Arkema Announces Partnership In The United States For The Supply Of Anhydrous Hydrogen Fluoride, The Main Raw Material For Fluoropolymers And Fluorogases

COLOMBES, France — June 3, 2020 — Arkema announces an innovative and long-term partnership with agricultural company Nutrien Ltd. for the supply of anhydrous hydrogen fluoride (AHF) to Arkema’s Calvert City, Ky., site. This project has many advantages as it secures a competitive access to anhydrous hydrogen fluoride, the main raw material for fluorine chemistry, it supports the growth of fluoropolymers in the attractive segments of water treatment, electronics and batteries, and it offers greater environmental protection than more traditional production processes.

About half of the supply will be used for the production of high added value polymers and fluoro-derivatives, and the remainder for the production of low-global warming potential (GWP) fluorogases. This raw material is key to the manufacture of fluorine chemistry, including fluoropolymers and specialty derivatives.

As part of this agreement, Arkema will invest $150 million in a 40 kiloton per year AHF production plant at Nutrien’s site in Aurora, N.C., scheduled to start up in the first half of 2022. The agreement includes the establishment of a long-term supply contract.

In line with the group’s commitments for the environment, this AHF will be produced using an element that occurs naturally in the phosphate that Nutrien uses to manufacture its products, replacing the more usual source of mined fluorspar. Nutrien will recover the fluoride from its process and convert it to AHF at its Aurora site. This innovative investment is the first of its kind in the United States, and is perfectly in line with the Group’s new climate plan as it reduces overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.

Beyond its favorable impact on the environment, the partnership offers other important benefits. In a context of growing tensions regarding mined fluorspar and AHF supply, it aims in particular to secure the supply of AHF at a stable and competitive price, and support the constant development of new applications, notably for batteries, 5G electronics, and water treatment.

This project fits perfectly with Arkema’s strategy presented on April 2, as it enables, in the United States, its fluorinated polymers and other fluorinated specialty derivatives within the Specialty Materials platform to grow in a sustainable way and it strengthens the long-term competitiveness of its emissive fluorogases.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: Arkema

Interior To Become The New Exterior: New Survey By Asahi Kasei Europe Shows Increasing Need Towards Functional Premium Surfaces In The Automotive

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — June 3, 2020 — The evolution in the automotive industry is ongoing. A changing mobility behavior and the growing autonomy of cars will profoundly impact the user’s driving experience. Automotive interior features are on their way to become the main differentiating element influencing buying decisions — and within the interior the need towards premium, hygienic and sound-absorbing surfaces is on the rise.

The ongoing CASE (Connected – Autonomous – Shared – Electric) megatrends are currently disrupting the automotive industry. Because not only the vehicle itself, but also the driving experience is about to change. Due to the increasing autonomy of the car the passengers will have to focus less on the traffic — and will have more time to spend on work, in-car entertainment or just relaxation. As a result of this development, the focus of attention will shift from the for many decades dominating exterior towards the automotive interior. In the recent years, car manufacturers and suppliers have presented a great number of automotive interior concepts — like Asahi Kasei with its concept car AKXYTM. But where are the customer’s needs actually heading to? What is the car user expecting from future automotive interior?

In October 2019, Asahi Kasei Europe conducted a representative survey together with Cologne-based market research institute SKOPOS, interviewing a total of 1,200 car users in Germany, France, Italy and the United Kingdom regarding their preferences relative to mobility and especially to the future automotive interior.

Interior becoming a decisive factor in purchasing process

A key result of the survey shows: When buying the next car, 18.3 percent of all respondents in the four main European automotive markets will not buy the same brand as the current car, 34,9 percent are still undecided. This means that half of the car users need to be persuaded again when purchasing the next car. But what are the main differentiating factors?

“Love at first sight”: For many decades the exterior design used to be the decisive, emotional factor in the car purchase. While this is still valid, this “emotionalization” is now also taking place in the inside of the vehicle. Partially supported by new emerging drive-train technologies and mobility models, the passenger compartment is becoming an increasingly important factor next to exterior, drivetrain, driving performance and fuel economy.

When purchasing the current car, the interior design (e.g. seats, surfaces, etc.) was important to 54.8 percent, compared to 57.2 percent who paid more attention to the exterior design. Looking ahead to the purchase of the next car, the interior is rising by 5 percent points (59.8 percent) in its importance, the exterior by 4 percent points (61.4 percent).

Heiko Rother, general manager, business development, Automotive at Asahi Kasei Europe, on the increasing importance of the automotive interior: “Customer expectations are not changing over night, but gradually and much faster than we have seen in the past. More than half of the car buyers in Europe are ready to change the brand. A great chance for OEMs to win new customers by implementing convincing technologies which are touching all senses, addressing human emotions and needs.”

