Wood Mackenzie: Huntsman Corp., Indorama Ventures Strike $2 Billion Chemical Intermediates Deal

EDINBURGH — August 7, 2019 — Huntsman Corp. announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to sell its chemical intermediates businesses to Indorama Ventures. The total deal is valued at $2.076 billion.

“The combined manufacturing capacity of the production assets involved in the transaction amounts to around 3Mt per annum. With a core heritage and a world scale leading position in PET manufacture, besides strengthening a main part of Indorama’s PET feedstock supply chain (Ethylene/EO/MEG), this acquisition additionally puts Indorama into a number of new derivative product segments for the first time. These include propylene/PO derivatives, surfactants, ethanolamines, glycol ethers and MTBE,” said Andrew Day, Wood Mackenzie Research Director.

Commenting, Patrick Kirby, Wood Mackenzie Principal Analyst, said: “The transaction includes the Port Neches steam cracker, which utilises ethane and propane feedstock for ethylene and propylene production. This will exit Huntsman from the US ethylene business and add a second US steam cracker for Indorama.

“Huntsman was historically a much larger player in the ethylene business with major acquisitions, the biggest being a large portion of ICI’s base chemicals business. As this was Huntsman’s remaining ethylene asset following several divestments, this sale effectively ends Huntsman’s production footprint for ethylene in the US and globally.

“Indorama recently restarted the Lake Charles steam cracker to provide full backward integration into ethylene for existing EO/glycol production in the US market. The addition of the Port Neches asset will expand Indorama’s ethylene capacity in the US by around 50%.”

Posted August 8, 2019

Source: Wood Mackenzie

Retail Imports Remain At Near-Record Levels Despite Tariffs 

WASHINGTON — August 8, 2019 — Imports at the nation’s major retail container ports are expected to continue at near-record levels this month and the remainder of the year despite a new round of tariffs on goods from China, according to the monthly Global Port Tracker report released today by the National Retail Federation and Hackett Associates.

“Even with virtually everything American imports from China soon to be subject to tariffs, it isn’t quick or easy for retailers to change their supply chains,” NRF Vice President for Supply Chain and Customs Policy Jonathan Gold said. “That means American families are ultimately going to pay more for goods they can’t do without. And even if sourcing eventually shifts away from China, it will simply come from other countries. It’s time to stop punishing American businesses, workers and families for China’s wrongdoing.”

President Trump announced last week that new 10 percent tariffs on an additional $300 billon in Chinese goods will take effect on September 1. Coupled with 25 percent tariffs imposed on $250 billion worth of imports over the past year, the new round will tax almost all goods the United States imports from China. Meanwhile, America’s tariff bill continues to grow. According to data released this week by the Tariffs Hurt the Heartland coalition, American importers paid $6 billion in tariffs in June, one of the highest-tariffed months in U.S. history and up 74 percent from the same month last year.

“The uncertainties of the administration’s tariff policies continue to vex the markets,” Hackett Associates Founder Ben Hackett said. “Our overall outlook is more pessimistic than last month, underlining that trade wars are not harbingers of good things to come.”

Hackett said the 10 percent tariffs would not likely have an immediate impact on import volumes but an increase to 25 percent — as happened earlier this year with the most recent previous round of tariffs — “would have a significant impact and would cause us to lower our trade projections further.”

U.S. ports covered by Global Port Tracker handled 1.8 million Twenty-Foot Equivalent Units in June, the latest month for which after-the-fact numbers are available. That was down 2.9 percent from May and down 3 percent year-over-year. A TEU is one 20-foot-long cargo container or its equivalent.

July was estimated at 1.86 million TEU, down 2.6 percent year-over-year. August is forecast at 1.91 million TEU, up 0.6 percent; September at 1.85 million, down 1.1 percent; October at 1.91 million TEU, down 6.2 percent; November at 1.84 million TEU, up 1.8 percent, and December at 1.81 million TEU, down 7.9 percent.

The August and October numbers would be the highest monthly volumes since 1.96 million TEU last December, tying for the third-highest month on record behind that and the all-time record of 2 billion TEU set last October. While imports will decline year-over-year most months during the remainder of this year, that is largely because of high volumes seen last year as retailers rushed to bring in merchandise ahead of scheduled tariff increases.

The first half of 2019 totaled 10.5 million TEU, up 2.1 percent over the first half of 2018, and 2019 is expected to total 21.7 million TEU. That would come within 0.4 percent of last year’s record 21.8 million TEU, which was up an unusually high 6.2 percent over 2017.

