Herculite Products Has Been Recognized As One Of The Best Places To Work In Pennsylvania

EMIGSVILLE, PA  — November 11, 2024 — Herculite Products Inc., an innovator and manufacturer of high-performance and custom fabrics, is pleased to announce that the Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business have selected it as one of the Best Places to Work in PA for 2024.

This is the second year in a row that Herculite has been named one of the Best Places to Work in PA, which identifies, recognizes, and honors the best places of employment in Pennsylvania. Companies are ranked based on evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, and demographics and an employee survey measuring the employee experience.

“We are honored to be recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in PA,” said Vice President of Human Resources Pamela Funk. “This award reflects our commitment to creating a positive, inclusive, and empowering environment for our associates. We believe that when we invest in our people, we create a workplace that not only drives innovation and success but also fosters a culture of collaboration, respect, and growth. We owe this achievement to our team of associates, whose hard work and commitment make this recognition possible. Together, we will continue to create a culture where everyone can succeed and find fulfillment in their careers.”

Herculite President and CEO Peter McKernan added, “I would like to congratulate all our associates for making this possible. It is a privilege to lead such a dedicated team.”

“This year’s Best Places to Work in PA have established a positive environment for innovative teams to thrive. These organizations put their employees first by innovating new benefits and programs,” said Suzanne Fischer-Huettner, managing director of BridgeTower Media/Central Penn Business Journal and Lehigh Valley Business. “We are pleased to join with the Best Companies Group to recognize this year’s winners.”

Posted: November 11, 2024

Source: Herculite Products Inc.

Heimtextil University Contest 2025 Attracts Creative Young Talents — Innovative Solutions For The Future

FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany  — November 11, 2024 — The winners of the Heimtextil University Contest 2025 have been announced: Kateryna Basiuk, Eszter Nagy and Birke-Katharina Weber impressed with their clever textile solutions on the topics of light, sound protection and colour. In 2025, the contest received around twice as many submissions as last year. The selected projects can be seen at the world’s largest trade fair for home and contract textiles from 14 to 17 January 2025 in Frankfurt.

What textile solutions does the next generation have in store? The Heimtextil University Contest showcases the innovative power of young talents and universities at an international level. This is well received: 44 students from twelve countries submitted consistently high-quality projects for the current edition. The number of submissions has almost doubled compared to the University Contest 2024. The applications came from Germany, Finland, France, India, Lithuania, the Netherlands, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Slovakia, Slovenia and Ukraine. The winners have the opportunity to present their projects and universities to an international audience free of charge at Heimtextil 2025 in hall 3.0 and benefit from the global reach of the platform.

Photo— Messe Frankfurt / Pietro Sutera

‘I am delighted that the Heimtextil University Contest has met with such a great international response. We can only solve transformations in networks that come together from diverse perspectives. That is why we are specifically promoting students and universities and focussing attention on them as drivers of innovation,’ says Bettina Bär, Director Heimtextil.

Heimtextil University Contest 2025 at a glance
In the international Heimtextil University Contest 2025, three winners asserted themselves with conceptually strong answers: Kateryna Basiuk (Lucerne University, Switzerland) is inspired by moth wings in ‘Silent Canvas’ and shows how recycled yarns work for aesthetically pleasing sound absorbers. Eszter Nagy (Aalto University, Finland) is focussing on the topic of light. Her ‘Lumen Collection’ centres on experimenting with woven textiles that navigate between light and space as membranes. And Birke-Katharina Weber (Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin, Germany) develops various possibilities for extracting sustainable dyes from mushrooms in her research project ‘MycoColors’.

The international expert jury is made up of six experts from relevant disciplines from academia and industry. This year’s members were: Svenja Bernhold, Laetitia Forst, Saman Khodabandeh, Tina Moor, Maarit Salolainen and Lutz Walter. Here you can find an overview of the jury members 2025.

