BRUSSELS — October 2, 2020 — Latest data suggest a situation worse than 2009 as turnover fell by nearly 25 percent in the textile industry, and by 35 percent in the clothing sector. On the other hand, imported textile products from China increased sharply. EURATEX asks the European Union to quickly implement what has been promised and develop a resilient industry.

On the occasion of the EURATEX Board of Directors meeting, President Alberto Paccanelli commented on the latest economic update for the European textiles and clothing sector.

The 2nd quarter of 2020 has shown a decline of our industry as we have never seen before, not even during the 2009 financial crisis: turnover fell by nearly 25 percent in the textiles industry, and even by 35 percent in the clothing sector. Retail sales plunged by 43 percent, in some countries even more than 60 percent.

On the other hand, during this same period (April-June 2020), we witnessed a remarkable increase in imported textile products from China. Specifically, imports of face masks grew from approximately 0.5 billion euros in 2019 to 13.5 billion euros in 2020, an increase of 2,700 percent. At the same time, E.U. exports of T&C products fell by 35 percent during that same quarter.

Such figures are a wake-up call for the European Union to act quickly. Alberto Paccanelli commented: “President von der Leyen announced an update of the E.U.’s Industry Strategy during her State of the Union; I would ask her to first implement what has been promised, before announcing new strategies: ensure a level playing field for our companies, develop a resilient industry, support innovation, etc. We have put proposals on the table but fail to see progress on their implementation”.

It its Recovery Strategy submitted to the European Commission in June, EURATEX has proposed to establish a strategic textile alliance, to support innovation and digitalization of the industry, to turn sustainability into a source of competitiveness, to ensure free and fair trade.

In reality, we see an escalating trade war with the US, we see no progress on negotiations with the UK (our most important export market), we see segments of our industry being excluded from the ETS compensation system, we see a reduction in research funding, we see pressure to introduce costly due diligence models, we see critical products being supplied through doubtful procurement processes.

European T&C companies have shown great responsibility during this crisis, by maintaining their labor force as much as possible (employment fell by less than 5 percent) and reorganizing their production to support the health crisis. Many companies invest to improve sustainability and circularity, but they are nonetheless criticized for environmental damages which are caused by others.

Dirk Vantyghem added: “We want to engage in a positive dialogue with the EU to build a modern and competitive textiles and clothing industry, as an essential pillar of the European economy. But this dialogue should lead to tangible results. Our entrepreneurs are optimists, as indicated in the September Business confidence (+3.9 percent from August), but they need a clear framework in which they can grow, innovate and create jobs.”

Posted October 2, 2020

Source: EURATEX

CARY, N.C. — October 2, 2020 — More than 150 professionals in product development, materials science, and new technologies convened for the 10th conference edition of RISE® — Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics, held virtually, September 29-October 1. The event was co-organized by INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, The Nonwovens Institute, and North Carolina State University.

Participants praised the program content which focused on: Societal Issues Affecting the Nonwovens Industry, Biosourced Polymers & Fibers, COVID-19 Responses, Sustainability: Material Science Developments, and Dynamic Markets & Future Smart Machines.

“In this time of unprecedented challenges, INDA’s Team did an outstanding job in hosting the Virtual RISE Conference. In my view, talks covering Bio Polymers and Material Sustainability topics were of supreme value for groups focusing on solving complex material science challenges in the field of fiber science and nonwoven materials,” said Vinit Singh, product development manager, Jacob Holm.

“My goal in attending RISE was to explore new fibers, new technologies, and new market trends in the nonwovens arena for new product applications and market opportunities. RISE absolutely delivered new thinking and approaches,” said Andy Burns, business development manager, Milliken Nonwovens LLC.

“This was my first year attending RISE. I found the presentations to be very interesting, informative, and relevant with topics on the pandemic and sustainability. The adaptation to a virtual setting was executed very well,” said Daisy Campen, product development and analytical engineer, Techmer PM LLC.

