Lenzing’s VEOCEL™ Builds Awareness In Combating Plastic Pollution Highlighted At UN’s SEA Of Solutions 2024

LENZING, Austria— September 20, 2024 — VEOCEL™, the flagship specialty nonwovens brand of Lenzing Group, highlighted its commitment to innovation and providing solutions to help address the global plastic crisis at the “SEA of Solutions 2024” (SoS) event organized by SEA circular — an initiative by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) on September 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.

UN’s SEA of Solutions 2024

Since its launch in 2019, SoS has served as a platform for sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and exploring solutions to address plastic pollution. Lenzing’s participation builds on longstanding efforts to provide cellulosic fibers for the nonwovens industry that are high quality, manufactured with high production standards with low emissions to air and water1, and minimize the reliance on synthetic materials. Guided by the company’s “Naturally Positive” strategy2   the VEOCEL brand has been pioneering the acceleration of systemic transformation by driving conversations around preventing plastic pollution and advancing effective end-of-life product solutions3.

On the theme of “Re-designing for a Circular Plastics Economy,” Norma Schönherr, Manager of Partnerships for Sustainability at Lenzing AG, Nonwovens, shared VEOCEL’s best practice examples to “Tackling Microplastics Pollution by Advancing to Cellulosic Fibers.” Schönherr emphasized how Lenzing’s VEOCEL fibers that are wood-based4, biodegradable and compostable5 can serve as a more responsible alternative to synthetic, plastic-based materials, particularly in applications such as personal hygiene and sanitary products.

VEOCEL fibers contribute to the circular economy which seeks to minimize resource depletion and maximize sustainability. For example, scientists at the prestigious academic research institute Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California, San Diego confirmed back in 2021 that VEOCEL Lyocell fibers completely biodegrade in sea-surface conditions in a remarkably short time6. The results of their experiments are striking; while the wood-based cellulosic fibers fully biodegraded within 30 days, both in sea- surface and sea-floor conditions, the petroleum-based fibers tested were practically unchanged after more than 200 days.

“At Lenzing, we are deeply committed to working closely with our value chain partners to advance sustainable solutions and help the industry progress on its sustainability roadmap,” said Monique Buch, executive vice president Nonwovens at Lenzing AG on their attendance at the event. “Our participation in the United Nations’ SEA of Solutions event this year underscores our dedication to tackling plastic pollution through collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders around the world.”

The VEOCEL brand portfolio includes totally chlorine-free lyocell and viscose fibers, as well as high- performance hydrophobic fibers. All VEOCEL’s fibers originate from wood as a source, and do not fall under the plastic definition of the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD)7 and thus provide a strong, functional alternative to synthetic fibers. Looking ahead, VEOCEL™ intends to expand its range of cellulosic fibers to cover more applications and industries and will continue to act as a catalyst for change for the nonwovens industry by providing a greater range of low-environmental impact alternatives to synthetic materials.

1 These results were calculated using the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI) tools provided by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. The Higg MSI tools assess impacts of materials from cradle-to-gate for a finished material (e.g. to the point at which the materials are ready to be assembled into a product). However, this figure only shows impacts from cradle to fiber production gate. VEOCEL™ branded fibers’ LCA results are represented by TENCEL™/ECOVERO™ data based on Higg MSI database v3.7 (December, 2023).

2 To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, driving systemic change, and advancing the circular economy through partnerships with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative, and UN Global Compact.

3 With a process in place that factors in rapidly evolving regulatory requirements when developing and updating claims, VEOCEL™ provides QR-coded claims and a Claims webpage that offer value chain partners and conscious consumers more clarity on what its fibers offer.

4 Adhering to the company’s commitment to environmental protection and resource preservation, Lenzing procures wood and pulp only from certified or controlled sustainable sources. In its Wood and Pulp Policy, Lenzing is committed to procuring wood and pulp exclusively from non-controversial sources.

5 A range of LENZING™ Lyocell and Viscose fibers for nonwoven applications are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA to be biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine conditions and compostable under home and industrial conditions.

6https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969721031314

7 Directive (EU) 2019/904 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 5 June 2019 https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/dir/2019/904/oj

Posted: September 20, 2024

Source: VEOCEL™ is Lenzing Group’s flagship specialty nonwovens brand

YKK Rolls Out Revived Renewal Series Of Products That Lengthen Usage Life Of Textile Products

TOKYO — September 19, 2024 — YKK Corp. is now rolling out the revived renewal series of products as an initiative to lengthen the usage life of textile products.

