building brand awareness as well as overseeing marketing initiatives for Outdura.

Germany-based Heytex has appointed Fabian Kampsen commercial director. He will lead
the global sales and marketing team.

England-based Global Inkjet Systems has named Steve Jeffels CFO.

HanesBrands’ board of directors has named Stephen B. Bratspies CEO and board member. He replaces Gerald W. Evans Jr. who is retiring after 37 years with the Winston-Salem, N.C.-based company.

Loepfe Brothers Ltd., Switzerland, recently named Silvano Auciello head of a newly combined sales and customer support setup; Guido Eiland now is responsible for leading a joint project management, applications and marketing team; and Sylvie Hunziker has added responsibility for driving the digital landscape and processes within Loepfe in addition to her role as lead of the production department.

The Washington-based National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) selected Lauren Biggs as the recipient of the 2020 Paul T. O’Day Scholarship Award. She is the daughter of Sheila Price and Unifi Inc. employee Alexander Graham Biggs III. Biggs will attend the University of South Carolina in the Computer Science program this fall.

J.Jill Inc., Quincy, Mass., has appointed Shelley Milano to its board of directors.

MycoWorks, a San Francisco-based biomaterials company, recently added Chief Manufacturing Officer Doug Hardesty, Chief of Product Mike Todd and Advisor John Diener to its team.

Bailey

Kevin Bailey, executive vice president and group president, APAC — Asia Pacific region — for Denver-based VF Corp. also will take on leadership of the company’s emerging brands platform. Bailey will manage the Altra®, Eagle Creek® JanSport® and Smartwool® brands
in the Americas Region.

St. Louis-based Evolution St. Louis has created its board of managers. The board comprises: Gary Wassner, CEO, Hilldun Corp. and founding member and chairman of Interluxe Holdings LLC; Barbara Archer, managing director and partner at Hightower Wealth and Advisors St. Louis; John Kalishman, strategy and marketing consultant, founder and president of Harcourt Group, and executive at Insituform Technologies Inc.; John Elmuccio, COO and cofounder of Evolution St. Louis; and John Lewis, CEO and co-founder of Evolution St. Louis.

Scott Schinlever has rejoined Electronics for Imaging (EFI), Fremont, Calif., as COO for EFI’s global inkjet business. He is responsible for all equipment, ink and service solutions in EFI’s Display Graphics, Textiles, Packaging and Building Materials portfolio.

Ireland-based implantable medical device company Aran Biomedical has named Todd Blair vice president of sales and business development (U.S.). Blair’s primary focus is on orthopaedic, general surgery and vascular business activities in the United States.

Gray

Minneapolis-based Cargill has named Hank Gray U.S. origination manager for cotton within Cargill’s Agricultural Supply Chain business. He will focus on the company’s farmer-facing strategy in the cotton sector.

Jörg Westphal was named managing director at Germany-based BST eltromat. He is responsible for service, sales and marketing; and will manage the business with Dr. Jürgen Dillmann.

July/August 2020

July/August 2020

Sunbrella Assure

Sunbrella, Burlington, N.C., has introduced Sunbrella Assure, a fluorine-free, durable, water-repellent and stain resistant textile for sustainable indoor and outdoor applications. Sunbrella Assure is made using a proprietary biobased formula.

Precision Textiles, Totowa, N.J., reports it has sold more than 10 million yards of medical grade fabrics — an amount that will be used to produce 5 million hospital gowns.

The Sanitized TecCenter — the in-house microbiology laboratory of Switzerland-based Sanitized AG — has been certified by the International Antimicrobial Council (IAC) as an “IAC Certified Laboratory.”

France-based Carbios has begun production of an industrial demonstration plant for enzymatic polyethylene terephthalate recycling. The facility is the final step towards commercializing its PET recycling technology.

Fashion brand Esprit has selected EarthColors® dyes from Switzerland-based Archroma for its “I Am Sustainable” capsule collection.

Seoul-based Hyosung introduced creora® 3D Max at the virtual Kingpins24 event. The fiber is designed for dual performance — such as ultra- stretch and recovery over time — in denim products.

