The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program: Deadline Approaching To Apply For Textile Research Funding

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — September 24, 2024 — The AATCC Foundation Student Research Support Grant Program provides financial assistance for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing textile-related projects. Students may submit proposals now for funding to be awarded January 2025. Applications must be submitted by October 15, 2024, to be considered.

The application is a simple online form including a description of the proposed project and the student’s resume. Please note that the applicant’s major professor or advisor is encouraged to write a supporting cover letter that addresses the importance of the problem or implications of the research and the student’s ability to conduct the proposed research.

Priority is given to research related to test method development, evaluation of textile performance in actual use situations, and correlations between these two. Grants range from $500 to $4,000. Grant recipients may also request an additional reimbursement of up to $500 for travel and/or registration to present the research project at a technical conference. Additional guidelines, application, and submission details are available on the AATCC Foundation webpage.

AATCC Foundation requests the faculty advisor and student to complete the Student Research Support Project Report Form shortly after the project has been completed, but no later than December 31; this form should be sent to India Hansen.

Funding decisions are made by a panel of academic and industry professionals from across the textile industry. Previously selected projects have ranged from tissue engineering to digital printing. As AATCC’s mission states, the aim is to “empower an innovative, informed, and sustainable future.” AATCC Foundation grants can do this by supporting and sharing a broad spectrum of textile research.

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: AATCC Foundation Inc.

Dow Announces Latest Addition To Ecolibrium™ Brand Portfolio With 81% Bio-Based Emulsion For Durable Water Repellent Finishing

MIDLAND, Mich. — September 24, 2024 — To support the textile industry’s continued need for high-performing water repellent fabrics, Dow has announced the launch of DOWSIL™ IE-9100 Emulsion for durable water repellent (DWR) finishing, the latest addition to the Dow Ecolibrium™ Brand portfolio.

An 81-percent bio-based silicone-organic hybrid[1] formulation honored with both the R&D 100 Award and the SEAL Sustainable Product Award, DOWSIL™ IE-9100 Emulsion is designed to match the water repellency performance of fluoro-containing emulsions, making it an excellent choice for high-performance outerwear fabrics, including athleticwear, outdoor garments and equipment, personal protective equipment, and footwear.

DOWSIL IE-9100 Emulsion offers formulators and brand owners key performance advantages expected of performance apparel and technical textiles, including the ability to tailor the level of water repellency to match the specific end-use needs. It also boasts excellent water-based stain protection and color fastness as well as good tape adhesion and logo printability. It can be applied across a wide range of fibers, both natural and synthetic, and helps maintain the breathability of fabrics and membranes to maximize comfort. Additionally, it is compatible with standard manufacturing processes, allowing for ease of use for finishing mills and is certified OEKO-TEX® ECO PASSPORT.

“Improving fabric performance and working towards greater sustainability across the supply chain are two of the biggest drivers of innovation in the textile industry. That’s why we engineered this versatile Ecolibrium™ Durable Water Repellent Technology to support brand owners in meeting these goals,” said Isabelle Riff, Dow Marketing Leader, Textiles EMEAI.

“From outdoor furniture to sneakers,” added Yusuke Kuwana, Dow Marketing leader, Textiles Asia, “we look forward to tapping into the power of our new DOWSIL™ IE-9100 Emulsion to help textile formulators throughout the industry explore new possibilities in performance apparel and technical textile development.”

On October 10 at 10 a.m. CEST / 4 p.m. CST, Isabelle Riff, along with Yusuke Kuwana and Jacob Milne, Dow Scientist, Textiles, will present the specifics of this new product during a dedicated webinar titled “Advancing textiles’ durable water repellency with silicone hybrid, bio-based technology.” Those interested in attending are invited to register here.