“The focused discussions on Sustainability were especially relevant to RYAM’s interests, and I enjoyed networking with other professionals over Coffee-Talk and Q&A sessions,” said Larissa Fenn, manager, New Products, Rayonier Advanced Materials.

“The presentation about masks was excellent. I really enjoyed the science presented, and the opportunity to ‘geek out’,” said Heidi Beatty, consultant, Crown Abbey LLC.

“I enjoyed attending RISE 2020. Excellent speakers gave very good presentations on a variety of topics. Looking forward to the next RISE conference,” said Dr. Hooman Tafreshi,  associate director for Research, The Nonwovens Institute, North Carolina State University.

Highlights of the event included presentations on The Future of Sustainable Plastic Alternatives and the Impact of the SUPD on Innovation, by Dr. Bryan Haynes, Senior Technical Director, Global Nonwovens, Kimberly-Clark Corp.; COVID & the Global Fiber Market, by Jon Devine, Senior Economist, Cotton Incorporated; Sustainability from the Perspective of a Nonwoven Supplier to Disposable Care Products, by Thomas Broch, Regulatory & Scientific Affairs Manager, and Mette Due, QA & Sustainability Director, Fibertex Personal Care A/S; Driving Production Efficiency and Performance in N95 Face Masks, by Robert Green, Vice President of Performance Polymers, NatureWorks; Surgical Mask Particle Filtration Efficiency: Time for Change, by Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor, North Carolina State University, Executive Director, The Nonwovens Institute; Sustainable Materials and Their Processing for the Future Nonwovens Industry, by Dr. Orlando Rojas, Professor, University of British Columbia; and Sustainable Polymers and Fibers for Nonwovens: Current Status and Future, by Dr. Gajanan Bhat, Textiles, Merchandising, and Interiors, The University of Georgia.

The program included the presentation of the RISE® Innovation Award winner and multiple virtual networking options, including a session where participants ask-the-expert speakers questions pertaining to their focused presentations, along with trivia breaks, coffee breaks and a cocktail hour.

RISE® Innovation Award Presentation

The RISE® Innovation Award was presented to The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University for their Spunbond High Efficiency Filter Media. The product is a completely new approach to creating filtration media with the right efficiency at low pressure drop at a throughput of 350 kilograms per meter per hour. The pressure drop with The Nonwovens Institute’s new filter is unmatched by any meltblown structure and doesn’t require electrostatic charging. Other nominees for the Award included FemTech at MAS Holdings Pvt. Ltd. for their Leakproof Absorbent Nursing Pads and Sustainable Solutions Incorporated for their BlueCON Nonwovens.

Posted October 2, 2020

Source: INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

BIELLA, Italy — September 30, 2020 — Today, September 30, is the last day for pre-registrations for the 54th edition of Filo. We would like to invite all those people who have not yet done it, to pre-register through the website www.filo.it. Visitors without pre-registration will not be allowed to access the fair.

Pre-registration for the 54th edition of Filo is one of the basic rules laid down in the anti-Covid regulation: the compliance with the rules allows everybody to visit the fair in total safety. The list of the safety rules which have been adopted for visiting the 54th Filo edition are provided on the website www.filo.it.

There is just one week before the start of the 54th edition of Filo: the show is scheduled on the 7th and 8th of October at MiCo – Milan Convention Centre (via Gattamelata 5, Milan). It is then the time to prepare the visit.

The best way to schedule the visit at Filo is to visit the fair’s website: www.filo.it. Indeed, the website is a real working tool, where both visitors and buyers can find any useful information to prepare for their visit. The first page to browse is the exhibitors’ list (https://filo.it/exhibition/catalogo-espositori/). Again, on the website you can find directions to reach the exhibition space in the fastest way It is possible to also find the directions to reach the exhibition from airports and railway stations: the 54th edition of Filo takes place for the first time in a new venue, MiCo – Milan Convention Centre (via Gattamelata 5, Milan), a place which is particularly suitable for hosting a fair like Filo, and based in one of the most cutting edge district in Milan.

And to get an idea about the trend themes which inspire the collections proposed by exhibitors at the 54th edition of Filo, browsing the website www.filo.it, it is possible to look at the product development proposals launched in July by Filo under the title “Chromatic Reflections”.

