Cortland Biomedical Closes 2020 Fiscal Year With Continued Investments For Increasing Medical Textile Innovation

CORTLAND, N.Y. — September 29, 2020 — During a year marked by unprecedented global challenges, Cortland Biomedical remained steadfast in its commitment to advance the possibilities for less invasive surgical procedures through the development of advanced medical textile constructions. The full-service medical textiles product development partner — which provides access to a full- spectrum of engineering, design and manufacturing capabilities — started the year by unveiling plans for a state-of-the-art facility strategically designed by textile engineers. Despite the devastating impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had, both locally and around the world, Cortland Biomedical remains on-track to complete the transition to the new facility in Q1 of FY2021 and has continued to expand its textile manufacturing capabilities through the addition of knitting, weaving, and high-carrier count braiding capabilities, in addition to its existing braiding capabilities.

Historically there has been a lack of communication between the medical and textile fields and a reluctance by textile manufacturers to disrupt the status quo. Cortland Biomedical is seeking to drive a shift in the industry by supporting practices conducive to true innovation. It’s not just smaller fibers and thinner fabrics that are driving biomedical textile innovation. Cortland Biomedical has revisited the fundamentals of textile technology with design concepts that incorporate new methods of changing fabric density, pattern, and fiber orientation, resulting in products that get closer to biomimicry than ever before. The company hosted a customer appreciation event in Anaheim during MD&M West in February, and has since continued to evolve its businesses practices to maximize engagement and collaboration with customers while adhering to COVID-safe procedures.

“In the face of fear and uncertainty, it’s more imperative than ever to continue to support the development of next-generation medical devices that can improve and even save lives,” said John Greco, vice president, sales, Cortland Biomedical. “We’re proud of our team for being able to maintain operations and provide timely responses while adapting to the personal and professional challenges created by the pandemic. Textiles are imperative for enabling lower profile, more biocompatible devices and it is important to all of us at Cortland to continue to meet the needs of our customers across the medical device community and ultimately the end-user patients despite these trying times.”

The company has a long history of biomedical fabric development and offers a full range of services to create biomedical textiles for applications, including but not limited to orthopedics, cardiovascular, general surgery, sports medicine and robotic surgery. In FY2020, it expanded its textile post-processing capabilities with the addition of scouring, annealing, and laser cutting, as well as enhanced its analytical and biological laboratory capabilities. Cortland Biomedical ensures that the products it develops meet the design criteria established up-front by its customer by applying the expertise of its seasoned design and engineering team. It has continued to invest in engineering and sales to support its strong new product development pipeline across various market segments.

Posted September 29, 2020

Source: Cortland Biomedical

United Sewing Automation Announces Production Of U.S.-Sourced And Manufactured Children And Youth Sized PPE Face Masks

MOUNT AIRY, N.C. — September 29, 2020 — United Sewing Automation Inc. (USA) has announced the production of children and youth-sized disposable personal protective equipment (PPE) face masks in its new automated manufacturing facility in Mount Airy, N.C. The new sized face masks are made from all USA-sourced materials.

Since the onset of the Coronavirus pandemic, America’s reliance on imported PPE has caused supply chain issues. In addition, the United States has been flooded with cheap, inferior-quality face masks imported from China that do not provide the protection needed to fight the spread of the COVID-19 virus. In response, USA’s ownership team invested in automated equipment to manufacture American-made, medical grade masks that provide proper protection for Americans. Now, the same protection afforded to surgeons and front-line healthcare workers is available to children and youth.

Made from high-quality, U.S.-sourced materials, USA’s kid sized face masks feature a three-ply design with a built-in adjustable nose bridge and ear loop straps made of nylon and elastic cord to provide a better fit than traditional disposable masks. USA’s medical grade face masks are tested for protection against bacterial and other airborne particulates, liquid barrier protection, and breathability, and are rated as the best Class 1 for Flammability. USA’s FDA-registered manufacturing facility is located in Mt. Airy, N.C. The new face masks measure 5.75″ long by 3.75″ high compared to the adult size of 6.875″ long by 3.75″ high, providing a more protective fit for kids.