Global Port Tracker, which is produced for NRF by the consulting firm Hackett Associates, covers the U.S. ports of Los Angeles/Long Beach, Oakland, Seattle and Tacoma on the West Coast; New York/New Jersey, Port of Virginia, Charleston, Savannah, Port Everglades, Miami and Jacksonville on the East Coast, and Houston on the Gulf Coast.

Posted August 8, 2019

Source: The National Retail Federation (NRF)

Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) Acquires NAPCO Media

FAIRFAX, Va/PHILADELPHIA — August 6, 2019 — In a move that further enhances its current partnership with NAPCO Media and creates unprecedented value for the industry, the Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) today announced that it has acquired NAPCO Media. Under the terms of the agreement, which has been unanimously approved by SGIA’s Board of Directors, NAPCO Media — owners of Printing Impressions, Packaging Impressions, PromoMarketing, In-Plant Impressions, TotalRetail, Target Marketing and Wide-Format Impressions — will become an LLC and will continue to operate as an independent entity. All NAPCO Media staff and business units will remain in place. SGIA offices and NAPCO Media offices will continue to reside in Fairfax, Va., and Philadelphia, respectively.

In 2017, SGIA and NAPCO Media formed a strategic partnership to create a global platform to connect print service providers and suppliers in the graphic and visual communication industry like never before. That platform, PRINTING United, was built upon the solid foundation of the former SGIA Expo. PRINTING United is being held October 23-25, 2019, at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas.

“In an industry where traditional boundaries and segments continue to come together, an organization that spans the breadth of the industry is needed more than ever,” said Ford Bowers, CEO and President, SGIA. “Research, education, training, relationships, government affairs, technology and more are not nearly as siloed as they once were. It is imperative that organizations develop a broad ability to address market needs, either through more close-knit collaboration or, as in this instance, combination.”

Dave Leskusky, who will remain NAPCO Media President, said, “We are thrilled to cement our relationship with SGIA. NAPCO Media and SGIA share a common mission to build community and be the primary resource for information and education to help the industry flourish. In order to best serve our communities, we need to create a year-round platform that includes events, media, research and more. Combining forces makes perfect sense.”

“While SGIA is buying NAPCO Media,” Leskusky continued, “this is more of a vertical merger designed to capitalize on our unique strengths and lay the foundation for organic growth. Our current plan amplifies the strengths of each company to extend our reach as a combined organization across all of the audiences we serve.”

Posted August 7, 2019

Source: Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)

Clear View Bag Co. Invests In Second Fusion C From PCMC

GREEN BAY, Wis. — August 6, 2019 — Paper Converting Machine Co. (PCMC), part of Barry-Wehmiller, has announced the sale of a second Fusion C flexographic printing press to Clear View Bag Co., an Albany, N.Y.-based manufacturer and converter of plastic bags and roll stock for markets including medical, food, agricultural, retail and industrial.

“We are excited to be purchasing a second Fusion C flexographic press,” said Todd Romer, president, Clear View Bag. “We’ve had a lot of success with our first Fusion C, which has allowed us to offer our customers shorter, more efficient runs. A deciding factor was also the fact that PCMC has been a true partner with us, providing exceptional quality and service.”

With a smaller footprint and fewer parts, the Fusion C is loaded with fast make-ready and waste-saving features, including SteadyPrint, which received the 2019 FTA Technical Innovation Award. This feature couples the bearing arrangement with an algorithm that uses noise-canceling technology to largely remove the impact of bounce when printing graphics with hard edges. With patents pending on all features, SteadyPrint is currently the only product on the market using this kind of technology to provide real-time monitoring and eliminate disturbances.

“We had the great opportunity to serve an existing customer that had first-hand experience with PCMC and the Fusion C,” said Bill Easley, regional sales manager, PCMC. “That speaks volumes about the Fusion C’s value and performance. We look forward to continuing a strong partnership with Clear View Bag.”

Posted August 7, 2019

Source: Paper Converting Machine Company (PCMC)

Assets of Late-Model Screen Printing Operation Offered For Sale

KERNERSVILLE, N.C. — August 7, 2019 — Tiger Group will be conducting an online auction on August 20 of assets from a pristine, late-model screen printing operation owned by Castle Shirt Co., which is relocating from Kernersville. Assets on the block include M&R screen printing machines, flash cure units, Amscomatic folding machines and dryers, plant support, material handling equipment, office furniture and more.

“This is a fantastic opportunity to purchase well maintained screen printing machinery and equipment,” said John Coelho, senior director of Tiger Group’s Commercial & Industrial division. “Screen printers and others in the textile and apparel embellishment industry — along with any company seeking office furniture or material handling equipment — will be interested in this unique opportunity to purchase exceptionally clean equipment that is perfect for supporting existing operations or new startups. The many available M&R machines have had comprehensive scheduled and preventative maintenance, with all replacement parts purchased directly from M&R.”