The winners of the Heimtextil University Contest 2025

Kateryna Basiuk, Lucerne University, Switzerland – Silent Canvas

Knitting as a key technique to recreate sound-absorbing microstructures of moth wings
Photo — Kateryna Basiuk

In her project ‘Silent Canvas’, Kateryna Basiuk analyses how recycled yarns can be used for circular sound absorbers while improving their aesthetic and visual properties. She takes her inspiration from the sound-absorbing microstructures of moth wings. Her key technique for recreating these natural structures in recycled materials is knitting. The project addresses SDG 12.5, the reduction of waste generation through reuse. The work is part of a project of the Products & Textiles Research Group – HSLU Design, Film & Art.

Kateryna Basiuk: ‘Silent Canvas explores the relationship between aesthetics and acoustics through biomorphic design and recycled materials. Inspired by the structure of a moth’s wing and fuelled by a personal commitment to sustainable design solutions, I question traditional approaches and focus on new, circular processes. My journey began with a bachelor’s project at the Lucerne School of Art and Design in collaboration with the Product & Textile research group and has since led me deeper into the research field of sustainable textiles.’

Eszter Nagy, Aalto University, Finland – Lumen Collection

Membrane between light and space: Lumen collection from Membrane
Photo — Eszter Nagy

Sustainability and light: In her ‘Lumen Collection’, Eszter Nagy presents textiles woven from natural materials that navigate as membranes between light and space. Her two main pieces were created on the industrial machine at Aalto University, which has a cotton warp. The density and thickness of the yarn led Eszter Nagy to test multi-layered structures and fil-coupe to increase light transmission. During the design process, she tried out hand-woven structures and treated them in different ways: In ‘Lilla’, she weaves a two-layer structure with linen wefts that reveal their long floats in the fabric when light falls on them. ‘Duo’ is created as a single fabric with a double weave, which is later cut apart using the fil-coupe technique. The pattern is woven with wool, which fixes the position of the cut wefts after washing and drying. The two fabrics created in this way form reciprocal negative patterns which, when laid on top of each other as a curtain, create a playful effect.

Eszter Nagy: ‘With my architectural background, I have always been fascinated by natural light and how it creates different spatial atmospheres. The starting point of the Lumen collection is experimenting with transparent textiles that navigate between light and space as a membrane. Lumen is also intended to be woven only from natural materials to demonstrate the sustainable possibilities of transparent fabrics. With each piece, the boundary between inside and outside is either more strongly defined or removed.’

Birke-Katharina Weber, Weißensee Kunsthochschule Berlin, Germany – MycoColors

MycoColors: The colour of mushrooms as a sustainable alternative
Photo — Birke-Katharina Weber

‘MycoColors’ is dedicated to the colourful world of mushrooms: In her research work, Birke-Katharina Weber investigates innovative methods for extracting textile dyes from mushrooms, which have the potential to serve as an environmentally friendly alternative to synthetic dyes. Birke-Katharina Weber is researching different types of fungi and extraction processes in order to develop a wide range of sustainable colour options for the textile industry. Extractive processes for obtaining dyes from the fruiting bodies of existing fungal species and the controllable growth of mycelia in bioreactors are used for this purpose. Their aim is to create a constantly growing range of colours that can also be transferred to other materials.

Birke-Katharina Weber: ‘Our colourful planet has produced three large empires of organisms: flora, fauna and funga. Funga? In fact, the world of fungi is only partially visible to the eye in its diversity of form and function, but it is of fundamental importance for the formation and interaction of natural elements. Nowadays, it even offers numerous opportunities to stop the harmful and destructive dynamics of our industrial production methods.’

Posted: November 11, 2024

Source: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH

ReHubs, AMI Join Forces To Collaborate On The Conference Program For The First Textiles Recycling Expo

BRUSSELS  — November 11, 2024 — ReHubs is pleased to announce that it has become a strategic partner for the Textiles Recycling Expo that is being launched by AMI in Brussels on June 4-5, 2025. This event will serve as a platform for industry leaders and stakeholders to come together to advance textile waste recycling.

