Dr. Amy Heintz Named First Battelle Technical Fellow

COLUMBUS, Ohio — October 29, 2018 — Dr. Amy Heintz, a research leader at Battelle and a noted chemist and materials scientist, has been promoted to the newly created Technical Fellow position in the organization. Battelle is an independent research and development organization with a rich history of scientific innovation for nearly 90 years.

The Technical Fellow is a senior-level technical position for scientists who are recognized as influential leaders, both within and outside the organization, and is reserved for a very limited number of people. As a Technical Fellow, Heintz will collaborate across industry, academia and within Battelle to advance the company’s material science-based offerings in ways that transform government and commercial industries.

Heintz, who has worked at Battelle for 15 years, has been honored for her significant innovative contributions to many fields including aerospace, biopharma, medical products, consumer and industrial products, and electronics.

She has 15 issued U.S. patents and more than 15 patents pending, and was named Battelle’s first female Inventor of the Year in 2016.

“We are very pleased to promote Amy to lead scientific advancement and application of our advanced materials offerings,” said Matt Vaughan, senior vice president for Battelle’s Contract Research, an $800 million enterprise. “Amy exhibits a superior degree of ingenuity, creativity, resourcefulness and customer perspective in the development of advanced materials application. This is instrumental in driving innovation in alignment with Battelle’s business strategy, which in turn impacts the pace of growth and provides great value to our customers.”

At Battelle, Heintz’s research focuses on incredibly complex areas of science such as dissimilar interfaces, organizing materials to tune adhesion, adsorption and electron, phonon, or gas transport. In the real world, her research is applied to solve proprietary challenges for commercial customers — like creating a novel package for a major beverage manufacturer. She has collaborated with many academic institutions, government laboratories and start-up companies.

She has helped lead two different strategic initiatives for Battelle with both efforts resulting in successful maturation of technologies from early discovery to product. One, HeatCoat™, is a new anti-icing platform for aircraft using a novel carbon nanotube heater, which has reached increasing levels of successful in-flight demonstrations. The other was an Engineered Drug Delivery Initiative, which developed approaches for delivering challenging biologic medicines.

She serves on the Board of Governors and Science and Technology Committee for UT-Battelle, which manages the Oak Ridge National Laboratory; the Science and Technology Steering Committee at Brookhaven National Laboratory, and on the Finance Committee for ASM International.

“I am honored to begin this new role providing technical leadership, strategic direction and deep expertise in expanding Battelle’s business and in advancing its mission,” Heintz said. “It is a privilege to work at an organization like Battelle where I have the opportunity to apply fundamental science to solve problems and have an impact in so many different areas.”

A graduate of the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, she received a B.S. in Chemistry with Highest Honors and Highest Distinction. She also has a Ph.D. in Polymer Science and Engineering from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst.

Heintz is a Dublin, Ohio, resident and is a native of Farmington Hills, Mich.

Battelle will be naming additional Technical Fellows around other specific scientific disciplines over the coming year.

Posted October 29, 2018

Source: Battelle

New CEO Shachar Rachim To Take The Reigns At Avgol

TEL-AVIV, Israel — October 29, 2018 — Avgol, a manufacturer of high-performance nonwoven fabric solutions for the hygiene market and subsidiary of Indorama Ventures Plc, has announced the appointment of a new CEO Shachar Rachim.

Rachim is a longstanding member of the senior management team at Avgol, having been CFO for seven years and being appointed also as deputy CEO in 2014. Since 2016 Rachim served as deputy CEO and CAO.

After four years with the company, current CEO David Meldram has decided to step down on December 31, 2018. He commented: “I’m delighted to be leaving the company at this great time in our history. With the Indorama investment completed and a new technology strategy in place, I’m leaving the business in safe hands with Shachar Rachim.”

CEO of the Fibres Division at Avgol’s parent company, Indorama Ventures, Uday Gill added: “We are very excited by the appointment of Mr. Shachar Rachim as Avgol’s CEO. We are confident that he brings extensive experience, capabilities and leadership that will take Avgol forward to materialize its promising strategic position and achieve long-term profitable growth as a key member of the Indorama Ventures group.

“I also want to personally thank Mr. Meldram for his significant contribution to Avgol’s global growth and market position and wish him the very best in the future.”

Avgol is developing a range of new Forward Innovative Thinking (FIT) technologies, which are modular in nature and thus can be used alone or in various combinations to achieve the goals of product designers in creating differentiation in nonwovens hygiene fabric applications.

