GUANGZHOU, China — May 15, 2019 — BASF, Longterm Concept, and Gu Guoyi have collaborated to develop X-Swift — a newly designed athleisure shoe that showcases four outstanding BASF advanced material innovations fused into one shoe with the latest footwear automation technology. The X-Swift is collaboratively designed by renowned footwear designer Gu Guoyi and BASF’s Creation Center, BASF’s dedicated touch-point for engaging and inspiring designers, bridging the gap between conceptual ideas of creators and the technical possibilities offered by BASF. The design is also multi-purpose; allowing individuals to wear the same pair of shoes to work, and their next work-out.
“The X-Swift marries style and function together — which fits perfectly for consumers looking for high-performance shoes that are versatile enough to match modern lifestyles,” said Gu Guoyi, founder of a banana.design. His professional background includes footwear design for established brand names, such as Reebok and Nike.
Longterm Concept, a leading Taiwanese shoe manufacturer that specializes in an automated and intelligent footwear production process, used the latest automation technology to integrate different footwear automation processes and fuse four different advanced BASF materials cost-effectively. The process also enables a quicker production time compared to conventional footwear manufacturing techniques.
“The demand for new shoe designs is growing at a fast speed. Our process fundamentally changes the way that shoes are made and opens up brand new possibilities both for what we can create and the speed with which we can create it. The name X-Swift aptly reflects the speed of production, and how it mirrors our fast-paced lifestyle,” said Darren Shih, Innovation Director, Longterm Concept.
Each of the advanced and high-performance material solutions from BASF in the athleisure shoe complements each other in their own way. The result is a shoe with better stability and support for the feet:
The outsole made of Elastollan® Thermoplastic Polyurethane (TPU) incorporates a high grip tread pattern to optimize traction and provide maximum surface contact.
X-Swift’s midsole features the high rebound polyurethane Elastopan® for excellent cushioning and durability, which is superior to conventional midsoles.
The midsole is complemented by a unique, breathable insole made of Elastopan that is engineered to work with the high-performance sock liner.
X-Swift also features an innovative, two-piece material upper construction which is a combination of sustainable synthetic leather Haptex® and fiber made with Freeflex™ TPU. The materials conform to the foot using minimal seams and stitch lines to provide superior comfort and maximum performance.
“The footwear market is dynamic and fast-paced. So we are challenging ourselves every day to explore the boundaries of our materials. For this co-creation, we are meshing the qualities of our state-of-the-art footwear materials, and prototyping with the limitless potential of new manufacturing technologies,” said Manfred Pawlowski, Vice President, Consumer Industry, BASF Performance Materials. “With a timeless, simple style, cozy comfort and performance in the sole, the X-Swift is every athleisure loving’s best friend and a game changer, empowering the future of footwear.”
The X-Swift will be on display at BASF’s booth during CHINAPLAS 2019 and will be featured as part of its series of tech talks organized at the booth.
WILMINGTON, Del./TAIPEI, Taiwan — May 15, 2019 — DuPont recently received Taiwan’s inaugural National Green Chemistry Award at a ceremony in Taipei on April 16. The Taiwan Toxic and Chemical Substance Bureau (TCSB) initiated the award this year to honor companies in the region that are making strides in sustainable chemistry initiatives.
The award recognized DuPont’s outstanding product life cycle management and efforts on promoting green chemistry, while also highlighting DuPont™ Sorona® — a versatile polymer comprised of 37 percent renewable plant-based ingredients, produced using 30 percent less energy and releasing 63 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions as compared to nylon 6. In reducing its reliance on fossil fuels, Sorona polymer combines eco-efficiency with function for use in a variety of applications due to its performance attributes. Its exceptional softness, inherent stain resistance and uncompromising durability offer a sustainable, high-performing material option for customers throughout the supply chain.
DuPont product life cycle management and Sorona® were selected by a panel of judges — mostly composed of Taiwan government officials and academic professionals — who evaluated competing companies through a field assessment of the products’ life cycle management, sustainable processes and chemical expertise. Sorona products and their applications were exhibited to demonstrate DuPont’s commitment to the innovation of more sustainable products. After many weeks of review by the TCSB and its judging panel, DuPont was selected as a winner alongside other prestigious multinational and local chemical companies.
