Ralph Lauren Announces Comprehensive New Global Citizenship & Sustainability Strategy And Goals

NEW YORK CITY — June 12, 2019 — Ralph Lauren Corp. unveiled its renewed strategy on Global Citizenship & Sustainability as part of its fiscal year 2019 (FY19) report, published today. The strategy, Design the Change, is both a commitment and a journey to accelerate the Company’s work across citizenship and sustainability and includes a new set of goals that bring clarity and focus to how Ralph Lauren will deliver the change required to create a better future. As part of its commitment, the company also announced it has signed onto the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC), joining other companies across industries to implement universal sustainability principles and to take steps to support UN goals.

“When Ralph founded our company more than 50 years ago, he did so with the conviction that whatever we create is meant to be worn, loved and passed on for generations,” said Patrice Louvet, CEO and president, Ralph Lauren Corp. “This philosophy is deeply embedded in our culture, our brands and our Purpose–to inspire the dream of a better life through authenticity and timeless style. It also inspires Design the Change, a strategy that will accelerate our efforts to create a positive impact in society and a more sustainable future.”

Design the Change is led by senior leadership, with strong governance in place. The Ralph Lauren Corp. board of directors has expanded the responsibilities of the company’s Nominating & Governance Committee to include oversight of environmental and social risks and opportunities; the company formed a Senior Steering Team made up of members of the Global Leadership Team; and the company recently appointed its first Chief Sustainability Officer, Halide Alagöz, who also serves as the company’s Chief Supply Chain Officer.

Design the Change is focused on three areas where Ralph Lauren can create the greatest positive impact: Creating Timeless Style, Protecting the Environment, and Championing Better Lives. Its foundation is 16 ambitious goals that will guide the Company’s work across each of these areas.

Select goals include:

  • Achieve 100 percent sustainably-sourced key materials — including cotton — by 2025;
  • Train design, product development and merchant teams on sustainable, circular, inclusive and culturally-aware design annually by 2020;
  • Set science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets by 2020 and 100 percent renewable energy targets by the end of 2019;
  • Achieve gender parity with equal representation in leadership positions at the Vice President level and above by 2023; and
  • Increase female representation in factory management by 25 percent by 2025.

The report also highlights significant company achievements from the past year. Of note, Ralph Lauren:

  • Unveiled the Earth Polo, a reimagination of the iconic Polo shirt crafted from an innovative fabric produced entirely from plastic bottles. The creation of the Earth Polo is part of the Company’s commitment to recycle 170 million bottles by 2025. Each Polo is made from approximately 12 plastic bottles — which may have otherwise ended up in oceans or landfills — and uses a completely waterless dyeing process.
  • Donated more than 14,000 hours of time and talent to non-profit organizations through Ralph Lauren Gives Back. In FY19, the Company hosted three Ralph Lauren Gives Back weeks, during which Company teams volunteered with 80 organizations. Employees also took part in 64 fundraising walks for life-threatening illnesses such as cancer and AIDS.
  • Achieved a global workforce gender balance of 64 percent female, with women holding 53 percent of positions at and above the Senior Director level.
  • Launched the “Lead Like a Woman” campaign, a platform which aims to close the leadership gap between women and men, and includes media, products and events celebrating female leaders and providing support for the NGO Women in Film.

The 2019 Global Citizenship & Sustainability Report and the 2019 Standards Supplement are available for download on the Company’s website.

Posted June 12, 2019

Source: Ralph Lauren Corp.

DuPont, Unifi And YOUNGONE Launch ECOLoft™ Eco-Elite Insulation At Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019

WILMINGTON, Del./GREENSBORO, N.C. — June 12, 2019 — DuPont Biomaterials, Unifi, Inc. and Youngone today announced a new collection of insulation products that offers soft, dimensionally stable and sustainable options for cold-weather garments and bedding materials. YOUNGONE — a global manufacturer of outdoor and athletic clothing, textiles, footwear and gear — is leveraging DuPont™ Sorona® renewably sourced fiber and Unifi REPREVE® recycled content to debut three new insulation products that provide lightweight breathable warmth with unique softness and shape retention.

The ECOLoft™ eco-elite™ insulation collection is the first post-consumer recycled product that also incorporates bio-based materials for innovative, breakthrough insulation. It features three products with various benefits that all offer a reduced environmental footprint without compromising on insulation performance.