“Due to the significant shortage of personal protective equipment caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, we decided to do our part to help fill this void by manufacturing medical grade face masks at our facility in Mount Airy,” said Ben Webb, USA’s CEO. “Demand for our face masks has been amazing and many of our customers have asked us for a kids or youth-sized option. So, we looked at options and brought in new automated production equipment that allows us to produce these new sizes very efficiently. We believe that America’s children deserve the same high quality face mask protection afforded to adults; as such, our masks are not available for export until this pandemic is over.”

USA’s ownership team has many years of experience in the textile and apparel industry and had the vision in 2017 to bring apparel manufacturing back to Mount Airy, N.C. through automation. USA recently installed high-tech Ultrasonic welding machines and automated production equipment capable of producing 1,000,000+ face masks per week.

“We will continue to work until the demand is met,” Webb continued. “Our goal is to provide a mask for every face in America every time one is needed. We are all in this together.”

Posted September 29, 2020

Source: United Sewing Automation Inc.

Fruit of the Loom Releases 2019 Sustainability Report, Launches “Fruitful Futures” Global Sustainability Plan

BOWLING GREEN, Ky. — September 29, 2020 — Fruit of the Loom Inc., a Berkshire Hathaway subsidiary, released its first annual global sustainability report and announced Fruitful Futures, the company’s new global sustainability plan. Fruitful Futures outlines Fruit of the Loom Inc.’s commitment to reduce the environmental impact of its global supply chain with science-based targets, as well as a plan to enhance the lives and communities of its global workforce. The complete report can be viewed on www.FOTLinc.com.

“We are incredibly proud to publish our 2019 sustainability report and to announce Fruitful Futures, our comprehensive sustainability plan, uniting our global employees under shared goals that further our commitments to our customers and consumers,” said Melissa Burgess Taylor, chairman & CEO, Fruit of the Loom Inc.

Fruitful Futures connects Fruit of the Loom’s portfolio of iconic brands, which include Fruit of the Loom®, Russell Athletic®, Spalding® and Vanity Fair®, and its employees in purposeful work across three main pillars:

  • People-Centric: enriching lives for people and communities.
  • Planet-Conscious: reducing the environmental impact of our operations and products.
  • Product Authenticity: sourcing sustainably from transparent supply chains.

The plan aligns with five UN Sustainable Development Goals: Gender Equality, Clean Water and Sanitation, Affordable and Clean Energy, Decent Work and Economic Growth, and Responsible Consumption and Production.

Highlights of the 2019 sustainability report include:

Fostering Inclusive Culture: Fruit of the Loom’s leadership team is 37-percent female and 39-percent of managers are female. In addition to continuing our efforts on gender equality, our goal is to finalize a comprehensive Diversity and Inclusion strategy in 2020.

Reducing Greenhouse Gases: The company saw a 59-percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (2018 from a 2012 baseline in North and Central America) and has a commitment to set targets aligned with the Science Based Targets initiative and achieve 100-percent renewable electricity by 2030.

Sourcing Sustainable Raw Materials: 89 percent of the cotton used by Fruit of the Loom is grown in the United States through Cotton LEADS, a program to advance sustainable agriculture practices in cotton production. The company has set goals to source 100 percent of cotton sustainably by 2025, and to increase sourcing of recycled polyester, nylon, and packaging.

“At Fruit of the Loom Inc., we have a rich 100-year history of providing the essential goods people all over the world need to flourish and thrive,” Taylor said. “We are committed to enriching our consumers’ lives. Fruitful Futures is our plan to make our world more fruitful for generations to come.”

Posted September 29, 2020

Source: Fruit of the Loom Inc.

Eastman Makes The Promise Of Sustainability A Reality With Naia™ Renew

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — September 29, 2020 — Eastman, the producer of sustainably sourced Naia™ cellulosic fiber, introduces its new Naia Renew portfolio, sourced from 60-percent wood pulp and 40-percent recycled waste plastics*. Naia Renew cellulosic fiber is traceable with certified biodegradability that captures the value of hard-to-recycle materials that would otherwise be destined for landfills. It can be produced at scale to deliver sustainability without compromise to the fashion world.

“Naia Renew enables a circular economy for the fashion industry and helps brands meet their eco-conscious goals,” said Ruth Farrell, global marketing director of textiles for Eastman. “We’re transforming what a fabric can be and do to meet the sustainability demands of our customers and to create a world where brands and consumers can be in fashion without compromising on quality and performance.”

