Save Our Plants And Animals By Recycling Textiles: Secondary Materials And Recycled Textiles Association Encourages Earth-Friendly Textile Use This Earth Day

ABINGDON, Md. — April 18, 2019 — This Earth Day, April 22, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles (SMART) Association urges consumers to help preserve the Earth’s wildlife by reusing and recycling textiles — any fabric made of interlacing fibers such as clothing, towels, bed sheets and much more — thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Earth Day 2019’s theme is “Protect Our Species,” a global movement encouraging education, raising awareness of the accelerating rate of extinction of millions of species and encouraging lifestyle changes. Textile recycling must be an active part of this critical campaign.

“Today’s unprecedented global destruction of wildlife populations is of great concern,” said Earth Day Network president Kathleen Rogers in a news release issued earlier this month. “Climate change, deforestation, habitat loss, trafficking and poaching, unsustainable agriculture, pollution and pesticides all take their toll.”

Reusing textiles saves the environment from tons of harsh chemicals, waste products and waste water used in the manufacturing of new textiles. Additionally, when textiles are thrown away instead of recycled, they end up in landfills, resulting in increasing greenhouse gas emissions that have the potential to wipe out plant and wildlife species across the planet.

What is the impact of the greenhouse effect on animals? Greenhouse effects occur when heat from the sun is trapped in the earth’s atmosphere, according to Sciencing.com. Trapped heat increases global temperatures, which directly affects food sources and habitats for animals. For instance, increasing temperatures can cause an increase in global water temperature which results in the death of vital sources of algae for small fish. Small fish are a direct source of food for larger fish; thus, warming waters cause a ripple effect in the food chain, eventually leading to fewer fish and a reduced food supply for animals, including humans.

However, SMART believes there is hope for a healthier planet through textile reuse and recycling, a viable method of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In fact, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, current clothing and textile recycling has a greater impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions than the recycling of yard waste, glass and plastic.

“Reuse and recycling of clothing and textiles is the equivalent of removing 1.3 million cars from America’s highways and is equal to the impact of aluminum recycling,” explains SMART’s Executive Director Jackie King. “It is also more impactful than plastic and glass recycling, but many consumers don’t realize their household textiles can be recycled…and most textiles therefore end up in landfills.”

SMART aims to educate consumers that they can play a part in improving the environment. According to the association, 81 pounds of textiles per person are thrown away annually, leaving them destined to decay in landfills. However, old clothes, shoes, towels, sheets, curtains, stuffed animals and more can be recycled as long as they are clean, dry and odor-free.

Consumers with items they would like to ensure are recycled are encouraged to seek out collection bins in their towns or neighborhoods.  SMART recommends looking for a collection bin that follows the SMART Code of Conduct.

“You may also donate your items to your favorite thrift store or charity like Savers, Goodwill, Salvation Army or St. Vincent de Paul,” says King. “Even if your items can’t be resold or re-worn, these groups will ensure they are properly recycled and don’t end up in landfills.”

Posted April 22, 2019

Source: Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART)

INDA Annual Report Benchmarks North American Nonwoven Supply And Trade

CARY, N.C. — April 22, 2019 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry, announced publication of the sixth edition of the annual North American Nonwovens Supply Report for its members.

Based on extensive research, producer surveys and interviews with industry leaders, the report provides an overall view of North American supply, including the key metrics of capacity, production and operating rates, in addition to regional trade. The 65-page report offers 34 figures and 13 tables.

“This report is the benchmark for North American nonwovens supply information, including both rolled goods information and also material produced for internal consumption. It also presents the industry operating rate; the essential element for strategic planning and business investment decisions,” said Dave Rousse, INDA president.

The report — and the quarterly INDA Market Pulse and monthly Price Trends Summary — are provided to the approximately 370 INDA member companies and associates as part of their membership.

New findings include:

In 2018, North American nonwoven capacity increased to 5.17 million metric tons, a net increase of 3.4 percent (180,000 metric tons) over 2017. This growth figure accounts for not only the addition of new lines, but also machine productivity increases and line closures to arrive at a net increase growth figure. In the last two years, 43 new lines have come online and 16 lines have been shut-down. The majority of the new lines are making engineered fabrics for the transportation and filtration markets.

