J.Jill Inc. Appoints Jim Scully As Interim CEO: Linda Heasley Steps Down As President, CEO, And Member Of The Board

QUINCY, Mass. — December 5, 2019 — J.Jill Inc. today announced the appointment of James S. “Jim” Scully, who currently serves as a member of the board of directors of J.Jill Inc., as interim CEO, effective immediately. Linda Heasley has stepped down as President, CEO and a member of the Board of J.Jill Inc. The coard has begun a search process and Scully will serve as interim CEO until the board has identified a replacement.

“Jim is a retail industry veteran with a proven track record of working in complex environments and a deep understanding of J.Jill from his time on the Board,” said Michael Rahamim, chairman of the Board. “We are confident in Jim’s ability to drive performance and ensure a seamless transition while we search for J.Jill’s next leader. On behalf of the board, I want to thank Linda for her contributions and dedication to J.Jill.”

Scully added: “As the board evaluates potential successors, we will focus on our customer, product, operating fundamentals and financial discipline. We believe J.Jill has significant opportunities ahead and I look forward to working with our talented teams to stabilize the business and create value for our shareholders.”

Scully has more than 20 years of experience in the retail sector and has served on the Board of Directors of the Company since August 2017. He previously served as executive vice president and COO of Avon Products Inc. Prior to his role at Avon Products, Scully served as COO of J. Crew Group Inc. He joined J. Crew in 2005 as the company’s CFO and later held the role of chief administrative officer. Prior to his role at J. Crew, Scully spent eight years at Saks Inc., most recently serving as executive vice president – Human Resources and Strategic Planning. During his tenure at Saks, he also held the positions of senior vice president – Strategic and Financial Planning, and senior vice president – Treasurer.

Posted December 5, 2019

Source: J.Jill, Inc.

VF Corp. Announces New Science-Based Targets To Accelerate Social And Environmental Responsibility Programs

DENVER — December 5, 2019 — VF Corp. today published the latest iteration of its Made for Change Sustainability & Responsibility report, including the announcement of industry-leading science-based targets (SBTs) and a bold vision for sustainable materials.

VF’s Made for Change report details the company’s aspirations for advancing environmental and social improvements across its business, portfolio of brands, global supply chain and communities worldwide. The report also highlights achievements from the last reporting year, which was 2018.

“Our workforce of 50,000 performance-driven people share a commitment to be more than just an apparel and footwear company. We strive to be a purpose-led enterprise that leverages the strength of our business to deliver positive impacts for people and the planet we share,” said Steve Rendle, VF’s Chairman, President and CEO. “We’re proud of our progress but know there is so much more we can do. Our Made for Change strategy outlines our forward-looking priorities and provides us with a renewed focus to push ourselves harder and farther as we address some of our industry’s most challenging issues.”

VF’s Made for Change strategy focuses on three areas:

  • Circular Business Models: The commercialization of circular business models to reduce VF’s environmental impact while creating new growth opportunities;
  • Scale for Good: Leveraging VF’s global scale and influence to drive impact reduction across the business and broader industry; and,
  • Movement Makers: Enabling VF and its brands to serve as a catalyst for powering movements of sustainable and active lifestyles for the betterment of people and our planet.

Made for Change Report Highlights

As outlined in the report, and in alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, VF has made measurable progress against its targets. Highlights include:

  • 50 percent of VF’s distribution centers around the world are zero-waste facilities;
  • 16 of VF’s owned buildings are LEED certified;
  • The launch of a bold sustainable materials vision focusing on three key concepts: regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, and recycled materials; and,
  • The improvement of worker livelihoods in Bangladesh, Cambodia, India, the Dominican Republic, Vietnam, China, Kenya and Lesotho through VF’s Worker and Community Development (WCD) Program.

VF’s Science-Based Targets Approved by the Science Based Targets initiative

VF’s new science-based targets (SBTs) are among the most ambitious in the industry and are aligned with the ideology of using its global scale for good. SBTs are greenhouse gas emission reduction targets that are in line with meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement.

“VF is the largest company in the textiles, apparel, and luxury goods sector to set a 1.5-degree target for its Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, and a well-below 2-degree target for its product-related Scope 3 emissions,” stated Ben Peel, Consultant, the Carbon Trust.

VF underwent an intensive, two-year long collaborative process to develop its new SBTs. The company partnered with global consultancy, the Carbon Trust, to model data across its owned and operated facilities as well as its entire operations from farm to retail store; and engaged deeply with its entire value chain. Primary data was gathered from VF’s 1,400 owned facilities, distribution centers and global logistics as well as more than 100 Tier 1 and Tier 2 suppliers, strengthening its ability to identify and implement reduction strategies.

VF’s science-based carbon emissions targets include:

  • An absolute reduction of Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions 55 percent by 2030, from a 2017 baseline year; and,
  • An absolute reduction of Scope 3 greenhouse gas emissions 30 percent by 2030, from a 2017 baseline year focusing on farm-to-retail materials, sourcing operations and logistics.

