BOBINGEN, Germany — June 3, 2020 — Thailand concern Indorama Ventures PCL (IVL), Trevira’s parent company, has pledged to provide financial support to selected charities during the COVID-19 pandemic through a special appeal fund. The money is to be allocated to local projects helping people and organizations facing especial hardship due to the coronavirus crisis. During this challenging time, IVL wants to increase its support for social initiatives, especially in those regions and communities where its companies are based. This includes projects in Guben (Brandenburg) and Bobingen (Bavaria), the homes of two Trevira sites. IVL has already allocated a sum of money to these two areas, while additionally, all IVL employees — including Trevira staff — have been invited to contribute to the fund on a voluntary basis.
To be selected for funding, eligible projects must first be put forward by the staff of Indorama and subsidiaries such as Trevira. This ensures that the projects have a local connection to the areas where the companies are based. An internal, international jury evaluates the submissions and selects the projects it thinks will benefit most from support.
A total of five charities were chosen for the Guben and Bobingen regions, and on Tuesday, May 19, funds totaling 11,556 euros were distributed among three charities in Guben. Guben plant manager Thomas Rademacher visited each of the three charities in person to present them with the cheques. This gave the Trevira representative a chance to find out more about the fantastic work carried out by the charities, and to learn more about how they have been affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The ‘Gubener Tafel’, a food bank run by the national Association for the Unemployed (State of Brandenburg branch) received 3,000 euros. The food bank redistributes food that would otherwise be thrown away to people in need, relying entirely on donations to carry out its work. At the beginning of the pandemic, it had to close down its operation temporarily as hygiene requirements made it impossible to deliver food to clients. However, thanks to the creativity and commitment of the food bank’s directors, it was only a short while before 300 people could once again receive support.
MANCHESTER, Conn. — June 2, 2020 — Lydall Inc. — a manufacturer of value-added engineered materials and specialty filtration solutions that promote a cleaner, safer and quieter world — today announced an investment in an additional fine fiber meltblown asset in response to the exponential increase in domestic and global demand of specialty filtration media for face masks. This new production line will enable Lydall — one of the few American manufacturers capable of producing high-quality fine fiber meltblown filtration media for N95, surgical and medical face masks — to significantly increase its supply and help alleviate the shortage of meltblown materials, both in the U.S. and internationally.
“In the wake of COVID-19, the need for the filtration media that makes face masks effective has increased dramatically, so much so that it is now being called the ‘golden fleece,’” said Sara A. Greenstein, president and CEO of Lydall. “As one of the only companies in North America and Europe with the technical expertise, supplier relationships and access to the right machines to produce this filtration media, we feel great responsibility to do everything within our power to increase our output, support domestic supply chains and contribute to the global fight against COVID-19. This investment is one example of Lydall’s commitment to do just that.”
The new asset will complement Lydall’s existing global meltblown capacity and is estimated to supply the filtration media for one billion face masks per year, almost a third of the 3.5 billion that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has projected as necessary to protect healthcare workers. Lydall expects commercial production to begin in its Rochester, New Hampshire facility in the fourth quarter of 2020 and plans to hire up to 15 additional employees to support the increase in production.
A technical market leader in the creation of specialty filtration solutions for nearly 100 years, Lydall has quickly pivoted to address the worldwide surge in demand for PPE and other products that support frontline workers and their patients. In addition to manufacturing the critical filtration efficiency layers for N95 respirator masks, ASTM 1, 2, 3 medical masks, and general-purpose masks, Lydall also supplies other support materials for face masks, including comfort layers, protective layers and ties straps.
“Being a trustworthy business partner is a top priority at Lydall. It is always our goal to provide our customers with a consistent supply of high-quality, specialty products and superior customer service,” Ashish Diwanji, incoming resident of Lydall Performance Materials, added. “As the principal supplier of meltblown filtration media to many of the U.S.’s largest face mask producers, we are currently operating at full capacity, with our extraordinarily dedicated team running our existing production lines 24 hours a day, seven days a week. We are pleased that the new installation of this asset will enable us to substantially increase our output of this critically-needed product.”
