Shaw Industries CEO Vance Bell Recognized Among Top Leaders in Georgia

Bell

DALTON, Ga. — January 22, 2020 — Shaw Industries Group Inc. Chairman and CEO Vance Bell was named to Atlanta magazine’s “The Atlanta 500″ — a guide recognizing the metro area’s top executives and influencers across numerous industries.

To select the 500 leaders recognized in this annual publication, Atlanta magazine’s editors consult experts across different sectors while also taking into consideration nominations from the public.

Born in Macon, Ga., Vance attended Georgia Tech where he played football, and in 1973 received a degree in industrial management. After graduating, he went to work for West Point-Pepperell before joining Shaw Industries in 1975. Prior to becoming CEO in 2006, his management responsibilities at Shaw included sales and marketing, international businesses, and operations.

“With a great respect for people and an ability to create an inclusive culture with our customers and associates, Vance’s leadership helped transform Shaw from the world’s largest carpet manufacturer to one of the world’s largest flooring providers,” stated Tim Baucom, president of Shaw Industries.

“His consistency, determination and selflessness have allowed us to adeptly navigate a rapidly changing business environment and global economy.”

Vance has been heavily involved in industry, civic and community leadership roles, including with the Carpet and Rug Institute, the Scheller College of Business at Georgia Tech, the Dalton State College Foundation Board, and the Northwest Georgia Community Foundation, among others.

Posted January 23, 2020

Source: Shaw Industries Group Inc.

USMCA Passage Imminent

By Jim Phillips, Yarn Market Editor

The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, the Trump Administration’s replacement for NAFTA, looks to become a reality soon, as the U.S. Senate is expected to debate — and ultimately pass — the trade bill as early as January 16.

For the bill to go on to the next stage, the Senate needs to approve the bill, as did the U.S. House of Representatives in December. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell expects the bill to get substantial bipartisan approval before the impeachment trial of Donald Trump begins later in January.

“We are, it looks like, going to be able to process the USMCA here in the Senate this week,” McConnell told news organizations earlier in the week. “That’ll be good news for the Senate and for the country, and something I think we have broad bipartisan agreement on.”

The timing of the trial on whether to convict Trump and remove him from office had raised questions about the timing of bill debate in the Senate. Impeachment takes precedence over other Senate business. The House voted January 15 to send the articles of impeachment it passed in December to the Senate.

The United States, Mexico and Canada first announced an the USMCA agreement 14 months ago. Some provisions of the bill raised concerns in Congress, particularly among Democrats. Democratic leaders worked with the Trump administration for more than a year to strengthen the deal’s mechanisms for enforcing labor and environmental standards.

Senators have a total of 20 hours to be divided equally between both parties to debate the deal under the trade promotion authority legislation. However, it’s unlikely that lawmakers will take up the full allotted time. Once the Senate passes USMCA, the deal will be sent to Trump’s desk for his signature. Trump said Wednesday he will sign the deal next week. But the deal will not be completely active until ratified by Canada’s Parliament. Mexico has already passed the revised deal, and Canada is expected to hold a vote in the House of Commons once it reconvenes in late January.

“All eyes will be on Canada to get the job done quickly so we can all work together to implement this agreement,” Senate Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley said on the Senate floor.

Progress Toward Ending The U.S.-China Trade War

After agreeing in December to suspend a new round of tariffs they had planned to impose on each other December 15, the United States and China have been moving closer to ending a prolonged trade dispute. The suspension of the December tariffs brought some much-need relief to economic sectors in  in both countries, particularly the manufacturing and chemical industries, which had borne the brunt of the trade war.

Further, on January 15, the United States and China signed “Phase One” of a trade deal designed to de-escalate the two-year trade war. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), released a statement of cautious optimism after the deal was signed. “While we are still studying the details of the deal signed today, we applaud the administration for finally pressing China for a more rational and equal trade relationship,” said NCTO President and CEO Kim Glas. “Our industry has been severely damaged by China’s predatory practices over the past 30 years and we are anxious to see a new era of sound trade principles and balanced trade.