Longer usage life and reuse of final products are becoming increasingly important in the fashion industry, and repair-oriented initiatives have been accelerating. These revived replacement elements to be newly launched for the VISLON® zipper are products that make it possible to repair VISLON zippers by attaching die-cast revived replacement elements using a special tool when elements have come off the zipper tape. Rolling these out along with the special tools will likely make repairs easier for each brand’s repair centers and significantly reduce repair time by making it possible to repair only the damaged element portion instead of conventional repairs that remove entire zippers from products and stitch new ones on.

Product Introduction (Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON®)

Zippers can be repaired by attaching die-cast revived replacement elements using a special tool to replace elements that have come off.

“Large volumes of apparel products are thrown away each year, and the resulting environmental impact is becoming a major problem,” said Terry Tsukumo, vice president, Product Strategy Division, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corp. “With YKK’s revived renewal series, YKK aims to streamline zipper repair work performed at brands’ repair centers and specialist repairers while striving to help bring about a circular society by enabling everyone to keep wearing their favorite clothing items for longer. YKK will continue adding to this series of products while aggressively working to tackle environmental problems throughout entire supply chains in the apparel industry.”

Product Introductions (other Revived Renewal Series products)

  • Revived Replacement Slider (coil zipper, size 3, reverse use) – Makes it possible to easily replace broken sliders without needing any special tools.
  • VISLON® with Revived Top Stop (size 5) – Employs specially designed top stops that make it easy to remove and repair sliders
  • Revived Replacement Puller for Racquet Coil zipper (size 8, front-side use) – Special body and puller structure make it possible to easily replace broken and damaged slider pullers

Posted: September 19, 2024

Source: YKK

Haelixa And OVS Partner For Second Year To Enhance Cotton Traceability

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — September 19, 2024 — Haelixa has partnered with Italian fashion brand OVS for the second consecutive year. This collaboration aims to mark and trace cotton grown in Italy, ensuring trust throughout the supply chain.

OVS – Traceable Shirts with Haelixa

Haelixa has integrated its DNA markers into the existing operations for OVS’s cotton. The cotton is grown in Italy and marked with the DNA markers at the gin, close to the farm. The fibers are tested during the entire manufacturing process, ensuring that the cotton used in this OVS collection is ethically and sustainably sourced. This partnership is a testament to their commitment to promoting responsible and transparent practices in the fashion industry, providing customers with the assurance of the cotton’s origin.

About the project, Haelixa CEO Patrick Strumpf commented: “In tracing the journey of the Italian-grown cotton, we are supporting OVS in bringing full transparency to their supply chain. The marking increases brand trust and enables OVS to make sustainable product claims.”

Traceability has become crucial in the fashion industry, with consumers demanding more information about the products they purchase. By partnering with Haelixa, OVS continues to meet this demand and set a new standard for cotton in the industry. This alliance will benefit customers and the farmers in Italy, giving them fair recognition for their work.

Simone Colombo, Head of Corporate Sustainability, said: “In 2024, we have continued with Swiss DNA Traceability supplier Haelixa in marking and tracing our OVS Cotone Italiano for the second year. Our goal is to approach 5 percent of our cotton requirements from cultivation in Italy within a few years.”

The collaboration between Haelixa and OVS has boosted the transparency of their supply chain. With the help of traceability provided by Haelixa, OVS is working towards improving its products’ social and environmental impacts. OVS is firmly committed to sustainable and ethical practices and aspires to enhance its operations yearly. The partnership with Haelixa is a testament to their dedication to improving traceability in the fashion industry.

Posted: September 19, 2024

Source: Haelixa

SanMar Joins bluesign®, Reinforcing Its Leadership In Sustainability

ISSAQUAH, Wash. — September 18, 2024 — SanMar Corp., one of the largest suppliers of promotional products in the United States, is excited to announce it has joined bluesign® as a System Partner. This move underscores SanMar’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and responsible chemical management, reinforcing its position as a leader in the promotional products industry.

As a bluesign System Partner, SanMar joins a global network of companies dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of textile production. By integrating bluesign standards into their supply chain, SanMar will ensure that their supply chain continues to meet the highest environmental and safety criteria, aligning with their long-term sustainability goals.

“SanMar’s decision to partner with bluesign is a testament to their dedication to sustainability and responsible manufacturing,” said Daniel Rüfenacht, CEO of bluesign technologies ag. “Their leadership in the promotional products sector makes this partnership particularly significant. We are proud to support SanMar in their journey towards a more sustainable future, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on the industry.”