“Yes” to sustainable surface materials

Automotive interior surfaces need to be attractive to the eye and smooth to the skin. They are the interface between the user and the vehicle. Furthermore, it is the defining aspect for how he/she perceives the interior of the automotive — and even more important: The driving experience. One out of ten respondents (10.3 percent) sees the poor processing quality of interior surface materials as the most annoying factor in the current car. 44.8 percent of all respondents see a benefit in surfaces that look and feel especially high quality — for example for seats, dashboards or headliners — compared to just 11.4 percent who do not. A third of all participants (32.5 percent) would be willing to pay a reasonable price for these surfaces as an extra equipment. While the word “reasonable” is of course strictly subjective, it shows the growing importance of interior surfaces. Asked about the surface material itself, 57 percent of the respondents think that sustainable materials for seat covers and surfaces will be becoming increasingly important in the next 5 to 10 years, while the need for real leather equipment will fall drastically.

Rising needs towards hygienic and sound-absorbing surfaces

Next to look and feel, the results of the survey show an increasing need towards interior surfaces with further functions, adding to the overall driving experience. Asked about additional functions of the seat covers and surfaces, 49 percent of all respondents see a benefit in antibacterial properties. Taking a closer look at the age structure, it turns out that car users from 18 to 39 years are seeing a stronger benefit of antibacterial surfaces, especially compared to the participants over 59 years. The same trend can be seen in regard to seat covers and surfaces with odor-inhibiting properties. 49.3 percent see a benefit in these surfaces, which are again highly valued by the car users from 18 to 39 years. While there is an overall need for hygienic surfaces, stronger demand can be observed within the younger age groups, who are also more willing to accept additional costs for these surfaces.

With the changing in-car driving experience, the perception of sound and noise is evenly about to change. Already today 16.1 percent of the car users consider the driving noise as the most annoying factor of their current car. Looking ahead to the future automotive, the suppression of road and engine noise — now a challenge to many car users — will become even more urgent. While different materials and technologies inside the car can tackle this problem, visible interior surfaces can also play their part. 51.8 percent would see a benefit in noise-absorbing seat covers and surfaces, 35.9 percent are even inclined to book these surfaces for additional costs.

Heiko Rother concluded by saying: “With the passenger compartment moving more into the focus and becoming a key decision factor, we see significant potentials for differentiating technologies, addressing the passengers’ senses and meeting highest demand.”

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: Asahi Kasei Corp.

Spinnova, Kemira To Develop Disruptively Sustainable Inherent Dyeing

JYVÄSKYLÄ, Finland — June 3, 2020 — Spinnova, the sustainable fiber company, has entered long-term collaboration with the global chemicals company Kemira, to develop a highly eco-friendly inherent dyeing method of fiber. Dyeing fiber in its manufacturing process could significantly benefit both the textile industry and the environment.

Inherent dyeing in the Spinnova process means that the cellulosic fiber mass is dyed before extruding into filament. This avoids the excess use of water, energy, heavy metals and other harmful substances that go into dyeing fiber, thread and fabric as subsequent processes.

Spinnova’s sustainable fiber and the possibility of inherently dyeing the fiber could be an environmental game changer and could disrupt e.g. the denim dyeing process. The textile dyeing and finishing industry is one of the most chemically intensive industries globally, and one of the worst polluters of fresh water. The traditional textile industry uses thousands of chemicals in various processes of manufacture, including dyeing and printing.

“In addition to being the most sustainable way of dyeing, the fiber maintains this in-built color really well. We have already made some successful trials, and the results are very promising,” Spinnova’s CEO and co-founder Janne Poranen explained.

Spinnova’s innovation originates from the pulp and paper industry, which is also one of the areas of expertise for Kemira and an important focus in the company’s R&D work towards bio-based chemicals.

“We have returned to our roots in a way, to improve the quality of the product we have created, while maintaining our zero tolerance on harmful chemicals,” Poranen said.

“Kemira has strong expertise in the chemical applications for the pulp and paper industry and a long history of enabling raw water, energy, and resource efficiency for our customers. In collaboration with Spinnova, we can extend our unique know-how into the development of new innovations in the textile industry; not only in dyeing but also to improve other properties of sustainable textile fiber, such as hydrophobicity and strength,” said Kemira’s Director of Global Business Development Mats Berg.

Spinnova’s strategy is to work with brand owners in developing applications before the fibre is commercially available.

“It is humbling to see how committed brand owners are in sustainability and developing these sustainable solutions with us,” Poranen ended.