Available as both a filament yarn and a staple fiber, Naia Renew offers clear advantages over other materials. Naia Renew filament features a silky hand, rich luster and fluid drape and is used to create fashionable womenswear garments, while Naia Renew staple fiber is inherently soft and quick drying, with reduced pilling properties, making it ideal for everyday casual wear.

Fully circular, Naia Renew is produced with a low carbon footprint in a closed-loop process where solvents are safely recycled back into the system for reuse. The fiber is made from wood pulp sourced from certified forests, and the recycled plastics feedstock is generated via Eastman’s patented carbon renewal technology (CRT). CRT is an integrated, molecular recycling technology that breaks down waste plastics, such as post-consumer carpet fiber and plastic packaging materials into basic molecular building blocks for the manufacture of new products including fibers — a truly circular solution creating value from waste.

Naia is actively collaborating across the value chain for Naia Renew and will have announcements regarding brand partnerships soon.

“Our vision is to make sustainable fashion accessible for everyone,” Farrell added. “We all need to play our parts to help fix the future and work together to protect our planet’s precious resources for the next generations. With Naia Renew, you can take an active role in conserving resources and fostering innovation, while demonstrating a passion for sustainability that resonates with consumers worldwide.”

* Naia™ Renew recycled content is achieved by allocation of recycled plastics through mass balance accounting.

Posted September 29, 2020

Source: Eastman

X-Rite Announces New Subscription Pricing For Color iMatch And Color iQC Software

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — September 29, 2020 — X-Rite Inc. and Pantone LLC, global leaders in color science and technology, today announced new subscription-based pricing for its industry-leading color formulation software, Color iMatch, and quality control software, Color iQC. The new subscription model provides manufacturers and material suppliers greater flexibility and predictability for their operational budgets while ensuring they have access to the most up-to-date color formulation and quality control software. Included in the subscription offering are regular software updates and access to online training materials designed to help new and experienced users accelerate color development for the paints and coatings, plastic, and textile industries.

“In order to meet today’s challenging times, manufacturers need access to the latest technology without breaking their budgets,” said Richard Knapp, product manager, X-Rite and Pantone. “Our new subscription model makes budget planning easier and allows customers to stay competitive with the latest color formulation and quality control technology at an affordable cost. With X-Rite’s commitment to regular software updates, formulation and QC managers can have confidence they are using the most up-to-date software to help them submit bids quickly, win new business, and deliver the best products to their customers.”

Color iMatch is an intuitive, job-oriented color formula management software. It intelligently processes color data to provide optimal initial color matches and reduce wasteful formulation attempts. Color iMatch features a smarter multi-flux matching engine with a revolutionary new search and correct algorithm that enables better utilization of legacy data. With Color iMatch, lab managers and formulation professionals can streamline complicated workflows and deliver better color matches in fewer steps for faster formulation times, cost savings, and reduced waste. Color iQC is a quality control solution that monitors color from specification to material suppliers to manufacturing and final assembly. It delivers tight tolerances through connected solutions and expands from controlling quality to assuring quality.

The benefits to Color iMatch and Color iQC subscription-based pricing model include:

  • Notifications of all software updates for improved planning;
  • Access to all software updates remotely without on-site installation;
  • New online training materials exclusive to the subscription model;
  • One fixed subscription cost for improved budget planning; and
  • Ability for new customers to test formulation or quality control software without incurring a large capital expense.

Posted September 29, 2020

Source: X-Rite Inc.

Hyosung And Lenzing Collaborate To Launch New Sustainable “Home Everywhere” Collection

LENZING, Austria/SEOUL — September 29, 2020 — The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the clothing preference for many consumers as they now spend much of their time at home. Nowadays, more consumers look for comfortable, versatile, and sustainable apparel that can be worn for multiple occasions and last longer.

Riding on this trend, global fiber producers, Lenzing and Hyosung, have teamed up to develop a Home Everywhere collection of performance fabrics that feature their renowned fibers and yarns to offer consumers comfortable, sustainable and attractive loungewear and activewear.

