Dynamic Modifiers Achieves Highest Flame Retardancy With New Coating — PAL…VersaCHAR™

ATLANTA — February 3, 2020— A new non-halogenated flame-retardant (FR) compound called PAL…VersaCHAR™ can achieve a new level of flame retardant performance as a coating for nonwovens and technical textiles.

It is being introduced by Dynamic Modifiers, a specialty compounder focused on custom polyolefin compounds and concentrates, based in Atlanta.

PAL…VersaCHAR has been tested to 1,950°C — the highest temperature to date — and shown to prevent all flaming drips of polymer. Char bodies form on the compound surface, protecting against flame creation and delaying heat transfer. Rapid self-extinguishing burn behavior protects any underlying substrate to which it is adhered.

The compound has passed ASTM E84 (Class A) with a 15/10 rating, which includes “clean” smoke generation of only 2.3% of the allowable ASTM smoke limits.

In addition, the compound is light weight, at a specific gravity of 1.0, and 100-percent non-toxic in every respect, being free from heavy metals, halogens and VOCs.

Other properties include excellent cold crack performance, hydrophobicity, printability, extreme chemical resistance and the ability to be custom tailored for specific needs such as UV or antimicrobial performance, as volume warrants.

The compound is also very competitively priced.

In addition to its use as a coating, PAL…VersaCHAR compound can be produced as a flexible film or sheet and molded to shape or over-molded to most materials, including metal for corrosion resistance  As a polymeric compound it can be cast or calendered and typical durometers from 80-99A for flexible-to-high rigid formats are practical.

Separately, an adhesive has been created which bonds to many surfaces. In internal evaluations of two laminated plies of woven carbon fiber and two plies of glass fabrics, both passed a 60 second vertical burn with no ply separation, distortion or flaming drips from the adhesive.

Dynamic Modifiers envisages many uses for PAL…VersaCHAR, from aerospace to the protection of rigid structural materials in building interiors etc.

Posted February 3, 2020

Source: Dynamic Modifiers LLC /Edward C. Gregor & Associates LLC

Henkel Expands Portfolio With The Sonderhoff Brand

DÜSSELDORF, Germany — January 31, 2020 — Since the end of December 2019, the two and a half year integration phase of the Sonderhoff Group into Henkel AG & Co. KGaA has been completed.  As of January 1, 2020, all Sonderhoff companies have been merged into the Adhesive Technologies business unit. The former Sonderhoff sites in Germany, Austria, Italy and the United States are now also operating under the Henkel name — only the Sonderhoff site in China will continue to operate under its previous name. Customers will continue to be served from these locations as before.

Sonderhoff’s activities will continue to be managed operationally from Cologne and are organizationally assigned to a business area of Henkel Adhesive Technologies. The Sonderhoff portfolio will continue as the SONDERHOFF brand of Henkel Adhesive Technologies, a leading global supplier of adhesives, sealants and functional coatings. With this brand, Henkel offers its customers a technology platform for customized sealing, adhesive bonding and potting solutions using Formed-In-Place (FIP) technology. Henkel provides users with materials, machines and contract manufacturing from a single source. The advantages of customer-specific application solutions are based in the close, coordinated interaction of mechanical engineering, material formulation and process know-how. The product range consists of foam sealing, adhesive and potting systems based on polyurethane, silicone or PVC as well as mixing and dosing systems for automated material application to industrial components. Henkel also offers OEMs and suppliers individual automation concepts and application technology advice.

“The innovative system solutions of the SONDERHOFF brand with their high level of technical expertise and customer-specific offers and services complement our existing portfolio excellently. They also serve an attractive market with diverse growth prospects,” said Michael Todd, global head of innovation and new business at Henkel Adhesive Technologies.

With the Sonderhoff portfolio Henkel offers a MAKE or BUY option. The customer can purchase FIP technology from a single source for his own production (MAKE option) and receives the machines and material systems optimally adapted to his manufacturing process. Or with the BUY option, Henkel takes over the sealing, bonding and potting of the components for the customer. The material is applied on the parts with Sonderhoff mixing and dosing systems at the contract manufacturing locations in Germany, Austria, Italy, USA and China. The spectrum ranges from the sampling of prototypes and small series to the assumption of series production on a production scale.

Henkel draws on its comprehensive portfolio of solutions and its broad application knowledge from more than 800 industrial segments for the tailor-made foam sealing, adhesive bonding and potting solutions of its customers.

As a product lifecycle partner to customers, Henkel’s experts for Sonderhoff FIP technology carefully analyze customer needs and their product requirements of tomorrow. On this basis, Henkel quickly and reliably delivers and implements the best customer-specific solution, which is permanently ensured by current technologies and a continuous innovation process.