“This ECOLoft™ collection will elevate sustainable, high-performance insulation solutions for the outdoor market and offer brands a versatile option for cold-weather products,” said Renee Henze, global marketing director for DuPont Biomaterials. “Unlike traditional down or synthetic insulation products, this offering optimizes the use of recycled and renewably sourced content for best-in-class insulation solutions, and we look forward to introducing this to the market at Outdoor Retailer.”

The ECOLoft™ eco-elite™ insulation collection features three products:

  • ECOLoft™ ActiVe SR (35 percent Sorona® + 55 percent REPREVE) – A synthetic, vertically lapped insulation that combines the warmth-to-weight of down with breathability that is defining a new category of padding and garment design options. Ecoloft™ ActiVe SR features more recycled + renewable content than industry peers, improved vapor management while maintaining warmth, and the compressibility and soft comfort that is ideal for active adventures.
  • ECOLoft™ FLEX SR (60 percent Sorona® + 35 percent REPREVE) – Maximized multi-layering of REPREVE® and Sorona® fibers in the padding web create a lightweight, warm insulation designed for breathability and movement. With a lower basis weight than its peers, it offers flexibility, stretch and comfort ideal for the casual market.
  • ECOLoft™ AIR SR (60 percent Sorona® + 40 percent REPREVE) – Voluminous natural-down-like synthetic fiberfill for puffer jackets and similar products offers notable warmth, excellent washing performance and vapor management performance for enhanced comfort.

“Both the REPREVE and Sorona brands are working with revolutionary products in their own class, and with this partnership, we’re joining forces to continue to innovate within the outdoor market and beyond,” said Meredith Boyd, Senior Vice President of Global Innovations for Unifi. “Through important collaborations such as this, we can drive textile innovation and help revolutionize the future of our industry.”

“These textile leaders are committed to innovation, sustainability and performance – and partnering with them will enable us to offer first-of-their-kind eco-conscious and high performing insulation products,” said Rick Fowler, CTO at Youngone. “We are thrilled to partner with such industry pioneers and launch a much-needed product in the industry.”

Samples of these products will be available at the Outdoor Retailer Summer Market June 18-20. For more information or to experience the products firsthand, please visit the DuPont™ Sorona® booth (54089-UL) and Unifi, Inc. booth (55129-UL).

Posted June 12, 2019

Source: DuPont

Teijin Frontier To Participate In Outdoor Retailer Summer Market 2019

TOKYO — June 12, 2019 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Teijin Group’s fiber and products converting company, will participate in Outdoor Retailer Summer market 2019, the world’s largest international sports and outdoor trade fair to be held at the Colorado Convention Center in Denver, CO, U.S.A. from June 18 to 20, 2019.

The Teijin Frontier stand (#MR208) will exhibit DELTAPEAK® and related hybrid materials that offer excellent combinations of performance, appearance and texture for sportswear. The stand also will promote Teijin Frontier’s environmentally friendly solutions, including microplastics pollution prevention, fossil resource conservation and CO2 emissions reduction.

Some of the many exhibits at the Teijin Frontier stand will include the following:

New Cotton-like high-performance polyester fabric

A new ideal fabric for athleisure fashion which mixes randomly thick and thin parts in filaments, combining the look and texture of cotton with superior properties for moisture absorption, quick drying and UV protection. It is also eco-friendly as it uses fiber made with recycled raw materials.

DELTAPEAK®

DELTAPEAK is a next-generation fabric that integrates physical properties, functionality and quality on a highly advanced level. Thanks to its dense, flat-knit surface, it is a light and stretchable form-fitting, anti-transparent and snag-resistant fabric. Various DELTAPEAK versions will be displayed, including a unique new fabric that is both form-fitting and highly natural like appearance.

Octa®

This fiber features a unique, highly modified cross section of eight projecting fins aligned in a radial pattern around a hollow fiber. Notable advantages include rapid wicking and drying as well as useful bulkiness. Octa® Neo is a multilayer fiber that combines Octa fiber with various chemical and natural staple fibers.

SOLOTEX®

Partly plant-derived polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber SOLOTEX® is soft, stretchable, shape-retaining, dimensionally stable and brightly colored thanks to its molecular structure from a flexible spinning-like helix.