Posted October 1, 2020

Source: Filo

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — September 30, 2020 — TRSA — the Association for Linen, Uniform and Facility Services — has embarked on a Strategic Change Initiative focused on core deliverables that maximize member value and best leverage TRSA’s resources for 2020 and 2021. Based on a series of internal and external qualitative and quantitative research and interactive sessions with stakeholders, TRSA activities for the balance of 2020 and those expected to be budgeted for 2021 will include:

• Advocacy including proactively encouraging increased use of commercially laundered reusable linens, uniforms, and healthcare personal protective equipment (PPE) such as isolation gowns and scrubs for more a sustainable, hygienic supply chain;
• Monitoring, responding, and educating federal, state, and local regulators and legislators to ensure a focus on continued recognition as a Critical/Essential Service;
• Hygienically Clean and Clean Green certifications;
• Dissemination of information and training focusing on best practices for improving employee and customer safety and supervisor training; and
• Increased information-sharing through virtual networking communities, and print and digital communications.

“In recovery from the pandemic, TRSA needs stakeholder support and assistance in identifying how the industry has changed, and will continue to evolve, over the next few months and years,” said TRSA Chair Jim Buik, Roscoe Co., Chicago. “Member and subject matter expert input provides invaluable information for review and discussion by the TRSA Strategic Planning Committee and Board of Directors.”

TRSA began its Strategic Change Initiative in early April immediately following the stay-at-home orders that shut down the economies in North America and across the world.

“We knew the impact on the industry would be significant but varied based on geography, market and product mix,” said TRSA President and CEO Joseph Ricci, CAE. “We immediately began our Strategic Change Initiative that included 10 weeks of two-hour weekly facilitated discussions between TRSA senior management and association subject matter experts (SMEs) covering membership, events, certification, non-dues revenue, globalization and other issues. These association colleagues and consultants shared valuable insight and perspective, often without charging for their time.”

These internal discussions with SMEs feed directly into discussions with external stakeholders including leaders of related organizations including TRSA’s counterparts in Europe and Australia. TRSA hosted market-sector and regional Zoom discussions and facilitated a Strategic Industry Town Hall in June with more than 120 linen and uniform services professionals. These discussions led to the development of an Industry Looking Forward report indicating that survival and recovery are top of mind with both operators and supplier partner members suffering significant impacts to their bottom lines. Near-term challenges have made it more difficult for both to focus on longer-term planning post-COVID-19:

• Increased costs and competition
• Decreased sales and workforces
• Consumer shifts in preferences and overall economic fears
• Increased regulations and standards

Discussions concluded that promotion of linen, uniform and facility services to the variety of industries they serve can focus on three growth opportunities:

• Reusables as a more cost-effective and sustainable supply chain
• Cleanliness standards that ensure the products are hygienically clean
• Commercial versus home or on-premises laundering (OPL)

Since mid-March, TRSA has hosted nearly 50 webinars, town halls, roundtables and other activities, as well as benchmarking surveys to facilitate the exchange of best practices for improving safety and operations during the COVID pandemic and access to resources to assist in recovering from its economic impact.

Thanks to members’ investment and support, TRSA continues to fulfill its charge as the lone advocate for the industry at the federal, state, and local levels, most recently:

• Gaining nationwide recognition for the industry as a Critical/Essential Business
• Defeating initiatives requiring disposable products at restaurants
• Highlighting the supply chain sustainability of hygienically clean linens and uniforms

In addition to addressing COVID impacts, TRSA continues to proactively pursue every opportunity to fulfill its mission to expand, protect and professionalize the nearly $40-billion U.S. linen, uniform, and facility services industry.

“Throughout the COVD-19 Crisis, TRSA’s leadership, volunteers and staff have worked hard to consistently deliver timely, pertinent information and resources to help members survive and recover from the economic impact of business closures and promote the industry as a critical infrastructure business,” Ricci said.

Posted October 1, 2020

Source: TRSA