“At the same time, we question the last-in, first-out approach to the tariff reductions.  In our sector, this means that the penalty 301 tariffs on finished apparel and sewn products — the areas where tariffs have the most potential to effect reforms in China while bolstering the Western Hemisphere supply chain —  are cut in half while U.S. manufacturers continue to face full tariffs on certain inputs and equipment not available domestically.”

The National Retail Federation also released a statement in support of the agreement. “NRF strongly supports the administration’s efforts to address China’s unfair trading practices but we hope this is the first step toward eliminating all of the tariffs imposed over the past two years,” NRF President and CEO Matthew Shay said. “The trade war won’t be over until all of these tariffs are gone. We are glad to see the phase one deal signed, and resolution of phase two can’t come soon enough.”

Shay was on hand as President Trump and Chinese Vice Premier Liu He signed the agreement at the White House. As part of the deal, the United States will cut in half 15 percent tariffs imposed on a wide range of consumer goods imposed in September and canceled another round that was set to take effect in December, but others remain in effect. More details will be reported by Yarn Market once they become available.

January 2020

Textile Activity At A Glance: January 2020

By Robert S. Reichard

January 2020

Robotic Fabric Handling: How Will Robots Transform The U.S. Textile Industry?

By Mark Howard

Automation continues to assist in the growth of US manufacturing, and this is particularly the case in the textiles, clothing and footwear (TCF) industries. From the intelligent harvesting of cotton to digital printing processes — a revival in the U.S. textile industry is underway.

The geographical distribution of textiles production has seen a dramatic shift in the past fifty years, with manufacturers having moved a proportion of their production facilities from Europe and North America, to Asia and other developing parts of the world. However, things are changing. In recent years, the increase in automation, coupled with the rapidly rising wages in Asia, has seen some manufacturers shun this offshore production business model.

Instead, aided by good transportation infrastructure and a workforce that can handle new technologies, home soil offers new production draws. According to the National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO), the U.S. textile industry invested $22.8 billion in new plants and equipment from 2006 to 2017. It’s clear that textile manufacturers are shifting priorities to increase productivity and boost efficiency.

The Challenges                                                                           

While the statistics show the growing uptake of automation, compared with the success of automation in the automotive and electrical industries, the textile industry has seen a relatively lower rate of change.

During the early Industrial Revolution, entrepreneurs in the U.S. cotton textile industry began to use mechanized looms to keep up with production demands. Fast-forward to the present day, and today’s technology objective hasn’t changed. Today, the textile industry aims to meet the demands of today’s consumer, who wants high-quality goods at reasonable price points delivered quickly.

Machines have played a role in textile manufacturing for centuries, but human workers have historically taken on the labor-intensive craft of garment assembly, sewing each piece of fabric together to create a finished product.

Largely due to the overarching properties of fabric, automated handling tasks such as the precise placing of parts becomes more difficult when dealing with flimsy and flexible materials. This could however be changing.

Speed And Efficiency

In the sewing process, automation has traditionally been limited due to the level of control and complex motions required. New robots are now using mapping technology, cameras and AI to adjust fabric as needed in automated textile supply chains. The new automation possibilities could boost production volumes and save businesses money. Automation could produce results with higher accuracy than human workers, while needle placements can be tracked with variations less than half a millimeter. This improves consistency in size of product.

Even fabrics that are prone to folding and stretching are compatible with these new robots, which can detect fabric positioning and make the necessary adjustments without human input.

The production of more simple garments such as socks is already highly automated but offers further scope for improvement. Machinery is becoming more flexible and could adapt to rapid alterations in patterns, personalization and design.

Quality Control

Another area of textiles manufacturing that can benefit from automation is quality control. Consider this as an example. During the fabric dyeing process, it is essential that parameters such as the temperature, pressure, water level, water flow, time of treatment and formula all remain consistent to achieve a uniform shade. To ensure quality standards are met, a central computerized management system can control these processes extremely accurately.

A computerized color matching system can ensure accurate repeatability. After all, if a human worker accidentally altered a pigment measurement by as little as a milligram, this would result in a color variation and a defective product. Eliminating this human error can result in cost savings for manufacturers, by reducing product wastage.

Automation in the textiles sector will have a massive impact on other jobs too. In fact, the U.S. government estimates that one textile manufacturing job in this country supports three other jobs. In 2018, the US textile industry supply chain employed 594,147 workers.