North American imports and exports, in tonnage, increased 12.8 percent and 12.1 percent respectively year-over-year, after both had declined in 2017. However, the trends continue downward in exports and upward in imports, as over the last five years’ exports have declined 5.4 percent annually and imports have increased 10.8 percent annually.  Even with the significant shifts in North American trade dynamics, nonwovens tend to stay where they are produced, with the net trade balance (imports less exports) accounting for only 4.6 percent of the region’s capacity.

“It is INDA’s objective to provide valuable data and actionable industry information to enhance decision making. As always, the increasing participation of nonwoven producers — both members and nonmembers — providing their insights and results makes our success possible,” said Brad Kalil, director of Market Research and Statistics, INDA.

Posted April 22, 2019

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwovens Fabrics Industry

Hospital Central Services Association Of Ashburn, Wash., Recertifies For Hygienically Clean Healthcare

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — April 19, 2019 — Hospital Central Services Association (HCSA), a laundry serving the healthcare market in Auburn, Wash., has been has been recertified Hygienically Clean for Healthcare, reflecting the laundry’s ongoing 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.

HCSA’s renewal 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 HCSA on their re-certification,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “This achievement proves their continued commitment to infection prevention and that their laundry takes every step possible to prevent human illness.”

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: TRSA

Novel Technology To Produce Everyday Enzymes

PHILADELPHIA — April 19, 2019 — From jeans to orange juice to laundry detergent: None would be possible without the activity of enzymes. Currently, enzymes used in industry are produced through an expensive, laborious fermentation process, requiring cold storage. However, an innovative new approach, ushered in by Penn Dental Medicine biochemist Dr. Henry Daniell’s research, is opening up a whole new way of making these valuable proteins.

Two new studies in Plant Biotechnology Journal reveal that enzymes made in plants can be as effective as the traditional microbial-derived enzyme at accomplishing a number of industrial tasks, from juice clarification, cleaning laundry stains, dyeing textiles, or de-pilling fabric. Such plant-grown enzymes have the added benefit of being cheaper to produce and shelf-stable in a powdered form, requiring no refrigeration. The technology has led to the launch of startup-company PhylloZyme.

“I’m excited to have pioneered the production of technology that can make a major difference in affordability of everyday products,” says Daniell.

The first paper examined pectinases — enzymes that break down pectin, a natural component of fruits, an additive to certain foods, and a component of cotton fiber. Using equipment normally leveraged in the textile industry, the Penn-led team showed that the plant-made enzymes could more effectively break down pectin in cotton fabric, allowing water absorption, in a process called bioscouring, a necessary step in fabric dyeing as well.

They also tested the leaf-derived enzymes in clarifying orange juice, a step that releases flavor and nutrients from the pulp. Here, too, the plant-derived enzymes were equal to or better than the commercial microbial-derived productions.

In the second study, researchers produced five new plant-derived enzymes commonly used in the textile or detergent industry and compared them to 15 commercial enzyme products, now derived from microbes, usually yeast.

In comparing the plant-made products to the others, one major difference was staying power. The commercially available enzymes needed refrigeration and their activity declined at higher pH or higher temperatures. In contrast, the plant-made products were shelf stable at room temperature for up to16 months, and remained effective across a range of pH values and temperatures.

Daniell is enthusiastic about the potential of these products to reshape 50-year-old industrial processes. The plant-made enzymes also serve as a milestone in the genetic-engineering field, as the first protein product made in leaves for commercial use.

The studies were supported by the NIH (grants EY024564, HL107904, HL109442, HL133191).

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Penn Dental Medicine

Kornit Digital Unveils The Kornit Presto System, A Breakthrough Single-Step Industrial Solution For Digital Direct-To-Fabric Printing

ROSH HA’AYIN, Israel — April 17, 2019 — Kornit Digital, a global market supplier of digital textile printing innovation, has announced the introduction of the new Kornit Presto, the only industrial single-step solution for direct-to-fabric printing. The Kornit Presto solution eliminates the need for pre- and post-treatment of fabric and allows for high-quality printing on an extraordinarily broad variety of fabric types and applications. The Kornit Presto does not consume water in the printing process, making it the most environmentally friendly solution available for direct-to-fabric textile printing today.