Posted February 3, 2020

Source: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA

Italian Textile Machinery: Orders Index Closes In Decline For 2019

MILAN— February 3, 2020 — The orders index for textile machinery drawn up by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, for the period from October to December 2019, showed an 8-percent drop compared to the same period for 2018. The index value stood at 92.9 points (basis: 2015=100).

Orders compiled by Italian machinery manufacturers were in negative figures both abroad and on domestic markets in Italy. An 8-percent slide was recorded abroad, with the absolute value of the index standing at 89.4 points. On the other hand, the drop in order collection on the domestic market stood at 7 percent, compared to the fourth quarter 2018. The absolute value of the index stood at 138.1 points.

After a difficult year, the Italian textile machinery sector is looking to 2020 with some degree of concern. “For the current year, there are many unknown factors, both at an economic and political level, that do not appear in the short term to point to a recovery in demand for textile machinery in major markets; China, Turkey and India,” explained ACIMIT President Alessandro Zucchi. “Our machinery manufacturers need to be ready to seize opportunities that originate from the request for sustainability and digitalization of production processes.”

ACIMIT represents an industrial sector that comprises roughly 300 manufacturers (employing around 12,000 people), which produce machinery for an overall worth of around 2.5 billion euros, of which 83 percent are exported. Creativity, sustainable technology, reliability and quality are the hallmarks that have made Italian textile machinery worldwide leaders

Posted February 3, 2020

Source: ACIMIT

Sustainable Urban Design:
 Mecelec Composites Designs The First Flax Fiber Roofs For 550 Morris Columns

MAUVES, France— February 3, 2020 — At JEC World 2020, Mecelec Composites is a finalist of the JEC Innovation Awards in the Design & Furniture category. The group announces the launch of a new sustainable development application on the urban design market. Mecelec Composites designed the first mass-produced flax fiber roofs for the 550 Morris columns installed by JCDecaux in Paris. “This is the first application of flax fiber BMC for mass production. The new solution combines all the advantages of composite materials, lightness and strength, with stringent environmental requirements and is adapted to the safety constraints of this kind of street furniture,” said Bénédicte Durand, CEO, Mecelec Composites.

A Composite Roof That Is Both Innovative And Green

The dome of the Morris columns is composed of 23 different parts, 14 of which are made from composite materials. To design the roof, Mecelec Composites developed a new RTM complex and a new BMC material, that is reinforced exclusively with a flax mat. “Today it is the only BMC with a 100-percent flax fiber reinforcement, which uses a partially recycled ABS resin. It was created specifically for this project and we had to work on the processes in order to adapt them to this new material,” explained Bertrand Vieille, head of sales.

In the design, Mecelec Composites replaced the bonding process with a time-saving mechanical assembly process using an invisible fixing system.

An Eco-Friendly Application In Line With The Group’s Eco-Design Csr Approach

Mecelec Composites creates scalable, sustainable and environmentally-friendly street furniture. The Group is committed to developing a sustainable production process and reuses all its waste materials. Mecelec Composites R&D laboratory promotes eco-design with a process of characterization and mechanical sizing of parts. “For this project, we imagined, created, produced and delivered a mass-produced composite application with a low environmental impact within less than a year. At the end of its lifecycle, the product completely breaks down, leaving no fiber residue,” Durand concluded.

Posted February 3, 2020

Source: MECELEC COMPOSITES

The Cotton & Textiles Holding Co., Rieter Signed Additional Contracts Related To The Modernization Program For The Egyptian Textile Industry: Order Volume Estimate Of 30 Million Swiss Francs


WINTERTHUR, Switzerland — February 3, 2020 — At the Swiss-Egyptian Investment Forum which took place today in Cairo, Egypt, the Cotton & Textiles Holding Co. and Rieter signed additional contracts related to the modernization program for the Egyptian textile industry.

In the presence of H.E. Hisham Tawfik, minister of the public sector of the Egyptian government; and Swiss Federal Councilor Guy Parmelin, head of the Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research; the contracts had been signed by Dr. Ahmed Moustafa, chairman of the Cotton & Textiles Holding Co., and Dr. Norbert Klapper, Rieter CEO.

The total volume of the contracts sums up to around 210 million Swiss Francs, including the contracts which had been signed at ITMA 2019 in Barcelona and which represent a volume of around 180 million Swiss Francs.

Rieter expects the full amount of orders to be booked as order intake in the first half year of 2020. So far, 165 million Swiss Francs have been booked.

Dr. Klapper was very pleased at the signing ceremony: “The next step of the program we agreed upon today underlines the strong partnership between the Cotton & Textiles Holding Company and Rieter. I would like to thank our Egyptian partners for the confidence they continue to place with Rieter. We will do our best to support the Cotton & Textiles Holding Company in making the modernization program a success.”