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Dow

Accelerating Circularity Announces Global Commitment To Sustainable Textile Industry At Clinton Global Initiative Annual Meeting

NEW YORK CITY — September 23, 2024 — Accelerating Circularity, a nonprofit dedicated to transforming the apparel industry by creating business models and supply chains for manufacturing more sustainable fabrics, is proud to announce its Commitment to Action at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) 2024 Annual Meeting. This commitment, titled “Building Circular Systems,” aims to transform the textile industry by building scalable systems where materials are continuously repurposed and reused, rather than just being recycled once or discarded. This approach, known as circularity, tackles the need to reduce the environmental impact of textiles by keeping materials in use longer, ultimately reducing waste and conserving natural resources.

Currently, 92 million tons of textiles end up in landfills each year, while another 116 million tons of new fibers are produced. This wasteful cycle harms the environment, contributing to pollution and the depletion of natural resources. As discarded textiles decompose in landfills, they release harmful gasses into the environment. Additionally, manufacturing new textiles consumes large amounts of water, energy, and chemicals, further damaging the environment.

Accelerating Circularity’s commitment will focus on three key initiatives:

  1. Building a market for recycled textiles: Accelerating Circularity will collaborate with brand, retail and manufacturing partners across the U.S. and Europe to recycle 325 tons of used textiles, including 150 tons of cotton, 100 tons of polyester, and 75 tons of other fibers. The goal is to create a strong market where recycled textiles are used to make new products that people want to buy.
  2. Creating a used textile mapping tool: A comprehensive map, the platform will outline the entire recycling ecosystem by pinpointing collectors, sorters, processors, recyclers, fiber producers, yarn spinners, fabric mills, and product manufacturers who can repurpose used textiles into new fibers. It will streamline the recycling process for textiles from various sources — including fabric mills, brands, retailers, and consumers — by identifying the most efficient and environmentally sustainable pathways for converting these materials into new products.
  3. Educational resources: Educational materials will be developed to help brands and consumers understand how to responsibly dispose of and recycle textiles.

Founded in 2019, Accelerating Circularity has proven the power of collaboration through its strategic partnerships. One example is its work with Goodwill Industries, supported by a $1.2 million grant from the Walmart Foundation. This initiative focused on creating new business models for processing the large volumes of donated clothing Goodwill receives each year.

In addition, Accelerating Circularity has brought together key players from across the textile supply chain, including major companies like global textile firm Giotex, Canada-based used clothing collector Bank & Vogue, Gastonia, N.C.-based yarn manufacturer Parkdale Mills, denim innovator Cone Denim, and fiber science company UNIFI. Together, they have developed and tested circular textile systems that not only create new materials but have led to finished products currently available at Target. More products are expected to his stores in the coming weeks, including Wrangler denim jeans, to be sold at Walmart.

It’s important to note that circularity goes beyond traditional recycling. While recycling typically involves reprocessing materials to create the same or similar products, circularity encompasses a broader system where materials are used and reused for as long as possible, reimagining them into new forms, and only recycling as a last resort. This approach minimizes waste and reduces the need for virgin resources, making it a more sustainable solution.

The commitment will launch at CGI on September 23 and is set to be completed by March 2026. During this time, Accelerating Circularity will leverage their relationships and foster new alliances with major brands, retailers, and recyclers to build the use of circular systems, creating new market opportunities and helping companies reduce their environmental impact.

“I’m honored to lead this important initiative to change the textile industry,” said Karla Magruder, president and founder of Accelerating Circularity. “Our work, amplified by the Clinton Global Initiative, will help us make a difference by reducing waste and pollution and promoting sustainability worldwide. We invite businesses, organizations, and individuals to join us in this effort and help create a more sustainable future for textiles.”

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Accelerating Circularity

National Battery Technology Convention Offers CT Manufacturer Opportunity To Showcase Life-Saving Products

WATERTOWN, Conn. — September 23, 2024 — Every October, the International Trade Administration, the U.S. government and manufacturing industry leaders join forces to celebrate National Manufacturing Month and the importance of American manufacturing innovation to our modern society.  One Connecticut manufacturer of a patented fire-suppressant product line designed to extinguish lethal battery fires will illuminate the largest industry event in North America. Specifically, Packaging and Crating Technologies (PACT®) in Watertown, Conn. will present its newest solution against lithium-ion battery fires — the TR Envelope™ — at The Battery Show in Detroit, Michigan from October 7-10, 2024. The annual convention is the only gathering geared to both battery and EV tech businesses.