The company has also ramped up production of other much-needed filtration products like needlepunch felt for hospital gowns, medical wipes and absorbent bed pads. In preparation for the U.S. economy’s reopening, Lydall’s innovation team is advancing its filtration science to develop new, high-efficiency, HEPA-rated filtration media to improve the air quality of public spaces, including office buildings, shopping centers, hospitals and airports.
NEW YORK — June 2, 2020 — PVH Corp., owner of a portfolio of iconic brands including TOMMY HILFIGER and CALVIN KLEIN, announced today that Daniel Grieder is stepping down from his role of CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe after 23 years in various management roles within the organization, and will be leaving the company to pursue other interests. Martijn Hagman will succeed Grieder and become the new CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global & PVH Europe, effective June 2, 2020.
Hagman is currently COO, Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe and CFO, Tommy Hilfiger Global, overseeing operations, finance, digital business transformation, technology, business development and the Tommy Hilfiger global sustainability program. He is a 12-year veteran of the Tommy Hilfiger leadership team and has been instrumental in Tommy Hilfiger’s impressive global expansion and the strategy that has led to PVH Europe’s consistent year-over-year growth.
“Tommy Hilfiger Global and PVH Europe came into this year on the same successful path they have been on, with strong sales trends and improving brand awareness, and connecting with consumers,” said Manny Chirico, chairman and CEO, PVH Corp. “Daniel has been a champion of growing our innovation capabilities and expanding TOMMY HILFIGER’s reach around the world, always pushing for a consumer-centric, digitally-focused and sustainable mindset, while building a very strong management team.”
“It has been a phenomenal 23 years,” said Grieder. “As we are in the midst of this seismic shift in our industry, we find ourselves in a unique position to make a change that I believe will launch us into a new era for the brand. It’s a good feeling to know I can pass my seat to Martijn — he’s been a true friend, trusted confidant and reliable co-pilot on the last 12 years of this journey. There is never a perfect moment to leave an organization you love; the options are to leave too late or too early, and I knew I wanted to make this change while still having the optimism, energy and passion I’ve always held onto in my career.”
Under Grieder’s entrepreneurial leadership, Tommy Hilfiger has been positioned as a leading lifestyle company with best-in-class product, consumer engagement, digitalization and corporate responsibility initiatives. Since Grieder became CEO, Tommy Hilfiger Global & PVH Europe, in 2014, the Tommy Hilfiger business grew from $6 billion to over $9 billion in retail sales in 2019, and the Calvin Klein European business more than doubled in revenues and earnings.
Stefan Larsson, PVH president, said: “Together, Daniel and Martijn have instilled a future-focused vision, putting consumers at its core and creating a product-driven culture. We are thankful for Daniel’s many years of strong leadership and great accomplishments. I have great confidence in Martijn as a leader with a deep understanding of the underlying value drivers of the business. His consumer-centric mindset and digitally focused leadership will successfully guide the next era of sustainable and profitable growth for Tommy Hilfiger and the European region.”
Hagman said, “It is an honor to continue to build on the achievements of the TOMMY HILFIGER brand and PVH Europe alongside an exceptional and passionate management team. My thanks to Daniel extend well beyond the unwavering support, development opportunities and leadership he has provided over the years. We are confident in continuing to execute on the current strategic plan, and our focus for the coming months will be on the recovery and rebound phase of our global businesses out of the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Grieder will help transition his responsibilities over the next few months to ensure a smooth and successful transition.
Both Grieder and Hagman have worked side by side with the brand’s founder and Principal Designer Mr. Tommy Hilfiger for many years.
“My belief and excitement for the future of our brand has never been stronger,” said Tommy Hilfiger. “Daniel’s biggest gifts to our organization have been connecting the brand more strongly with our consumers and building a culture within the organization that is devoted to staying on the cutting edge of product, innovation and culture. Martijn has been on that journey, and, together, we’re going to keep writing the future of our brand — along with our partners and consumers around the world.”