The Textiles Recycling Expo will showcase innovative developments and industry leading exhibitors working towards solving the issue of textile waste. It will also boast a high-level conference featuring industry experts, innovators and stakeholders presenting valuable insights and perspectives on the textile recycling industry.

With extensive experience in organizing events for the global plastics industry, AMI is now expanding its reach with the Textiles Recycling Expo. Partnering with ReHubs – a partnership- based collaboration hub for textile-to-textile recycling in Europe – this alliance combines AMI’s event management strengths with ReHubs’ extensive network and commitment to accelerating textile recycling. ReHubs will contribute to supporting the development of the conference program, bringing valuable insights from within the industry.

ReHub’s Chris Deloof commented on joining forces with AMI: “ReHubs is delighted to collaborate with AMI on this Expo for textiles recycling. This event provides a unique opportunity for the entire textiles recycling ecosystem to come together, exchange knowledge, and advance the adoption of recycled fibers and circular business models.”

AMI’s Zied Chetoui commented on the value of collaborative action with ReHubs: “The Textiles Recycling Expo represents a crucial step forward for the industry as we work collectively to build a circular future for textiles and we believe collaborating on this event with ReHubs will bring significant value to the industry through empowering stakeholders from across the value chain.”

By joining forces, AMI and ReHubs are combining their strengths to create an event that fosters meaningful connections, knowledge exchange, and industry-wide impact. This will establish the Textiles Recycling Expo as a leading event for advancing textiles recycling in Europe.

Posted: November 11, 2024

Source: ReHubs / The Textiles Recycling Expo is organized by AMI

EDANA Hosts Groundbreaking Sustainability Forum 2024, Showcasing Pathways To A Greener Future For The Nonwovens Industry

BRUSSELS — November 8, 2024 — EDANA, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, concluded its annual Sustainability Forum yesterday at the prestigious KBR Royal Library of Belgium in Brussels. This year’s forum, themed “Building a Sustainable Future Together,” featured a series of keynote addresses, panel discussions, and collaborative sessions focused on environmental responsibility, corporate social responsibility, and circular economy innovations within the nonwovens sector. With an agenda that bridged policy and practice, the Forum highlighted the latest advancements and strategies aimed at tackling climate change, reducing waste, and enhancing sustainability practices.

Keynote Highlights

The forum featured two keynote speakers in the world of sustainability. First, Ana Rovzar, Founder of Polygon AR, opened the Forum with a keynote on the accelerating transition to clean energy. In her speech, she discussed the shift from conventional energy investments to renewables, noting a 50% growth in renewables in 2023 alone. “It is accelerating much faster than people think” she remarked, emphasizing that “real progress requires a united front from governments, businesses, and communities to remove regulatory and technological barriers”.

In another impactful keynote, sustainability expert Mike Barry, formerly of Marks & Spencer, stressed the importance of aligning corporate strategy with sustainability. “Citizens see climate change as a top priority, and companies must act boldly to reduce emissions, especially Scope 3”, he said. “Sustainability is now a vital part of brand identity, and consumers expect more transparency and commitment than ever”.

Innovative Industry Perspectives and EU Policy Impacts

The Forum’s sessions offered a unique blend of forward-thinking ideas and practical approaches to sustainability. EDANA’s own Sustainability and Technical Affairs Manager, Marta Roche Díez, reflected on the organization’s achievements over the past year and outlined future goals to drive sustainable innovation in the nonwovens industry. “Our vision for sustainability is an evolving roadmap, but we’re proud of the progress made and are committed to championing impactful changes” , underscoring EDANA’s commitment to environmental responsibility in collaboration with EU directives.