Commenting on his appointment, Rachim said: “My appointment comes at crucial time for Avgol as the company takes its new dynamic innovation strategy forward.

“Avgol has its sights on revolutionising the nonwovens industry with its FIT strategy which represents the company’s commitment to harnessing its expertise to anticipate the needs of consumers and create high-performance technologies for the baby diaper, adult incontinence and feminine hygiene markets.

“Avgol is pushing the boundaries of new technologies to meet the ever-evolving needs of global consumers and I am looking forward to overseeing this exciting, new direction that the company has embarked upon, under the leadership of David.”

Posted October 29, 2018

Source: Avgol™ Nonwovens

Kitsbow Releases Polartec® Alpha® Collection

ANDOVER, Mass. — October 29, 2018 — After officially announcing continued collaborative developments with Kitsbow earlier this year, Polartec is excited to announce the brand’s new Alpha Vest and updated Alpha Jacket made with Polartec® Alpha®, the technology that introduced the concept of active insulation. Kitsbow has found the insulation effectively regulates core body temperature throughout the widest range of conditions and activity levels, and new Kitsbow pieces made from it are now available for purchase.

Originally developed for U.S. Special Forces as the first breathable insulation technology, Polartec Alpha eliminates the need for shedding or adding layers during both dynamic and static activities.

“Collaborating with Polartec on these styles was a no-brainer,” said Zander Nosler, founder and CEO of Kitsbow. “The Alpha technology does a superior job at balancing airflow, insulation, and moisture transport, which is exactly what riders need to stay comfortable and warm, whether they’re on a grueling bikepacking trip or commuting to work and hitting up happy hour after. There’s nothing else like it.”

“We love the attention to both technical detail and style that Kitsbow provides to riders,” says Gary Smith, Polartec CEO. “As a cyclist myself, I’m delighted to see their continued embrace of our Polartec Alpha insulation technology which enables the greatest comfort and design flexibility in insulated garments.”

Kitsbow has updated its existing Alpha Snap Jacket and added a new performance-oriented Alpha Vest to the line, both engineered with hydrophobic, 80g Polartec Alpha insulation on the front of the torso and a lighter 60g Polartec Alpha® insulation on the back (and in the sleeves of the jacket). This combination of insulation, lining and DWR shell are designed to work in unison to manage breathability and body temperature, keeping you dry and comfortable in all conditions.

The new Alpha Jacket has also been refined and improved with new colors and is a fresh continuation of its previous distinctive style.

Leveraging the successful style and features of the Alpha Jacket, the new Alpha Vest is the faster and lighter sibling, serving as an insulation layer that you can wear on its own or under a wind shell, with as little bulk as possible.

Posted October 29, 2018

Source: Polartec

Universal Linen Service Of Louisville Earns Hygienically Clean Healthcare Certification

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — October 26, 2018 — Universal Linen Service of Louisville, Ky., has earned the Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification, reflecting its commitment to best management practices (BMPs) in laundering as verified by on-site inspection and its capability to produce hygienically clean textiles as quantified by ongoing microbial testing. Universal Linen Service is an independently-owned and operated linen service provider that serves all markets.

The Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification confirms the organization’s continuing dedication to infection prevention, compliance with recognized industry standards and processing healthcare textiles using BMPs as described in its quality assurance documentation, a focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation. The independent, third-party inspection must also confirm essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand regulatory requirements;
  • OSHA-compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

To achieve certification initially, laundries pass three rounds of outcome-based microbial testing, indicating that their processes are producing Hygienically Clean Healthcare textiles and diminished presence of yeast, mold and harmful bacteria. They also must pass a facility inspection. To maintain their certification, they must pass quarterly testing to ensure that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained. Re-inspection occurs every two to three years.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Hygienically Clean Healthcare certification acknowledges laundries’ effectiveness in protecting healthcare operations by verifying quality control procedures in linen, uniform and facility services operations related to the handling of textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials.

Certified laundries use processes, chemicals and BMPs acknowledged by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation, American National Standards Institute and others. Introduced in 2012, Hygienically Clean Healthcare brought to North America the international cleanliness standards for healthcare linens and garments used worldwide by the Certification Association for Professional Textile Services and the European Committee for Standardization.

Objective experts in epidemiology, infection control, nursing and other healthcare professions work with Hygienically Clean launderers to ensure the certification continues to enforce the highest standards for producing clean healthcare textiles.