England-based inkjet company Xaar Plc is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Sweden-based Södra has received its certification for the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS), which means its OnceMore™ pulp carries the promise it contains recycled cotton derived from textiles that otherwise would have entered the waste stream.

Italy-based Carvico S.p.A. recently added Norway — a fabric made using ECONYL® regenerated yarn — to its family of stretch, eco-sustainable performance fabrics.

July/August 2020

The Swiss Textile Machinery Association (Swissmem) Has Been Crisis-Proof For 80 Years

1940: Steelworks bending department in the year of the association’s foundation.

ZURICH — July 20, 2020 — When an organization reaches its 80th anniversary, there is a strong chance that it has survived several crises over those years. In the case of Swiss Textile Machinery, the association was actually born out of a crisis situation. Looking back over its history today inspires optimism that current and future challenges will be met with equal success. Past experience provides hope for the future…

In 1940, a year after the start of World War II, events far away from the battlefields began to impact on the local machinery industry in Switzerland. One problem was a lack of skilled workers — through military service call-ups — and another was a shortage of raw material, much of which was diverted to weapons production.

Solidarity grown out of a need for steel

Leaders of the textile machinery industry were increasingly concerned about their operations, especially the need for non-ferrous metals and high-quality steel. The situation became serious and some companies in the industry wanted to request the Swiss Government to secure the required raw material needed to maintain production. The established principle of ‘united we are strong’ led representatives from 22 companies to join forces in forming the first textile machinery group. This was the origin of what today has grown into the Swiss Textile Machinery Association.

The members of the new Swiss Association of Textile Machinery Manufacturers — including well-known brands such as Rüti, Sulzer, Rieter and Saurer — were not actually manufacturing machines from the start, but that was just another crisis to be overcome.

Machinery manufacturing as a self-help solution

Making textiles was good business for many companies in Switzerland, including the ones mentioned, before 1806. That was the year when the continental blockade imposed by Napoleon created major problems. Machines from Great Britain — the highly industrialized home of machinery development pioneers — were in high demand by Swiss textile manufacturing companies. But suddenly they were no longer available — and nor were the vital spare parts.

Many Swiss textile companies responded by starting to produce the urgently needed machines and components for themselves. And soon it became apparent that the production and export of machines was far more lucrative than their previous textile manufacturing activities. The Swiss textile machinery industry was born.

Over the years, there were numerous periods of great difficulty for the industry: world wars, global economic slumps and other crises of varying degrees of seriousness followed one after another. The profile of the world textile industry also changed. Mass production has long since migrated to the East and South-East. Despite this, or perhaps precisely because of this, Swiss textile machinery today holds a leading position in the high-quality segment of special machines and top-quality materials.

1945: Hardening processes at steel plant in the early days of the association.

Emerging stronger from another crisis

Who would have guessed that the year of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association’s 80th anniversary would see a pandemic crisis resulting in the biggest challenge of recent industrial history? “This crisis has hit the textile industry hard, and in my opinion the full impact will only become apparent towards the end of this year,” said Ernesto Maurer, president of the Swiss Textile Machinery Association.

The required skills for the present situation are the same as previously: adaptability and flexibility. Experience through history provides grounds for some optimism for Swiss producers today. “On one hand, I rely on innovative solutions and the confidence that Swiss Textile Machinery members will emerge from the crisis stronger than ever. On the other hand, I am convinced that we will also pass this crisis in a Darwinian manner — just as we did when our association was founded,” Maurer added.

“Some of our members might choose to relocate abroad, while others could join larger groups. Maybe some companies or activities will not stay in the market. Still, I am sure that Swiss Textile Machinery will be successful and maintain its leading position in post-corona times, demonstrating that ‘united we are strong’ applies as truly today as ever.”