Posted February 3, 2020

Source: Rieter Holding Ltd.

Pharr Closes On Sale Of Two Business Units To Mannington Mills

MCADENVILLE, N.C. — February 03, 2020 — Pharr, a diversified provider of differentiated textile products and assorted real estate businesses, announced today the sale of its Pharr Fibers & Yarns and Phenix Flooring divisions to Mannington Mills (Mannington) under an agreement previously announced in November 2019.

Based in Salem, N.J., Mannington manufactures residential and commercial sheet vinyl, luxury vinyl, laminate, resilient and hardwood floors; as well as commercial carpet and rubber.

The acquisitions are expected to help establish Mannington as one of the largest suppliers in the floor covering industry, participating in both residential and commercial hard and soft surface categories. The company plans to continue current operations at Pharr’s manufacturing facilities in McAdenville, N.C., and Dalton, Ga.

In November, Pharr also announced the signing of its agreement to sell its Pharr High Performance business, a yarn supplier for the protective apparel industry, to Coats Group plc. That sale is expected to close early this year.

Pharr will maintain its two other companies: Belmont Land & Investment Co., developer of residential and commercial real estate and hotels, and Strand Hospitality Services, which manages a portfolio of hotel properties throughout the Southeast.

“We built great businesses in Pharr Fibers & Yarns and Phenix that will continue to thrive as part of Mannington and contribute to its ongoing success,” said Bill Carstarphen, Pharr president and CEO. “We are very excited to bring this first transaction to a close and we look forward to closing the sale of our High Performance business as well. We believe that our customers, associates and communities will greatly benefit as a result.”

Posted February 3, 2020<

Source: Pharr

MFG Chemical Upgrades Georgia Manufacturing Plants

MFG Chemical lab scientist is testing to ensure there is no contaminant in the Dioctyl Sodium Sulfosuccinate (DOSS) prior to shipment. (Photo: Business Wire)

DALTON, Ga. — January 31, 2020 — MFG Chemical, a global supplier of specialty and custom chemical manufacturing, is improving its manufacturing capabilities in dioctyl sodium sulfosuccinate (DOSS) through the current upgrading of its three Dalton, Ga.-based plants.

DOSS is a specialty surfactant used in oilfield, lubricants, ethanol, coatings and agricultural industries, as well as polymerization, paints and inks, pulp and paper, resins, textiles and carpets, rubber, metals and minerals, petroleum oils and dry cleaning applications.

The upgrading of MFG Chemical’s Dalton plants has been named Project Odyssey. It is a multi-million dollar capital investment project which is already improving management systems related to process safety and key compliance workflows generally. It will be especially useful for improving the quality, consistency and safety of DOSS manufacturing.

The Project Odyssey improvements will include the following:

  • New cooling towers for better quality control of the reaction using a closed system at known temperature with lower cycle time and lower water waste;
  • New DCS process control technology for better control on reaction parameters and cycle times, reduced human error by having remotely activated valves and reduced risk by automating the shutdown process; and,
  • New pressure release control valve, safety instrumented systems and upgraded piping to minimize and localize possible run-away reaction.

Joe Welch, director of EHS&S, and Fred Carder, mechanical systems manager, work together to assure all engineering and compliance aspects of Project Odyssey are being implemented on schedule.

“DOSS is a core chemistry of MFG Chemical, which the company has been producing in large quantities since 1982,” Welch said. “These improvements in manufacturing quality, control, consistency and efficiency will catapult MFG Chemical into an industry leadership position in the quality, efficiency and safety of DOSS manufacturing.”

Posted January 31, 2020

Source: MFG Chemical LLC

DOMO Chemicals Completes The Acquisition Of Solvay’s Performance Polyamides Business In Europe

LEUNA, Germany — January 31, 2020 — DOMO Chemicals, a producer of high-quality engineering materials for a diverse range of markets, today announced that the company has completed its acquisition of Solvay’s Performance Polyamides Business in Europe.

This business includes Engineering Plastics operations in France and Poland; High Performance Fibers in France; Polymer and Intermediates operations in France, Spain and Poland. The business comprises production, sales, technical support, R&D and innovation services in France, Spain, Poland, Germany and Italy, which currently have a combined headcount of approximately 1,100 employees. The agreement also involves a joint venture between BASF and DOMO in France for the production of adipic acid.

Yves Bonte, DOMO Chemicals CEO, said: ‘This acquisition is a significant milestone on our path to strengthen DOMO Chemicals’ nylon-based engineering materials business. It is an important step in delivering on our sustainable growth strategy by combining and leveraging on the unique technology, development and design capabilities of our combined teams to become a major global service provider to our customers in our key markets Transportation, Electrical & Electronics and Consumer goods.”