Brieuc Lits, Public Affairs Director at EDANA, examined the potential effects of the EU Green Deal on the nonwovens industry. “The EU’s shift towards balancing sustainability with competitiveness will shape not only policy but the very framework within which we operate”, he noted, emphasizing that the sector must adapt to stay competitive and aligned with regulatory expectations.

Lastly, Paolo Haeusermann, Senior Brand Director and Europe Sustainability Leader at Procter & Gamble, shared insights on advancing sustainability in absorbent hygiene products and emphasized the importance of these items. “We are talking about essential products in people’s lives”, he remarked.

Corporate and Product Sustainability: A Deep Dive

Several industry leaders shared insights on integrating sustainability at every level of business. Carsten Ruff from Nitto Advanced Film Solutions discussed the challenges and strategies of embedding sustainability in corporate culture, particularly in a multinational setting. “Sustainability is not a contradiction to industrial applications; it’s a powerful driver of innovation”, he observed.

Martijn Gipmans from Sphera Solutions highlighted the business value of transparency and life-cycle assessments (LCA). “LCA and transparent ESG reporting can catalyse both business growth and environmental progress”, he explained, stressing the importance of integrated sustainability assessments to reduce the carbon footprint of entire product portfolios.

Christophe Morel-Fourrier, Sustainability Leader for Hygiene, Packaging, and Converting Adhesives at Bostik, introduced the Archimedes tool as a strategic asset for Portfolio Sustainability Assessment. “Archimedes allows us to make transparent, informed decisions that align with our long-term sustainability goals”, he explained. He highlighted that this tool helps companies evaluate the sustainability of their product portfolios, empowering them to make impactful choices that support environmental goals.

The Path Forward: Advancing Circularity and Green Innovation

One of the most discussed topics was the industry’s transition toward a circular economy. Albert Hammerschmied from Freudenberg Performance Materials highlighted the importance of post-industrial waste in achieving circularity, particularly in the automotive sector. “The potential for nonwovens in the automotive circular economy is vast, but requires industry-wide collaboration”, he commented.

In a session addressing the future of sustainable practices in building insulation, Alexandre Butté of ANDRITZ Laroche emphasized the importance of sustainable materials and collaboration among stakeholders. “The building industry faces unique sustainability challenges, but with innovation and eco-friendly materials, we can bridge the gap between goals and achievable practices”, he said.

Building a Sustainable Health Sector

Danielle van Horzen, Global Marketing Manager for Hygiene and Healthcare at SABIC, discussed advanced recycling solutions in the healthcare sector. Addressing the challenges of medical waste recycling, she stated, “A significant amount of medical waste is not contaminated, offering us opportunities to create circularity in healthcare.” She pointed to the potential for advanced chemical recycling to enable circular models, helping to tackle the pressing issue of sustainable medical waste management.

The day concluded with a session on the circular potential within healthcare. Kristien Depraetere, Sustainability Coordinator at UZ Leuven, outlined sustainable practices in hospitals, from waste reduction to advanced recycling in medical waste. “Healthcare can lead by example in the transition to circularity, yet we need practical and legislative support to address unique industry challenges”.

Visit to the European Commission

The third day of EDANA’s Sustainability Forum 2024 concluded with an insightful visit to the European Commission, offering attendees a unique opportunity to engage directly with policymakers and gain firsthand insights into the EU’s sustainability agenda. Hosted at the Charlemagne Building, discussions centered on pivotal elements of the EU Green Deal, including the establishment of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), the scope and implementation of the Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD), and the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation.

Featuring presentations from prominent EU officials like Vicenzo Gente and Werner Bosmans, attendees delved into how these regulations are shaping sustainability strategies across industries. Bridging policy and practice emerged as essential, reinforcing the forum’s dedication to aligning industry actions with current EU regulatory frameworks. The session offered a strong conclusion to the event, reinforcing a shared commitment to a sustainable future in collaboration with EU leaders and regulatory bodies.