FORT MILL, S.C. — May 28, 2020 — Domtar Corp. named Lewis Fix the business unit manager of its Engineered Absorbent Materials (EAM) business, a wholly owned subsidiary of Domtar, based in Jesup, Ga. Fix, pulp commercial vice president, is currently responsible for the sales and marketing of Domtar’s pulp business, which produces fluff, papergrade and specialty pulp. With the addition of EAM, Fix will be responsible for building an innovative global business that includes both pulp and airlaid materials, strengthening Domtar’s standing with key hygiene customers.
“Combining EAM with our pulp business enables Domtar to provide our customers with unique material solutions,” said Steve Makris, pulp vice president at Domtar. “Under Lewis’s leadership, we will continue to build upon our essential value proposition of being innovative, insightful and collaborative. His experienced industry leadership will strengthen this business for global growth.”
EAM designs and manufactures ultrathin airlaid absorbent cores. EAM has developed industry-leading expertise in non-woven materials and absorbent technology. Some of the world’s largest branded and private label manufacturers incorporate EAM’s NovaThin® and NovaZorb® brand cores into a wide range of products that consumers and businesses rely on every day.
SAN FRANCISCO — June 2, 2020 — As a brand that believes in freedom, equality and a life with no boundaries for all — not just some, Banana Republic aims to continue empowering people through clothing. In response to the current crisis in America, Banana Republic Will Work for a Better Republic by donating more than $20 million of new clothing to those in need, including millions of unemployed Americans who need support getting back to work and getting back on their feet.
In partnership with Delivering Good — a nonprofit organization that unites retailers, manufacturers, foundations and individuals to support Americans affected by poverty and tragedy — Banana Republic will donate clothing to a variety of partner organizations in states that have been most impacted, including Hour Working Women Program in New York, Central City Neighborhood Partners in Los Angeles, Family Focus Englewood in Chicago, among others. This donation will help people as they build a brighter future.
“During this unique moment in history, it’s more necessary than ever to work together to support one another, especially those in need,” said Mark Breitbard, head of Banana Republic and Gap Inc. specialty brands. “As America faces historic unemployment rates, Banana Republic Will Work for a Better Republic, helping Americans get back to work by providing confidence through clothing they can wear for interviews and in different work environments, including working from home.”
“By supporting Delivering Good, Banana Republic is helping men and women across the US, including those facing poverty, homelessness, and job loss,” said Delivering Good President and CEO Lisa Gurwitch. “Among our network of more than 700 community partners, we will focus this donation on nonprofits with workforce training and re-entry programs and markets that have been especially affected by the current crises. This donation will have such a positive impact on men, women and disadvantaged young adults.”
This donation is the latest in Banana Republic’s ongoing efforts to support its communities and be the change, together. Banana Republic believes we are stronger together and better together. WE belong. We believe in a world of equality and opportunity, for everyone. Banana Republic, along with Gap Inc. brands Athleta, Gap and Old Navy, have come together to donate $250,000 to support the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People and EmbraceRace to fight for equal rights.
The Gap Foundation also previously announced a $1 million donation to local, state, national and international non-profit organizations to support underserved families during the coronavirus crisis. Banana Republic and the Gap Inc. family of brands will continue to support Americans in need. In addition, parent company Gap Inc. has leveraged its supply chain to connect hospital networks with millions of critical personal protective equipment (PPE) for frontline healthcare workers in response to COVID-19. Banana Republic’s first reusable face mask was sold in benefit to Feeding America®’s COVID-19 Response Fund. This is just the beginning of how the brand Will Work for a Better Republic and is dedicated to doing more than selling clothes.
MALMÖ, Sweden — June 2, 2020 — Polygiene, the global supplier of Stays Fresh Technologies has partnered with Royal Enfield Apparel to create a new range including helmets, T-shirts, balaclavas, neck- and headgear, riding jackets and gloves, among other items.
A number of items including headgears will be launched with a combination of Polygiene® Biostatic and Odor crunch stays fresh technologies, that stops the growth of odor causing bacteria and makes products feel fresh and clean in all conditions and environments. More products will be added in the coming seasons, both from the protective and lifestyle lines.