Posted July 21, 2020

Source: Swissmem

Georg+Otto Friedrich GmbH tests k.management from Karl Mayer’s KM.ON

A view of production operations at Georg+Otto Friedrich © Georg+Otto Friedrich

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany— July 21, 2020 — In these times of coronavirus-induced travel and contact restrictions, the advantages of innovative digital solutions are becoming apparent, especially for daily working life. For example, European warp knitting company Georg+Otto Friedrich uses KM.ON’s k.management software to establish the production performance of its machines, regardless of time and place. KARL MAYER’s high-performance tricot machines are in operation at its headquarters in Groß-Zimmern, Hesse, and in Limbach- Oberfrohna, Saxony. At the end of last year, Georg+Otto Friedrich used k.ey to network its machines at these two sites with the KM.ON cloud so that staff could access an overview of the factory halls via mobile phone or tablet. k.management has been being trialled at the company since January 2020. “We are now saving a lot of time and have real-time information to assist with our planning and decision-making,” says Kai Trippel, responsible for production, of his initial experience with the technology. Previously, it was impossible to get an overall impression of the production situation without daily tours of factory headquarters and inconvenient phone calls with the extremely busy shift managers at the plant in Saxony. Georg+Otto Friedrich is acting as KM.ON’s development partner for the k.management project, thus continuing a long-running tradition. This warp knitted fabric specialist was one of the first customers to KARL MAYER, KM.ON’s parent company. The company began business activities in 1950, using KARL MAYER machines. The two long-standing partners are now working together to tackle the challenge of digitalisation.

A fruitful development partnership

In order to optimise k.management for customers, several weekly user workshops were held between March and May 2020. The online video conferences brought Product Manager Marcel Wenzel and UX/UI Designer Pia Keller from KM.ON together with Kai Trippel and those responsible for purchasing, production and technology at Georg+Otto Friedrich, and were extremely successful. The participants were able to use the details they shared on their production practices to draw up important requirements for preparing and presenting performance data. “We were able to quickly prioritise and work out issues such as which key figures are needed in which order at the first click, and which data should lead to deeper menu hierarchies,” explained Marcel Wenzel. On the customer side, Kai Trippel welcomes the opportunity to clear up his questions directly and provide suggestions for improvement effectively. “Things are now being fleshed out, and the software solution is getting its final touch before it’s ready for practical use,” he said. Following the workshop phase, the requirements laid out during the dialogue with Georg+Otto Friedrich will be examined to determine their general validity for the market, and solutions for meeting these requirements will be worked out step by step. “We are taking an interactive and agile approach to the optimisation work,” Wenzel said. Kai Trippel is already looking forward to the next test version, which software developers Hristiyan Petrov and Martin Dederer are currently hard at work on.

Planning using efficiently acquired real-time data

The digital k.management solution delivers a well thought-out dashboard with key figures on the machines used in production. The data ensures that processes are transparent, provides a basis for well-founded  decisions, and can be called up easily at any time and from any location. Simply open the KM.ON homepage and log into your personal area using your unique login information. All the machines that are networked via k.ey are listed in this area. The first menu level provides an overview of all the machines. It provides key information on each machine, such as speed, effectiveness and the next upcoming beam change, summarized in a button-like display area. Clicking on this machine item displays more detailed data on the selected machine. In addition to this, the detailed view shows information such as speed and stop time curves with a choice of monitoring intervals, availability, and the processing status of orders in relation to the planned production time and production duration.

Pushing boundaries during the design process

In addition to k.management, KM.ON’s customers also appreciate k.innovation for the range of products offered by the KARL MAYER software start-up — particularly in the age of corona. The web-based design tool for warp knitting helps to shorten the time to market and, to this end, connects all those involved in the design process with appropriate access rights during the development and design of new products. Customers benefit from efficient teamwork and communication — without needing to travel — throughout the online creative process, from brainstorming to the finished fabric. Pattern data is transferred directly from the software to the machine. This saves time and prevents errors.

Posted July 21, 2020

Source: Karl Mayer

Mask Production: Nothing Runs Without Textile Machinery

FRANKFURT — July 21, 2020 — Protective masks, everyday masks, disinfecting wipes and surgical gowns are goods in demand in times of corona. In their manufacture, textile machines are at the beginning of the production chain.

The production of the textile raw material is the first step of the usually multi-stage production processes. Members of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association are at the beginning of this technological chain.