Spinnova is now looking for a brand partner for the disruptive dyeing development.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: Spinnova

SCS Global Services Joins Forces With Social Compliance Auditing Association

EMERYVILLE, Calif. — June 3, 2020 — SCS Global Services, an international third-party certifier of environmental and sustainability achievements, is pleased to announce that it has joined APSCA, a professional industry association dedicated to advancing the use of reputable, independent social compliance audits as a tool to assure good workplace conditions worldwide.

“Social responsibility has long been recognized as an essential part of sustainability,” said Nicole Munoz, vice president of Environmental Certification Services at SCS. “Since our founding, we have been committed to engaging with companies around the world to assure that workers are employed in safe, healthy and respectful workplaces.”

Bonnie Holman, director of Sustainability Certifications for SCS’ Food & Agriculture Division, added, “Social compliance audits are integral to our work in sustainability certification. We are fully aligned with APSCA’s mission is ‘to enhance the professionalism, consistency and credibility of individual auditors and organizations performing independent social compliance audits.’”

Social compliance audits extend well beyond stated company policies to assure that workplace conditions meet required standards. Confidential worker interviews, direct observation of conditions in workspaces and other relevant areas, independent review of records and documentation, management interviews, and data triangulation are all part of the mix. As part of its commitment to promoting responsible social compliance auditing, APSCA has published a detailed “Competency Framework” which outlines what it takes to deliver effective auditing services.

SCS is accredited to a wide range of internationally recognized certification schemes, many of which recognize APSCA’s unique role and benefits, such Fair Trade USA, Equitable Food Initiative, and the Sedex Members and Ethical Trade Audit (SMETA). SCS can also support companies seeking to meet retailer supplier requirements by coupling APSCA certification with other recognized certification programs such as Responsible Jewellery Council (RJC) and SCS’ Responsible Sourcing programs.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: SCS Global Services

AFA Cancels FloorTek Expo 2020 Due To The COVID-19 Pandemic And The Uncertainty Surrounding Fall Events

DALTON, Ga.— June 4, 2020 — The American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA) has announced the cancellation of the FloorTek Expo 2020 which was scheduled for September 29-30 in Dalton, Ga. The uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic and potential restrictions that may be placed on travel and public events has made planning for the event difficult for AFA, potential exhibitors and attendees.

Stephanie Manis, executive director of AFA, indicated she is very disappointed at having to cancel the expo this year since several new and exciting events were planned to coincide with the expo. “We are going to use the time between now and the expected 2021 Expo in September or October to create even more cutting-edge events to help the industry thrive during these changing times,” Manis said.

The dates for the 2021 FloorTek Expo will be announced as soon as available.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: The American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA)

Frontier Digital Fabric Development Platform Finds Increased Demand Amidst COVID-19

TAIPEI, Taiwan — June 3, 2020 — Due to the travel restrictions and trade show cancelations resulting from COVID19, Frontier, a co-working software as a service (SaaS) designed to digitize fabric materials, enhance supply chain management and boost 3D design capabilities has experienced overall growth of 300 percent among textile mills and brand partners since its launch in April 2019.

The Frontier platform is one of the largest databases of searchable online fabrics in the world containing 20,000 materials and growing from mills around the Asia Pacific area. These databases are created by allowing users to easily upload their textile products with a scanner. The heavy lifting is maintained via cloud computing to reduce upfront investment. The platform allows members to communicate, collaborate, and develop products seamlessly and cost-efficiently without having to get on an airplane, visit a convention center, or spend costly express delivery charges incurred by shipping samples back and forth. Frontier believes fewer administrative tasks make more room for creative work.

“We’ve seen a big jump in the adoption of our platform during the coronavirus as more mills and brands have wanted to move their businesses to the cloud, cut costs, and work as efficiently as possible from home,” said Bob Ryan, Frontier sales president. “Frontier is unique in that our technology visually brings fabrics to life. As touch and handfeel are such critical aspects of selecting fabrics, we’ve collected enough information where we can attempt to build up the language around the hand-feel of materials to help designers grasp their properties. In terms of drape, with the images and data we collect, our tech team will soon be able to compute how a material will fall around a silhouette.”

According to Steven Proulx, vice president, global sales at Sues International — a developer of functional materials for the activewear market — Frontier focuses on three pillars to make its platform as user-friendly and productive as possible.

The first is collaboration. Frontier makes sure its files can be easily shared to eliminate the barrier of entering digitization. The company plans to integrate chat messenger into the platform soon to encourage interactive data sharing.

The second is search. As the largest digital fabric library on the planet at the moment, Frontier wants to make sure users can easily discover and find the fabrics when they need them.

The third is compatibility. Frontier encourages connecting with other digital applications that require fabric data. It presently partners with Bespokify, virtuality.fashion, and C-Design PLM, a PLM SaaS based in France. Frontier anticipates ongoing growth with similar SaaS partnerships.