The Science Based Targets initiative champions science-based target setting as a powerful way of boosting companies’ competitive advantage in the transition to the low-carbon economy. It is a collaboration between CDP, the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), World Resources Institute (WRI), and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and one of the We Mean Business Coalition commitments.

“This is the most comprehensive strategic advice we have delivered to an organization on how it can achieve its SBTs across its own operations and its value chain,” said Tom Delay, Chief Executive, the Carbon Trust. “This work sends a strong signal to the apparel sector about the degree of transformation needed to truly address emissions across global supply and distribution chains and multiple brands. The collaborative development process and focus on influencing others is what true corporate leadership looks like. We are excited to see VF achieve its ambitious goals.”

A New Vision for Sustainable Materials

Also announced today, VF’s new sustainable materials vision is key to achieving its SBTs. Extraction, production and manufacturing of raw materials account for the largest portion of VF’s carbon emissions globally. The innovative vision establishes a clear path for reduction through yet another bold commitment:

By 2030, VF commits that 100 percent of its top nine materials, which account for approximately 90 percent of its materials-related carbon emissions, will originate from regenerative, responsibly sourced renewable, or recycled sources.

Using tools such as the Sustainable Apparel Coalition’s Materials Sustainability Index and Life Cycle Analysis methodologies, VF is assessing its materials choices within these three areas to identify the greatest opportunities for environmental impact reduction, and to understand how accelerating against these choices will contribute to achieving its science-based targets.

More information about VF and its Made for Change Sustainability & Responsibility report can be found at www.vfc.com.

Posted December 5, 2019

Source: VF Corporation

GUESS Joins Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Program For Innovative, Sustainable Denim

LOS ANGELES — December 4, 2019 — Yesterday, GUESS announced that it has joined the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Make Fashion Circular initiative, an initiative to redesign the future of fashion.

Specifically, GUESS has committed to develop denim according to the initiative’s Jeans Redesign Guidelines, which tackle the issues of waste and pollution associated with denim production. The guidelines establish minimum requirements for durability, material health, recyclability, and traceability.

“The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is leading the way in rethinking fashion design, and GUESS is thrilled to be a part of this transformation. The Jeans Redesign Program challenges us to revisit how we make denim — and GUESS welcomes this challenge! At GUESS, we are proud of the progress we have made to produce more environmentally sustainable products, and our partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation is another step towards our quest to make this world a better place,” said Carlos Alberini, CEO, GUESS

“GUESS has been synonymous with denim culture throughout its history — and by joining the Jeans Redesign they are helping to shape the industry’s future. We are delighted to be working with them to create jeans that last longer, that can be remade into new jeans at the end of their use, and are made in ways which are better for the environment and the people that make them,” said Francois Souchet, Make Fashion Circular lead at the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.

GUESS is partnering with students at its local fashion university, the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising (FIDM) in Los Angeles, to develop the initial Jeans Redesign concept. This is a continuation of the company’s ongoing sustainability partnership with the university. The FIDM program has educated more than 250 students and employees combined since 2016.

“The GUESS-sponsored sustainability class at FIDM has opened the eyes for so many of our young designers. Through the GUESS program, we have trained our students on zero waste design, sustainable materials and product lifecycle, and sustainability’s role within the business of fashion. The Jeans Redesign partnership with GUESS is an exciting opportunity for our students to stay on the cutting edge of design; we are excited to give our students this opportunity to solve real world challenges when it comes to fashion and sustainability,” said Amanda Starling, chair, Special Projects, FIDM

This is the latest effort GUESS has made towards fulfilling its commitment to sustainability education and promoting fashion circularity, the idea that clothing should be continuously reused, reworn and recycled. The progress the company has made on these commitments — in addition to its larger sustainability plan — is detailed in its latest sustainability report, available at sustainability.guess.com.

Posted December 5, 2019

Source: GUESS? Inc.

PPSS Group Launch Next Generation Body Armor Offering Previously Unthinkable Levels Of Protection

WETHERBY, England — December 4, 2019 — PPSS Group’s next generation of high-performance body armour is taking personal protection to a completely new-found level, according to the company.

Thoroughly field tested, the body armor will be made available beginning January 6, 2020.

Made from Auxilam™, a unique carbon fiber composite material, this latest body armor will protect the wearer from even the most vicious and brutal types of edged weapon and shanks imaginable.

Utilizing a combination of the incredible strength of carbon fiber, the auxetic properties of Auxilam technology and some additional top secret assets derived from the specially developed composite structure, this next generation of body armor offers a truly outstanding balance of weight, protection, performance and durability.

Comparing it with PPSS Group’s highly acclaimed polycarbonate-based stab resistant vests, the company is claiming a reduction of 19% in thickness (utilizing a 3.9mm carbon fiber composite) and a 6.6% lower aerial density and reduced weight for its latest development.