The production of protective masks starts with the manufacture of the filter material, which for surgical masks as well as FFP2 and FFP3 respirator masks consists of fine-pored nonwoven fabric to intercept coronaviruses. In addition to the systems, machines and components used for this purpose, measurement and control technology ensures the highest quality of important parameters such as basis weight and air permeability. Nonwovens used for respiratory masks have to meet the same high-quality requirements as the masks — to ensure the protection of the mask wearer.

Members of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association have reacted to the new market requirements in a very short time and developed new technologies for knitted, warp knitted as well as woven mouth and nose masks that can be produced without the need for sewing. For surgical masks, FFP2 respirators and social distancing masks, a wide variety of other materials and combinations of materials are used (nonwovens, woven fabrics, knitted or warp knitted fabrics and laminates thereof). Elastic bands are required to wear the masks and several association members provide technologies for their production.

Materials for masks can be treated with textile chemicals to make them antiviral and antibacterial. For this purpose, the VDMA member companies offer application systems which apply the corresponding chemicals to fabric webs. As already mentioned, quality assurance is extremely important for medical products. For this purpose, member companies of the VDMA offer software systems with which each mask can be traced through the entire production process.

VDMA members also offer solutions for the assembly of respirator masks, some of which were developed at short notice. These solutions enable respirators to be produced that meet the relevant standards and the highest quality requirements of customers and market surveillance. This applies to systems for the production of surgical masks and FFP respirators. At the end of the production chain, machines are used to pack masks in single or multiple packs.

In pandemic times, the demand for protective gowns (so-called surgical gowns) also increases. The same applies to disinfecting wipes. For these textile products, too, VDMA members manufacture tailor-made machines for production through to packaging. The quality of the products is ensured by means of measurement and control technology.

An Internet article at http://www.machines-for-textiles.com provides detailed information on process steps and the range of services offered by the members of VDMA Textile Machinery. The overview is continuously updated. For research purposes, the manufacturers’ directory at http://www.machines-for-textiles.com is also available, as are the industry experts by sending an enquiry to txm@vdma.org.

In the wake of the corona crisis, VDMA Textile Machinery has launched a new series of web events called “Textile Machinery Webtalk”. Here, experts from up to four VDMA member companies present their innovative technologies on a specific topic in a maximum of 90 minutes and are available to answer questions from participants. The presentations are held in English. Participation in the web events is free of charge.

Topics of the first two webtalks were:

  • Technologies for the production of melt-blown nonwovens for respiratory protection masks (FFP masks and surgical masks); and
  • Technologies for the production of respiratory protection masks (FFP masks and surgical masks).

The format was well received. Around 180 people from more than 30 countries took part in the first two webtalks. With this format, the VDMA reaches both textile and nonwovens manufacturers who already manufacture these products and companies that want to invest in new business areas.

The next webtalk will take place on July 23, 2020, from 14.00 to 16.00 (CEST) on the current topic “Technology solutions to produce fully-fashioned community face masks.” Experts from KARL MAYER, STOLL by KARL MAYER and Jakob Müller will be presenting their technologies for producing everyday textile masks to an international expert audience. Interested parties can register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2607744021751510284

Further webtalks are in preparation. Up-to-date information on this will be published at www.machines-for-textiles.com/webtalk.

Posted July 21, 2020

Source: VDMA

Eliminating EtO Issues With Low Shrink SAF

SAF nonwovens can absorb up to 200 times their own weight in water.

ENGLAND — July 21, 2020 — Technical Absorbents Ltd. (TAL) has developed a new grade of superabsorbent fiber (SAF) specifically for use within a new range of SAF nonwoven fabrics that are more resistant to shrinkage.

The new SAF was developed in response to the demand from the medical industry for a superabsorbent fabric suitable for use in advanced wound pad dressings. The fiber had to be capable of withstanding the moisture used in the EtO sterilization process that is frequently employed in the production of the pads, in order to ensure product safety and compliance.

EtO sterilization is a low-temperature process, typically between 37 and 63°C, that uses ethylene oxide gas to reduce the level of infectious agents. While generally applied in gas form, however, the EtO is usually mixed with other substances — and often steam.