“We are deeply proud to receive the inaugural National Green Chemistry Award,” said Larry Chen, president of DuPont Taiwan. “DuPont has a long-standing commitment to sustainability in Taiwan, and we are thrilled by the recognition of green chemistry’s role in meeting our collective global goals of building a circular economy.
“It’s an immense honor that the TCSB has recognized the versatility of Sorona,” said KiKi Chen, DuPont Biomaterials. “It’s not simply an application of green chemistry for sustainability’s sake — it was important to DuPont in the development of this biomaterial that it also is cost-effective for customers and is high-performing. We see countless applications in this region for our product.”
Posted May 15, 2019
Source: DowDuPont Specialty Products, a division of DowDuPont
Open-end and air-jet spinning company Frontier Spinning Mills Inc., Sanford, N.C., reports it has received a substantial capital investment from Cerberus Business Finance LLC and TCW Asset Management Company LLC.
Founded in 1996, Frontier currently employs approximately 1,200 associates at five state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in North Carolina and Alabama.
“We are proud of the long-standing relationships we have with our customers and the ability to offer them a high-quality, reliable product supply,” said Robin Perkins, CEO, Frontier. “We are excited to begin our company’s next phase of growth with partners that not only bring exceptional financial acumen, but also substantial industry and operating expertise.”
“Over the past two decades, Frontier Spinning has become an industry-leading business, supported by a portfolio of high-quality products and strong customer relationships” said Joseph Naccarato, COO, Cerberus Business Finance, and senior managing director of Cerberus. “In partnership with the talented team at Frontier Spinning, we look forward to helping the company capitalize on strategic opportunities, while continuing to deliver for their customers every day.”
The Georgia Governor reported New York City-based PVH Corp. — owner of brands including Calvin Klein, Tommy Hilfiger, Van Heusen and Izod — will invest $77.6 million to establish a new distribution and warehouse facility in Palmetto, Ga. The facility will join PVH’s current distribution center located in McDonough, Ga.
“We are excited that PVH Corp. chose to locate their new distribution and warehouse facility in Georgia,” said Governor Brian Kemp. “By creating 575 jobs and investing $77.6 million in the Palmetto community, PVH Corp.’s positive impact will be felt statewide and bring even more business to our booming Savannah port.”
“We are proud to be partnering with the State of Georgia to expand our footprint here, and we look forward to welcoming hundreds of new PVH associates to our company, where we are guided by our core values — individuality, partnership, passion, integrity and accountability. PVH is an organization where every individual is valued,” said Kevin Urban, executive vice president of Logistic Services at PVH. “PVH strives to make positive impacts in the places we do business, and our greatest opportunity to do that comes from the passion and integrity of our associates.”
Gastonia, N.C.-based Champion Thread Co. (CTC) is celebrating its 40th anniversary. Founded by CEO Bob Poovey in 1979, CTC credits a loyal and fast-growing customer base for its transformation from a small thread broker into a developer, manufacturer and marketer of a wide range of sewing threads, engineered yarns and other trims and findings sold on four continents. Since 2011, the company has opened a state-of-the-art flexible manufacturing facility, expanded its current headquarters and opened a new warehouse/distribution facility.
CTC remains family-owned and operated, with Matt Poovey promoted to president in 2016.
Cone Denim, Greensboro, N.C., reports investor Will Dellinger has signed an agreement to purchase the American Draper X3 selvage looms from Cone’s White Oak denim plant, which was shuttered at the end of 2017 after a 112-year-run. Dellinger plans to restart the looms and produce the iconic selvage denim in North Carolina. Some of the looms Cone will sell to Dellinger were original to the White Oak plant and date as far back as the 1940s. Other looms were reclaimed from other sources and restored for use at White Oak. One loom, however, will be donated to the Greensboro History Museum so it will be available to the public in support of the city’s denim heritage.
“The looms are an integral part of American textile history and I am excited by the possibilities of continuing their legacy,” Dellinger said. “North Carolina is rich in textile resources and expertise and I look forward to collaborating with others as we fully explore the potential of the looms and develop plans for their future start up.”
“It is exciting to see a path forward for these iconic looms that allows them to remain in North Carolina and continue the legacy of American denim,” said Cone Denim President Steve Maggard. “While we will not be involved in the operation of the looms going forward, we are pleased with the prospect of them finding a new home. Will Dellinger understands the heritage and history of these looms and we appreciate his commitment to putting them back in production here in North Carolina.”