Yet, it will be certified to KR2/SP2 according to the UK Home Office Body Armour Standard, as well as NIJ Level 2 (Stab & Spike) and VPAM K2/D2 meaning it will offer a truly significant higher level of knife, spike and needle protection.

Government agencies and security companies will be able to chose from an array of different styles, ranging from covert, overt to hi viz overt options.

Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group states: “Law Enforcement, Border Force, Immigration, Customs and Prison Officers are being attacked by criminals carrying and using knives, machetes, shanks, blunt objects and hypodermic needles every day.”

“Our key objective is to protect those men and women even more effectively. Using the very latest in technology and following extensive research and development, our latest body armour is now offering previously absolutely unthinkable levels of protection.”

“It also offers exceptional, VPAM certified protection from blunt objects, effectively reducing the risks of blunt force trauma injuries e.g. internal bleeding.”

Posted December 5, 2019

Source: PPSS Group

Pantone Reveals Color of the Year 2020: PANTONE® 19-4052 Classic Blue

PantoneColor2020CARLSTADT, N.J. — December 5, 2019 — Pantone, a provider of professional color language standards and digital solutions, and X-Rite Inc. today announced PANTONE 19-4052, Classic Blue, as the Pantone® Color of the Year for 2020; a timeless and enduring hue elegant in its simplicity. Suggestive of the sky at dusk, the reassuring qualities of the thought-provoking. PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue highlight our desire for a dependable and stable foundation from which to build as we cross the threshold into a new era.

“We are living in a time that requires trust and faith. It is this kind of constancy and confidence that is expressed by PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, a solid and dependable blue hue we can always rely on,” said Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute. “Imbued with a deep resonance, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue provides an anchoring foundation. A boundless blue evocative of the vast and infinite evening sky, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue encourages us to look beyond the obvious to expand our thinking; challenging us to think more deeply, increase our perspective and open the flow of communication.”

Imprinted in our psyches as a restful color, PANTONE 19-4052, Classic Blue brings a sense of peace and tranquility to the human spirit, offering refuge. Aiding concentration and bringing laser-like clarity, PANTONE 19-4052, Classic Blue re-centers our thoughts. A reflective blue tone, Classic Blue fosters resilience.

As technology continues to race ahead of the human ability to process it all, it is easy to understand why we gravitate to colors that are honest and offer the promise of protection. Non-aggressive and easily relatable, the trusted PANTONE 19-4052, Classic Blue lends itself to relaxed interaction. Associated with the return of another day, this universal favorite is comfortably embraced.

“The Pantone Color of the Year highlights the relationship between trends in color and what is taking place in our global culture at a moment in time, a color that reflects what individuals feel they need that color can hope to answer.” added Laurie Pressman, vice president of the Pantone Color Institute. “As society continues to recognize color as a critical form of communication, and a way to express and affect ideas and emotions, designers and brands should feel inspired to use color to engage and connect. The Pantone Color of the Year selection provides strategic direction for the world of trend and design, reflecting the Pantone Color Institute’s year-round work doing the same for designers and brands.”

To fully bring to life the true meaning of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, Pantone has translated PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue into a multi-sensory experience. By extending the sensory reach of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, Pantone is hoping to reach a greater diversity of people to provide everyone with an opportunity to engage with the Color of the Year 2020 in their own unique way.

“As we all head into a new era, we wanted to challenge ourselves to find inspiration from new sources that not only evolve our Color of the Year platform, but also help our global audiences achieve richer and more rewarding color experiences,” added Pressman. “This desire, combined with the emotional properties of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, motivated us to expand beyond the visual, to bring the 2020 Pantone Color of the Year to life through a multi-sensory experience.”

Classic Blue in Fashion
PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a poised and self-assured blue hue elegant in its simplicity. Genderless in outlook and seasonless in endurance, this foundational anchor shade enables color mixes throughout the spectrum, as well as making a strong statement on its own. Emblematic of heritage but at the same time highly contemporary, versatile PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue takes on distinct appearances through application to different materials, finishes and textures from shimmering metallics, lustrous sheens and high-tech materials to hand crafted looks and more fragile fabrics.

Classic Blue in Beauty
In the ultimate display of personal expression, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue makes a dramatic statement for eyes, nails and hair in a variety of finishes from glittery and glam to dusty matte.
Classic Blue in Home Décor
Offering the promise of protection PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a pervasive favorite for home. Creating a stable foundation from which to build, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue injects creative confidence into interiors, transforming a space through unique color combinations and tonal statements. Easily applied across so many different materials, textures and finishes, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a dependable blue that can take you in different directions expressing tradition and elegance as well as unexpected boldness.