The new Kornit Presto comes with the ground-breaking NeoPigment Robusto, the best Pigment-based ink available in the Industry. Implemented into the renowned Kornit NeoPigment™ process, the Robusto provides above industry standard wash and rub results and exceptional color fastness across a wide fabric and application range. The Robusto enjoys faster physical and chemical bonding characteristics, enabling a significantly shorter curing time, while providing industry-leading quality and a wide color gamut. The NeoPigment Robusto ink was developed with sustainability priorities and is ECO PASSPORT and GOTS positive listed.

The Kornit Presto solution suits a wide range of business and application needs in a variety of industry segments, including fast growing segments within the on-demand fashion and home décor markets. It is a highly productive solution, available in multiple configurations and able to print 450 square meters per hour.

Gart Davis, CEO at Spoonflower — a web-based service for custom, on-demand fabric and design creation and a long-time Kornit customer — commented: “We were thrilled to be able to test the new system and found the Presto to be in a class by itself; it prints beautifully on all kinds of fabrics, in a single-step, with an environmentally friendly dry process, and now at a multiple of productivity.  Our partnership with Kornit continues to be fundamental to our mission to make custom fabric accessible to designers, creative individuals and small businesses all over the world. We can’t wait to get going.”

Kerry King, senior vice president of R&D at Spoonflower, added, “The unique integration of the pre-treatment step into the printing process enables a level of efficiency that’s key to our web-to-print business.”

Omer Kulka, Kornit’s vice president of marketing and product strategy, also commented: “Kornit is on a mission to reinvent the textile printing industry with game-changing sustainable technologies for growing market segments. We continue to see demand growth for on-demand production in fashion and home décor. This revolutionary technology is further proof of Kornit’s commitment to address the textile industry’s most urgent needs.”

The Kornit Presto will be commercially released at ITMA Barcelona, June 20-26, 2019, and initial orders for the system have been received.

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Kornit Digital Ltd.

TEGRA Announces Bridget Ryan Berman As New Board Member

ATLANTA — April 17, 2019 — Tegra, an apparel manufacturing and supply chain provider, announced today that Bridget Ryan Berman has joined the board of directors that oversees Tegra’s continuing expansion and development. Ryan Berman will support senior leadership and the board with business strategy and provide industry expertise to facilitate Tegra’s platform growth.

“Bridget’s accomplished and proven apparel experience across numerous categories and verticals, both as a CEO and board director, will be a tremendous asset as we continue our targeted growth,” Steve Cochran, Tegra CEO said. “She has vast industry contacts and knowledge that will drive future partnerships with leading brands, creating competitive advantages across manufacturing and supply chain capabilities.”

Ryan Berman is a managing partner at Ryan Berman Advisory LLC, a consumer and investment advisory firm. For more than three decades, she has served in executive roles leading business strategy, brand development and retail operations for global apparel and technology companies.

Until 2016, Ryan Berman was CEO of Victoria’s Secret Direct. Prior, she served as CEO of Giorgio Armani Corp., COO of Apple’s retail business and global president of Ralph Lauren Retail. In her advisory capacity, Ryan Berman has partnered with Google and Enjoy Technology on consumer experience strategies.

She was recently recognized as one of Women Inc. Magazine’s 2018 Most Influential Corporate Directors. She received her bachelor’s degree in business administration from Virginia Tech University.

“I am thrilled with the opportunity to help further Tegra’s momentum within the athletic apparel and active wear industries,” Ryan Berman said. “Tegra’s unique ability to address ongoing consumer demands for speed and convenience has created a strong competitive advantage for some of the world’s best brands and companies. I look forward to being a part of the team.”

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Tegra

Ralph Lauren Unveils The Earth Polo, Made Completely From Recycled Materials

NEW YORK CITY— April 18, 2019 — Polo Ralph Lauren is reimagining its iconic Polo shirt with Mother Nature in mind. Introducing The Earth Polo, crafted from thread derived entirely from recycled plastic bottles and dyed in an innovative process that uses zero water. Each Earth Polo is made from an average of 12 plastic bottles.

“Ralph Lauren will commit to removing at least 170 million bottles from landfills and oceans, and will convert the use of all virgin poly-fiber to recycled poly-fiber by 2025. Plastic waste is a major issue threatening the environment — we want to be part of the solution and utilize an innovative approach to create something valuable,” said David Lauren, chief innovation officer.