“While we look forward to the economy opening back up and getting back to our new-normal, we want to make sure our online interaction continues to build community between suppliers and brands with regards to fabric samples, inventory, price quotes, general questions and answers and more – all of which are part of Frontier,” Ryan said.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: Frontier

MuroSubli® From Texo Trade Services: The Only PVC-Free Textile Wallpaper For Sublimation At A Width Of 320 Centimeters

MOORDRECHT, The Netherlands — June 3, 2020 — Texo Trade Services (TTS) — a specialist in transfer print media and large format, printable textiles — is bringing a new textile wallpaper onto the market: MuroSubli®. This is the only textile wall covering that can be printed using direct and transfer sublimation, as well as ultraviolet (UV), at widths up to 320 centimeters (cm), according to the company. This makes it ideal for wallpapering and decorating all kinds of walls, trade fair stands and decors. Although trade fairs and other large events are currently on hold, many people are using this period of lockdown due to coronavirus to redecorate and beautify their homes and offices. And this product is ideal for that purpose!

Large color range, colorfast and non-transparent

The disadvantage of printing wall coverings with UV-drying inks is that the ink is not odorless. Similarly, printing with latex produces a wall covering that is sensitive to scratches and cannot be cleaned. Latex ink also comes in a relatively limited color range. Other common complaints concern having an underlying surface show through the paper, or many visible seams, particularly on larger surfaces. The PVC-free textile wallpaper MuroSubli® has none of these drawbacks. It is the only textile wall covering that can be printed using direct or transfer sublimation. The result is odorless printing, a very wide range of colors, and the option of designing the wallpaper (including photo wallpaper) according to personal preference. Because the color is incorporated into the polyester, the inks cannot come off. They remain beautiful and as good as new. The textile is also very easy to clean. The reverse side of the textile comes with a grey coating that ensures that the underlying surface does not show through.

Seamless quality with a sleek result

MuroSubli is available in widths of 320 and 160 cm, which means fewer or no seams — all the better for the design. It is 50 meters in length. MuroSubli always delivers a sleek result with no stretching, crumpling or fraying. Because it has a semi-matt finish, it is also suitable for generously lit areas.

MuroSubli WR

TTS will shortly also introduce MuroSubli WR. This version of the textile wallpaper offers all of the benefits described above, and is also water- and dust-repellent. MuroSubli and MuroSubli WR are both PVC-free and DIN4102 B1 certified.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: Texo Trade Services (TTS)

MTEX NS, SPGPrints Announce A Strategic Partnership To Better Serve Multiple Emerging Segments In The Textile Printing Market

BOXMEER, Netherlands — June 2, 2020 — MTEX NS — a provider of digital printing solutions, software engineering and service providers — has announced a new partnership with SPGPrints, a global company in conventional and digital textile printing solutions. Both companies are pleased to officially announce a strategic agreement from 2020 extending into 2022.

Over the past six months, MTEX NS and SPGPrints research and development teams have been working together to incorporate SPGPrints’ specific digital textile application know-how into the unique digital printing solutions of MTEX NS. An infinite number of tests have been conducted which lead to a series of technological and operational adaptations to perfectly fit the MTEX digital equipment to the textile customer needs. “The current generation MTEX printers, which today is a reality in the Iberian market, already has the stamp of a development cooperation between the MTEX and SPGPrints R&D team,” said Eloi Ferreira, CEO of MTEX NS. “Through this strategic cooperation between MTEX and SPGPrints we will be able to offer unique printing solutions to the digital textile printing industry worldwide, based on both companies know-how and commercial channels.”

Dick Joustra, CEO of SPGPrints, added: “This new partnership offers SPGPrints an enhanced portfolio of products and applications to serve its growing client base and to open up new channels. Furthermore, this agreement enables SPGPrints to expand its offering in some of the largest and fastest growing textile printing markets across the world and it will expand the offerings of both companies into new markets.”

The partnership does include technology for sublimation and pigment printing. These two applications are expected to show significant growth. As a global innovator SPGPrints is in a leading position of bringing more sustainable solutions to the textile printing market. MTEX digital printing equipment provides a perfect platform to create new sustainable digital textile printing solutions alongside SPGPrints’ proprietary Archer® Technology platforms PIKE and JAVELIN.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: SPGPrints B.V.

Indorama Ventures Sets Up Special Fund To Support Local Projects

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.

Posted June 3, 2020

Source: IVL

Lydall Invests In New Fine Fiber Meltblown Production Line To Meet Rising Global Face Mask Demand

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.

Posted June 2, 2020

Source: Lydall

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