Classic Blue in Graphic Design and Packaging
Because of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue’s relation to the sky at dusk, something we see every day, it maintains a perception of dependability and constancy. A color we respond to viscerally as being trustworthy, PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is an ideal shade for many applications of graphic design. This is especially true for packaging where PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue conveys the message of honesty, credibility and reliability that today’s consumers are connecting to.

Classic Blue in Food and Beverage
Blue foods and beverages including PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue like shades are rich in anthocyanins. With this relationship to wellness and self-care these blue foods help to build a solid foundation, acting as a form of protection for good health. In addition to their natural health benefits, these blue foods also bring style and sophistication to the table.

Pantone Sensory Partners:

ADOBE X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
Pantone has partnered with Adobe Stock to offer a handpicked Color of the Year collection of imagery to inspire creators and bring color to life. Classic Blue, Pantone’s choice for 2020, evokes a calm confidence, connection, and a sense of thoughtful stability as we embark on our next decade. With millions of visual assets, from still photography and design templates to fresh 3D and motion graphics, Adobe Stock is an endless resource for creatives seeking visual inspiration and essential design components. See the Adobe Stock/ Pantone Classic Blue gallery here: https://stock.adobe.com/collections/jKy3Dg4a9DFE12Y2LdTxFC7l1UHPc9KC

ARTECHOUSE X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
The nation’s first digital art destination, ARTECHOUSE creates innovative, one-of-a-kind technology driven exhibitions and installations, across the United States. Their new, permanent New York space, located in a 100-year-old boiler room in Chelsea Market will serve as the backdrop of our official Color of the Year 2020 announcement to media and influencers across design and creative industries. Inspired by the tranquility and calming effects of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, Pantone collaborated with ARTECHOUSE and their creative team to produce a unique, fully immersive, multi-sensory reveal.

AUDIO UX X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
Audio UX, a next-gen audio branding agency, partnered with Pantone to create the sound of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue. The sound builds on the timelessness and enduring nature of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue, as our hearts call for a nostalgic song that takes us to a place of comfort and familiarity. The sound, named “Vivid Nostalgia” utilizes traditional instruments treated in innovative ways, bridging the gap between past and present.

FEDEX OFFICE X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
Color inspires and brings storytelling to life for brands and consumers in many ways – from business cards, banners, presentations, textured graphics and much more. FedEx Office will bring PANTONE 19-4052 CLASSIC BLUE to life through the creation of a multidimensional installation within the launch experience using its state-of-the-art color matching and print technology. Businesses including Pantone and consumers trust FedEx Office to ensure the right color will be printed every time.

FIRMENICH X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
Pantone partnered with Firmenich, the world’s largest privately-owned fragrance and flavor company. Together with Firmenich, Pantone created the essence of “taste” and “smell” of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue. The taste of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue holds the experiential smell of fresh green, the initial taste of fruity sweet berry, and the final finish of floral and Classic Blue notes. The smell of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue is a fragrant contemplation of where sky and sea meet – a boundless blue where there is no end.

THE INSIDE X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
Pantone partnered with The Inside, a digitally native home furnishings brand, to develop a custom Color of the Year 2020 fabric that tactilely embodies the spirit of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue. The touch of PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue was inspired by its transitional quality, and how that manifests in the sky at dusk. Classic blue translates into a soft, velvety texture to print on, further emphasizing the comforting quality of this year’s Color of the Year. The custom fabric will be available for a limited time to purchase on a select number of The Inside’s furnishings and decor.

LANDR X PANTONE COLOR OF THE YEAR
In collaboration with Audio UX, LANDR, the creative platform for musicians, worked as Pantone’s audio partners to help create The Classic Blue Sample Pack, a conceptual audio embodiment of Classic Blue that explores the multi-sensorial experience of sound and color as one. The sample pack consists of 200 different samples and loops that bring PANTONE 19-4052 Classic Blue to life, and aims to inspire artists to make their best music.

TEALEAVES X PANTONE 
Partnering with Pantone in curating colorful experiences since 2015, TEALEAVES, the luxury tea blender of choice for Michelin-star Chefs and 5-Star hotels worldwide, created the
official bespoke tea blend to harmonize the color, aroma, and taste of PANTONE
19-4052 Classic Blue. Inspired by the rich symbolism associated with the color,
TEALEAVES’ master blenders have used the highest-grade botanicals to create a
wellness-oriented, elegant, and expansive berry mélange with subtle citrus
notes. The Pantone Color of the Year 2020 Tea Blend is the epitome of a perfect
palate expression of the color, created through the art of blending.

Limited Edition Pantone Color of Year 2020 Guides
Pantone will also release limited-edition collections of Pantone Color of the Year 2020 Formula Guides and Fashion, Home + Interiors Color Guides as collector’s items for designers, to help them better integrate Classic Blue into their workflow and drawing the connection between the inspiration that the Color of the Year offers to the color achievability and consistency that Pantone standards ensure. Guides will feature a specialized Color of the Year cover including messaging for Classic Blue enclosed within the guide. Available at on Pantone.com, these guides are perfect gifts for designers who are already on the pulse of color trends, or for up-and-comers who want to deck out their desk with the sleekest tools.