The Earth Polo was produced in partnership with First Mile, an organization with a global mission focused on sustainability and positive social impact. First Mile works with entrepreneurs in low-income communities to collect recyclable plastic bottles, which are then processed through a unique and eco-friendly manufacturing program and turned into high-quality yarn and ultimately fabric.

“When Ralph founded our company more than 50 years ago, he did so with the idea that whatever we create is meant to be worn, loved, and passed on for generations. It’s with this spirit of timelessness that we approach sustainability,” added Halide Alagoz, executive vice president, chief supply chain and sustainability officer.

For decades, the iconic Polo shirt has been used as a global symbol to help raise millions of dollars for philanthropic and social impact, including funding breast cancer research and care through the Pink Pony Fund, raising funds for global disaster relief, and supporting the LGBTQ community.

The Earth Polo will be available for men and women in global retail stores and on RalphLauren.com on April 18 in four colorways: Stuart Green, White, Navy, and Baby Blue. The company’s full Global Citizenship and Sustainability Report, including its comprehensive strategy and goals, will be published in June.

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Ralph Lauren Corp.

Wrangler® Uses 100 Percent Local, Sustainable Cotton In New Rooted Collection

GREENSBORO, N.C. — April 18, 2019 — Wrangler® is taking another groundbreaking step in its sustainability efforts, working with local farmers to create a traceable, locally-sourced denim collection that honors land stewardship and champions state pride. The Wrangler Rooted Collection™ is a limited, premium line made from 100-percent sustainable, local cotton. Each piece was grown, milled, cut and sewn in the United States, helping to ensure America’s denim heritage for future generations.

The Rooted Collection features five state-specific pairs of jeans: the Alabama Jean, the Georgia Jean, the North Carolina Jean, the Tennessee Jean, and the Texas Jean. The sustainable cotton used for each state’s jean is fully traceable to a family farm in that state. Each state’s design includes a unique wash, as well as trim and patch details featuring the state’s silhouette and other embellishments. The collection will also include two T-shirt designs for each state, as well as three national designs.

“The Wrangler Rooted Collection™ reflects our commitment to strengthening local communities and supporting U.S. farmers,” said Tom Waldron, president of Wrangler. “Equally important, the introduction of this collection aligns with our goal to continually improve the environmental performance and traceability of our products.”

The family farms supplying cotton to the Rooted Collection are the first growers in the Wrangler Science and Conservation program, which advocates for land stewardship and soil health best practices. These science-backed methods build crop resilience to weather disruptions while improving yield, reducing water and energy inputs, fighting erosion, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Wrangler aims to source 100 percent of its cotton from farms using land stewardship practices by 2025.

The Wrangler Rooted Collection™ is all-American, from the farm to the fabric to the cut and sew operations. The family farms that provided the sustainably-sourced cotton for each state’s collection are:

  • The Alabama Jean – Newby Family Farms of Athens, Ala.;
  • The Georgia Jean – McLendon Acres of Leary, Ga., available June 2019;
  • The North Carolina Jean – Lassiter Family Farms of Conway, N.C., available June 2019;
  • The Tennessee Jean – Pugh Farms of Halls, Tenn., available June 2019; and
  • The Texas Jean – Vance and Mandie Smith of Big Spring, Texas.

Mount Vernon Mills in Trion, Ga., makes the denim fabric and the jeans are cut and sewn by Excel Manufacturing in El Paso, Texas.

The Rooted Collection T-shirts were made exclusively with sustainable cotton grown by Vance and Mandie Smith and were manufactured throughout the Carolinas:

  • Spinning at Patrick Yarns in Kings Mountain, N.C.;
  • Knitting by Contempora Fabrics in Lumberton, N.C.;
  • Dyeing by Carolina Cotton Works in Gaffney, S.C.;
  • Cut and sewn by Palmetto Apparel Service in Andrews, S.C; and
  • Printed by TS Designs in Burlington, N.C.

The Wrangler Rooted Collection™ initially will be available through Wrangler.com and participating retailers. Jeans will retail for approximately $100 per piece, with T-shirts priced from $30 per piece.

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Wrangler

Hyosung Drives Sustainability At Performance Days In Munich

SEOUL, South Korea — April 17, 2019 — To demonstrate its continued commitment to the sports and fashion business, Hyosung is exhibiting for the first time at the leading Performance Days exhibition May 8-9.