Bonte added: ‘As a final step in the acquisition, we will now start our process of exploring and integrating the complementary strengths of the diverse teams and talents. Our prime focus will continue to be serving our customers’ needs and meeting their requirements as we set out to become a unique integrated nylon (6 and 6.6) solution provider.

“New and existing customers of both Domo Chemicals and the acquired Business will now be able to access even more high quality, innovative and sustainable solutions for their development of processes, products and applications in the ongoing very dynamic market environment,” summarized Mr. Bonte.

Posted January 31, 2020

Source: DOMO Chemicals

Nalgene Outdoor And Alternative Apparel Make A “Pledge To The Planet” At PROJECT Las Vegas

As part of “Pledge to the Planet” at PROJECT Women’s Las Vegas, one of the fashion industry’s largest events, February 5-7, 2020, attendees willing to bypass single-use plastic for the duration of the show with one free 32-ounce Nalgene reusable water bottle featuring Alternative Apparel’s popular camo or animal print. Pledge-takers will also receive a stylish “Wear the Difference” Alternative T-shirt made from recycled bottles.

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — January 31, 2020 — A shared commitment to empowering people to live more sustainable lifestyles has brought together Nalgene Outdoor, maker of reusable water bottles, and Alternative Apparel, clothing made from recycled materials, in a collaboration to reduce single-use plastic during PROJECT Las Vegas, one of the fashion industry’s largest events.

The initiative, called “Pledge to the Planet,” will reward attendees willing to bypass single-use plastic for the duration of the show with one free 32-ounce Nalgene reusable water bottle featuring Alternative Apparel’s popular camo or animal print. Pledge-takers will also receive a stylish “Wear the Difference” Alternative T-shirt made from recycled bottles.

“‘Pledge to the Planet’ was born from our companies’ shared goal to raise awareness that simple choices we make every day can have a positive  impact on our planet,” said Elissa McGee, general manager, Nalgene Outdoor.

“We are all about taking steps to make a positive impact on the environment we share,” says Michael Johnson, director of marketing for Alternative Apparel.  “Whether it’s manufacturing our apparel both sustainably and responsibly as a company or choosing reusable bottles for hydration as individuals, we know our actions can make a difference.  And we hope PROJECT Las Vegas attendees will join us in this effort.”

How to make a “Pledge to the Planet”

To take the pledge and receive a free Nalgene bottle and Alternative T-shirt, attendees can visit Alternative’s Booth #81534. Alternative will also sponsor a nearby water refill station so it easy for attendees to fill and refill their Nalgene bottles.

Approximately 1.8 million plastic bottles recycled annually are used in Alternative Eco®Fabrics. In celebration of Alternative’s 25th birthday, the brand is launching six new eco fabrics as a reflection of their continued investment in protecting the environment. By 2021, Alternative is working to replace all virgin polyester with 100% recycled polyester in its manufacturing.

Two Brands Deeply Rooted in Sustainability

Both Nalgene Outdoor and Alternative Apparel are deeply rooted in sustainability.

Approximately 1.8 million plastic bottles recycled annually are used in Alternative Eco®Fabrics. In celebration of Alternative’s 25th birthday, the brand is launching six new eco fabrics as a reflection of their continued investment in protecting the environment. By 2021, Alternative is working to replace all virgin polyester with 100% recycled polyester in its manufacturing. More information available at www.alternativeapparel.com/our-promise.

More than 1,460 bottles are diverted from landfills annually if just one person drinks from a reusable bottle. To raise awareness for this simple behavior, Nalgene partners with Reverb on RocknRefill, a program at music festivals that has diverted 2.75 million single use bottles from landfills. Nalgene also launched The Nalgene Water Fund in 2019 to support access to clean water in communities across the USA.

Posted January 31, 2020

Source: Nalgene Outdoor

Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service Qualifies For Hygienically Clean Healthcare Recertification

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — January 31, 2020 — Ecotex Healthcare Linen Service, whose six locations serve hospitals and health systems across the western United States and Canada, has recently qualified for renewal of the Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification for these three locations: Albuquerque, N.M., and Oklahoma City, in the United States, and Abbotsford, British Columbia in Canada. The recertification reflects its continued commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and its capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing. Ecotex has provided laundry and linen management services to hospitals and other medical facilities for more than 30 years. Other Ecotex laundries that carry the Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification are located in Tacoma, Wash., in the United States, and in Canada, Kelowna, British Columbia and Mississauga, Ontario.

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

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

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

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

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

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

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

“Congratulations to Ecotex Healthcare Linen on their certification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Ecotex also holds the TRSA Clean Green Certification, certifying the company’s commitment to practicing environmental stewardship on a companywide basis.

Posted January 31, 2020

Source: TRSA

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