Collocated fabric, sourcing and home textiles shows will also feature new Fashionsustain conference this July.
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Texworld USA — along with Apparel Sourcing USA and the Home Textiles Sourcing Expo — will be held July 22-24, 2019. This summer, the events move up to the main exhibition level at the at the Javits Convention Center, New York City.
Texworld — produced by Atlanta-based Messe Frankfurt Inc. in partnership with Austria-based Lenzing AG — is based on sister show Texworld held in Paris and is designed to connect fabric manufacturers with top buyers.
Also produced by Messe Frankfurt, Apparel Sourcing USA is a marketplace dedicated to sourcing international manufacturing services. The show provides apparel brands, retailers, wholesalers and independent design companies a place to connect with international apparel manufacturers.
Home Textiles Sourcing Expo — produced by Messe Frankfurt in partnership with the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT-TEX) — offers manufacturers, retailers, jobbers, converters, contract specifiers and designers a venue to source fabrics and finished soft goods for home collections and applications.
According to organizers, the collocated events are sure to offer a one-stop shop for textile buyers, independent designers, fabric sourcing professionals and other industry people with an interest in apparel fabric sourcing, apparel design, trends, industry education, and manufacturing/private label development services.
Texworld USA, Apparel Sourcing USA and Home Textiles Sourcing Summer 2018 featured 837 exhibitors representing 19 countries and over 5,000 visitors. Similar participation is expected this July.
New For Summer 2019
This summer, Messe Frankfurt is also excited to offer Fashionsustain, a brand new one-day sustainability conference that was established in Berlin. The event, which will be held on July 22, aims to show how collaboration, new technologies and sustainability can lead to applied innovation.
Texworld USA
As an international business platform, Texworld USA offers a huge selection of quality and affordable fabrics covering the entire spectrum — from on-trend fabrics, and sustainable and eco-friendly fabrics to innovative performance fabrics — as well as trims and accessories from trusted suppliers from all over the globe. Exhibits will be organized into 16 product groups: Cotton; Denim; Embroidery/Lace; Faux Fur; Findings, Trims & Accessories; Functional Fabrics; Jacquard; Knits; Linens; Novelties; Prints; Shirting; Silk; Silky Aspects; Wool; and Yarns.
Highlights at the July 2019 event include a Texworld Showcase Trend area showcasing Autumn/Winter 2020-21 trends compiled by Texworld’s Art Directors — Louis Gérin and Grégory Lamaud; Textile Talks on the show floor featuring discussions led by industry experts; and the Explore the Floor series with expert-led guided tours of the show floors.
The schedule for the complimentary Lenzing Innovation Seminar Series will soon be published online at the Texworld website. Seminars are first-come, first-served.
“Texworld USA consistently delivers an incredible show bringing the global textile and apparel companies to New York City,” said Tricia Carey, global business development, Lenzing Fibers. “Our collaboration of the Lenzing Seminar Series supports exchange of new ideas around design, sourcing, and sustainability.”
Apparel Sourcing USA/ Home Textiles Sourcing Expo
Exhibitors at Apparel Sourcing USA are organized into eight end-user groups as follows: Activewear, Childrens/Infantwear, Juniors, Ladieswear, Bridal/Special Occasion/Cocktail, Menswear, Sportswear, and Swimwear/Lingerie.
Products from international suppliers at Home Textiles Sourcing are grouped into six major categories:
Bed – including bed linens, bedding, quilts, throws and decorative cushions;
Bath — including bath textiles and accessories;
Table — including kitchen linens, table coverings and table decorations;
Floor — including carpets and rugs;
Window — including decorative fabrics, curtains and textile curtain accessories; and
Upholstery — including upholstery fabrics and decorative cushions.
Items in each category are made using a variety of fabrics and/or components.
Home Textiles Sourcing and Apparel Sourcing USA visitors also are welcome to attend the Lenzing Innovation Seminar Series.
“An opportunity to explore and interact with the hundreds of companies exhibiting in our new, expansive hall at the Javits Center, we are excited to spotlight a wide range of sustainable fabrics, trims and accessories,” stated Jennifer Bacon, show director, Texworld USA. “Consumers are increasingly concerned with social and environmental causes and when it comes to the textile industry, the number of designers and brands seeking sustainable materials is growing exponentially. Our platform is making it easier for buyers to connect and locate these fabrics on the show floor. Additionally, we are elevating our commitment through the educational programming, with an enhanced focus on sustainability in the Textile Talks, Lenzing Seminar Series and the new co-location of Berlin’s highly acclaimed, one day conference, Fashionsustain.”