Tiger Group has successfully conducted auctions in the secondary market for a wide range of companies in textile embellishment and related apparel sectors, including, most recently, QTI Promotions & Apparel, and Absolute. These followed previous auctions for companies like VF Embroidery, Avid Ink, and Basic Line Corp.

Bidding will commence August 13 at www.SoldTiger.com and will close in rapid succession, online auction style, August 20, at 10 a.m. (ET). All bidders are required to register prior to the sale at SoldTiger.com. Previews of the assets are available August 19, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Castle Shirt headquarters, located at 621 C Indeneer Dr. in Kernersville.

Key assets include screen printing machines and peripherals by M&R — some with as little as 670,000 and all with no more than 5.9 million impressions — and feature Stryker, Challenger III, Gauntlet II, Sportsmen and Alpha 8 models as new as 2016. Other M&R equipment includes an i-Image direct-to-screen system, and Cayenne flash cure units.

A master stretching table and frames by Newman Roller, along with aluminum screens, pallets, squeegees, heat transfer machines, a Richmond Exposure unit for DTS images, and more will also be up for bid. M&R Sprint and mini-Sprint screen printing dryers will also be available.

Plant support and material handling assets for sale include air compressors and dryers, pallet racking, fork lifts, label printers, worktables, and more. Office furniture will also be offered for sale.

Castle Shirt Company was started in 1999, with a reach that ran from California to Florida, and extended to the Caribbean, Paris, London, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The asset sale was prompted by the owner’s decision to relocate.

Posted August 7, 2019

Source: Tiger Commercial & Industrial Division

Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo (HFMSE) To Become Furniture Manufacturing Expo

ATLANTA — August 7, 2019 — Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo) and Progressive Business Media (PBM) announced today that the name of their furniture manufacturing tradeshow, Home Furnishings Manufacturing Solutions Expo (HFMSE), will be changed to Furniture Manufacturing Expo.

The name change reflects more clearly the expo’s purpose and dedication in building a platform for furniture manufacturers and suppliers to come together and discover new products, technology, equipment, machinery, and more.

The new name is effective immediately and will be implemented across all avenues and services.

Posted August 7, 2019

Source: Exposition Development Company, Inc. (ExpoDevCo)

Montefibre Carbon Unveils Its First Carbon Fiber PAN Precursor

MIRANDA DE EBRO, Spain — August 7, 2019 — Montefibre Carbon’s 80k tow aims to be the new standard for large-tow carbon fiber for industrial purposes, and the company expects its impact on the industry to be similar to the 50k tow first launched more than 20 years ago.

Montefibre’s carbon fiber precursor is produced from an exclusive polyacrylonitrile formulation (PAN), which enables a carbon fiber of high resistance, high elastic modulus, and low density, and which translates to very rigid and lightweight high performance composites.

The initial Montefibre® 80k product range will consist of the M500 and M600, both qualities for non-aerospace use, with standard modulus (SM).

Montefibre’s M500 and M600 series with 80,000 filaments pursue cost-performance for large volume applications, providing affordable price along with superior fiber quality.

Montefibre® 80-M500-SM series has been designed to produce standard industrial quality carbon fiber, type T300, with a tensile strength of 500 ksi (3.5 Gpa) and a modulus of 33 msi (230 Gpa), mainly designed for use in SMC for press molding, in pellets for injection molding, and milled for 3D printing and construction.

Montefibre 80-M600-SM has been engineered to produce superior quality carbon fiber, with a tensile strength of 600 ksi (4.1 Gpa) and a modulus of 34 msi (235 Gpa), mainly designed for pultrusion, UD tapes, NCF prepreg, and filament winding.

In the words of Montefibre Carbon’s Research Director Dr. María Simon: “the tests we have carried out over the last year have confirmed that the M500 and M600 series have an exceptional thermal profile that allows for high performance and low energy consumption in conventional oxidation and carbonization lines”.

The first production line of Montefibre 80k fiber will come into operation in mid-2020 with an annual capacity of 3,000 tonnes of PAN precursor. Two other production lines will start operating in 2021, reaching an initial capacity of 11,000 tonnes per year, which can be transformed into around 5,000 tonnes of carbon fiber.

The Universal Carbon Fiber

“The new Montefibre M500 and M600 in 80k will make carbon fiber universally accessible to globally expand the substitution of steel, aluminium, and glass fiber in many applications outside the aerospace market, such as marine, construction, or automotive” said Alfonso Cirera, president of Montefibre Carbon.