Members of the Packaging And Crating Technologies (PACT) team will showcase the manufacturer’s newest innovations made with its patented PACT® Thermo Shield™, fire-suppressant wrap to control lithium-ion battery explosions at The National Battery Show in Detroit, Michigan from October 7-10, 2024. The annual convention attracts more than 19,000 engineers, technologists and industry leaders across the automotive, medical and aerospace industries.

“We are honored to be invited to this highly-advanced, high-tech forum to showcase our critical, life-saving solutions for lithium battery fires – a problem that continues to increase exponentially every day as more electronic-powered devices enter the marketplace,”  said Rodger Mort, president of PACT LLC. “We are uniquely positioned to discuss and display how to safely ship and recycle these dangerous batteries that are used to power e-bikes, scooters and hand-held electronics, while unveiling our latest safety solutions.”

Mort notes that besides hand-held devices, like cell phones, laptop computers, tablets, Bluetooth headsets and headphones, computer accessories, digital cameras, e-readers, game controllers, smartwatches, baby monitors and smoke/fire/carbon monoxide detectors, the most hazardous items containing lithium batteries today are electric bikes, scooters, hoverboards, unicycles and electric cars, especially when left charging unattended.

“What makes these volatile batteries so dangerous is a process called thermal runaway in which the lithium-ion battery cell enters an uncontrollable, self-heating state caused by high temperatures, shaking or puncturing,” adds Mort. “Thermal runaway can result in the ejection of toxic gas, shrapnel and particulates, as well as smoke and fire, which can cause death to humans and destruction to the environment.”

Mort explains that the 19,000+ engineers, business leaders, and innovative thinkers across the automotive, medical and aerospace industries attending The National Battery Show will learn about the company’s extensive line of products, including:

  • PACT Thermo Shield™, a thin, lightweight, paper packaging material consisting of  moisture-enhancing ink that controls thermal runaway (TR) by creating a vapor cloud when a lithium battery cell begins to burn and emit gas. The Thermo Shield wrap immediately cools the internal environment of the package below 780ºC, while limiting oxygen around the package to prevent the battery temperature from hitting 820°C, at which point, lethal and explosive chlorine carbides and acids can form.
  • TR Sleeve™ , a crucial safety solution for E-mobility equipment, like EVs, E-buses, E-bikes, E-scooters, and other modern devices in which a layer of Thermo Shield is wrapped around each battery cell to mitigate TR between them, thus serving as a heat and flame barrier.  TR Sleeve stands at the forefront of safety, sustainability, and efficiency in battery technology and produces a greener and more cost-effective future for the increasing use of lithium-ion batteries.
  • TR Envelope™, is the newest, customizable format of Thermo Shield, which safely transports and stores recyclable smaller devices such as cell phones, pagers, smartwatches and A-D batteries.

Mort also notes that the company’s newest product in development – the PACT Lion-X ™ Fire Extinguisher, is still undergoing testing requirements but is targeted to be available by end of the year.  The pre-mixed, water-based solution quenches lithium-ion fires upwards of 1,600 F degrees within 30 seconds, while eliminating the release of toxic gases into the environment and is the first of its kind on a global scale.

In honor of National Manufacturing Month, PACT will be hosting a Public Open House on Thursday, October 3, 2024 between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at its company headquarters, located at 1100 Buckingham Street in Watertown, CT, to get a sneak peek on how its innovative products are made.

“We’re so excited to introduce our latest inventions that reduce lithium battery fires on both the national stage, as well as locally in our own state,” concludes Mort.  “If we can save even one life, while preventing property damage and personal injury, we’ve done our job”

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: PACT®, LLC

INDA And EDANA Sign Letter Of Intent To Explore Strategic Alliance

ROME, Italy — September 24, 2024 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, based in Cary, N.C., and EDANA, the Voice of Nonwovens, headquartered in Brussels, have announced the signing of a Letter of Intent (LOI) in Rome to explore a strategic alliance.