Through system partnership, SanMar is taking significant steps to enhance the sustainability of its product offerings, from material sourcing to production processes. By adopting bluesign standards, SanMar is not only contributing to environmental conservation but also continues their commitment to ensuring that its products are safe for consumers and the planet.

“The awareness and importance of sustainability is growing within our industry, and we’re excited to add bluesign to our bench,” said Emily Gigot, senior manager of Sustainability at SanMar. “We look forward to leveraging the bluesign system and their team of experts to improve our programs and to continue providing our customers with products made to the highest environmental standards.”

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: SanMar Corporation / bluesign®

FineLine Technologies Joins DHL GoGreen Plus Program To Reduce Supply Chain Carbon Emissions

NORCROSS, Ga.  — September 18, 2024 — FineLine Technologies  a global provider of tags, labels and packaging solutions, announces its partnership with DHL Global Forwarding in the GoGreen Plus initiative. Through its participation in the DHL program, FineLine supports sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use, reducing carbon emissions.

“Environmental sustainability is a priority for FineLine Technologies and very important to our customers,” said chairman and CEO George Hoffman. “We will be looking for additional opportunities like DHL GoGreen Plus to reduce our scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”

FineLine Technologies recognizes that express shipping accounts for approximately 3 percent of global emissions annually. By participating in GoGreen Plus, the company actively addresses scope 3 emissions, which are indirect GHG emissions from its value chain.

Through GoGreen Plus, DHL leverages SAF to reduce carbon emissions. SAFs are produced from feedstock such as cooking oil waste, sugar cane and other organic matter. Because SAFs currently are very expensive, they typically are combined with conventional jet fuel. “Sustainable aviation fuel is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduce emissions from air transportation,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy. “SAF can be blended at different levels with limits between 10 percent and 50 percent, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced.”

FineLine’s sustainability actions also include recycling all in-house paper waste, using water-based inks and having aqueous waste hauled and recycled.

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: FineLine Technologies

The AATCC Gray Scales Just Got Edgier

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — September 18, 2024 — The AATCC Gray Scales for Color Change and Gray Scale for Staining are the fundamental evaluation tools when assessing colorfastness of textile materials. Using AATCC EP1 and EP2, textile testing professionals use the AATCC Gray Scales to assess how fabrics that have been washed, exposed to temperature, light, and storage conditions maintain their color, and even stain onto other materials. The AATCC Gray Scales are valuable tools for textile colorfastness testing as it aids textile product developers and companies in various industries to determine whether to use a fabric for a specific application.

New and Improved Features and Benefits

The new style of AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change and AATCC Gray Scale for Staining have added features that now improve upon the durability and use of these valuable tools.

  • New reinforced edge
    • Enhances the durability of the scale
    • Prevents chipping of the color chips
    • Prevents smudging, transfer of oils from hands when handling
  • Masks with larger area view
    • Accommodate specimens and scale edge
  • Sturdier construction
    • Reduces the likelihood of scuffing, scratching of the color chips
  • Keeps same material for base and sleeve
    • Maintaining the use of vinyl for scale and sleeve material
  • More cost-effective option
    • New style reduces material waste in manufacturing

Availability of New AATCC Gray Scales

The current styles of the AATCC Gray Scales remain in stock and continue to be perfectly applicable to performing colorfastness evaluation using AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 and Evaluation Procedure 2. The new, edgier style Gray Scales will be available once the remaining stock of the current style is sold out. Special requests for the new style Gray Scale will not be offered.

Maintenance of AATCC Gray Scales

With regular use of the AATCC Gray Scales, it is important to handle the product with care to extend the shelf life of the product. Naturally, with the use of the current AATCC Gray Scales, customers have shared the challenges of keeping the color chips of the gray scales from being scuffed, scratched, and stain-free when handled with less care. AATCC recommends using gloves, proper storage of the gray scales in its protective sleeve when not in use, and regularly replacing them on a yearly basis. The added features of the new style of AATCC Gray Scales further support customers in their use of the scales.

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: AATCC

myTrident Launches Grand Festive OOH Campaign Across Key Indian Cities

NEW DELHI — September 18, 2024 — myTrident, a name in the premium home décor industry, has unveiled its grand festive Out-Of-Home (OOH) advertising campaign across 15+ Indian cities. The billboard series is designed to deeply connect with customers, strengthening brand presence and boosting brand value. This visually striking campaign features the first-ever mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pairing of Bollywood icons Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore, promoting myTrident’s premium Bed & Bath products.

The innovative campaign is not just about placement but also about creativity. The billboards feature a 3D immersive cut-out design, making them stand out in the bustling cityscapes. This unique approach adds a dynamic element to the campaign, creating a visually compelling effect that brings the product to life and creating a lasting impression.