The treated headgear will fuel Royal Enfield’s drive to encourage people to cover their faces using the headgear as a voluntary public health measure. Understanding the problem at hand, Royal Enfield is urging their community to teach people how to use their headgear, how to wash, sanitize and reuse it — all to keep themselves protected and safe.
The Royal Enfield brand is owned by Indian automaker Eicher Motors Limited, that is listed on the India stock market (BSE and NSE). The apparel business is growing and Eicher Motors is adopting a strategy that mirrors what other iconic brands have successfully monetized, adding apparel products to enhance the motorcycling experience.
“Our constant endeavour is to level up the collection every season and to stay relevant to the ever-evolving needs of riders. In order to be sustainable and provide the best for the riders, this partnership is a step forward. With reduced washes through Polygiene technology, I definitely feel that we are offering the best to our riders and will continue to make products that enhance the riding experience”, says Puneet Sood, Head, Apparel Business at Royal Enfield. ”We are very proud to start a joint partnership with Royal Enfield. Our aim is to create an added value for every customer and in terms of this iconic brand we hope to add a real advantage for the end-users, the riders. When on the road they now will stay fresh, can travel light, and wash less. We are looking forward to adding unique advantages with our technology to the entire product range of Royal Enfield apparel going forward”, says Ulrika Björk, CEO at Polygiene. ”And on a final note, we are very happy to help spread the important message of #REGearUp, together with Royal Enfield.”
ST. LOUIS — June 1, 2020 — Evolution St. Louis — a high-tech, highly advanced knitting facility in the United States — has announced the creation of its board of managers, experts in finance, fashion, and technology who will help build on Evolution St. Louis’ success and drive its growth.
Evolution St. Louis’ new board of managers is composed of highly accomplished individuals that have run investment companies, led corporations and been featured in Forbes and Project Runway: Fashion Startup.
“We value and appreciate our Board members for bringing their expertise and focus on excellence, to help drive our continued growth and success,” said Jon Lewis, CEO and co-founder of Evolution St. Louis. “The response to Evolution St. Louis has been nothing short of overwhelming, and I thank our Board of Managers for being willing to serve and advance our vision for the future.”
“Our board members share our passion and commitment to reinvent, recreate and revitalize the knit sector so we can bring made-in-the-U.S. products to new customers and new markets,” said John Elmuccio, COO and co-founder of Evolution St. Louis. “We have been humbled by the rapid success of and support for Evolution St. Louis, and we are truly grateful for their time, talent and expertise.”
The five-member Board of Managers includes:
Gary Wassner, CEO of Hilldun Corp. and founding member and chairman of Interluxe Holdings LLC;
Barbara Archer, managing director and partner at Hightower Wealth 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 co-founder of Evolution St. Louis; and
Jon Lewis, CEO and co-founder of Evolution St. Louis.
“St. Louis has a strong tradition in the fashion industry and deep roots in manufacturing, and I believe Evolution St. Louis will establish the city as a key player in the global manufacturing market and supply chain,” said Barbara Archer.
“Jon Lewis and John Elmuccio’s knowledge of the fashion industry, global supply chain and business have been instrumental to the success of Evolution St. Louis,” said John Kalishman. “Their forward-looking vision is truly innovative, and I am proud to serve on the Board of Managers.”
“Evolution St. Louis is the future of fashion and apparel manufacturing so I’m honored to serve on the Board of Managers to support a truly original and pioneering vision to reinvent advanced manufacturing as we know it,” said Gary Wassner.
HONG KONG — June 2, 2020 — Hong Kong-based EPIC Group, a garment manufacturer for global brands, today announced its strategic partnership with Arvind Envisol, the water treatment business of Arvind Ltd. This partnership aims at integrating best practices of water and waste water treatment and use and thereby reducing the environmental footprint across manufacturing units of Epic Group in Bangladesh, Vietnam, Ethiopia, Jordan and future projects in India.
Environmental sustainability is at the center of this partnership as goals of both companies are well aligned to reduce and reuse water. For Arvind Envisol, this partnership signifies their expansion into Bangladesh for the water treatment solutions.