Admission to the collocated events is free for qualifying trade show visitors. Guests may register online prior to the event, or on-site using photo identification and a business card. Exhibit halls are open on July 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m., and on July 24 from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Milliken executives with AAPN’s Mike Todaro and Sue Strickland and the 2019 AAPN Carolina Mill Tour participants.
AAPN’s 2019 Carolina Mill Tour educated participants and highlighted the capabilities of seven Carolinas-based mills.
By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor
Pulling off the Carolina Mill Tour is no easy feat for the Atlanta-based American Apparel Producers’ Network (AAPN). The logistics and transportation required for the event take countless hours of planning, but for the past two years — with the assistance of participating mills — AAPN has made it happen.
Established in 2018, the idea for the tour originated with Ron Roach, president, Contempora Fabrics, Lumberton, N.C. (see sidebar). Over the course of five full days, the 2019 tour took 24 participants — who source fabric, production or trim directly for a brand/retailer — to seven mills located in North and South Carolina (see box) to learn first-hand about production methods and capabilities that exist in the Carolinas. The tour even threw in a regional AAPN meeting in Charlotte one morning, so participants also got to experience a regional AAPN meeting — one that featured VF Corp. Vice President Thomas A. Glaser.
Participants in the 2019 mill tour came from companies including PVH Corp.; Jockey International; Dick’s Sporting Goods; Fanatics; Tegra; VF Workwear; Haggar; and the U.S. Air Force Uniform Office.
Speaking of the 2019 mill tour participants, AAPN Managing Director Mike Todaro said: “We were delighted to have 24 people from 12 organizations, especially since 16 of those touring were women. This dovetails into our new AAPN (Women) initiative. These young people want to take new skills back to work. They come expecting to learn textiles, but what they also take away is knowledge that others share their profession and that there is a network of them as well.”
(left to right): Malcolm Mize, assistant plant manager, dyeing and finishing, A&E, explains the company’s color matching process to Miranda Tidwell, materials developer, VF Workwear; and Specialty Designer J. Aaron Needles, Air Force Uniform Office.
Learning Opportunities
Each participating mill had the chance to showcase their capabilities, and was asked to offer insightful tours with education thrown in. American & Efird’s U.S. Global Retail Solutions Manager Bo Graham presented an interactive short course on different threads and when and how it makes sense to use them. The presentation was coupled with a tour of A&E’s Mount Holly dyeing and finishing facility.
Jim Hopkins, director of sales, Hamrick Mills, demonstrated how twist turns sliver into a yarn with assistance from Dorota Arcentales, fabric manager, PVH Corp.
Hamrick Mills’ Director of Sales Jim Hopkins gave an entertaining, but insightful look into textile terms common to spinning and weaving — for example, in the textile world, sliver is not a term used to describe something that seeps out of the corner of one’s mouth while sleeping; and drawing is not something performed using a pencil and paper — before participants saw first-hand Hamrick’s spinning and weaving capabilities on a lengthy and informative tour.
Stacey Bridges, vice president of sales, CCW, discussed a variety of dyeing and finishing processes in-depth with tour attendees before the group saw the technologies live and in action on the CCW plant floor.
Positive Reactions
Feedback regarding the 2019 tour was positive from both participating mills and tour attendees.
Stacey Bridges (left), vice president of sales, Carolina Cotton Works, explained the company’s dyeing capabilities in detail.
CCW was a second-time participant in the tour. “CCW had the opportunity to teach sourcing managers about dyeing and finishing knit and woven fabrics through the AAPN Carolina Mill Tour,” Bridges said. This opportunity allows us to not only show our plant, but also to teach sourcing managers in detail about dyeing different fibers and fabrics. The more sourcing managers know about the fabrics they purchase, the more this will help them speed up fabric development and reduce problems in production. It also gives CCW an opportunity to not only become a vendor, but a true partner with customers.”