Teijin Frontier looks forward to strengthening its recognition and cultivating new customers in the North American outdoor market through its appearance at this show.

Posted June 12, 2019

Source: Teijin Ltd.

Tuong Long To Convert 100 Percent Of Its Production To Ground-Breaking Aniline-Free* Indigo Solution By Archroma

REINACH, Switzerland — June 12, 2019 — Archroma, a global innovator in color and specialty chemicals towards sustainable solutions, today announced that Vietnam-based Tuong Long Co. Ltd is the first denim manufacturer in Vietnam to switch 100 percent of its production to Archroma’s aniline-free* Denisol® Pure Indigo.

Tuong Long Co. Ltd is a textile manufacturer based in Vietnam, whose plant is located near Ho Chi Minh City and employs 600 people producing up to 18 million meters of fabric per year. Tuong Long manufactures and trades woven fabrics, particularly denim and khaki, stretch and non-stretch, for apparel brands in the United States, Japan, Europe, Korea, Taiwan, and Vietnam.

Archroma’s Denisol® Pure Indigo 30 liquid dye was first launched in May 2018 as a non-toxic way to produce the traditional, iconic indigo blue that consumers associate with denim and jeans.

During production, some of the aniline stays locked into the indigo pigment and is difficult to wash off the fabric. The remainder of the aniline impurity, approximately 300 metric tons annually, is discharged during dyeing. This can be an issue as aniline is toxic to aquatic life. In addition, exposure levels to factory workers can be high. As a result of its toxicity (more hazardous than alkylphenols) it is now starting to feature on the restricted substance lists (RSL) of some major clothing brands and retailers.

The new Denisol Pure Indigo 30 liq was therefore developed as an aniline-free* indigo solution for designers, manufacturers and brand owners who long for authentic indigo inspiration.

“Tuong Long is engaged into manufacturing denim and khakis fabrics in a cleaner way,” commented Dieu Tuong, production manager at Tuong Long. “That is why we had our wastewater treatment licensed — the only factory to be in our industrial zone! So when we heard about an aniline-free* version of indigo, we decided to look into it. We then realized that Archroma’s Denisol Pure Indigo actually is an indigo dye and as such performs just as conventional indigo — and we decided to switch 100 percent of our production to it.”

Michel Zumstein, president, region Asia at Archroma, commented: “Archroma is bringing to the textile industry a continuous flow of eco-advanced innovations aimed at making our industry sustainable. By adopting these, forward-thinking manufacturers, such as Tuong Long and its converting to aniline-free* Denisol Pure Indigo in their daily production, help us with that agenda. And as consumers are increasingly concerned about the climate crisis, this is not only the right thing to do — it is also good for business.”

* Below limits of detection

Denisol® is a trademark of Archroma registered in many countries.

Posted June 12, 2019

Source: Archroma

ITMA 2019 Exhibitor Preview: Inkcups

DANVERS, Mass. — June 11, 2019 — Global tagless printing industry supplier Inkcups will showcase three of its leading pad printers and two laser plate-makers at ITMA 2019, the world’s largest textile and garment technology exhibition. The event will be held June 20-26 at the Fira de Barcelona, Gran Via, in Barcelona, Spain. Inkcups will be located at Booth H3-D147a.

The Inkcups display will feature the company’s Brite, B100 and ICN-2200PS pad printers, as well as laser plate-makers CobaltONE and Cobalt 2000. During the show, the Brite, B100 and ICN-2200PS machines will produce high-quality one- and two-color prints on T-shirts.

The Brite tagless printer is ideally suited for printing on textiles, including sportswear, undergarments and T-shirts. Also known as the Brite White, this machine is true to its name for maintaining the most opaque white on dark materials without fading, surpassing the industry standard for print durability. The easy-to-use tabletop printer is the best in its class on a speed and quality-to-price basis.

The B100 is a one-color sealed-cup pad printing machine capable of printing graphics up to 80 millimeters in diameter. This tagless pad printer is the go-to garment labeling machine for companies with high volume apparel labeling needs.

The ICN-2200PS is a two-color sealed-cup pad printing machine with a heavy-duty dual-position pneumatic pad-slide mechanism known for flawless second-color registration. Ideally suited for the textile and fashion industry, this machine is well equipped to print on uniforms, children’s wear and T-shirts.