  • Pantone Color of the Year 2020 Formula Guide (Coated & Uncoated): SRP $179
  • Pantone Color of the Year 2020 Fashion, Home + Interiors Color Guide: SRP $210

Pantone Connect for Designing Digitally with Classic Blue
Pantone Connect, a time-saving color extension for Adobe Creative Cloud®, includes five different pre-loaded color palettes featuring Classic Blue. These Color of the Year themed palettes, along with every other Pantone Color, are available to browse through and integrate directly into design files within Adobe Photoshop®, Illustrator®, and InDesign®. Pantone Connect also offers designers an easy way to convert to Pantone from non-Pantone colors and collaborate on palettes with teammates. Download Pantone Connect to start designing with Classic Blue today.

Posted December 4, 2019

Source: Pantone

New Technology In The HeiQ Fresh Range Turns Curtains Into Air Purifiers

SCHLIEREN, Switzerland — December 4, 2019 — No electricity required, no extra space occupied, the Gunrid curtain from IKEA looks like an ordinary curtain but performs a novel function — it purifies indoor air because it is infused with the latest technology in the HeiQ Fresh range — HeiQ Fresh AIR. Gunrid curtains will be available in IKEA retail stores in 2020.

According to the World Health Organization, more than 80 percent of urban residents are exposed to high levels of air pollution1. The concentration of VOCs indoors is generally higher than outdoors2. While many VOCs are not considered as harmful to health, such as perfumes and fragrances, some others such as acetaldehyde, formaldehyde, nitrogen oxide (NO) and d-limonene and other semi-volatile polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons are attributed as responsible for significant negative impact on health by the World Health Organization (WHO). These VOCs come from outdoor sources as well as indoor sources such as furniture, paints, household cleaning products, sprays or cooking activities, as outlined in the clean air survey 2018, conducted by IKEA. Aiming to improve the lives of people through making everyday textiles more functional, HeiQ innovated a textile treatment that will use home fabrics such as curtains as a medium to purify the indoor air.

14 years ago, the Swiss company’s foundation was inspired by bad smells on polyester hiking clothes. The HeiQ Fresh product family has evolved into a comprehensive textile solution platform that achieves “freshness” by tackling both odor-generating sources and reducing VOCs. This latest innovation focuses on odorless, potentially harmful VOCs and the research result — HeiQ Fresh AIR — adds a new dimension to the HeiQ Fresh range. This technology will be available in the market first on Gunrid curtains from IKEA. “With HeiQ Fresh AIR, we aim to improve the air quality in consumers’ homes with ease, simply by hanging up a curtain and utilizing the natural light passing through the window. A simple tool for something so important, fresh air in your home,” said Carlo Centonze, HeiQ’s co-founder and Group CEO.

How does it work? HeiQ Fresh AIR is a mineral-based Swiss technology infused into the curtain fabrics. It purifies the indoor air by using transmitted ultraviolet light (UVA) from the sun to transform problematic VOCs into components of fresh air. Curtains and other home fabrics infused with HeiQ Fresh technology therefore contribute to better homes with cleaner air.

How is the air purifying performance measured? Creating disruptive technologies for 14 years, HeiQ emphasizes the importance of identifying the correct testing methodology and creating standards to help brands, mills and consumers interpret the performance of a novel technology, By working closely with Prof. Dr. Detlef Bahnemann, head of Photocatalysis and Nanotechnology of the Leibniz University Hannover, Germany, test norms have been selected, capable to characterize the air purifying performance of fabrics infused with HeiQ Fresh AIR. The internationally recognized norms: ISO 22197-1 for NO and ISO 22197-2 for Acetaldehyde, the modified ISO 17299 to measure percentage reduction of VOCs as well as the modified ISO 10678 as a quick quality control test for mills.

1 https://www.who.int/airpollution/en/

2 Paciência et.al., 2016. A systematic review of evidence and implications of spatial and seasonal variations of volatile organic compounds (VOC) in indoor human environments. Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, Part B, 19(2), pp.47-64.

Posted December 4, 2019

Source: HeiQ Materials AG

MAYER Exhibits At Techtextil India, Held November 2019 In Mumbai

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — December 2, 2019 — KARL MAYER used Techtextil India in order to show new warp knitting and warp preparation technologies as well as innovative textile product developments. At the trade fair, this global player was present with a lecture of its Regional Agent, A.T.E., held during the accompanying symposium, and with a stand.