“Congratulations to Universal Linen Service on their certification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted October 26, 2018

Source: TRSA

Hyosung Chairman Hyun Joon Cho Expands To European Premium Textile Markets Including France And Germany

SEOUL, South Korea — October 24, 2018 — Hyosung Chairman Hyun Joon Cho tackled European clothing market with functional and trendy premium textile products.

Hyosung TNC participated in “Mode City & Interfiliere Paris 2018” in July in Paris, and “Bluezone” in September in Munich, Germany, to showcase its new functional fabric.

It displayed an array of products that fused form and function for the athleisure look which reflects the latest “crossover fashion.” They are wearable as everyday clothes and comfortable as tracksuit.

It also exhibited recycled nylon yarn, following the “Sustainable Fashion” which pursues social values such as eco-friendliness and resource conservation.

In the Bluezone trade show, Hyosung TNC was the only Korean company to have an exhibition booth in a pavilion dedicated to denim, where it unveiled “creora® eco-soft,” its functional yarn for denim. It was a good chance to attract new customers of creora yarn, which is optimized for denim clothes, and to raise its premium brand awareness.

“Nothing is more important than developing innovative products in partnership with global companies,” Chairman Hyun Joon Cho said. “We will keep developing fabric jointly with our customer companies to set textile industry trends, while expanding our share in the global garment market.”

“creora is truly No. 1 spandex brand. We plan to keep raising product quality and step up marketing to fulfil customer satisfaction in every aspect such as the latest trend and style, eco-friendliness and sensibility, not to mention improving quality and functionality further,” Hyun Joon Cho added. “Spandex clothes are not our destination. We plan to take the lead in the markets of new clothing and textiles.”

Posted October 25, 2018

Source: Hyosung Corp.

Timberland Taps London-Based Designer Christopher Raeburn As Global Creative Director

STRATHAM, N.H. — October 25, 2018 — Timberland, known worldwide for its iconic yellow boot and passion for the outdoors, today announced a partnership with British designer Christopher Raeburn, who will serve as global creative director for the brand. Raeburn, whose label of the same name is synonymous with responsible, intelligent fashion design, will be a key stakeholder in developing Timberland’s global creative vision; ensuring a holistic design approach across all product categories, marketing and in-store environments, alongside elevating the brand’s commitment to responsible sourcing, inclusivity and community.

Raeburn’s design ethos encompasses three key pillars — REMADE, REDUCED, RECYCLED — which complement Timberland’s longstanding commitment to make products responsibly and steadily increase its use of recycled, organic and renewable materials over time. Raeburn also heralds craftsmanship, innovation and utility as central to his design philosophy, again creating a natural and authentic connection to the Timberland® brand.

As creative director, Raeburn will partner with Timberland’s global product, marketing and innovation teams to deliver a forward-thinking look and feel that pushes design boundaries while honoring the brand’s outdoor heritage. Raeburn will work closely with each team to create a collection of Timberland® footwear, apparel and accessories that further the brand’s purpose to step outside, work together and make it better. The first full collection under Raeburn’s vision, across men’s and women’s, will be fall/winter 2020.

“Timberland has a strong foundation in craftsmanship and innovation; now it’s time to elevate our brand vision through the lens of design,” said Jim Pisani, global brand president, Timberland. “Christopher Raeburn is a true visionary, who shares our ethos of responsibility and brings to the table a fresh, modern design sensibility. Together we will really push the boundaries of where Timberland can go as a brand, and we’re excited to get started.”

“I’ve been watching the Timberland® brand for many years and have always been drawn to its commitment to be a responsible business,” said Raeburn. “I see an incredible opportunity for Timberland to break out and put responsible, innovative design at the centre of the brand’s creative strategy. It’s an exciting moment to join forces with Timberland;  a company set to evolve following decades of good work. I’m honoured to be partnering with a company with such strong values and I’m truly excited to be making a difference on a global scale.”

Raeburn will share his time equally between his own Christopher RÆBURN brand and Timberland.  He will be based in his London studio, and travel frequently to Timberland’s global headquarters in Stratham, New Hampshire, and regional headquarters in Stabio, Switzerland and Hong Kong.

Timberland and Raeburn first collaborated on a global apparel capsule collection that debuted earlier this year at London Fashion Week and launches in stores and online today. In line with his REMADE philosophy, Raeburn scoured street markets and second-hand shops to find vintage Timberland items that he then meticulously deconstructed and remade into iconic, contemporary pieces for the runway. These pieces served as inspiration for the Timberland x Christopher RÆBURN capsule collection of outerwear, pants, shirts and t-shirts launching today. Each piece in the collection incorporates a range of eco-conscious materials including organic cotton and recycled PET (derived from plastic bottles), to minimize impact on the environment.