In addition to the printing systems, there will be live plate-etching demonstrations on Inkcups’ laser plate-making systems CobaltONE and Cobalt 2000. The CobaltONE boasts the industry’s most advanced fiber laser technology, able to precisely etch spot sizes down to 50 microns for over 30,000 impressions. The Cobalt 2000 is an industry leader in affordability and efficiency with solid-state laser technology.

Posted June 12, 2019

Source: Inkcups

Unifi Announces New REPREVE® Our Ocean™ Product Offering

GREENSBORO, N.C. — June 12, 2019 — Unifi Inc., makers of recycled fiber REPREVE®, has launched a new sustainable product that enables customers and consumers to play a role in solving the ever-growing problem of ocean plastic.  To deal with the root cause of ocean plastic, REPREVE Our Ocean™ fiber is made from bottles collected within 50 kilometers of coastlines in countries or areas that lack formal waste or recycling systems.

“REPREVE Our Ocean is a premium collection of fiber and resin sourced from bottles at high risk of entering in the ocean,” said Jay Hertwig, group vice president of global branded sales for Unifi. “We have long cared for our air, land and natural resources by transforming billions of plastic bottles into REPREVE recycled fiber. With REPREVE Our Ocean, we offer a unique opportunity to for brands to tell an ocean-focused story.”

Each year, at least 8.8 million tons of plastics make their way into the ocean, which is the equivalent of dumping the contents of one garbage truck into the ocean every minute1. In addition, at least 80 percent of plastic flows into the oceans from land, and at current rates, there will be more plastic by weight than fish by 2050.2

“Forward-thinking brands that want to take a stronger stand in addressing ocean pollution and want to make an even more specific statement about protecting the environment now have a brand new option,” Hertwig added. “REPREVE Our Ocean is made for the good of tomorrow, and this premium product will appeal to consumers that want to do all that they can to help protect the environment for the next generation.”

REPREVE Our Ocean fiber will be on display at Outdoor Retailer Summer Market (booth 55129-UL), which will be held June 18-20 in Denver, Colo.

Posted June 12, 2019

Source: Unifi Inc.

1 Ocean Conservancy

2 The Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Domtar Corporation Names Marie Cyr New Dryden Mill Manager

DRYDEN, Ontario — June 11, 2019 — Domtar Corporation today announced Marie Cyr as manager of the company’s mill in Dryden, Ontario, effective August 1, 2019. Cyr succeeds Jim Blight, who will retire in August.

Since December 2013, Marie has served as the Windsor Mill’s pulp mill manager and superintendent, responsible for developing the pulp mill’s strategy and leading its manufacturing operations. Marie is an inspirational leader with experience working with large teams in operations, maintenance and engineering. She joined the Windsor Mill in 1995 as a maintenance engineer and project manager, and has held roles of increasing responsibility in maintenance and planning in the Windsor Mill’s pulp and converting operations.

Marie is a strong advocate for using the continuous improvement tools to foster a culture of learning and growth. She also has a unique ability to quickly bring teams together and unify them toward accomplishing an objective. We are confident her leadership will help the Dryden Mill continue to be successful.

Posted June 11, 2019

Source: Domtar

Haggar Selects New Mexico High School Coach As 2019 Haggar Hall Of Fame Dad

DALLAS — June 11, 2019 — Haggar Clothing Co., the Official Gold Jacket Provider for the Pro Football Hall of Fame, has named Tularosa, New Mexico, high school history teacher and football coach Richard Grace the national winner of its second annual Haggar Hall of Fame Dads contest. The winner of the contest, which honors America’s outstanding fathers and father figures, was announced June 10 by Pro Football Hall of Fame Gold Jacket, Terrell Davis, on Steve Harvey’s show, STEVE.

Grace, 52, works at Tularosa High School and was nominated by his daughter, Kaytlin Grace, who wrote in her winning nomination, “We always like to say my dad has two daughters and 50 sons. You see, my dad is a high school football coach.”

She continued, “My dad’s motto is ‘family first,’ and he truly means that. Our family has expanded because of his big heart. In 2018 my dad underwent heart surgery, and unfortunately, it was right in the middle of his football season. The only thing he was worried about was being away from his team. My dad is such a dedicated and loving father and coach, and that’s why I think he deserves this award –because he’s not only my and my sister’s Hall of Fame dad, but he is a Hall of Fame dad and coach to his team.”