“We are delighted to continue our partnership with Hyosung this year to develop more eco-friendly fiber collections that offer the combination of everlasting softness, comfort and performance,” said Andreas Guertler, senior manager of Global Business Development Active Sportswear at Lenzing. “With COVID-19, consumers are becoming more mindful of the world around them, triggering a greater demand for sustainable products that can help safeguard the planet. At Lenzing, we are committed to collaborating with more like-minded industry partners like Hyosung, as we continue to promote greater sustainability through textile innovations.”

The Home Everywhere collection is comprised of three fabric concept groups, which includes a variety of unique blends featuring Lenzing’s cellulose fibers and Hyosung’s range of multi-function spandex, polyester and nylon fibers. Key features are as follows:

  1. Deep, Rich Color features Hyosung’s creora® Color+ and TENCEL™ branded modal fibers with Eco Color technology to provide all-over, saturated color without grin through.
  2. Soft Touch collection highlights Hyosung’s 100-percent recycled regen aerolight polyester with TENCEL Modal fibers with Micro technology for sustainable, ultra-soft and light-weight comfort.
  3. Functional collection includes Hyosung’s Mipan aqua-X nylon with TENCEL Lyocell fibers offering cool-touch, UV protection and moisture management.

“Our friends at Lenzing have been an ideal partner in the development of this innovative and sustainable fabric collection, which will enhance long-lasting comfort, performance and versatility consumers are craving in their apparel today,” said Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, EMEA marketing director, Hyosung. “Collaboration is the way forward as the textile industry seeks creative & performance solutions throughout the value chain and to meet changing market dynamics.”

Lenzing and Hyosung will be presenting the Home Everywhere collection at Interfilère Connect taking place online through October 24, 2020, and Performance Days Munich December 9-10, 2020.

Posted September 29, 2020

Source: Hyosung

New Nonwoven Development Center At Hof University Goes On Line In Cooperation With Lenzing

LENZING, Austria/HOF, Germany — September 28, 2020 — On Thursday, September 24, the Lenzing Group, a manufacturer of wood-based cellulosic specialty fibers, and Hof University opened a new Nonwoven Development Center (VEZ). As a strategic partner, Lenzing has access to a state-of-the-art development line at the campus in Münchberg with immediate effect. This offers new opportunities for sustainable fiber and nonwoven innovations for a wide range of applications including hygiene, body care and medical.

In line with the sCore TEN corporate strategy, the Lenzing Group is focusing on sustainable innovations, which are agreed in an optimum manner to the needs of the value chain. “We offer our customers and partners a decisive competitive advantage: agility. The pilot plant in the VEZ allows the resource-efficient development of fiber and nonwoven innovations on a small scale,” explainaed Jürgen Eizinger, vice president, business unit Nonwovens, at Lenzing.

The VEZ was completed according to schedule in September 2020, after Lenzing and the University of Hof signed a cooperation agreement for its use in 2019. The timing is perfect. Developments at political level, such as the directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 on the reduction of the impact of certain plastic products on the environment, increase demand for responsibly manufactured nonwovens. The so-called Single-Use Plastics Directive aims at building awareness and greater transparency with regard to wet wipes and feminine hygiene products.

With its VEOCEL™ branded wood-based cellulose fibers, Lenzing has been laying the foundation for many years for sustainable nonwoven applications and will test and develop innovative ideas using the new possibilities offered by the VEZ. “We are noticing increasing interest in sustainable concepts from biodegradable cellulose fibers,” Eizinger said, summing up the market development of the last months, adding: “We are aware that the fibers used have an enormous influence on the final product. For this reason, our commitment extends beyond fiber production.”

With the spunlace pilot plant at the VEZ, Lenzing will support customers and partners more intensively in the development of new nonwoven applications and at the same time promote cooperation in the field of marketing. In the previous year, the company already established new certification standards for the VEOCEL brand. Since then certified manufacturers can only use the VEOCEL logo with blends of biodegradable cellulosic fibers. With this measure, the VEOCEL brand allows consumers to make a more conscious product selection.

With its #ItsInOurHands environmental initiative, the VEOCEL brand also actively contributes to creating awareness.

Posted September 28, 2020

Source: Lenzing Group

Hugues Schellenberg New UCMTF President

Schellenberg

PARIS — September 28, 2020 — The French Textile Equipment manufacturers’ Association, well known as UCMTF, as elected a new president following the retirement of Bruno Ameline who chaired the association since 2004.