Posted October 25, 2018

Source: Timberland

Matt Schiering Joins Contec To Lead U.S. Marketing Team

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — October 25, 2018 — Longtime marketing executive Matt Schiering has joined Contec Inc. as the company’s first chief marketing officer (CMO) to further solidify its growing foothold in the professional cleaning and contamination control markets. As CMO, Schiering is responsible for overseeing the organization’s marketing team, developing new business opportunities and processes, as well as fostering creative, customized solutions to specifically support each Contec business unit and their customers’ respective needs.

“I am honored to be leading Contec’s talented, passionate U.S. marketing team in support of its thriving business units,” said Schiering. “From cleanroom, automotive and aerospace to Contec Healthcare, Professional and Pharmacy, our products are second to none. I’m proud to continue my work with Contec as we enter our next phase of success.”

Schiering began working with Contec as a consultant in 2017 to provide strategic marketing counsel across its multiple business units. He has a unique combination of successful experience in the healthcare and professional cleaning markets, combined with an expertise in the marketing and development of both disinfectants and textile cleaning technology.

“Matt’s industry expertise, marketing savvy and winning attitude make him a unique force across markets,” said Jack McBride, CEO and co-founder of Contec. “His disciplined approach and creativity will help us reach and serve more customers with the most innovative and proven products in the industry. I am thrilled to welcome him to our team.”

Immediately prior to joining Contec, Schiering launched Sheer Strategy LLC, a sales leadership and management consulting firm. In this capacity, he partnered with clients across leading healthcare, medical device and professional cleaning markets. Schiering has also worked for Sani Professional, a division of PDI Inc., and Johnson & Johnson in the organization’s Personal Products division.

Posted October 25, 2018

Source: Contec Inc.

TCS Appointed Bondloc Advanced Composites UK And Ireland Partner

HAVANT, England — October 25, 2018 — Total Composites Solutions (TCS) is proud to announce its appointment as Advanced Composites Partner for the UK and Ireland of Bondloc’s premium range of adhesives and sealants.

Paul Nelson, sales and marketing director of Bondloc stated: “We are very excited with the opportunity of working with TCS in the UK & Irish Advanced Composite market. The growth of our structural adhesive offer and the completion of our plant expansion fits perfectly in line with TCS development plans. Our growth over the past 25 years has come from producing excellent products being supplied via excellent partners.”

Ian Lancey, TCS Business Director – Bonding Solutions, explained: “With the addition of Bondloc’s structural and engineering adhesives, TCS now offers professional, high quality adhesives to complement its current product offerings for multiple advanced composite applications, customers will benefit from improvements in productivity with a high quality of service and the latest in bonding technologies.”

Posted October 25, 2018

Source: Total Composites Solutions (TCS)

Globally Recognized Dupont™ Nomex® And Protera® Flame And Arc Resistant Fabrics, Now Locally Produced By Gelvenor

KWAZULU-NATAL, South Africa — October 25, 2018 — The DuPont and Gelvenor Textiles brands are both synonymous with trust. These two leaders in the protective textile industry have recently joined forces to drive the local manufacture of Nomex® and Protera® flame and arc resistant fabrics. DuPont and Gelvenor have a long history of working together, a relationship that has culminated in DuPont certifying Gelvenor as the South African manufacturer who will produce these fabrics to DuPont’s high standards.

In conjunction with the AAD Expo held at Waterkloof Airbase in Pretoria in September, DuPont and Gelvenor Textiles hosted the launch of the locally-manufactured Nomex and Protera fabrics. The launch took place on Thursday, September 20, at the AAD Expo and was attended by individuals representing the DTI, SAPS, and various other purchasing and specification authorities.

DuPont™ Nomex and Protera are globally-recognized inherently flame and arc resistant fabrics, woven from yarn that is engineered to provide superior, longer-lasting protection. Fabrics that are only treated chemically for flame and arc resistance quickly lose their protective qualities due to washing and wear and tear, resulting in a higher cost-per-use. Fabrics with protection that is inherent and built in at fiber level will hold their protective qualities long after chemically-treated fabrics have lost their ability to protect workers.