Grace’s nomination was selected from among more than a thousand stories, photos and videos submitted by wives, children and other loved ones to www.haggarhofdad.com during the contest.

“We are truly inspired by the many stories we read about incredible dads like Coach Grace who are going above and beyond to uplift their families and give them everything they can,” said Haggar Sr. Vice President of Marketing Paul Okimoto. “We were all blown away that the first thing he thought of upon learning of his award on STEVE was how the prize money could buy new helmets for his team. He completely embodies the spirit of the Haggar Hall of Fame Dad contest, which was created to honor men like him who selflessly care for their families and communities.”

As the 2019 national Haggar Hall of Fame Dad, Grace will receive a grand prize VIP trip to the Pro Football Hall of Fame Enshrinement Week Powered by Johnson Controls in Canton, Ohio. Haggar also named 50 state winners, who each received a prize package that included a custom Haggar Hall of Fame Dad blazer. A complete list of state winners is available at www.haggarhofdad.com.

Posted June 11, 2019

Source: Haggar Clothing Co.

H.B. Fuller To Sell Surfactants, Thickeners And Dispersants Business To Tiarco, LLC For $71 Million

ST. PAUL, Minn. — June 11, 2019 — H.B. Fuller Co. announced today that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell its surfactants, thickeners and dispersants business to Tiarco LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Textile Rubber and Chemical Co. Inc., for $71 million. H.B. Fuller will use the net proceeds from the sale for debt reduction. The transaction is expected to close in the third quarter.

“The business being sold is a non-strategic, non-adhesive business, which was purchased as part of the Royal acquisition,” said Jim Owens, president and CEO of H.B. Fuller. “Our focus is to shift our portfolio to more highly specified adhesive solutions, and the surfactants, thickeners and dispersants business is not part of our strategic vision. By divesting this business, we are able to continue to accelerate paying down debt, focus on our core, and better position this business for future growth under the ownership of Tiarco, which specializes in this market. We are pleased that our colleagues will join a strong, established team at Tiarco.”

H.B. Fuller’s surfactants, thickeners and dispersants business, based in Dalton, Ga., had fiscal year 2018 sales of approximately $25 million and EBITDA of approximately $8 million. Its brands are well recognized, and the products include thickeners used in carpet, floor coatings, adhesive and caulk formulations, as well as surfactants used in detergents, wetting agents, and foam boosters in beauty and healthcare products.

Also based in Dalton, Ga., privately owned Tiarco develops specialty chemicals for a growing number of latex, lubricant and water treatment additive applications.

Posted June 11, 2019

Source: H.B. Fuller Company

Eastman Launches Recycled Avra™ To Debut In Spring 2020 Performance Apparel

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — June 11, 2019 — Eastman Chemical Company announces Avra™ recycled performance fibers, transforming its existing performance fibers technology by producing with 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET material across the portfolio. This move underscores the company’s commitment to sustainability and moving towards a circular economy.

The new recycled Avra™ will offer the same quick drying times, wicking speeds and comfort as the brand’s previous virgin polyester product while helping reduce waste by upcycling post-consumer recycled PET bottles as feedstock for the fiber. This latest innovation from Avra™ will debut at the 2019 Outdoor Retailer Summer Market in Denver on June 18.

“The vision for the Eastman Textiles platform is that all innovation will be sustainable,” said Ruth Farrell, director of marketing for textiles at Eastman. “We are excited to be one of the first to offer high performance fibers made with 100 percent post-consumer recycled PET at a time when the activewear and outdoor industries are under pressure to move to a more circular way of operating. With Avra™ recycled performance fibers, we are giving a second life to plastic bottles and making sure they don’t end up littering our oceans or trails. Our customers can show their commitment to caring for the outdoors and contribute to a circular economy without sacrificing performance or comfort.”

Avra™ from Eastman is a family of performance fibers enabled by a proprietary spinning technology. The exceptional moisture and thermal management imparted by Avra™ fibers means fabrics dry quickly — up to 50 percent faster than conventional polyester fabrics — helping wearers stay more comfortable during demanding physical activities. The highly flexible Avra™ fibers create superior drape and remarkable softness, further enhancing comfort.

Summer Outdoor Retailer attendees and media can learn more about Avra™ recycled performance fibers at booth 5019-LL.

Posted June 11, 2019

Source: Eastman Chemical Company

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