In the years to come, we may see human workers removed entirely from the garment manufacturing process, in favor of automated sewing robots. However automated technologies will not replace jobs, they will simply create new roles demanding employees with an entirely different skill set, to implement, control and maintain new technology.

From spinning, knitting, weaving and dyeing to printing, gluing and bonding, automated technologies are having a profound impact on the textiles manufacturing process. Robots and automation are addressing the challenges of high labor costs in a commercial environment where consumers are expecting more.

When implementing automated technologies, manufacturers should first assess where automation will be most effective, such as making incremental upgrades or a complete automation process from production to shipping.

Editor’s Note: Mark Howard, is the U.S. country manager for automation parts supplier EU Automation.

January 23, 2020

Twelve Of Central And Eastern Europe’s (CEE’s) Biggest Companies Have Signed A Memorandum Establishing The Business Council Of Growing Europe

WARSAW — January 22, 2020 — Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń S.A. (PZU) laid a cornerstone of the three seas region’s global development.

Representatives of 12 Central and Eastern Europe (CEE)’s biggest and most dynamic companies have signed today a memorandum establishing the Business Council of Growing Europe. The objective of the initiative is to promote Central and Eastern Europe as an attractive investment destination for global investors and encourage cooperation between business leaders of the region. The initiative has been initiated by PZU of Poland and embraced by 12 founding companies from CEE.

Signing of the memorandum constituting the Business Council of Growing Europe took place in the presence of distinguished guests:

  • Andrzej Duda, President of the Republic of Poland;
  • Kolinda Grabar-Kitarović, President of the Republic of Croatia;
  • Egils Levits, President of of the Republic of Latvia;
  • Jüri Ratas, Prime Minister of the Republic of Estonia; and
  • Georgette Mosbacher, Ambassador of the United States America to the Republic of Poland.

As well as leading representatives of business and think-tanks:

  • John Rogers, Vice President, Goldman Sachs;
  • David McCormick, Co-CEO, Bridgewater Associates;
  • Karan Bhatia, Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google ;and
  • Fred Kempe, President and CEO, Atlantic Council.

The motto of the Business Council is “Growing Europe” to emphasize the key feature which the 11 CEE countries have in common: stable growth. The memorandum establishing the Business Council has been signed at the Polish House in Davos during the Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum by 11 international companies originating from Central and Eastern Europe and including:

  • PZU;
  • Banca Comercială Română;
  • Bolt;
  • Bulpros;
  • Exponea;
  • Gedeon Richter;
  • OTP Bank;
  • Pekao SA;
  • Prezi;
  • Riko Group;
  • Triglav Group; and
  • UiPath.

The objective of the Council is to promote Central and Eastern Europe as an attractive destination for global investors and to present the region as a development hub of high technology, booming destination of investments in infrastructure, and renewable energy sources. According to the memorandum, the participants will organize joint events promoting the region, take part in panel discussions and meetings at leading economic conferences and events, participate in the activity of working groups, and partner with consultancies.

“The region is well positioned to become the most attractive investment destination both in Europe and globally. It offers economic, political, and social stability while generating stable economic growth throughout economic cycles. By joining our forces, we can raise awareness about the dynamism, entrepreneurship and innovation of this part of Europe. By doing this, we want to send a positive signal both to the entire European Union and the world: Europe is not defending its status quo, Europe is Growing, invest in Growing Europe,” said PZU CEO Paweł Surówka. “From now on, Central and Eastern Europe has a Business Council, it has a voice, it has engaged business leaders who want to work for its promotion together.”

“We believe that the CEE region offers great investment opportunities at the global level, but it is currently too fragmented to successfully compete for capital on the global level. Therefore, we support all activities aimed at unifying and increasing the promotion of the region, and establishing closer business ties. We find this new initiative – Growing Europe to be an important step towards those goals”, said Andrej Slapar, CEO of Triglav Group.

“Fostering digital transformation and ensuring a trustworthy deployment environment for artificial intelligence and business automation have never been higher on the European Commission’s agenda as they are now,” said Vargha Moayed, chief strategy officer at UiPath. “This technology will have far-reaching impacts on the way we work, and we at UiPath believe we have an obligation to the CEE and the rest of the world to support the future of work. We are proud to be a founding member of this initiative and look forward to working with its other founding members to successfully transform the CEE into a hub for future digital growth.”