(l to r) Tony Fragnito, President & CEO, INDA; Mikael Staal Axelsen, CEO, Fibertex Personal Care, EDANA Board Chair; Mark Thornton, Vice President, The Procter & Gamble Company, INDA Board Chair; and Murat Dogru, General Manager, EDANA

This marks a significant step toward leveraging their combined expertise and resources to address global challenges and drive new opportunities in the nonwovens industry.

As the nonwovens industry evolves, both associations recognize the need for a unified approach to navigate complex international markets. The potential alliance aims to deliver several key benefits:

  • Enhance the scope and value to members: The increased integration of resources will enable both organizations to deliver greater value to members, offering an expanded range of educational programs, enhanced networking opportunities, and access to a wider breadth of industry insights.
  • Joint advocacy and representation: The alliance will amplify both organizations’ collective voice, enhancing their ability to advocate for members’ interests at local, regional, and global levels, ensuring that their needs and concerns are effectively addressed.
  • Operational synergies: The alliance will create efficiencies, strengthen the collective talent pool, and optimize the use of financial resources to better support member and industry initiatives.
  • Innovation and growth: The alliance will drive joint initiatives and projects that foster innovation, enhance industry leadership, and support the long-term growth and sustainability of the nonwovens industry.

“This Letter of Intent underscores our commitment in exploring how we can better serve the nonwovens community and tackle industry’s evolving challenges,” said Murat Dogru, general manager of EDANA.

(l to r) Murat Dogru, General Manager, EDANA; Mikael Staal Axelsen, CEO, Fibertex Personal Care, EDANA Board Chair; Mark Thornton, Vice President, The Procter & Gamble Company, INDA Board Chair; and Tony Fragnito, President & CEO, INDA

“Our purpose is to ensure that our members are well-positioned to thrive in a dynamic global environment. Reflecting on the Treaty of Rome signed decades ago, we hope that the signing of this Letter of Intent in Rome will pave the way for even greater achievements.”

INDA President and CEO Tony Fragnito added: “This potential alliance represents an opportunity to combine our strengths while openly engaging on the global issues affecting the industry. Better coordination will enhance our ability to serve the industry and our members while retaining our regionally focused support and representation.”

The organizations will conduct a thorough due diligence process over the coming months to evaluate the strategic benefits and operational efficiencies of a potential alliance. Both associations remain dedicated to advancing their members’ interests and exploring new growth avenues within the nonwovens industry.

Further updates will be shared as discussions progress.

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Universal Fibers Publishes 2024 Sustainability Snapshot, Highlighting Industry-Leading Achievements In Environmental Stewardship And Global Social Impact    

BRISTOL, Va. — September 23, 2024 — Universal Fibers® has released its latest Sustainability Snapshot, illustrating the company’s continued commitment to reducing environmental impact and advancing its social responsibility.

Since its last published CSR report, Universal Fibers has achieved year-over-year carbon reduction. Today, Universal Fibers is recognized as a “Virtual Zero Waste Company” and, earlier this year, became the first in the industry to earn Cradle to Cradle v4 material health certifications on their most sustainable fiber, Thrive® matter.

President of Universal Fibers, Phil Harmon, said: “At Universal Fibers, we seek opportunities to better what we find and use less to produce more. And although we take great pride in our over 50-year legacy of stewardship, our journey is far from over.”.

Ranae Anderson, Global Sustainability leader, added: “We measure progress through our unique four-point EnLIST program, and we encourage everyone in our supply chain to enlist in our sustainable journey. We believe full transparency elevates the value of collaboration with our partners.”

Universal Fibers’ EnLIST® program incorporates four fundamental pillars: providing Transparency through third-party accreditation; Life Cycle analysis, both pre and postproduction; reducing Impact on energy and material consumption; and a focus on Social Responsibility for their associates and the global communities in which they operate.

Key highlights of the report include:

Carbon Reduction: As an early adopter of the industries 2030 Challenge for Embodied Carbon, Universal Fibers has demonstrated consistent year-over-year progress in reducing carbon emissions for almost a decade, which has YTD resulted in a minimum of a 10-percent decrease in their carbon footprint (this comes from organic reductions — before any additional offsets or external offset projects.)