Hyosung will present a collection of specialty recycled fibers — Mipan® regen nylon and regen polyester — along with a selection of fabrics incorporating creora® elastane fibers created to enhance performance and comfort.

“Consumer expectations for their apparel continue to rise, fueling the ongoing trend for multi-purpose products — fibers that are cooling, breathable, moving moisture away from the body and of course are sustainable & recyclable,” said Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, Hyosung’s EMEA marketing director. “Brands and retailers are also demanding a quicker response to these consumer trends, thus benefiting from our global connections throughout the value chain”.

Echoing the Performance Days exhibition theme “The Beauty of Function”, Hyosung will show fabrics that are multifunctional and also give a fashion “plus” to design. They are practical and environmentally friendly and applicable to outdoor active sportswear, urban adventures and today’s innovative, everyday work wear.  The original DNA may have origination from the sports industry, but the benefits are now available to an ever-expanding market – including fashion.

The fabrics are functional as well as beautiful!

Hyosung sustainable collection on display at Performance Days includes:

  • Mipan® regen 100% pre-consumer recycled nylon — reduces energy consumption. GRS certified.
  • regen 100% post-consumer recycled polyester — conserves petroleum resources. GRS certified
  • creora® eco-soft for low heat settable, and soft hand elastane — saving energy
  • creora Black dope dyed black elastane — saving water

Hyosung is a major player in providing sustainable solutions and its collaboration with Lenzing is an excellent demonstration of that commitment.

“While we currently have a portfolio of sustainability solutions with recycled Mipan® regen nylon fiber and regen polyester fiber, the partnership with Lenzing allows us to showcase energy saving products like lower heat setting creora eco-soft elastane blended with the natural fibers consumers demand. We are also working on a range of recycled functional yarns to meet the needs of multi-function and sustainability,” adds Whitmarsh-Knight.

Hyosung will also present its 2020 Megatrends “Connected, beyond”, which focuses on three key themes:

Protect the body & Workwear “connected between body and environment”

Balance between human beings and clothing, Balance between human beings and environment. Apparel is not just an outfit; it should also protect the body from rapidly changing global climate and contaminated air. Previously, there were clear lines between Ready-to-wear, Sportswear and Outdoor wear, but nowadays there is no boundary among them. People want both fashion and function. This trend leads outdoor brands to make outerwear designed for commuters and fashion brands to add function to daily wear, even for luxury-fashion apparel.

ECO-nomy “connected with responsible thinking”

Sustainability is not just a concept but business now. Brands will need to evolve to create more circular business models to win consumers as they are become more interested in the transparent process of sustainable materials and sustainable designs.

It’s time to Design Nature and Circulation.

Spotlight “connected with fashion trend -embrace neo-futuristic”

Design and colors inspired from virtual reality or radical spirit will be applied to sportswear, which now share the code with fashion daily wear.

Liquid iridescence, Shine –Metallic / Rubber / Satin, Chalky finish / Pre-Dirtied

For more information, visit Hyosung at Performance Days, Munich 8-9 May 2019 Hall C6 Stand N21

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Hyosung

Shaw Industries Promotes Tim Baucom To President

DALTON, Ga. — April 17, 2019 — Shaw Industries Group Inc. (Shaw) announced today the appointment of Tim Baucom as president of the company. In this new role, Baucom is expanding his current responsibilities for the company’s residential flooring division to include Shaw’s commercial flooring and turf businesses.

“Tim has been an instrumental member of our leadership team since his appointment as executive vice president of our residential group three years ago. He has led our residential business to improved levels of performance through product innovation, sales organization alignment, brand focus, and improved support for customers,” said Shaw Chairman and CEO Vance Bell. “Tim will continue to bring a strategic focus, helping Shaw to rapidly anticipate and evolve with the increasing pace of change in our industry.”

Baucom joined Shaw in 1992 after spending the first 11 years of his career with DuPont, where he held positions in engineering, manufacturing, planning, sales, and marketing. Since joining Shaw, Baucom has held leadership positions across multiple segments of the company including in residential and commercial sales. He was instrumental in building the commercial business into the largest and most profitable commercial flooring entity in North America.

Posted April 19, 2019

Source: Shaw Industries Group

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