“In the ten years since we founded Prezi in Hungary — having started in the middle of an economic recession and taking on formidable competition with Microsoft, Apple and Google — we have grown our business globally to over 100 million users and now have offices in Budapest, San Francisco and Riga, Latvia. Our success shows Central and Eastern Europe can participate in and contribute to a global economy. We are proud to be a founding member of the Growing Europe CEE Business Council to accelerate growth, innovation and investment in the region,” said Peter Arvai, CEO and co-founder of Prezi.

“Central Europe today is a landmark of resilience and ambition to grow. Our region has an unmatched value proposition of highly skilled people, business environment stability and democratic aspirations. We add today a commitment of the business environment to contribute a vision in policy, investment and society transformation that will see Central Europe becoming a global hub for business and ideas,” said Sergiu Manea, CEO of Banca Comerciala Romana (BCR).

The transition of Central and Eastern Europe has been unprecedented. Within only 30 years, the countries previously cut off by the Iron Curtain have become full-fledged members of the European Union, NATO, and the World Trade Organisation. After joining the global free market with a burden of the centrally planned system, their economies have become a key driver of EU’s growth, as attested by macroeconomic statistics.

The combined GDP of the 11 countries in the Three Seas Region (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia) is close to EUR 1.2 trillion. The countries of the region generate 20 percent of EU’s economic growth. Foreign direct investments in CEE were equal to only 2 percent of EU FDI in 2015, rising to 15 percent in 2018, a 7.5-fold increase within three years.

Another strength of the region is the potential of its population, currently totalling 100 million. A high percentage of the professionally active population aged 25-64 in the former Eastern Bloc countries of the Three Seas region has higher education, representing the region’s huge human potential. Poland alone ranks above Spain or Italy as measured by the combined number of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) graduates. According to PISA tests, young people in Poland and Estonia are  global leaders in all three areas covered by the survey: reading and interpreting skills, mathematics, and reasoning in natural sciences.

Growing Europe Business Council Founding Members

PZU Group is the largest financial institutions in Poland and in Central and Eastern Europe. The Group is led by Powszechny Zakład Ubezpieczeń S.A. (PZU) – a company quoted on the Warsaw Stock Exchange. The history of the PZU brand goes back to 1803 when the first Polish insurance company was established. For over 200 years, the core of PZU Group is insurance activity, which aims to ensure a sense of peace and security for our clients through the offered comprehensive insurance protection in all crucial areas of private, public, and economic life.

Bolt is the leading European transportation platform that’s focused on making urban travel easier, quicker and more reliable. The company’s services range from ride-hailing to micromobility and food delivery. Founded by Markus Villig, Bolt launched in 2013. It’s one of the fastest-growing transportation platforms in Europe and Africa with investors including Daimler, Didi Chuxing, Korelya Capital and TransferWise co-founder Taavet Hinrikus. Bolt has more than 30 million users in over 35 countries globally.

Banca Comercială Română (BCR), a member of Erste Group, is the most important financial group in Romania, providing universal banking operations (retail, corporate & investment banking, treasury and capital markets), and covering specialty companies working on the leasing market, private pensions and housing banks. BCR is Romania’s No. 1 bank in terms of asset value (over €15 bn.), in terms of client base and in terms of savings and crediting. BCR is also Romania’s most important financial brand, judging by the client trust rate and by the number of persons who consider that BCR is their main banking partner.

Bank Pekao S.A. , founded in 1929, is one of the largest financial institutions in the CEE region and top 3 universal bank in Poland with ca. PLN 200bn assets and market capitalization of ca. PLN 30bn. Through the second largest branch network, Bank Pekao serves over 5.5m retail customers. As the leading corporate bank in Poland, Bank Pekao serves every second among largest corporates in Poland. Status of a universal bank is underpinned by a market-leading private banking, asset management and brokerage operations.