EDANA’s Commitment to a Greener Future

The Sustainability Forum 2024 underscored EDANA’s commitment to driving sustainable practices across the nonwovens industry. As companies, policymakers, and stakeholders join forces to combat environmental challenges, EDANA is positioned to support and accelerate these efforts.

Posted: November 8, 2024

Source: EDANA — European Disposables and Nonwovens Association

NRF: Import Cargo Could See Surge Ahead Of Potential Port Strike And Trump Tariffs

WASHINGTON — November 8, 2024 — Import volumes at the nation’s major container ports could be higher than previously expected for the remainder of this year as retailers face another potential East Coast/Gulf Coast port strike and tariff increases planned by President-elect Donald Trump, according to the Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“October’s strike lasted only three days but there’s the potential for a longer strike if a new labor contract is not reached after the contract extension runs out in mid-January,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “That has retailers spending extra to bring in cargo early or continue shifting it to the West Coast to avoid any potential disruptions, much like they did earlier this year. And we’re hearing that some merchants will also move up shipments to avoid the costly tariff increases expected after Donald Trump returns to the White House. Neither of these developments is good for retailers, their customers or the economy.”

The International Longshoremen’s Association briefly went on strike at East and Gulf Coast ports in October after its contract with the U.S. Maritime Alliance expired. But longshoremen went back to work after the parties agreed to a wage increase and a contract extension until January 15. The parties are set to resume formal negotiations next week.

An NRF study released this week found that tariff increases proposed by Trump could drive up consumer prices by as much as $78 billion a year.

Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said the potential for a January strike “can be seen in the continuing increases in U.S. imports from Asia, which have not fallen away as expected.” And worries over higher tariffs are a global concern, he said.

“We are witnessing elections around the world where discontent is leading to inward-looking policies that threaten trade with the almost certain potential for increasing tariffs,” Hackett said. “In the United States, this is particularly true with the election of Donald Trump but it is not much different in Europe, with the EU calling for tariffs to be applied to a growing number of products from China.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 2.29 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units – one 20-foot container or its equivalent – in September, although the Ports of New York/New Jersey and Miami have yet to report final data. That was down 1.3% from August but up 12.8% year over year.

Ports have not yet reported October’s numbers, but Global Port Tracker projected the month at 2.13 million TEU, up 3.7% year over year. November is forecast at 2.15 million TEU, up 13.6% year over year, and December at 1.99 million TEU, up 6.1%. That would bring 2024 to 25.3 million TEU, up 13.6% from 2023.

The numbers have not yet been revised to reflect this week’s election results but do take the potential port strike into consideration. October was previously forecast at 2.12 million TEU, November at 1.91 million TEU and December at 1.88 million TEU, and the total for 2024 was previously forecast at 24.9 million TEU.

January 2025 is forecast at 2.01 million TEU, up 2.5% year over year; February at 1.77 million TEU, down 9.3% because of fluctuations in the timing of Lunar New Year shutdowns at Asian factories, and March at 2.01 million TEU, up 4.4%.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by Hackett Associates, provides historical data and forecasts for the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast. The report is free to NRF retail members, and subscription information is available at NRF.com/PortTracker

As the leading authority and voice for the retail industry, NRF analyzes economic conditions affecting the industry through reports such as Global Port Tracker.

Posted: November 8, 2024

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

Teijin Frontier Announces Global Availability Of Biodegradable BIOFRONT® PLA Resin

TOKYO — October 29, 2024 — Teijin Frontier Co., Ltd., today announced the global availability of its BIOFRONT® polylactic acid (PLA) resin, which biodegrades faster in oceans, rivers and soil compared to conventional PLA products. Incorporation of a novel biodegradation accelerator in the polymer can enhance its decomposition rate without significantly compromising strength, crystallinity or moldability. This resin, named to signify cutting-edge biotechnology, is now fully commercialized in Japan and internationally.