Montefibre’s challenge is to prescribe the use of carbon fiber in an easy way for any industry. “We have been surprised to see the enormous gap of knowledge that exists between manufacturers that are integrated into large carbon groups and those outside those supply chains. There is no need to complicate or create artificial barriers to the use of carbon fiber. This advanced material can be used in virtually any standard industrial process,” Cirera noted.

The Montefibre M500 and M600 series are not subject to export restrictions as they are not a precursor of carbon fiber for aeronautical or defense use. For this reason, composite and carbon fiber manufacturers from many countries have shown their interest in securing with Montefibre Carbon a stable and long-term supply of carbon fiber PAN precursor without relying on the vertically integrated carbon groups against whom they also compete

In addition to its own development of 80K, Montefibre Carbon is jointly developing, in collaboration with the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in the United States, an ultra-wide carbon fiber, with cables of 320k and 480k, in quality M500 for industrial use, that will be launched to the market in 2021 and that is foreseen to be carbonized at a plant in Knoxville, Tennessee.

Montefibre and its production plant in Miranda de Ebro, Spain, were acquired in 2015 by the investment group Praedium, owned by Alfonso Cirera Santasusana. Praedium has the support of the Ministry of Industry for the transformation of the plant and for the creation of a manufacturing centre to help Spanish and European industry innovate, adapt, and prepare for the replacement of traditional materials with carbon fiber composites.

Montefibre Carbon is the sole heir to the polyacrylonitrile (PAN) carbon fiber precursor technology developed in the late 1950s by Monsanto in Knoxville, USA. The former Italian Montefibre continued these developments from the 1990s onwards. All of this technology is now the exclusive property of Montefibre Carbon, which in the last two years has completed the development of a unique range of carbon fiber adapted to the needs of the composites industry.

Montefibre Carbon’s plan is to become the first independent manufacturer of carbon fiber precursor and to reach in 2025 a production of around 33,000 tonnes per year, representing approximately 12% of the estimated 2025 global demand for industrial uses. In the long term, the objective is to reach a capacity of 75,000 tonnes of precursor to bring to market about 35,000 tonnes of carbon fiber.

Posted August 7, 2019

Source: Montefibre Carbon

Elevate Textiles Announces ZDHC Contributorship Across All Portfolio Brands

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — August 7, 2019 — Elevate Textiles — a global provider of advanced, high quality products and mission critical textile solutions — announced today its expanded participation in the ZDHC Roadmap to Zero Programme across its portfolio brands including American & Efird, Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components.

Focused on the elimination and substitution of hazardous chemicals, ZDHC and its contributors work to implement and support sustainable chemical management best practices across the textile, apparel and footwear industries.

“Elevate is excited to take this next step in affirming our commitment to sustainability by expanding our ZDHC participation across all the Elevate portfolio brands,” said Jimmy Summers, vice president Environment, Health, Safety & Sustainability for Elevate Textiles. “American & Efird joined in 2017 and has been an active contributor in driving industry best practices and responsible chemical management in manufacturing. This same commitment extends across Elevate’s other brands — Burlington, Cone Denim, Gütermann and Safety Components — as we continue to drive positive change towards more advanced sustainable chemistry.”

Elevate is pleased to provide extended leadership through its participation in the ZDHC Output Focus Area, with Elevate’s Jimmy Summers serving as a Co-Lead in this group. Through work and collaboration with other brands and government organizations, the ZDHC Wastewater Guidelines go beyond regulatory compliance to help ensure the discharge of treated wastewater does not negatively impact the environment and surrounding communities.

Posted August 7, 2019

Source: Elevate Textiles

Don Bockoven Announced As Fiber Industries New CEO; Andrew Rosenfeld Named Vice Chairman

DARLINGTON, S.C. — July 31, 2019 — Fiber Industries LLC, a textile production operation based in Darlington, S.C., established by MHR Fund Management LLC, has announced Donald “Don” Bockoven as CEO. Concurrently, Andrew Rosenfeld has been named vice chairman of the company.

Bockoven brings decades of experience in the textile industry and a proven track record of driving profitability for public and private companies around the world. In his prior positions, Bockoven has achieved success by combining his financial, technical, and operational expertise to lead growth initiatives, increase productivity, and manage risk.

Most recently, Bockoven served as President and CEO of Leigh Fibers, a nearly century-old fiber supply business. Prior to Leigh Fibers, Bockoven held senior management positions at Hollingsworth & Vose, Invista, and DuPont. Over his two decades at DuPont, Bockoven was directly involved in multiple plant start-ups in the US, Europe, Brazil, and Asia.