“The Carolina Mill Tour provides us with the valuable opportunity of interacting with industry partners and showcasing A&E’s advanced thread technology and commitment to sustainable products and business practices,” said Robert Hallet, vice president, Global Retail Solutions, A&E — also a second-time participant in the tour. “We believe the week’s learning experience has been invaluable to both the host companies and the mill tour participants.”
“We at Hamrick Mills are very proud to be members of the AAPN and take great pride in participating in this event,” Hopkins said. “We are very pleased to be able to impart some knowledge of our company and of our product capabilities to this group of industry representatives from the downstream supply chain. Our belief is that the information gained from this event will benefit us in the long term.”
“The 2019 Carolina Tour was even better than 2018,” said Contempora’s Roach. “We had a younger group this year that was so eager to learn everything. This was the exact group that we are targeting. The participants all realized how passionate we are about our business and how eager we are to help them learn. One person said that they felt as if Contempora was investing in them, better equipping them for their own careers. That statement tells me we achieved our goals.”
“I found the tour to be both educational and insightful,” said Dilshan De Silva, senior manager, western hemisphere sourcing, global communications and product integrity, Jockey International Inc. “Not only do we take away a great deal of knowledge, we also take away a network of suppliers and possibilities within U.S./Western Hemisphere region.”
Parkdale’s Duke Kimbrell open-end yarn spinning plant was a featured mill on the tour.
Dorota Arcentales, fabric manager with PVH Corp., reported that not only did she learn a lot about textile manufacturing, but she also learned an invaluable lesson about the textile industry in the Carolinas. “I learned quite a variety of things on this tour — yet the most important ones aren’t exactly what I had anticipated,” Arcentales said. “Yes, I learned a great deal about textiles and the processes involved. Yes, I learned a lot about the industry from the hands-on tours and not-usually granted access to the plants we visited. Yet the greatest a-ha moment was with the tour group itself because it brought together people from all over the western hemisphere. We shared insights, talked about our experiences and formed new contacts.
“Being a self-centered New Yorker, my idea of fashion and the textile world always revolved around the notion that this industry is centered around sanctuary cities, like New York City or Los Angeles,” Arcentales continued. “All of a sudden, I discovered there’s a whole other world across the United States and Central/South America. I met professionals from Texas, Tennessee, Oklahoma, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oregon and Nicaragua. I’ve seen mills and dyehouses in the Carolinas that aren’t just thriving, they are proactively evolving — and much more rapidly than those who don’t travel within the U.S. region. This tour not only taught me about textiles; it expanded my world view and helped me visualize the progressive future of this industry, on the Western Hemisphere.
AAPN was happy with the feedback about the 2019 Carolina Mill Tour and aims to make the tour even better next year. “We adjusted this year‘s tour based on last year’s feedback, and will do the same for 2020,” Todaro said. “No-one is working harder to raise the ‘Apparel IQ’ of the industry than the board of directors of the AAPN. While so many others work with college students, we‘re the only ones working to help those who have the jobs now but lack the investment in their careers. Now we offer their companies a new way to learn, network, experience and gain confidence in this industry.”
Ron Roach (far right) explains the knitting process
The Idea That Started It All
Contempora’s management team has more than 250 years of combined experience in circular knits. I wanted to be able to transfer that knowledge and experience to our customers in a true manufacturing environment. There are so many young people at all levels working for brands and retailers that we felt could really benefit from a classroom-like experience.
So we created workshops that dove deep into fabric analysis, the inner workings of a knitting machine as well as all aspects of quality issues including root causes and solutions. Adding the rest of the supply chain companies in allows participants to get a week-long education of virtually every aspect of textiles. With the help of AAPN, and Mike and Sue, we were able to get this off the ground in 2018 with great success.
The Carolina Tour is all about education. We did not want this to be a fabric show or a trade fair. We wanted to educate in full detail as to how things get made. Hopefully, at the end of the week the participants go home with a better sense of how things get done as well. They see an aspect of a full U.S.-based supply chain in the Carolinas. A supply chain that is willing to trust, and willing to take ownership of inventory to gain speed to market.
We also established a dedicated email address that anyone can use to get any technical questions answered quickly. Not just our customers, but anyone that needs some help or has a question: educate@contempora fabrics.com.
The AAPN has a goal of raising the industry’s “Apparel IQ”, and the Carolina Tour has become one perfect example of these efforts.
The Arlington, Va.-based Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) recently held its annual spring conference at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte. The conference was titled, “A Sustainable Thread,” and featured a wide variety of presentations focused on innovation and sustainability.