Hugues Schellenberg who has been on the board for 10 years, has been unanimously elected to succeed Ameline. He is the CEO of Dollfus-Muller of Heimsbrunn in the French province of Alsace.

An engineer, Schellenberg got an MBA from Montpellier University in Southern France.

As president of UCMTF, Schellenberg will represent the French association on the board of Cematex, the owner of ITMAs.

After his election, Schellenberg initiated a standing ovation to thank Bruno Ameline for his outstanding job during his 4 terms of tenure, over 16 years. He stated: “It is a great honor but a stressing responsibility to become the UCMTF President in such the uncertain environment our companies have to face worldwide due to the Covid pandemic. For the long run, I am very positive thanks to our state-of-the- art equipments, our services which are up to the best standards, our teams which are so professionals and motivated but right now our business is on a bumpy road”

As CEO of Dollfus-Muller, Schellenberg spends at least half of his time with customers that he visits worldwide. This is how he keeps a firsthand contact and a deep connection with the needs of the market in order to both manage his company on a day to day basis and design its long term strategy.

In addition to UCMTF, Schellenberg is very active in many national, regional and national associations, including the chairmanship of a trade association to improve the employment of underprivileged workers.

Posted September 28, 2020

Source: UCMTF – French Textile Equipment

G-III Apparel Group Announces The Election of Robert L. Johnson To Its Board of Directors

NEW YORK CITY — September 24, 2020 — G-III Apparel Group Ltd. today announced the election of Robert L. Johnson, founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies LLC and former founder and chairman of Black Entertainment Television (BET), to the company’s board of directors.

Morris Goldfarb, G-III’s Chairman and CEO, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Bob to our board of directors. Bob’s success as an entrepreneur and significant business expertise across multiple industries will provide a valuable perspective as we continue to execute our strategy, drive profitability and enhance value for all our stakeholders.”

Johnson is the founder and chairman of The RLJ Companies, a business network that owns or holds interests in businesses operating across multiple industries. Prior to forming The RLJ Companies, Johnson was the founder and chairman of BET, the nation’s first black-owned cable television network. Johnson’s career accolades include, among others, successfully taking three companies public, being named to USA Today’s “25 Most Influential Business Leaders of the Past 25 Years” and Black Enterprise’s 40th Anniversary issue’s list of “Titans: The 40 Most Powerful African Americans in Business”.

Upon joining the G-III Board, Johnson, said: “It is an honor to join the dedicated management team and Board of G-III. The Company has embarked on several strategic initiatives to capitalize on its broad range of globally recognized power brands and diversified product categories to position itself well to navigate the current environment. I look forward to applying my extensive experience to assist G-III in building upon these initiatives as G-III advances its leadership position in the apparel industry.”

With the addition of Johnson, the company’s board now consists of 12 members, with Johnson being the eighth independent director on the Board.

Posted September 25, 2020

Source: G-III Apparel Group Ltd.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification For Emerald Textiles’ San Diego Plant

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — September 25, 2020 — Emerald Textiles, a healthcare linen provider serving the West Coast market, has had its San Diego, Calif., plant certified  Hygienically Clean for Healthcare. This is the second of Emerald Textiles’ locations to achieve the certification, since its Turlock, Calif. plant earned the Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification in 2019. Hygienically Clean is the quantified, validated standard and measure for hygienically clean textiles in North America since 2011, and achieving this certification reflects its commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and their capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing based on established hygienically clean healthcare textile methods and standards.

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms this organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand regulatory requirements;
  • OSHA-compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly RODAC and semi-annual USP 62 testing (RODAC results less than or equal to 20 cfu per square diameter and USP 62 results must show an absence of specified microorganisms) to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced by TRSA in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for Hygienically Clean healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Emerald Textiles on their most recent certification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundries take every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Hygienically Clean reflects the evolution of healthcare laundry certification in light of growing global concerns about infection control, documenting practices that ensure elimination of potentially harmful microbial content while adding quantifiable verification of continuous improvement in overall cleanliness.

Posted September 25, 2020

Source: TRSA

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