Zero Waste: Universal Fibers recognition as a “Virtual Zero Waste Company” has been achieved by investing in smart recycling processes to divert their largest waste streams from landfills.

Cradle to Cradle Certification: In 2024, Universal Fibers’ Thrive® matter became the first fiber in the world to achieve Cradle to Cradle gold and silver material health certifications with the rigorous new v4 standard.

Roger Seow, vice presidnet of Global Sales, said: “Combining artistry and performance is key to being one of the world’s most sustainability-minded fiber producers. Each advancement builds a new foundation for future progress.”

But it doesn’t stop here, Universal Fibers commitment to sustainability extends to meaningful social initiatives across the globe. This dedication to social responsibility is an integral part of their overall mission to help build a more sustainable and equitable future.

Social Responsibility: The Sustainability Snapshot provides comprehensive insight into the company’s commitment to social responsibility, both locally and globally. From supporting dozens of charitable outreach projects each year to how they ensure the physical and mental well-being of their associates and their families. Universal Fibers also believes in doing business with suppliers who share their commitment to sustainability through sound environmental management and sourcing conflict-free minerals; this is underpinned by their Code of Conduct.

Jennifer Roundtree, Global Marketing and Brands director, explained: “Sustainability at Universal Fibers is not just about carbon reduction — it’s about people. And that begins with where we work and live locally, regionally, and globally.”

Universal Fibers eco-journey is an inspirational one that takes a holistic look at how they can reduce their impact. As a global manufacturer, they are committed to regional project investments and have a team dedicated to making a positive difference globally. With aspirations to achieve net-zero emissions and increase their alignment with circular economy principles, Universal Fibers is ensuring that every action moves them closer to a future where sustainability is a foundation for everything they do and create.

Anna Plumb, vice president of European Sales and Marketing, sums this up perfectly, “Contrary to popular perception, we see an impact as a good thing — it’s a chance to create meaningful, positive change.”

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Universal Fibers Inc. is a business unit within Universal Fiber Systems LLC.

Better Cotton Launches 2023-24 Annual Report: Impact, Expansion And Farmer Resilience

GENEVA, Switzerland — September 24, 2024 — Better Cotton, a global cotton sustainability initiative, has today published its 2023-24 Annual Report, highlighting its global impact, program expansion, and the resilience of cotton-growing communities.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of the organization’s field-level impact from the 2022-23 cotton season, alongside insights into its membership growth, financial developments and key project updates and innovations from 2023-24.

With a strong commitment to improving the lives and livelihoods of farmers and promoting sustainable farming practices, Better Cotton remains at the forefront of efforts to foster a more equitable and sustainable cotton across the industry.

Alan McClay, CEO at Better Cotton, commented: “Better Cotton is at an exciting juncture, and if there is one key takeaway from 2023, it is the need for us to come together and build on the momentum we’ve created. The proven solutions we’ve developed have taken us far, but continued commitment and investment in cotton farming communities are essential to accelerate the wider impact our world needs.”

Key highlights

  • In the 2022-23 cotton season, 5.47 million metric tons of Better Cotton were produced, representing 22 percent of global volumes (25.03 million metric tons). This spanned 22 countries around the world in collaboration with close to 60 Program Partners1.
  • In the 2022-23 cotton season, out of 2.43 million farmers who received training, more than 2.13 million received a license to sell their cotton as “Better Cotton.”
  • In 2023, Better Cotton welcomed 311 new members, including 37 Retailers and Brands and 264 Suppliers and Manufacturers.

Volume of Better Cotton Grown (2022-23 Season Data)

In Brazil, the largest producer of Better Cotton, the volume of licensed Better Cotton grew from 1.97 million metric tons in the 2021-22 season to more than 2.64 million metric tons in the 2022-23 season.

In India, yields also increased from around 863,000 metric tons in the 2021-22 season to more than 917,000 metric tons in the 2022-23 season.