BULPROS is a global digital transformation company, one of the fastest growing technology organizations, recognized by the prestigious rankings of Deloitte “Technology Fast 50 in CE” and “Technology Fast 500 in Europe, Middle East, and Africa”, Inc. 5000 Europe, Financial Times 1000 Europe, and McKinsey’s report “The rise of Digital Challengers”, etc.  Its offerings include Digital Solutions, Cyber Security, Cloud and Support Services, Technology Services and Sales Services, with focus on Financial Services and Insurance, Professional Services, Telecommunications, Manufacturing, Healthcare and Retail.

Exponea’s Customer Data and Experience Platform (CDXP) ingests and analyzes all of a company’s customer data, stitches and enriches it with AI, and activates it to intelligently orchestrate personalized experiences across all touchpoints, in real-time, at scale.Exponea has been rated the number one Customer Data Platform by G2Crowd, and helps brands like River Island, Olukai, and Missguided be truly customer-centric.

Gedeon Richter Plc., headquartered in Budapest, Hungary, is a major pharmaceutical company in Central Eastern Europe, with an expanding direct presence in Western Europe, China and Latin America. Having reached a market capitalisation of EUR 3.2 billion (USD 3.6 billion) by the end of 2018, Richter’s consolidated sales were approximately EUR 1.4 billion (USD 1.6 billion) during that year. The product portfolio of Richter covers many important therapeutic areas, including Women’s Healthcare, Neuroscience and Cardiovascular medicine.

With 120 years of experience, Triglav Group is the leading insurance group in Slovenia and one of the leading groups in South-East Europe, where it is strengthening its position and expanding operations. Its key business pillars are insurance and asset management. Triglav Group’s financial strength and profitability is confirmed by high credit ratings “A” assigned by S&P and AM Best. The Group’s parent company Zavarovalnica Triglav is one of the largest and most liquid companies on the Ljubljana Stock Exchange.

OTP Group provides high quality financial solutions to meet the needs of its almost 20 million private and corporate clients in 12 countries in the Central and Eastern European region through nearly 1700 branches and 5000 ATMs, internet and electronic channels. Among the European banking groups OTP Group boasts one the best capital and liquidity position and is always able to provide the conditions for stable operations and growth.

Prezi is a global leader in visual communication tools, helping a wide range of people, including business professionals and educators, reach their audiences more powerfully. Prezi’s products uniquely let users arrange content on a single canvas, using dynamic movement and spatial context to increase engagement and understanding. Founded in 2009, Prezi has offices in San Francisco, Budapest, and Riga, Latvia, with a community of 100 million users that has created the world’s largest database of public presentations. Prezi’s investors include Accel Partners, Spectrum Equity and TED conferences.

Riko is an internationally established engineering company that provides comprehensive technological solutions for industry, energy, environmental protection, logistics systems, and construction. Riko develops integral solutions using efficient, state-of-the-art, and eco-friendly technologies for various industries, including the utomotive, tractor,  railway and aircraft industries, as well as the energy, environmental protection, logistics, and construction sectors.

UiPath is leading the ’automation first’ era—championing a robot for every person and enabling robots to learn new skills through artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML). Through free and open training, UiPath brings digital era skills to millions of people around the world, improving business productivity and efficiency, employee engagement, and customer experience.

Posted January 22, 2020

Source: PAP Press Center – PAP, Polska Agencja Prasowa S. A.

NexGen™ — New Fabric Technology To Replace Outdated PVC Bedding Products

GUNTERSVILLE, Ala. — January 20, 2020 — Seam Seal International — a producer of bedding protection products — has introduced a patented, environmentally conscious mattress protector that takes direct aim at polyvinyl chloride (PVC) products lining the bedding aisles at big box retailers.

Called NexGen™, the innovative new product is available at major retail stores with online sales set to launch in spring of 2020.

Besides providing a full range of hypoallergenic protection against dust mites, allergens, stains and spills, NexGen fabric offers an alternative to the PVC vinyl materials typically found in moisture barrier mattress protectors.

“The concerns about PVC vinyl are well-documented, and NexGen gives consumers a healthy choice when they need mattress protection,” said Chris Resha, co-founder at Seam Seal International. “Give retailers credit for being responsive to customer interest in healthier alternatives for this product category.”