Both presentations met with great response. “The exhibition was smaller than expected but very well visited”, said Mark Smith. The sales manager of KARL MAYER’s Warp Knitting Business Unit was able to welcome many of his customers, and could establish new contacts also to non-technology-related manufacturers. Important topics of his conversations were delicate magazine weft-insertion net curtains patterned with fancy yarns, in woven-fabric look, and the appropriate machines — the TM WEFT and the WEFT.FASHION TM 3.

The conversation partners included many warp knitting companies that want to set up a second mainstay with home textiles, but also net curtain weaving mills in search of new product lines. In high demand both by warp knitters and by weavers was the terry tricot machine, type TM 4 TS. Of particular interest in India is the possibility to produce towels with neat and sturdy edgings, thus, saving the edge seams.

Erik Junghans, sales manager of KARL MAYER’s Business Unit Technical Textiles, was also satisfied with the outcome of the trade fair. Especially during the Techtextil Symposium he was able to establish many new contacts. Among the major topics of discussion were textile products for the building industry.

“In India there is a considerable interest in textile-reinforced concrete. So far, no suppliers are on the market in this respect, but the national trade association, ITTA, wants to promote developments in this field. We have the suitable machines, but with our contacts to German research institutes we also want to give our support accordingly”, explained Junghans. He also witnesses a growing demand for warp knitted geotextiles in India. To increase the service life of roads, the government especially promotes projects with geogrids. In addition, on the KARL MAYER stand there was a lively exchange on multiaxial machines intended for the efficient manufacture of composites made from glass. The lightweight materials are in special demand by the wind energy industry, for the rehabilitation of pipelines, and for the construction of cabins for buses and trains.

As third player in KARL MAYER’s Business Units, the Warp Preparation BU successfully used the Techtextil India for networking opportunities.

Posted December 4, 2019

Source: KARL MAYER Textilmaschinenfabrik GmbH

INDA Announces FiltXPO™ Technical Conference Speaker Lineup: Engineers And Scientists Delve Into Critical Filtration, Separation Topics

CARY, N.C. — December 4, 2019 — Engineers, scientists and industry professionals will dive deep into critical filtration and separation issues at the FiltXPO technical conference, Feb. 26-28, 2020, at Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill.  The stellar speaker line up with conference details are available on the event website.

Paired with the exhibition featuring up to 200 exhibitors, technical presentations by more than 30 industry experts will address the critical issues of filtration and separation processes and materials. FiltXPO is the only North American exhibition and technical conference dedicated exclusively to filtration and separation.

The program features keynote presentations and intensely-focused sessions around the following seven interest areas: air and gas filtration, biopharmaceutical, filter media modeling, nanofiber filter media, membrane technologies, separation and manufacturing and water filtration.  The program continues to add subject matter experts.

FiltXPO attendees can glean insights and strategies into such areas as:

  • Engineering cleaner air;
  • Developing next-generation filters;
  • Low-cost material alternatives for microfiltration applications;
  • Testing filter efficiencies;
  • Protecting livestock against airborne viruses;
  • Meeting stringent emission norms; and
  • Groundbreaking nanofiber research.

Among other compelling session topics are modeling filtration technologies that can provide clean air and water to astronauts on deep space missions; ecological and environmental alternatives to fluorinated hydrocarbons; filtration megatrends affecting machinery manufacturers; new silicon filtration membrane technology; and optimizing filtration media for wastewater-related gas removal.

Keynote speakers include:

  • Gas Phase and Particulate Filtration: Delivering Advanced Solutions with Performance Materials – Michael O’Laughlin, vice president, Advanced Solutions, Lydall Performance Materials will provide keen insights for engineering cleaner air with gas phase filtration by adsorbing molecular contaminants with physisorption and chemisorption.
  • Current Challenges, New Technologies and the Future Prospects of Novel Filters for Biopharmaceutical Separations – Dr. Michael Phillips, director Next Generation BioProcessing R&D, MilliporeSigma will share a Fortune 500 company’s viewpoint on new technologies and challenges overcome to develop next-generation filters.
  • Understanding Airborne Dust and Droplet Filtration Via Multiscale Modeling and Experiment – Dr. Tafreshi Hooman, Assistant Professor, Virginia Commonwealth University will present past and current studies on modeling dust particles filtration via fibrous filters that are key to designing new products for droplet removal.
  • Separation & Manufacturing – Dr. Shagufta Patel, Research Scientist, Parker Hannifin Company

Other highlighted speakers include:

  • Air/Gas Filtration – A Novel Long-Life Air Cleaning Unit and its Continuous Operation Performance Analysis presented by Xin Feng, Research Fellow, Air Cleaning Techcenter(ACT), China Academy of Building Research; Testing and Estimating Efficiencies of Ventilation Filters at PM2.5 and 10 by Dr. R. Vijayakumar, president, Aerfil LLC; Airborne Pathogen Protection in Livestock Operations, Carlos Lora, global director of Market Strategy Animal Science, AAF International (Daikin Industries); An Innovative Filter Media for Hot Gas Filtration Application, Neeraj Shukla, manager, Welspun India Limited.
  • Biopharmaceuticals – Progress and Future Potential of Monolitchic Chromatographic Resins in Bioseparations presented by Ales Strancar, CEO, BIA Separations D.O.O. as well as additional speakers to be announced.
  • Filter Media Modeling – Microscale Simulation of Gas-Liquid and Liquid-Liquid Filtration, presented by Dr. Ben Mullins, Associate Professor, Director Occupation, Environment and Safety, Curtin University; Modeling Heterogeneous Filter Structure and Pressure Drop Evolution, Dr. Chris Hogan, Professor and Director of Graduate Studies, University of Minnesota, Department of Mechanical Engineering; Modeling to Design Filtration Processes with Application to Crewed Missions in Deep Space, Dr. Christopher Cox, Professor & Department Head, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga; Machine Learning-Based Segmentation and Identification of Individual Fibers and Binders in CT Images of Fibrous Media, Andreas Wiegmann, CEO, Math2Market GmbH; and Modeling and Simulation of Meltblown Processes for Fine Fiber Nonwovens, Dr. Dietmar Hietel, Director of Process Control, Fraunhofer-Institute For Industrial Mathematics (ITWM).
  • Membrane Technologies – Preparations and Characterizations of Low-Cost Porous Ceramic Membranes for Potential Microfiltration Applications, presented by
  • Dr. Jang-Hoon Ha, Powder and Ceramics Division, Korea Institute of Materials Science; Antifouling Silicon Nanofiltration Membranes for Molecular-Scale Separations in Harsh Environments, Dr. Brendan Smith, Postdoctoral Associate, MIT; and PLA Filter Media, Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, William A. Klopman Distinguished Professor and Executive Director, North Carolina State University, The Nonwovens Institute. Fred Lybrand, Director, Business Development, HESF, Hollingsworth & Vose Company, also will speak in this session track.
  • Nanofiber Filter Media – Metallized Nanofibers: Pollutants Removal and Medical Applications Based on Filtration, presented by Dr. Alexander L. Yarin, Distinguished Professor, University of Illinois at Chicago; and Production of Micro and Nanofibers by Solution Blow Spinning: Current Status, Dr. Eliton Medeiros, Professor, Federal University of Paraíba. Other speakers include Stanislav Petrik Director, Technical University of Liberec; Dr. Peter Kofinas, ChBE Professor & Chair, Maryland Energy Innovation Institute, University of Maryland; and Andrew McDowell, Director, Sales & Marketing, NXTNANO.
  • Separation and Manufacturing – Case Study in the Development and Use of PFAs and Other Flourinated Hydrocarbons and the Resulting Ecological Mayhem, presented by Hal Alper, President & Chief Science Officer, MYCELX Technologies Corporation; Filtration and Filter Media Production in a Changing World, Lothar Kaierle, Vice President Sales Nonwovens, American Truetzschler Inc.; and Textile Composites: Important Considerations for Performance and Manufacturability, Ray Piascik, Director of Marketing and Sales, Beckmann Converting Inc. & Sandel International. Also speaking, Carl Shenk, R&D Manager, MYCELX Technologies Corp.
  • Water Filtration – Targeted Odorous Gas Removal presented by Dr. Jayraj Joshi, Product Innovation Specialist, Purafil Filtration Group, among other notable talks.

FiltXPO is expected to attract more than 2,000 attendees and 200 exhibitors for three intensely-focused days of technical program content within the hottest topics in filtration and separation. Technical conference sessions will run in conjunction with the show floor exhibition. To register and for program updates and speaker announcements, visit the filtxpo.com

Posted December 4, 2019

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Lenzing Unveils REFIBRA™ Technology Strengthening Its Commitment To The Circular Economy In Textiles

Lenzing-RefibraLookLENZING, Austria ‚ December 2, 2019 — Lenzing Group announced today another breakthrough for its pioneering REFIBRA™ technology with the industry’s first successful production of TENCEL™ Lyocell fibers using post-consumer cotton waste as part of the recycled raw material proportion.

Currently, Refibra technology feature the upcycling of a substantial proportion of pre-consumer cotton scraps from garment production and mixing with virgin wood pulp, to produce new Tencel Lyocell fibers. In September 2019, Lenzing announced the first-phase of Refibra technology upgrade, by increasing the composition of pulp made from upcycled cotton scraps collected from garment manufacturing process to up to 30%. In the second-phase, among the 30 percent of recycled raw material content, Lenzing can incorporate up to 10% of post-consumer cotton waste into the mixture of recycled materials alongside pre-consumer cotton waste. Tencel Lyocell fibers with Refibra technology are produced on demand and capacity can reach thousands of tons for both generations.