In contrast, Pakistan’s cotton farmers were hit hard by devastating floods which led to a significant drop in the volumes of Better Cotton produced from 817,000 metric tons in the 2021-22 season to 305,000 the following year.

Production in Africa also decreased from around 630,000 metric tons to 442,000. This was primarily due to a Jassid pest infestation in Mali that affected up to 50 percent of the country’s cotton crop.

Elsewhere, the 2022-23 cotton season was one of continued growth for several countries including the United States, Australia, Turkey, Egypt, Israel and Greece.

Better Cotton Licensed Farmers Around the World (2022-23 Season Data)

The most notable growth in licensed farmer numbers during the 2022-23 season came across Africa, where the total aligned with Better Cotton and its Strategic Partner2, Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) improved from 570,000 in the 2021-22 season to more than 610,000 in the 2022-23 season.

In Pakistan, the number of Better Cotton licensed farmers fell from 510,000 to just over 351,000, again due to the effects of the floods. Modest gains were seen in Turkey, Egypt, Greece and the United States.

Membership and Operational Highlights

Despite a challenging business landscape, member sourcing was almost on par with 2022 sourcing results: 343 retailers and brands sourced 2.5 million metric tons of Better Cotton in 2023.

Throughout 2023, Better Cotton made a number of key announcements, including the launch of Better Cotton Traceability in November. The new solution enables members to trace Better Cotton back to its country of origin.

In 2023, Better Cotton expanded its global reach with new programs in Spain and Côte d’Ivoire, the latter in partnering with the Professional Association of Cotton Companies of Côte d’Ivoire to support 200,000 farmers over five years.

In addition, the India Impact Report, published in September, revealed significant progress, including a 53 percent reduction in pesticide use and a 15.6 percent decrease in overall costs on Better Cotton farms, showcasing the ongoing positive impact of its initiatives across eight cotton seasons.

Outlook to 2023-24

In response to the changing legislative landscape, Better Cotton has been working with members, peer sustainability standards schemes and other relevant stakeholders to evolve our standard requirements and Claims Framework. In 2025, we will publish our Claims Framework v.4.0 to address these new realities.

As part of this, complemented by a robust approach to assurance, we are developing a new label which will enable brands sourcing Physical Better Cotton to market products to consumers as containing Better Cotton for the very first time.

We are also working on evolving our assurance program to an accredited certification scheme, where all licensing decisions will be carried out by independent, third parties moving forward.

This shift will enable legal compliance and further strengthen the credibility of our assurance activities and the Better Cotton label.

1 Programme Partners work with farming communities at field level to ensure they are producing cotton that meets the Better Cotton Standard.

2 Better Cotton Strategic Partners operate sustainability standards which are recognized as equivalent to the Better Cotton Standard System, enabling licenced farmers to sell their cotton as ‘Better Cotton’.

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Better Cotton

Basecamp Research And P&G Partner To Design High-Performance Enzymes With AI

LONDON — September 24, 2024 — Basecamp Research, a mapper of genetic biodiversity for AI-based protein design, today announced a partnership with Procter & Gamble (P&G) to accelerate the development of high-performance cleaning enzymes for cold water conditions.

The partnership focuses on learning from organisms adapted to cold environments to design novel enzymes with improved cold wash performance using AI. Enzymes are biological catalysts that accelerate chemical reactions in living organisms and many carry out vital functions in the most extreme environments.  Enzymes play a crucial role in everything from food to therapeutics and in this partnership, Basecamp Research will zero in on enzymes that dissolve stains on clothing and surfaces.

Basecamp Research’s work ranges from therapeutics to sustainable technologies. It has created the first foundational biological dataset purpose-built for AI, collected through access and benefit-sharing partnerships with biodiversity-rich countries across the globe. The unprecedented pace and scale of its growing knowledge of new genomic information empowers its AI platform to create advanced proteins designed to carry out specific functions across a range of conditions, from the cold temperatures of glaciers to the extreme heat of geysers.

Basecamp Research recently made headlines for creating ZymCTRL, an AI model that makes enzyme design programmable.