Neha Gupta Bector, chairperson of myTrident, expressed her excitement about the campaign, saying: “This festive season, we wanted to create something truly memorable that resonates with our audience. Our OOH campaign, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore, is designed to capture the essence of our brand — a blend of luxury, comfort, style and especially family. We’ve chosen iconic locations to ensure our message reaches as many people as possible.”

The campaign has been strategically placed in key cities including Delhi NCR, Srinagar, Katra, Bhopal, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Chandigarh. The billboards have been mounted in high-traffic areas, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement. Prominent locations include South Extension and DND Flyway in Delhi, Elante Mall in Chandigarh, Ludhiana’s busiest streets, Hoshangabad Road in Bhopal, MI Road in Jaipur, and Ambarsar Mall in Amritsar, among others.

Rajneesh Bhatia, CEO of myTrident Group Corporate Ltd., added, “Our goal with this campaign is to showcase our Bed & Bath collection in a way that’s both innovative and impactful. By utilizing 3D elements and choosing strategic locations, we’ve been able to create a campaign that not only promotes our products but also enhances the visual experience of the viewers. We’re confident that this will elevate our brand visibility during the festive season.”

With this ambitious OOH campaign, myTrident aims to solidify its presence in the home textiles market and continue to deliver high-quality products that enhance everyday living.

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: myTrident

eurolaser Celebrates 30th Anniversary With In-House Exhibition: Present The Versatility Of Laser Processing

LÜNEBURG, Germany — September 18, 2024 — The eurolaser INNOVATION DAYS were once again a great success this year. Under the motto ‘Circle of Inspiration — Pioneer, partner, technology leader’, the aim of the event was to inspire visitors to discover and try out new production methods. Therefore, the market leader for high-end laser cutting systems hosted two days full of technical innovations, professional dialogue and varied live demonstrations.

Visitors were given an insight into the complex technology

“With a total of over 300 guests from Germany and abroad, the INNOVATION DAYS 2024 was the best-attended event since its inception – fitting for our anniversary,” said Thorsten Brandt, CMO of eurolaser.

In addition to many practical examples of laser cutting applications, complete manufacturing processes from the starting material to the end product were demonstrated on site. Further, eurolaser was able to attract numerous well-known partner companies to the INNOVATION DAYS, who presented their latest developments at their own stands. Together, they offered visitors a comprehensive insight into current material and manufacturing trends.

eurolaser presented a total of nine laser systems live. These included the newly developed Twin Table System. It enables optimum cutting results and maximum precision thanks to a permanent vacuum under the material. It also guarantees that the material remains fixed during downstream process steps, for example when applying a layering material to the adhesive tape. This process was demonstrated in cooperation with tesa SE using ACXplus adhesive tapes.

eurolaser also remained true to the motto of inspiration when the new management team was introduced on stage. After 30 years of successful company management, Matthias Kluczinski, founder of the eurolaser GmbH, officially handed over the reins. Laura Capone, who has held various positions at eurolaser for more than 10 years, takes over as the new CEO of the company. There are also three new shareholders in the family business – the children of the company founder: Kim Dittmer, Nic and Tommi Lee Kluczinski.

In the evening, the anniversary came to an end in a relaxed atmosphere with a delicious BBQ, good music and lots of interesting guests.

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: eurolaser GmbH

TrusTrace, Xoriant And Carbon Trail Join Forces To Launch A Product Claims Solution For Brands

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — September 18, 2024 — TrusTrace, a global SaaS company with a market-leading platform for product traceability and supply chain compliance in fashion and retail, today announced a strategic collaboration with platform engineering firm Xoriant and environmental impact data company Carbon Trail to deliver a comprehensive solution that supports international brands that want to implement more product marketing accountability.

“In a rapidly evolving industry in which regulations are becoming more stringent and consumer expectations are higher than ever, this partnership is a pioneering initiative; we are addressing not only today’s challenges, but we’re paving the way for a more sustainable future,” said TrusTrace CEO and Co-Founder Shameek Ghosh. “This collaboration unites TrusTrace’s deep expertise in supply chain traceability and transparency, Carbon Trail’s advanced environmental insights, and Xoriant’s robust implementation capabilities to offer an end-to-end solution that empowers fashion brands and retailers to overcome the challenges of regulatory compliance and improving impact.”

The new solution is the first-of-its-kind in the industry and leverages Xoriant’s strong data architecture, Carbon Trail’s environmental impact data, and TrusTrace’s supply chain traceability data to provide brands with the information they need to market their products with specific details on how they’re made and where.