South Africa is at a crossroad — in order to create long-term sustainable employment, we need economic innovation, and this has its roots in the development of knowledge networks. These networks form the basis of the Gelvenor/DuPont partnership. – Dicky Coetzee, Gelvenor CEO

For years, the globally-recognised Nomex and Protera fabrics have been imported into South Africa. Gelvenor Textiles and DuPont have invested considerable resources into the research and development of protective textiles, and into driving the local manufacture of these two world-class products to the international standards required by the market. The fact that Gelvenor has been certified by DuPont as the sole local manufacturer of these fabrics is testament to Gelvenor’s extensive industry experience and history of innovation and excellence, with the added benefit of local production.

Both companies are excited about the potential these fabrics have to develop new and current African markets, as well as to expand the South African economy through supporting and bringing value to the local textile chain. The fabrics meet international safety requirements, and local manufacture by Gelvenor will ensure that they comply with PPPFA legislation for tenders and contracts. Accessibility, better service delivery and complete transparency in the production process will save local garment manufacturers time and energy, and the inherently-protective fabrics will give these manufacturers the opportunity to provide a much higher level of worker safety.

Local manufacturers and companies who care about worker safety will choose protective flame and arc resistant fabrics made with Nomex and Protera.

Posted October 25, 2018

Source: Gelvenor

GRS Certification For Radicigroup Recycled Polyester


BERGAMO, Italy — October 25, 2018 — RadiciGroup’s post-consumer recycled polyester yarns, r-Radyarn® and r-Starlight® — UNI 11505-certified since 2014 — have recently been certified to the Global Recycled Standard (GRS) promoted by the Textile Exchange, a non-profit organization that operates internationally for the promotion and responsible development of sustainability in the textile industry. From October 22-24, the organization sponsored a three-day event in Milan where the key theme was “Accelerating Sustainability in Textile and Fashion”.

“GRS certification was yet another goal achieved by the Group — evidence of its customary transparency with the greatest clarity,” pointed out Filippo Servalli, marketing and sustainability director of RadiciGroup, emphasizing how measuring environmental impacts and continuously working to reduce them is always a top priority of the Group. “Indeed, these are the operative words guiding the RadiciGroup Comfort Fibres Business Area on a daily basis on its road to certifying its fibres obtained from recovered materials.”

The GRS certificates obtained by RadiciGroup cover two families of products: raw and yarn-dyed 95-percent r-PET and solution-dyed 85-percent r-PET.

Compliance with GRS requirements allows the Group to provide a third-party-verified report with every delivery of r-Starlight and r-Radyarn, certifying the content and the origin of the recycled materials used to make the product, as well as its compliance with the environmental and social requirements of the entire supply chain. Thus product requirements (covered by UNI 11505) are complemented by system requirements: a decision that responds to market demand and moves toward full traceability of the raw materials.

r-Radyarn and r-Starlight post-consumer recycled polyester yarns, are on the Textile Exchange list of “preferred fibres”, that is, fibres which can be traced, comply with precise reporting standards and give positive environmental and social results, and whose environmental impact can be calculated using a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA).

Moreover, the GRS-certified products are in conformity with the Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MSRL) compiled within the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme, an initiative with the objective of eliminating hazardous chemical substances in the textile industry.

“Again with the aim of saving natural resources, and water in particular,” Servalli concluded, “the Group offers solution-dyed polyester (and nylon) yarn. Solution dyeing requires less water and energy usage compared to conventional yarn or piece dying, because the colour is added ‘upstream’ during the extrusion stage and thus becomes incorporated into the polymer matrix.”

As demonstrated by LCA studies conducted by NOYFIL SA and NOYFIL S.p.A. (Group companies engaged in polyester fibre production), solution-dyed yarn has a lower environmental impact compared to traditional yarn-dyed yarn. This difference is even greater for solution-dyed r- Radyarn, made with recycled polymer.

Solution-dyed yarn offers a number of additional advantages, resulting in excellent performance:

  • Colour and additives incorporated into the fiber;
  • High light colorfastness;
  • High color consistency; and
  • Lower oligomer release.

Solution dyeing is typically utilized for dyeing large quantities of product in a standardized production process. However, RadiciGroup is set up to apply this sustainable technique even for the production of small lots, ensuring a high degree of consistency and homogeneity. Furthermore, the company provides an in-house service for the development of colour recipes and samples of solution-dyed yarns capable of meeting any customer need for the creation of color palettes for any particular purpose.

Posted October 25, 2018

Source: RADICIGROUP

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