Through this partnership Arvind Envisol will provide its expertise in water treatment to 3 plants of EPIC in first phase. It will be later extended to other plants of the group. Arvind Envisol will provide technological solutions to achieve ZDHC progressive discharge standards using technologies such as Membrane Bio Reactors (MBR), Ultra-filtration (UF).
Speaking of the partnership, Punit Lalbhai, chairman, Arvind Envisol, emphasized: “We are passionate about this partnership with EPIC Group, known for its leadership in sustainability. This partnership will help boost sustainable water treatment solutions, without hampering productivity.Our capabilities in areas like water treatment, industrial effluent treatment across sectors and sewage treatment ensure that we contribute towards water conservation and reducing water pollution and wastage to a great extent. We are happy to enter into a new geography for our business with a partner such as Epic.”
In second phase of the partnership, the parties will work together to develop and implement technology solutions to reuse treated wastewater in processes to significantly reduce the use of groundwater. Arvind Envisol will help with expertise based on regular audits and observations.
Ranjan Mahtani, chairman, Epic Group, said: “We are happy to partner with a globally credible name in water treatment business – Arvind Envisol. Sustainability is part of our culture driven by advanced technology, innovation and continuous improvement. This partnership will help both companies meet their ambitious sustainability aims and implement best in class wastewater treatment. The common endeavor is always to exceed industry expectations”.
Arvind Envisol, a subsidiary of Arvind Ltd., is a water management company providing end-to-end solutions for water treatment, industrial waste water treatment, sewage treatment and zero liquid discharge solutions. EPIC Group is a global apparel manufacturer with a global footprint focusing on innovation, design and sustainability.
Recently, Arvind and Gap Inc.’s partnered for ‘Sewage Reuse Program – 8 MLD’. Both companies aim to eliminate their freshwater usage in manufacturing processes. Arvind Envisol made it possible through the use of innovative technology which helped reduce the overall footprint of the plant.
Many trials and test with sustainable polyamides and polyesters, as well as with PHAs and a range of of PLAs, have been undertaken by the company.
LEEDS, England — June 2, 2020 — Fibre Extrusion Technology (FET), a UK-based specialist in process solutions and equipment for the manmade yarns and fiber extrusion industry, has received unprecedented inquiries about its nonwoven meltblowing systems since the onset of the coronavirus crisis.
“We’re currently running trials, preparing samples and defining specifications for companies in Germany and Italy, as well as the UK, and we could already have sold the lab line we have here many times over,” said Managing Director Richard Slack. “It’s primarily designed for R&D and pilot scale applications, but trials have proven it to be suitable for the low volume production of critical meltblown face mask materials. Some of the customers to whom we’ve supplied similar lines have already pivoted their production to this, which has generated further interest.
“We feel, however, that we are ideally placed to offer services to nonwoven companies who may be exploring alternatives to polypropylene in meltblown, due to our experience in working with such a wide range of fiber types.”
Medical
FET’s meltblown system was originally developed for companies looking to process high melt viscosity medical grade resorbable polymers such as polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA) and polyhydroxl btyrate (PGH), mainly for use in implantable products and other medical devices.
The key applications for these fibers are in hernia repair patches, staple reinforcement buttresses, artificial skin, adhesion barriers periodontal and ringival repair materials and those for tendon and ligament repair.
“Our meltblowing system provides medical companies and others dealing in such fibers with a simpler processing route than other techniques such as needlepunching and a wide range of structural and mechanical properties is obtainable from batch production,” Slack said. “There are also numerous options for post-processing of the webs, by calendering, point bonding or lamination.”
Performance polymers such as TPU polyurethanes and TPE thermoplastic elastomers are also processed by a number of leading sportswear companies on FET meltblown systems, while engineering polymers such as ABS and PEEK, as well as polycarbonate and halogenated polymers, are other possible raw materials.
Sustainable resins
It is in the area of sustainable resins, however, that FET believes much more can be achieved.