“Our world’s forests and climate need these kinds of Next Generation Solutions at both scale and speed in the cellulosic fiber sector. Canopy applauds Lenzing for the vision of making textile waste recycling common place and for launching this commercially available product line with the first steps of post-consumer recycled content,” said Nicole Rycroft, executive director of Canopy. “We look forward to Lenzing’s leadership as they work to significantly increase the volume of their raw material that comes from Next Generation feed-stocks, and we know brands and retailers are looking to preference producers who hit the goal of a 50 percent post-consumer recycled fiber line first.”

With growing interest around the concept of ‘circular economy’ across the globe, the scaled production of Tencel Lyocell fibers using post-consumer cotton waste is a key milestone for Lenzing’s pursuit to build a fully sustainable textile ecosystem. The second phase upgrade of Refibra technology poses tremendous business opportunities and helps drive greater developments for circular economy. Lenzing believes that the growing adoption of recycled textiles is an essential part of the fiber industry’s future growth strategy. Such frontier production model can help revolutionize the fashion industry and empower brands who are looking for eco-responsible textile value chains. It is the vision of Lenzing to make textile waste recycling a common process like paper recycling.

LenzingRefibragraphicBased on the UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, Responsible Consumption and Production, it is Lenzing’s clear vision to produce fibers with Refibra technology using post-consumer textile waste as raw materials. Being able to use discarded garments consisting of a wider range of materials will greatly enlarge the raw material basis for textile recycling. This innovation is a groundbreaking step towards tackling the global issue of textile waste disposal. At the same time it reduces the extraction of wood as a raw material and relieves the pressure on global forest ecosystems. Our vision includes recycling of fabrics and garments from Lenzing’s own materials. Lenzing is the first producer of wood-based cellulosic fibers offering Global Recycling Standard (GRS) and the Recycled Claim Standard (RCS) offering perfect transparency for the materials used during production.

Produced in ecoresponsible closed-loop production process, fibers produced using Refibra technology are 100-percent bio-based. The fibers will also feature properties of enhanced breathability through good moisture management, silky smoothness and strength.

By leveraging such innovative breakthrough, Lenzing has been working closely with brands and industry stakeholders to pursue a more collaborative driving force for the transition towards greater inclusive and circular economic growth.

“For several years, we have witnessed a rise of eco-consciousness amongst consumers. Consumers have been demanding more sustainable product options in their shopping list. If a company wants to truly improve its sustainability practice, it needs to reexamine its current business model and consider introducing new products or technologies with recyclability and reusability in mind. At Lenzing, sustainability is part of our DNA, and we will continue to stand at the industry forefront to assist businesses with the implementation of eco-practices in their operations,” said Florian Heubrandner, vice president of Global Business Management Textiles of Lenzing.

Posted December 3, 2019

Source: Lenzing

SHIMA SEIKI Releases SDSONE APEX4

APEX4_operationWAKAYAMA, Japan — December 3, 2019 — Textile solutions provider SHIMA SEIKI Mfg., Ltd. has released the next generation of its SDSONE APEX series 3D computer graphic apparel design system.

Introduced to the world’s textile industry at the ITMA 2019 exhibition in June as a prototype, the 4th generation of its series—SDSONE APEX4—is officially launched with updated hardware and software for improved efficiency as compared to the previous generation SDSONE APEX3. Processing speeds for programming and simulation have undergone up to a 6X increase to meet everincreasing demand for quickly responding to rapidly changing market needs.

Comprehensively equipped with dedicated functions specializing in the planning and design of fashion apparel and other textiles, APEX4 features state-of-the-art technology such as the latest AI functions used in image searching for quick and accurate planning and design.

At the core of SHIMA SEIKI’s “Total Fashion System” concept, APEX4 provides comprehensive support of the apparel production process from planning, design and production to sales promotion and retail sales through digital communication. Its capability for virtual sampling is especially effective in streamlining the production process. Superreal simulation so realistic it can be mistaken for the real thing, allows the use of virtual samples to replace actual samples in evaluating design variations, thereby minimizing the tremendous time, cost and material normally required with samplemaking. Moreover, data for programming flat knitting machines is prepared simultaneously for smooth transition to production.

Consequently, the entire production cycle can be shortened significantly, realizing on-demand production and allowing the product planning stage to be extended for increased accuracy in analyzing consumer demand and trends.

Furthermore, virtual samples can be used at the retail level to gauge consumer acceptance of upcoming products, data for which can be used for forecasting demand. Such feedback can be used to adjust production amount and optimize inventory, preventing leftover stock that would otherwise go to waste. If stock runs out mid-season, on-demand production capability of WHOLEGARMENT® knitting can replenish inventory to prevent lost opportunity. For ecommerce applications, even zeroinventory business can become a reality. The Total Fashion System maximizes profit while achieving zero leftover stock, zero lost sales opportunity and most importantly zero waste through smart, speedy and sustainable production.

Posted December 3, 2019

Source: Shima Seiki

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