Presenters came from such companies as NAPCOR, Polartec, Wells Fargo, Shaw Industries, Supreme Corp., Americas Apparel Producers’ Network, NC State, IFB — formerly Industries for the Blind — Twistechnology, and Indorama Ventures.
Senior Economist at Wells Fargo Mark Vitner presented the current state of the U.S. economy with an overall positive forecast, drawing attention to the importance of a new trade deal with China.
Supreme Corp. CEO Matt Kolmes talked about the use of Volt Smart Yarns in the development of innovative smart fabrics. End uses include fabrics with integrated sensors, bandages with an induced current that enhances healing, and grounded bed sheets.
Also featured was a presentation by Indorama Ventures’ Sustainability Platform Manager Sanjay Mehta, which highlighted the demand to transform the systems associated with polyester recycling. The presentation, entitled “New Horizon For Chemical Recycling,” moved beyond the mechanical processes as Mehta explained new processes that are in development to further chemically capture the polyester monomers in the physical waste discharged from the mechanical recycling processes currently in use.
SYFA secretary and treasurer Alasdair Carmichael, of Florence, Ky.-based NAPCOR, presented “Is There Enough US RPET To Meet Fiber Industry Needs?” Carmichael also led the election of new SYFA Officers and board of directors (see sidebar).
Sponsors for the spring conference included Gold Sponsor Premiere Fibers Inc.; Silver Sponsor Pulcra Chemicals LLC; and Bronze Sponsors Burlington, DAK Americas LLC, Goulston Technologies Inc. and Jomar Softcorp International Inc. Patrons and Exhibitors Sponsors were Clariant Corp., Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Milliken & Company, Polyspintex Inc., Techtextil North America, Textile World and Unifi Manufacturing Inc.
SYFA will hold its fall conference November 7-8, 2019, at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel.
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Incoming SYFA President Dan Sistrunk, Milliken & Company
Mike Todaro, Americas Apparel Producers’ Network (AAPN)
(left to right): John Bradshaw, Shaw Industries; David Morano, Polartec; Mark Vitner, Wells Fargo; Matthew Kolmes, Supreme Corp.; Alasdair Carmichael, NAPCOR
INDA reports larger booths, positive feedback and key decision makers in attendance at triennial IDEA® nonwovens and engineered fabrics event.
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According to show organizer — the Cary, N.C.-based Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) — more than 6,500 participants and 509 exhibitors took part in the 2019 edition of IDEA®, the nonwovens and engineered fabrics event. Surprisingly, the final attendee figure came in lower than the number that participated in the last edition of the show held in Boston. Most had expected the figures to be higher given the show’s return to its usual Miami location and the fast-growing nature of the nonwovens industry. Theories abound to explain the visitor numbers, but most likely, the packed show calendar was mostly to blame. In a year with many major trade shows in a short space of time, both exhibitors and visitors have to consider time and budgets when choosing shows. Certainly, the amazing warm and sunny weather, and Miami Beach location did not serve as a detractor.
Regardless, INDA was happy with the show numbers and the quality of attendees. “IDEA provided exceptionally strong metrics in leadership presence this year,” said Dave Rousse, president, INDA. “The event attracted a high level of key decision makers, a testimonial to the show’s importance within the international nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry.”
INDA President Dave Rousse (center, holding scissors), led a ribbon cutting ceremony — that was attended by leaders from the global nonwovens industry associations — to open IDEA®2019 as it returned to its usual Miami Beach Convention Center location.
INDA also noted that exhibitors broke a show record occupying 168,600 square feet of exhibit space, which represented a 9-percent increase over the 2016 show. INDA reported that, “… industry participants expressed their business confidence through larger exhibition booths.”
INDA used the trade show to celebrate its 50th anniversary. An opening-night reception attracted some 500 people who enjoyed food, drinks and music, as well as a slide show highlighting events and milestones from 1968, the year the organization was founded. Pierre Wiertz, general manager, Belgium-based EDANA, the international association for the nonwovens and related industries; and Lingshen Li, president, China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association, presented Rousse with anniversary gifts to thank INDA for its support and collaboration over the years.
IDEA2019 featured seven new nonwovens training classes; market presentations from China, Asia, Europe, North America and South America; and industry recognitions with the IDEA Achievement Awards (see box), the IDEA Lifetime Achievement Award, and the IDEA Entrepreneurial Achievement Award.