“Obviously superabsorbents and moisture generally aren’t a good combination at this stage in processing and can cause problems,” says TAL Product Development Director Dr. Mark Paterson. “Other methods can be used, but when silicone materials are included, which is more frequently becoming the case, EtO is the preferred treatment method. Regular SAF grades tend to shrink a little and can become hard, which is often not desirable. This innovative SAF grade significantly reduces such potential problems.”

The amount of shrinkage caused by EtO sterilization depends very much on the product design and construction, he adds, but in general, the new SAF has been tested and proven to reduce fabric shrinkage by around 70 percent. It is suitable for use in all SAF nonwoven formats, whether needlepunched, thermally bonded or airlaid.

While the proprietary process developed at TAL for the production of this new fiber and resulting fabrics was prompted by the specific requirements of wound pad dressings, TAL sees opportunities for its application in other areas as well.

“It’s an extremely flexible fiber that can be easily switched with existing SAF grades when manufacturing fabrics and we have a number of current projects in which we’re exploring other end-uses,” Mark concludes. “We believe this new range could also open up entirely new application areas on the market.”

Posted July 21, 2020

Source: Technical Absorbents Ltd.

Texworld USA, Apparel Sourcing USA Summer Virtual Sourcing Event Opens Today

ATLANTA — July 21, 2020 — Today, for the first time ever, Texworld USA, alongside Apparel Sourcing USA, will open its 2020 summer edition virtually. Traditionally held at the Jacob K. Javits Center in New York City, the Sourcing Event of the Summer is opening to an even larger audience for three days of sourcing, education and networking.

“The industry was searching for an alternative solution to reach global suppliers during these challenging times. As evidenced by the tremendous support from participating companies, exhibitors and attendees alike, Texworld USA is that solution. We have always been dedicated to providing a platform for the textile sourcing community and we are excited to continue to do so now until we are able to meet again face-to face,” stated Jennifer Bacon, Show Director, Fashion and Apparel, Messe Frankfurt North America.

As the East Coast’s largest sourcing event, Texworld USA represents the industry’s most important marketplace where international mills and manufacturers can showcase the next material innovation. With thousands of professionals, from fabric buyers, product R&D specialists, designers and others, the premier of the virtual event draws from every corner of the United States and interest from brands worldwide.

More than 450 exhibiting companies from 16 countries, including Italy, Canada, Pakistan, Peru, China, Taiwan, India, Turkey, the United States and others will be on hand with their high-quality apparel fabrics, trims and accessories available at reasonable prices.

Together, Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA cover nearly 40 different product categories. All of which will be represented on the virtual platform with more than 20,000 product listings. Visitors can take advantage of the AI-powered matchmaking capabilities to get a list of recommended textile suppliers, set up video meetings and chat to cultivate stronger business relationships.

Amidst a virtual connection to more than 450 textile manufacturers, 12 compelling educational sessions covering a host of globally relevant topics will be streamed during the three day live event. Led by a list of highly regarded brands and experts in various textile and apparel fields, this not-to-be missed program offers access to case studies and solutions to several of today’s unprecedented challenges.

Held alongside Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA is the co-located event, Home Textiles Sourcing, for those manufacturers, retailers, converters, contract specifiers and designers seeking new fabrics and products for their latest home collections.

Registration is still open. To register or for more information on any of these events, please visit us online.

Posted July 21, 2020

Source: Messe Frankfurt

Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP) Invests In Creation Of Circular Economy For PET In Western Europe

UXBRIDGE, England — July 20, 2020 — Coca-Cola European Partners (CCEP), the world’s largest independent Coca-Cola bottler, has taken an important step on its journey towards 100-percent rPET for its plastic bottles by funding CuRe Technology — a recycling start-up which seeks to provide a new lease of life for difficult to recycle plastic polyester waste.

The funding from CCEP, through its innovation investment fund, CCEP Ventures, will enable CuRe to accelerate its ‘polyester rejuvenation’ technology from pilot plant to commercial readiness. Once the technology is commercialized, CCEP will receive the majority of the output from a CuRe-licensed, new-build plant.