This new technological solution coincides with the implementation of the Green Claims Code, which launched in 2021 and was updated in 2023 to factor in product-specific environmental impact and strives to ensure that claims are clear, accurate and not misleading; provide specific and clear information about materials used; use accurate product filters and avoid misleading imagery; and support claims with verifiable strategics and third party accreditation.

“Engineering excellence in sustainable business practices using new-age technologies has always been Xoriant’s cornerstone. Through this trifecta partnership, we’re delivering a joint solution with robust data architecture and real-time supply chain insights,” said Shyam Pawar, vice president of Sales at Xoriant. “This empowers fashion brands and retailers to gather accurate data for product claims while staying compliant, efficient, scalable, and supporting a greener future for the industry.”

On the data side, brands need to measure environmental impact on a product level, not only just related to carbon, but covering 16+ indicators such as water, land use, and microfibre impacts. “When you make an environmental claim on any product, the underlying data has to be comprehensive and accurate to meet requirements of LCA frameworks like PEF,” explained Carbon Trail CEO and Co-Founder Ashish Rohil. “Our capabilities pair very well with TrusTrace’s, allowing us to deliver full product transparency and compliance for fashion brands globally.”

Once environmental impact and supply chain data is aggregated, information can then be incorporated into a Digital Product Passport, a record that can tell a product’s entire value chain via QR code/digital tag that will be required for EU brands between 2026-2030. For example, a buyer can theoretically scan a product’s QR code and be taken to a unique URL link in which the environmental impact for that specific product is available to view. This can be displayed alongside traceability data — like where the product has been manufactured — in addition to other information like recyclability, microplastics, product certifications, all those elements also come into play.

“We’re thrilled to announce this joint collaboration that will truly help brands aggregate the data they need to market their products effectively and truthfully to climate-conscious consumers,” Ghosh concluded. “We invite fashion and retail brands to join us in this transformative journey!”

TrusTrace regularly partners with enterprise brands worldwide, empowering them to achieve full supply chain visibility and meet compliance standards through cutting-edge technology solutions. With a proven track record of successful program rollouts across multiple regions, TrusTrace is the trusted partner of leading fashion and retail brands, helping them transform their supply chains into transparent, compliant, and sustainable networks.

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: TrusTrace

Fabric-Tech Company Nonwovenn Targets Doubling Of Turnover By 2028

SOMERSET, England  — September 19, 2024 — Nonwoven fabric-tech company Nonwovenn has recently achieved a major milestone of 18 years of consecutive profitable growth with the current financial year delivering a turnover of 45 million pounds with a 20-percent increase in EBITDA. The business is also now targeting an ambitious goal of growing turnover to 80 million pounds by 2028.

David Lamb, Chairman of Nonwovenn
Picture by Roger Moody / Guzelian

The 4-year growth plan comes off the back of an extensive 13 million pound business transformation program which has included significant self-funded capex investment in manufacturing, plant and equipment, an end-to-end operational efficiency program and an enhancement in R&D and innovation capability.

In addition, the executive team has been strengthened with senior appointments across finance, human resources, operations and sustainability, with the most recent appointment being industry luminary Silke Brand-Kirsch as commercial director, who will be spearheading the internationalization and growth strategy.

The focus for the next four years is to build upon the businesses leading position in niche, high value, high growth segments established in markets across the United Kingdom, Europe and North America, as well as delivering to a broader global audience. Central to the businesses value proposition will be an increased focus on innovating and delivering world class technical fabrics that are used in products that enable harm reduction across every aspect of life.

Commenting on the growth trajectory, David Lamb, chairman of Nonwovenn, said: “To have 18 out of our 21 years be profitable is something many businesses only dream about. We are incredibly proud that even in a sector that is under so much pressure, we have continuously achieved profitable and sustainable growth. It is largely thanks to the investments made in the business to improve our products, streamlining our systems, and the market leading board we have built.”

“We are looking to double our turnover in the next three to four years, with profits growing at a similar rate. We chose to create a new board to drive this growth forward and bring in the expertise needed to enable the internationalization we are aiming for. It’s a very exciting time for the business and we cannot wait to see where the next few years take us.”

Commercial director, Brand-Kirsch added: “We are really looking to expand into the North American and European markets initially, and then look to branch out even further. Our offering plugs a gap in the market, and with our leading research and development, expert board team and focus on sustainable and innovative growth we can continue to give the market exactly what they need.”

Posted: September 18, 2024

Source: Nonwovenn

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