This year’s recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award was Robert Julius, president, Nice-Pak Products Inc., Orangeburg, N.Y., who was recognized for “his lifetime commitment to research, quality, innovation and service.” P&G Venture Labs was the recipient of the IDEA2019 Entrepreneurial Achievement Award. The company was recognized for its overall contributions in helping adults perform daily self-care activities and preserving dignity and independence rather than winning for one specific product invention.
More than 260 attendees also participated in INDA’s short course and training options available for the first time at IDEA. Training was offered in nonwovens basics, wet wipes, absorbent hygiene and filter media.
Exhibitors interviewed were happy with the show overall. “The IDEA show was a good show for Tietex,” said Martin Wildeman, chairman/ CEO, Tietex International Ltd. “We had better than expected traffic and made some good new contacts. We intend to exhibit again in the future.”
“I thought he overall ambience was very good, and much better than three years ago in Boston,” said Stefan Engel, CEO, American Truetzschler Inc. “The weather and the Miami ambience made this show very pleasant. It offered plenty of customer entertainment possibilities. We saw a great number of visitors, and the first two days were packed with meetings although the last day was slow. I saw a great number of international visitors, and noticed a larger Asian presence of both visitors and exhibitors than previous shows.”
“It was great to be back in Miami Beach in a fully modernized convention center,” said Dave Rousse, president, INDA. “We received great support for our 50th Anniversary Reception which confirmed INDA’s continued value to the nonwovens industry. Exhibitors reported high quality attendees and meetings where much new business was done. Our new ‘Short Courses’ in various nonwoven topics were well attended. All in, a great event for INDA and for the global nonwovens industry.”
The triennial event returns to the Miami Beach Convention Center March 28-31, 2022.
IDEA® Gathers Nonwovens Association Leaders From Around The Globe
During IDEA®2019, INDA hosted a strategy meeting with leaders from the global nonwovens industry associations. The meeting was designed to tackle two key issues currently impacting the global nonwovens industry — free and fair trade in nonwovens, and the growing concern about the impact of plastics on the environment.
The International Organization for Standardization (ISO) recently published an updated and uniform definition for nonwovens, which introduces the concept engineered material without reference to “textiles.” ISO 9092:2019 defines a nonwoven as an “engineered fibrous assembly, primarily planar, which has been given a designed level of structural integrity by physical and/or chemical means, excluding weaving, knitting or papermaking.”
INDA believes this new definition is a first step in advancing free and fair trade in nonwovens.
During the meeting, attendees agreed to encourage adoption and use of the ISO definition in the Harmonized Commodity Description and Coding System to ensure nonwovens and nonwoven products are considered in a more relevant way for tariff classification purposes.
When discussing the plastics concerns, INDA presented an overview of public concern about plastics may impact nonwovens and what the industry can do to manage the issue. Belgium-based EDANA, the international association for the nonwovens and related industries, spoke about the European Union Single Use Plastics Directive and the development of Extended Producers Responsibility.
“The shared vision of our association leaders is to effectively represent, protect, and actively promote common interests of nonwovens and their related industries throughout the world,” said Dave Rousse, INDA president. “I believe our initial steps on these two current issues are a good start toward global coordination.”
In addition to Rousse, the following people participated in the meeting:
Carlos Benatto, president, Brazil Association of the Nonwovens Industries, (ABINT);
Dr. Hiroaki Kanai, chairman, and Hideo Tsuchiya, secretary general (deputy), Asia Nonwoven Fabrics Association (ANFA);
Masato Miki, vice president, All Nippon Nonwovens Association (ANNA);
Li Lingshen, president, and Eric Zhang, general manager, China Nonwovens and Industrial Textiles Association (CNITA);
Yang Xiang, general manager, China Nonwovens Technical Association (CNTA);
Pierre Wiertz, general manager, and Gil Stevens, external relations & sustainability director, EDANA;
Socrates Ng, president, and Michael Wong, secretary, Hong Kong Nonwovens Association;
C.K. Wong, executive committee appointee, INDA;
Samir Gupta, managing director, INDIA Nonwovens Association;
Billy Hidjaja, chairman, Indonesia Nonwovens Association; and
Steven Chen, chairman, Taiwan Nonwovens Association.