Once operational, CuRe has the potential to support CCEP’s ambition, in partnership with The Coca-Cola Company in Western Europe, to eliminate virgin oil-based PET from its PET bottles within the next decade. This will contribute to removing of a total of over 200,000* tonnes of virgin oil-based PET from CCEP’s packaging portfolio a year and support the transition to a circular economy for PET packaging.

CuRe Technology — a start-up, created and led by a consortium of world-leading recycling innovators and experts led by the Morssinkhof Group and the Cumapol/DuFor Group, with strategic partners DSM-Niaga and NHL Stenden University of Applied Science — will initially apply its end-to-end partial depolymerisation recycling process to transform opaque and difficult to recycle (ODR) food grade PET to high quality recycled PET (rPET) that can be used again for food and drink packaging in one continuous process on the same site.

Towards a Circular Economy

The CuRe funding from CCEP Ventures builds on existing strategic investments by The Coca-Cola Company to explore and support the scaling of ‘enhanced’ full depolymerization recycling technologies in order to make a circular economy for PET a reality.

Depolymerization recycling technologies complement existing mechanical polymer recycling processes. They have the potential to upcycle lower grade PET that cannot currently be recycled via mechanical recycling means and is instead currently downcycled, incinerated or sent to landfill. These depolymerization technologies could play a role in significantly increasing the supply of rPET whilst also accelerating the transition to a circular economy for PET bottles by reducing the reliance on virgin oil-based PET.

The Coca-Cola system in Western Europe is working towards a future source vision for its PET material which will help remove the need for virgin oil-based PET — figurative future sources of PET in Western Europe: 70-percent derived from mechanical recycling with 25 percent from depolyemrization recycling and 5-percent PET from plant-based renewable sources, all while remaining 100% recyclable*.

About CuRe Technology

CuRe Technology uses a partial depolymerization process — shortening the polymer chains just enough to allow the removal of many impurities and to rejuvenate food grade PET to high quality rPET — and can be less energy intensive than full depolymerisation offering lower associated C02 emissions. It’s like pressing a ‘reset’ button to partially break down plastic PET into its component building blocks to produce a high quality rPET. Due to the modularity of the process, the longer term ambition for this technology is to upcycle all polyester waste streams including product to product rejuvenation of carpets and textiles.

Joe Franses, vice president, Sustainability at Coca-Cola European Partners said: “CuRe is an exciting technology start-up with transformational potential developed by an experienced consortium, making it an ideal investment for CCEP Ventures. Our investment in CuRe underlines our commitment to supporting innovations that have the potential to drive growth in our business and our sustainable packaging goals. It also offers us the potential to access vital rPET volume that will help to accelerate delivery of our 100-percent rPET ambition for our PET bottles.”

As part of their joint Sustainability Action Plan, This is Forward, Coca-Cola European Partners and Coca-Cola in Western Europe have pledged that by 2025, Coca-Cola will: collect a can or bottle for every one  it sells and ensure that all its packaging is 100-percent recyclable and by 2023 will: ensure that at least 50 percent of the content of its PET bottles will come from recycled content, accelerating towards its ambition to use zero oil-based PET in its PET bottles in the future, using instead 100 percent recycled or renewable content.

Josse Kunst, chief commercial officer at CuRe Technology said: “Polyester is one of the world’s most reversible plastics and should not go to waste. In the pilot plant phase of the CuRe process, we were supported with a subsidy from the European Union and the three northern provinces of the Netherlands. Now our ambition to create an energy-efficient solution for product to product polyester transformation will be accelerated because of this funding.

The support of CCEP Ventures will enable us to start with opaque and difficult to recycle food grade PET and take the first step towards our ultimate vision of recycling all polyester, again and again.”

*By 2019, CCEP was already using 60,000 tonnes of rPET in its bottle and has committed to using 50 percent rPET by 2023.

Posted July 20, 2020

Source: Coca-Cola European Partners

1...1,0071,0081,009...2,627Page 1,008 of 2,627

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2026 Quarterly Issue Number I

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.