PVC vinyl is well-known as a toxic and environmentally hazardous material. NexGen provides a cost-effective alternative in this close-to-the-body product category, with long-lasting protection and no toxic odors.

It also provides a solution to meet California Prop 65 regulations related to toxic chemicals.

In addition to the protection performance and health benefits, the patented, lightweight NexGen material offers a better “hand” without the noisy discomfort of vinyl products. This combination of better health and protection with a quieter, softer material positions NexGen as an obvious disrupter in a category filled with me-too products.

Posted January 22, 2020

Source: Seam Seal International

HeiQ Announces Next Generation of HeiQ Fresh And HeiQ XReflex Product Families

SCHLIEREN, Switzerland — January 21, 2020 — Swiss textile innovator HeiQ has improved both its HeiQ Fresh and HeiQ XReflex product lines. The updated products offer improvement in multiple technical aspects for HeiQ Fresh and more product options with HeiQ XReflex

Founded in 2005 during a hike in the Swiss Alps, HeiQ’s first product, HeiQ Fresh, was developed to solve the problem of stinky outdoor apparel. Since then there have been continuous updates to the odor control range with three sustainable products — HeiQ Pure TAG, HeiQ Pure SPQR and HeiQ Fresh FFL. HeiQ Pure TAG has been upgraded. It is a recycled silver-based odor control with a nonionic reformulation, highly compatible with most textile finishing. It has a long shelf life and is highly storage stable. HeiQ Pure SPQR is a hybrid silver- and bio-based, dual-action odor control technology and meets USDA Biopreferred® requirements. HeiQ Fresh FFL is a fully bio-based odor control technology that also meets USDA Biopreferred requirements. All these products are OEKO-TEX® Class 1-4 conform and bluesign® approved. Both HeiQ Pure SPQR and HeiQ Fresh FFL are shipped as standard goods which allows for ease in global shipments and warehousing, leading to reduced costs.

HeiQ is also launching additional fabrics and insulation packages for HeiQ XReflex, a solution that offers the same level of warmth with up to half the reduction of insulation, reducing bulk and saving materials for apparel, sleeping bags, gloves, blankets, etc. An average insulated jacket can reduce its environmental footprint and save up to 280 grams of carbon dioxide, 10 megaJoules of energy and 6 liters of water with HeiQ XReflex. This patented radiant barrier technology is now offered with one or two layers of heat reflective surface, offering up to 50-percent less bulk at the same warmth, without effecting fabric breathability. HeiQ XReflex is also available as a scrim layer, providing an ultra-thin radiant barrier for design flexibility and logistics and cost optimization.

“We constantly look for ways to continually improve our efficiencies and technologies at HeiQ”, says Carlo Centonze, HeiQ Group CEO at HeiQ Materials AG. “With these new improvements to our HeiQ Fresh and HeiQ XReflex technologies, we offer better support and products to our customers to elevate and differentiate their products in the market”.

To learn more, visit the HeiQ booth at ISPO in Munich, Germany (Hall C1, 402; 26-29 January 2020) or the Concept III booth at Outdoor + Snow Show in Denver, Colorado (booth #54069-UL; 29-31 January 2020)

Posted January 22, 2020

Source: HeiQ Materials AG

Joining An Interesting Journey: Loepfe At ITME Africa 2020

WETZIKON, Switzerland — January 22, 2020 — ITME Africa will take place for the very first time in Ethiopia on February 2020. Loepfe will be part of the Swiss Pavilion.

Africa’s continuously growing textile industry offers exciting possibilities. Especially Ethiopia is not only farming its own cotton, but has also made major investments in the development of the entire textile value chain. Textiles meeting the corresponding quality requirements are manufactured for the local market and for international trade. Another example is South Africa which has entered the technical textiles sector and manufactures a wide range of textiles with different requirements on technologies and quality assurance.