BIOFRONT® resin aligns with Teijin Frontier’s THINK ECOⓇ environmental strategy and joins the company’s wide range of sustainable materials and products. Teijin Frontier plans to continue developing biodegradable materials to help reduce the environmental impact of plastics.

Features and benefits of BIOFRONT® resin

BIOFRONT® resin pellets

The resin’s biodegradation accelerator promotes hydrolysis and speeds up material consumption and decomposition by bacteria and fungi compared to PLA polymers without additives. BIOFRONT® resin exhibits rapid biodegradation performance even in marine, riverine and soil environments, where there are fewer bacteria and fungi than in high-temperature, high-humidity composting systems. Further, the decomposition period can be controlled by adjusting the loading and incorporation parameters of the accelerator. Accordingly, the decomposition period can be adjusted to the required lifetime.

Another advantage of BIOFRONT® resin is its ability to be processed like conventional PLA polymer resins used in films and injection-molded and extruded products. It can also be used for fibers in textiles and non-woven fabrics.

From the standpoint of sustainability, BIOFRONT® PLA resin is expected to help reduce microplastics, thanks to its accelerated biodegradation rate, and to reduce CO2 emissions during the product lifecycle since it is made from plant-derived raw materials.

Posted: November 8, 2024

Source: The Teijin Group

Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA) Welcomes Dr. Eric D. Evans As New Board Member

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — November 6, 2024 — Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc. (AFFOA) is proud to announce the addition of Dr. Eric D. Evans to its Board of Directors. The newest member of the Institute brings a vast knowledge of technology transfer and strategy, as well as national security and educational outreach.

Evans served as the 11th director of MIT Lincoln Laboratory from 2006 to 2024. During his 18 years of leadership, Evans led the Laboratory to adapt and strengthen during a time of significant change for national security needs. He established new R&D mission areas, strengthened ties to the MIT community, improved the Laboratory’s technology transfer approach, and increased inclusion and educational outreach efforts. He also served as an advisor on technology strategy to senior government leaders. Evans serves as Director Emeritus and Fellow at MIT Lincoln Laboratory and MIT Professor of the Practice. Evans is also a member of the Defense Science Board, where he has served as Chair from 2020 to present.

AFFOA is a non-profit, public-private partnership founded in 2016 as one of the DoD-funded Manufacturing USA Innovation Institutes, focused on the development and commercialization of advanced functional fiber and textile based products, and strengthening the domestic textile industrial base by assembling the Fabric Innovation Network made up of 150+ member organizations including startups, universities, manufacturers, commercial industry and defense partners to bring advanced fabric technologies to market.

“AFFOA is developing outstanding technology for many important applications, and I am looking forward to serving on its Board of Directors,” said Evans.

“Dr. Evans is a leader in the national security domain, and we are very excited to have him on our Board.” shared AFFOA CEO, Sasha Stolyarov, Ph.D. “His experience and knowledge in defense technology and its impact on national security will be a great asset for AFFOA in the years ahead. We also are looking forward to working with Dr. Evans in strengthening our partnership with the MIT and MIT Lincoln Laboratory communities, which have a long and successful history working with AFFOA.”

US Army General Paul Kern (retired), Chairman of the AFFOA Board of Directors, commented, “It is with great pride that we welcome Eric Evans to the AFFOA Board of Directors. Eric’s deep understanding of the science and engineering needs in the national security domain, his broad technical, strategic and policy knowledge, as well as his understanding of DOD leadership will help AFFOA maximize its impact.”

Posted: November 7, 2024

Source: Advanced Functional Fabrics of America, Inc. (AFFOA)

The Carbon Trust Verifies Four BASF Intermediates With A Lower Than Market Average Product Carbon Footprint

LUDWIGSHAFEN AM RHEIN, Germany — November 7, 2024 — The globally recognized climate change organization and product carbon footprint (PCF) verifier “the Carbon Trust” has verified the BASF products 1,6-hexanediol (HDO), formic acid (FA), propionic acid (PA) and neopentyl glycol (NPG). The products have therefore achieved the Carbon Trust label and Lower than Market claim. This confirms that the products have a cradle-to-gate PCF that is demonstrably lower than the market average for fossil-based equivalent products. The verification is valid until May 2026. For PA and NPG, the verification only applies to the European production.