By leveraging this unique understanding of the genetic biodiversity of millions of organisms in cold environments, Basecamp Research will use its AI platform to design novel enzymes. The aim is to increase effectiveness at lower wash temperatures to reduce the need for hot water — which is better for the environment and heating bills.

“We are pleased to be partnering with Basecamp Research on this initiative, working together to develop new solutions by combining their unique view of nature and AI capability with our extensive innovation mastery to deliver a superior consumer experience” said Dr Philip Souter OBE, senior director, Laundry Research and Development at P&G.

Dr. Oliver Vince, co-founder of Basecamp Research, said: “We’ll leverage our unparalleled view of the tree of life and our breakthrough AI platform that makes protein design programmable. We’re excited to partner with leaders in this field and demonstrate a fundamentally different approach.”

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Basecamp Research

ANDRITZ Tearing Line Producing Recycled Fibers For Mattresses Starts Up At Sealy Australia

GRAZ, Austria — September 24, 2024 — International technology group ANDRITZ supplied and recently commissioned a tearing line at Sealy Australia’s mattress manufacturing plant in Brisbane. Versatile technology enables Sealy to recycle post-consumer and post-industrial textile waste in one line.

ANDRITZ reXline tearing for textile recycling at Sealy Australia’s mattress plant in Brisbane. Image: ANDRITZ

Sealy is an Australia-based manufacturer of high-quality mattresses, producing 1,000 mattresses per day at its Brisbane plant. To replace some of the virgin fiber feedstock with more sustainable recycled fibers, the company installed an ANDRITZ tearing line at the plant.

The ANDRITZ reXline tearing can process up to 1,200 kg/h of cotton denim waste and up to 800 kg/h of quilt waste. The six-cylinder Exel module allows flexible switching between the two types of material. The combination of the reXline and the ANDRITZ airfelt line, which has been in operation at the Brisbane plant since 2008, enables Sealy to process large amounts of waste into new mattresses ready for sale around the world.

Sealy Australia and ANDRITZ teams in front of the 6-cylinder EXEL module. Image: ANDRITZ

“With our new line, we are taking a significant step towards circularity by making new mattresses from textile waste that would otherwise be burnt or landfilled,” said Shaun Guest, Fiber Plant Factory manager of Sealy Australia, adding, “It has been a pleasure to collaborate with the ANDRITZ textile recycling experts again. They are the right partner to support us in our ambitious projects.”

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: International technology group ANDRITZ

Regel™ Fiber Now Available With Traceability Feature

BANGKOK — September 24, 2024 — Thai Acrylic Fibre Co. Ltd. (TAF) is proud to announce its strategic partnership with FibreTrace®, to offer complete verification and transparency of Regel™ fiber. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in TAF’s commitment to sustainability and accountability within the textile industry.

TAF has implemented FibreTrace technology to enable comprehensive traceability in Regel fiber across the value chain. This innovative solution embeds a luminescent pigment ID at raw fiber, allowing you to trace from fiber, through to yarn, fabric, garment and beyond. The unique pigment underpins the digital passport by physically tracking the raw fiber, documenting the product’s journey, authenticity and supply chain.

By integrating FibreTrace technology, TAF ensures that every stage of the production process is transparent and verifiable. This capability not only supports the growing demand for sustainable and ethically sourced materials but also builds consumer trust by guaranteeing the authenticity of TAF’s products.

“We are excited to incorporate FibreTrace into our production process, allowing us to provide our customers with unparalleled visibility into our supply chain. By adopting FibreTrace technology, we are not only enhancing the traceability of Regel but also setting a new standard for the industry. This initiative is part of our broader strategy to lead the market in sustainability, quality, and consumer trust,” said Tuhin Kulshreshtha, vice president – Business Development, TAF.

FibreTrace technology is the original and most reliable solution for fiber traceability, embedding a traceable pigment into any fiber. This innovation allows us to track and share the story of each product, offering valuable insights into its origins and journey through the supply chain. In today’s market, where consumers increasingly prioritize environmental responsibility and ethical production, this transparency is essential.

Posted: September 24, 2024

Source: Thai Acrylic Fibre Co., Ltd. (TAF)

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