Meltblown polpropylene nonwovens are the critical component of the face masks needed for Covid-19 frontline workers and their scarcity on the open market has in part been the reason for the reported shortages around the world.
An estimated 40 million face masks and other disposable nonwoven-based PPE items are currently estimated to be being consumed each day, amounting to a daily 15,000-ton mountain of waste — much of which must be incinerated.
“We’ve done a lot of work with sustainable polyamides and polyesters, as well as with PHAs and a range of of PLAs,” Slack says. “In the longer term, there has to be a more sustainable option than poypropylene in these products and the opportunity to explore potential alternatives — drawing on the know how from the extensive body of tests and trials we’ve carried out in the past, as well as the machines run commercially by our customers — is something I believe makes us pretty unique in the services we can offer nonwovens manufacturers.
Conventional meltblown and spunbonded systems are usually designed for high capacity systems and are not suitable for product development, he adds.
“They consume high quantities of materials and as a consequence are not suitable for development work with high value materials or for niche applications. They also rely on specially formulated low viscosity polymers which is a further limitation which does not apply to us.
In processing finer filaments, FET has achived structures with average mean filament diameters of 1.68 microns and 58% of between 0.5 to 1.5 microns, in web thicknesses of 37 microns with bulk density of 98 mg/ml and porosity of around 92%.
FET’s system is designed for the processing of pure polymer with no no need for processing aids or additives.
“A wide range of structural and mechanical properties are obtainable, with numerous options for post-processing of the web, such as by calendering, point bonding or lamination,” Richard Slack concludes. “More effective and sustainable PPE solutions could well be achieved through further product development.”
BEAR, Del. — June 2, 2020 —Black Swan Textiles is proud to announce the addition of new business partners, Frank Henderson and Magnus Kanholt. Aside from decades of apparel industry experience, these additions bolster Black Swan’s vision of developing and implementing the Digital Twin model in the apparel industry to connect brands and suppliers. “Fabric is the vehicle through which a garment provides comfort, durability, and beauty. To date, that vehicle has been a pack mule burdened with lethargy and bad process. With the addition of Magnus and Frank, Black Swan Textiles will transform fabric into a digital asset driving improvements to every sector of our industry.”–Keith Hoover, Black Swan Textiles
Frank Henderson serves as CEO of Henderson Sewing Machine Company, a third-generation global supplier of machines, parts, and supplies for the sewn products industry. The company does business in more than 34 countries, supplying the machines that stitch together the world. Henderson has been a pioneer in developing technologies that bring automated sewing into the garment factory. He is a strong advocate of automation and robotics and sees the creation of a digital fabric model as a prerequisite to unlock robotic handling of flexible material. Henderson’s vision is to accelerate the time from the production line to the distributor to a matter of days thereby changing the model of the entire apparel and sewn products industry. “Only through the implementation of digitalization will we provide the opportunity for the apparel manufacturing sector to move closer to where the products are sold.”
Magnus Kanholtleads the development of tools and processes that provide brands, retailers, and manufacturers with increased process insights, cycle time reduction, and profitability. As a founder, he has helped to grow start-ups into multi-million dollar industrial leaders. Though coming from the software development industry, his passion for the textile industry has continuously grown for twenty years. In various roles, from founder and CEO to technical lead, Kanholt has been on factory floors and in board rooms, listening to and guiding organizations toward increased digital awareness. More than 50 brands and retailers and 1000+ suppliers today achieve significant savings and reduced waste using solutions for which Kanholt led development. He has contributed to paradigm shifts that moved the apparel and textiles industries forward. “Black Swan is positioned to drive real end-to-end digitalization in a fragmented and analog industry. BlackOPS changes everything and I am excited to lead the development efforts.”
The BlackOPS™ model for flexible materials is built to support digitalization across the apparel industry. Two unique applications in development. BlackOPS™ M2K™ digitizes key attributes to comprehensively model fabric and transform inspiration into a manufacturing-ready specification. BlackOPS™ Arsenal™ organizes digital fabric libraries on a searchable platform enabling brands and suppliers to locate existing fabrics that meet predefined needs.