BASF manufactures all products mentioned at its Verbund site in Ludwigshafen, Germany. BASF produces HDO also at its Verbund site in Freeport, Texas. Additionally, FA is produced at the BASF Verbund sites in Geismar, Louisiana, and Nanjing, China. All mentioned products are marketed worldwide.

These products are identical to standard products in terms of quality and properties, meaning that customers can use them in their production without having to adapt their existing processes (“drop-in” solutions). This allows customers to easily and efficiently reduce CO2 emissions from purchased goods or services (Scope 3).

In its assessment, the Carbon Trust has evaluated BASF’s PCF comparison against its Verified Lower Label Claim requirements. For this purpose, the Carbon Trust has reviewed whether BASF has correctly calculated the PCFs of the verified products and whether these are demonstrably lower than the market average for fossil-based equivalent products. The Carbon Trust has now verified that BASF’s PA, FA, NPG and HDO, all sold on the global market, fulfil all criteria to achieve a lower carbon claim. This provides BASF customers with additional support in their product selection. It helps them to make more informed choices and to understand the impact that BASF products have on their value chain. The Carbon Trust is a leader in carbon footprint calculation and verifies products, organizations and value chains worldwide.

“We are proud of the verification because it reflects our strong commitment to support our customers’ green transformation as stated in BASF’s recently announced “Winning Ways” Strategy. It proves that the carbon footprint of our products is demonstrably lower than the market average. This shows that we are on the right track to be the preferred partner for sustainable intermediates,” explains Ketan Joshi, President of BASF’s Intermediates division.

“As customer awareness about the environmental impact of their product choices grows within the chemical industry, there is an increasing demand for transparency. When BASF customers encounter the Carbon Trust verification and label, they can be confident that these verified products have undergone a rigorous process to demonstrate a lower carbon footprint than equivalent offerings in the market. The verification and label are therefore powerful tools to allow customers to select products that contribute to their own emissions reduction goals,” adds Veronika Thieme, associate director, the Carbon Trust.

Highly efficient production methods reduce CO2 emissions

BASF achieves the lower PCF through various measures. For example, energy generation in BASF’s own gas-fired combined heat and power plants causes significantly lower greenhouse gas emissions than conventional forms of energy generation. Moreover, the production processes of LowPCF intermediates are characterized by high efficiency in energy and raw material consumption, which is due to the integrated BASF Verbund system and the continuous improvement of operational excellence. In addition, oil, natural gas or Verbund by-products, but not coal, are usually used as primary raw materials in the production of LowPCF intermediates. Due to the different chemical properties, this further reduces the CO2 footprint.

Products with a wide range of applications

The intermediates FA, PA, HDO and NPG are versatile chemicals[4] and are used as ingredients for various everyday products. Examples include plastics, car tires, de-icing agents, pharmaceuticals, crop protection products, paints and coatings. BASF customers use these products in the textile, automotive, agricultural, pharmaceutical and furniture industries, among others.

Due to its high chemical and thermal stability, NPG has proven itself in many applications, particularly as a building block for the production of polyester and alkyd resins for various coatings and plastics. A key area of application is powder coatings, which are particularly useful in the construction industry and for coating household appliances. Other fields of application include the production of lubricants, plasticizers and pharmaceuticals.

HDO is used in the production of industrial coatings, polyurethanes, adhesives and cosmetics, among other things. It also serves as a chemical building block for reactive thinners in epoxy systems, which are used in the production of rotor blades for wind turbines and in lightweight automotive components. HDO gives the end products flexibility, adhesion properties and weather resistance.