“As a South Carolina resident and a strong proponent of textile manufacturing in the United States, I am honored and excited to be a part of the revival of the Palmetto plant and its reinvigoration of the community,” said Bockoven. “I also look forward to engaging with the customers that have been eagerly anticipating Fiber Industries’ reentry into the marketplace.”

Bockoven is highly involved in industry and philanthropic causes, currently serving on the Board of the South Carolina Manufacturing Extension Partnership and recently appointed to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations. Bockoven has also served as the Vice Chair of The National Council of Textile Organizations, Board Member of the South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance, and Board Member of the American Heart Association HeartWalk.

Posted August 6, 2019

Source: Fiber Industries

Denim Wrapped Car At Gartex Texprocess India 2019 To Highlight India’s Position As The World’s Second Largest Producer Of Denim Fabric

NEW DELHI — August 6, 2019 — The first unified edition of Gartex Texprocess India is set to bring leading textile and garment machinery companies under one roof. With focused segments incorporated within the show, the three-day trade fair will draw attention to growing trends and application areas within the industry including the country’s first denim wrapped car highlighting denim fabric manufacturing as a sunrise industry in the textile value chain of India.

The history of textiles and garment production in India dates several centuries back leaving no doubts that this industry is one of the main pillars of Indian economy. Although an important part of the economy, the industry is fragmented into different sectors and to bring the entire value chain under one umbrella, MEX Exhibitions and Messe Frankfurt India entered into a strategic alliance to create Gartex Texprocess India. Scheduled from August 10-12, 2019, the  expo will showcase more than 200 exhibitors and 400 brands that include top textile and garment machinery companies.

India – world’s second largest producer of denim fabric

The star attraction at the all-encompassing show will be a one of its kind “Denim Car” that is set to be displayed at an exclusive ‘Denim Application’ zone. The masterpiece is an artistic connexion of India’s first denim wrapped four-wheeler emphasizing India’s position as the world’s second largest producer of denim fabric and its diverse use.

Focused zones and shows

To touch different aspects of the industry, giving the exhibitors and visitors distinctive areas to trade and focus on opportunities, the organizers have incorporated dedicated segments like Embroidery Zone and Garmenting & Apparel Machinery Zone, and concurrent shows such as Digitex Show and Fabrics & Trims Show, India Laundry Show and Denim Show. The focused segments will cover everything from textile and garment manufacturing companies to the latest machines, spares & consumables, raw materials, trimmings & embellishments, logistics & packaging solutions.

Some of the top companies exhibiting at these segments and incorporated shows include Ramsons, Dupont, Epson, HP, Mouvent, Konica Minolta, Colorjet, Mimaki, Rossari, Orange O Tec, Tajima, Atexco, Kornit Digital, Madeira, Coats India, Mehala, Fabcare, Alliance Laundry and Maestrelli, Veit and Primus. The Denim Show will have three halls dedicated to the showcase of its latest trends and fashions with prominent names like Ginni, Oswal, Jindal Textiles, Raymond UCO, Arvind, Reliance and Creora.

Besides the unique art installation at the Denim Application Zone, the trade fair will target denim developments and the ever-increasing application areas of the fabric through ‘Denim Talks and Trends’. While on one side there are technological advancements in manufacturing  — right from cutting to processing and finishing, design and trends are constantly evolving at the same time with sustainability, circular fashion and slow fashion gaining ground and all set to become the driving forces for the denim. This overarching theme of ‘Denim Industry In Line With Circular Fashion’ will be taken up at a series of ‘Denim Talk-sessions’ organised alongside the exclusive zone.  The conference in association with Denim Manufacturers Association (DMA) has received strong support from R Elan, Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) International India Pvt Ltd, Wazir Advisors and Aurangabad Industrial City (AURIC).

Gartex has been a pioneer show bringing the entire product profile of the garment and textile industry together. Further accelerating the garment machinery and textile portfolios within the show, Gartex Texprocess as the new brand has received strong support from Screenprinting & Graphics Association of India (SGAI), Denim Manufacturers Association (DMA), Clothing Manufacturing Association of India (CMAI), Indian Textile Accessories and Machinery Manufacturer’s Association. With business and sourcing opportunities galore, this edition of Gartex Texprocess India will also serve as an excellent platform to network and ideate over new trend possibilities and better technologies to fast-track and automate mass production within the Indian textile industry.

Posted August 6, 2019

Source: Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd./MEX Exhibitions Pvt. Ltd.

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