Just the right moment to present Loepfe’s comprehensive portfolio of quality control solutions to the African market: There is the new yarn clearer generation YarnMaster PRISMA which ensures optimized performance for all yarn styles. The four sensor technologies interact intelligently and ensure unprecedented fault visibility and data quality. This unconventional new concept guarantees the perfect balance between efficiency and quality. In addition, interesting information on Loepfe’s data collection and management system MillMaster TOP 2.0 will be provided. The quality process is conveniently managed as an integrated part of the functional scope of YarnMaster PRISMA. YarnMaster EOS will also be shown. It convinces with most reliable clearing results for the open-end spinning process. WeftMaster FALCON-i will be of great interest for all high-tech fabric producers: Yarn quality control for latest high-tech materials such as carbon fibers, monofilaments, multi-filaments as well as spun yarns in all material compositions. Zero-defect manufacturing of high tech fabrics becomes possible as smallest knots, fluff, filamentation, thick places and capillary breaks are detected before being interwoven into the fabric.

Africa unites all important factors required to become a highly competitive and successful textile market. We are excited to be part of this journey and look forward to welcoming you in Addis Ababa.

Posted January 22, 2020

Source: Loepfe Brothers Ltd.

Proposed Geocells Standard Aims To Support Soil Stability In Road Projects

W. CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — January 22, 2020 — A proposed ASTM International standard will provide guidance for using geocells — open-celled geosynthetics that help hold soils and rocks in place — in roadway projects. Geocells are commonly used in road construction, earth retention, and other construction projects.

According to ASTM International member Eli Cuelho, there is currently no standard for using geocells in geotechnical and roadway projects. “The proposed standard will bring a more unified understanding of the most efficient and appropriate ways to use this type of ground-improvement technology to a variety of geotechnical applications,” Cuelho said.

Geocells support slope stability, erosion control, retaining walls, channel protection, pavement load support, and subgrade improvement, he says. The proposed standard will give engineers and owners information on key design principles, properties, and methodologies for using geocells.

ASTM International’s geosynthetics committee (D35) is developing the proposed standard (WK61159).

Cuelho says this effort relates to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #9 on industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

ASTM welcomes participation in the development of its standards. Become a member at www.astm.org/JOIN. The next meeting of ASTM International geosynthetics committee is February 5-7 in Atlanta.

Posted January 22, 2020

Source: ASTM International

Honeywell Unveils Spectra Shield® 6166 For Increased Protection In Hard Body Armor

LAS VEGAS — January 21, 2020 — Honeywell today announced the newest addition to its innovative Spectra Shield 6000 series for high-performing ballistic materials to meet strict requirements for protective equipment and the growing global demand for lightweight protection. Spectra Shield® 6166, which further expands Honeywell’s suite of high-performing hard armor products for militaries and law enforcement, was introduced at the SHOT Show at the Sands Expo Center in Las Vegas.

“As the industry is consistently challenged to meet aggressive performance targets for protection set by law enforcement and militaries globally, we have evolved our products to allow helmet, plate and vest manufacturers to create lighter designs that don’t compromise safety,” said Tim Swinger, business director for armor at Honeywell Packaging & Composites. “Spectra Shield 6166 is our highest-performing ballistic material for rifle protection in hard body armor designs, and provides the highest energy adsorption for high-power rifle or high-energy threats.”

To meet the global body armor demand, Honeywell last year announced increased production capacity of its proprietary Spectra® fiber, an ultra-strong, yet lightweight fiber made from ultra-high molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), that is incorporated into Shield technology for use in advanced armor applications. Honeywell’s Shield technology is also capable of combining a variety of aramid fibers and resins to meet specific performance requirements in soft and hard armor applications.

The Spectra Shield 6000 series, which continues Honeywell’s legacy in providing the highest performing ballistic materials for protective equipment, is the latest Spectra Shield introduction focusing on next generation materials to offer new choices for today’s stringent body armor requirements. The series has expanded to include Spectra Shield® 6472 for improved protection in military helmets and Spectra Shield® 6360 to enhance soft body armor. The full Spectra Shield series has been widely adopted and proven for the most advanced armor applications globally, from bullet-resistant vests, breast plates, and helmets, to combat vehicles and military aircraft, where lightweight solutions and performance are critical.

Pound for pound, Spectra is 15 times stronger than steel, yet light enough to float. It has up to 60% greater strength than alternate aramid fiber, and is made from UHMWPE using a patented gel-spinning process. Honeywell maintains an active Spectra fiber and ballistic materials research program focused on continuous improvement and development of high-performance materials.

Posted January 21, 2020

Source: Honeywell

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