PA is used in particular in the food and animal feed industry, where it serves as a preservative to improve shelf life. BASF markets preservatives based on PA under the trade names Lupro-Grain® and Luprosil®. The organic acid also proves its worth in the production of pharmaceuticals, pesticides, solvents and plastics.

FA is used, among other things, in animal nutrition to preserve animal feed and ensures efficient coagulation in the extraction of latex. Potassium formate, a salt of FA, is a highly efficient de-icing agent for roads, commercial buildings and airport runways. FA and potassium formate are also used in the oilfield industry and in shale gas exploration. FA is also a highly effective decalcifier and disinfectant and is used in leather processing.

Posted: November 7, 2024

Source: BASF

Texcare 2024: Unique Technologies For Textile Care 

FRANKFURT, Germany — November 7, 2024 — The textile care industry is looking to Frankfurt with great expectations these days, where the doors of Texcare International, the world’s leading trade fair for textile care, will once again open from November 6 to 9. “After a long eight-year wait, expectations for Texcare International are very high,” said Elgar Straub,Managing Director of VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies, at the VDMA Press Talk at Texcare in Frankfurt. ” The exhibitors want to show the innovations they have developed in recent years, and only here, at the world’s leading trade fair, can they present them to an international audience.”

VDMA TFL Managing Director Elgar Straub

The industry is profiting from the globally increased requirements for hygiene and sustainability. On the other hand, it is confronted with a labor shortage and rising costs. Accordingly, great hopes are being pinned on the solutions presented at Texcare. The most important buzzwords here are: automation, digitalization, logistics and AI.

Rising exports of European and German laundry and textile cleaning machines

European manufacturers of laundry and textile cleaning technology were able to increase their exports by six percent to 1.064 billion euros in the first seven months of 2024. Most of the exports went to the USA, Poland and Turkey. German exports also grew during this period, albeit only by 1.4 percent to 249 million euros. The most important export markets for German machine manufacturers were Poland, the USA and France.

VDMA Textile Care, Fabric and Leather Technologies is the conceptual partner of Texcare

Held in Frankfurt am Main, Texcare International is the world’s leading trade fair for textile care and, every four years, it becomes the center of the global laundry, dry-cleaning and textile service industry. From November 6 to 9, suppliers and service providers will be presenting their capabilities. For visitors, it is a source of inspiration and ideas, as well as a genuine networking platform.

Posted: November 7, 2024

Source: VDMA

Airbag And Tire Yarn Specialist Sinowin Commissions First 8-End PA66 Tire Yarn Plant

HEBI (HENAN PROVINCE), China / REMSCHEID, Germany — November 7, 2024 — Sinowin Chemical Fibers is the first PA66 industrial yarn producer in the Chinese province of Henan to commission 12 positions of an 8-end tire yarn plant from Oerlikon Barmag.

Industrial yarn specialist Sinowin Chemical Fibers Co., Ltd. is the first Chinese yarn manufacturer to commission an 8-end tire yarn plant for PA66.

The airbag and tire yarn specialist is thus reaffirming its commitment to the growth market of automotive textiles. The 8-end concept, which is unique on the market, scores above all with its energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness. “We believe in the automotive market and its growth opportunities. We believe that industrial yarn has great potential,” says Chen Haitao, President of Sinowin. “The automotive industry has extremely high-quality standards. We can reliably meet these requirements with our products, not least because we attach great importance to the quality of our production facilities.”

The company has been relying on Oerlikon Barmag technology since it was founded in 2015. Starting with 10 positions, the PA66 specialist has now expanded its capacities to 44 positions. Plans for further capacity expansion and diversification are already in place. “We want to cover the entire tire yarn production chain: Spinning, cabling, weaving and dipping. The entire textile part of the tire from a single source. This will make the tire supply chain much more transparent,” says Chen Haitao about his company’s plans for the future.

Posted: November 7, 2024

Source: Oerlikon Polymer Processing Solutions Division — Oerlikon Group

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