West Paw To Host National Manufacturing Day Event

BOZEMAN, Mont. — September 27, 2018 — In celebration of Manufacturing Day, U.S.-manufacturer, West Paw will open its doors on October 5 to students, parents and community members. As part of an ongoing effort from the manufacturing community, this event is designed to change people’s perceptions about today’s manufacturing environment and draw attention to the outstanding opportunities that a career in manufacturing can provide. Planned activities include school group tours and open houses.

Manufacturing Day is an annual national event executed at the local level supported by thousands of manufacturers as they host students, teachers, parents, job seekers and other local community members at open houses, plant tours and presentations designed to showcase modern manufacturing technology and careers.

For over 22 years, West Paw has been a proud manufacturer of dog toys, beds, leashes and collars. West Paw is excited to showcase our state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to the members of our community as well as be a part of this important national event.

“There is an increasing demand for highly skilled professionals in the manufacturing sector who can design, program and operate technology,” said Spencer Williams, CEO and president of West Paw. “The average age of a manufacturing employee is 56, and between now and 2020 there will be an unprecedented shortage of skilled workers who will need to be replaced.”

Posted September 27, 2018

Source: West Paw

Vystar Introduces Vytex Cloud Plush Collection of All-Natural Latex Pillows: Love It For Life

WORCESTER, Mass. — September 27, 2018 — Vystar® Corp. today launched a new era of pillow indulgence with the Vytex® Cloud Super-soft Plush Collection of 100-percent all natural latex pillows in four sizes and two levels of support.

“You’re going to love the new Vytex Cloud pillows for life,” stated Steve Rotman, CEO of Vystar. “You’ll sleep better on the heavenly delight of super- and ultra-soft eco-friendly latex whose light, natural breathability and resilience provide cool, supportive comfort for years. A better sleep means more energy for life.”

While pillow experts recommend replacing your pillows every year due to loss of resilience and contamination from sweat, bacteria, and dust mites that other pillow materials harbor, Vytex latex foam is naturally anti-microbial and odor free, and repels dust mites. Because Vytex latex is deproteinized to remove allergy and odor causing proteins and impurities, it is virtually allergy free and naturally whiter. Vystar’s patented technology gives the Vytex Cloud pillows a stronger latex bond that means Vytex foam stays springier over the long-term. You can enjoy Vytex Cloud pillows for years and appreciate that they are completely biodegradable at the end of useful life.

Consumers have their choice of super soft 45 density or ultra-soft 55 density for the ultimate personal comfort. Vytex Cloud Pillows have an organic cotton zip-close cover for natural airflow. Vytex Collection Cloud Pillows are now available on Amazon.com in choice of  Super Soft  and Medium firmness in Standard, Queen, King, and Body sizes.

Vytex is vastly different from traditional latex. Rubber sap that is tapped from the tree contains less than 40 percent actual rubber content, with the rest comprised of impurities (proteins, carotenoids, etc.) and waste product from the tree. Vystar’s multi-patented process removes virtually all the allergenic latex proteins and other waste to create a stronger, purer, naturally fresh smelling foam with the added advantage of years of buoyant, 90-percent-more resilient latex. Vytex has natural anti-microbial properties without the dangerous off-gassing and relatively short usable life of petrochemical laden memory foams and polyurethane foams.

Posted September 27, 2018

Source: Vystar® Corp.

Universal Laser Systems Expands Its Materials Database With SABIC, Solvay And Porex Materials

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — September 27, 2018 — Universal Laser Systems (ULS) announces the addition of SABIC, Solvay and Porex Corp. materials to its materials database, the most extensive repository of laser material processing parameters for materials in the range of 10 watts to 500 watts.

The SABIC, Solvay and Porex materials new to the ULS materials database were specifically added for laser processing with the ULTRA and XLS platforms, suited for high accuracy and precision laser cutting, laser ablation and laser surface modification.

The materials include:

  • SABIC Lexan™ 9600 FR Sheet;
  • SABIC Lexan™ FR25A Film;
  • Solvay KetaSpire® KT-820 PEEK; and
  • POREX® Microporous PTFE 7751,

Laser processing notes, describing the results of the laser-material interaction for these materials, are also available in the Materials Library on the ULS website to help potential customers explore the advantages of deploying laser technology within their manufacturing, research and development, and prototyping activities.

Posted September 27, 2018

Source: Universal Laser Systems

Trevira Presents High-End Contract Textiles For Healthcare Environments At Building Healthcare In Dubai

BOBINGEN, Germany — September 27, 2018 — Trevira GmbH, Germany, is again participating as an exhibitor at this year’s Building Healthcare show in Dubai, from October 2-4. The manufacturer of high-value polyester fibers will present a large variety of fabrics made by 12 partners from inherently flame retardant Trevira fibers and yarns.

Modern furnishing concepts for healthcare environments are making increasing demands in terms of quality, functionality, coloring and hygiene. Perfectly matched materials and color concepts in the interior not only help to provide good orientation for the residents, but also create more attractive spaces. In addition, the use of appropriate textiles such as curtains, drapes, blinds and sliding panels, fabric-covered dividing panels, upholstery and bedding textiles, can improve the room acoustics, protect your privacy and let the room appear in a pleasant light. In healthcare environments where hygiene and cleanliness are of particular importance, antimicrobial textiles may be used.

Trevira CS® and Trevira CS Bioactive® create a safe, attractive and comfortable environment in hospitals, clinics, spas, care homes and all other sectors in the contract sector.

Trevira CS Bioactive contract textiles combine flame retardant and antimicrobial functions, which makes them the ideal material for use in healthcare facilities. They inhibit the growth of bacteria, prevent the formation of odors in/on the fiber and keep the textiles fresh for a longer time. The permanent flame retardant and bioactive properties of their fibers is integrated at molecular level, meaning that they remain unaffected by repeated washing, abrasion and ageing. This gives them an advantage over textiles with only a supplementary surface finish.

Trevira CS and Trevira CS Bioactive fabrics for the healthcare sector presented at the show stand come from these suppliers: Delius, Dina Vanelli, Fidivi Tessitura Vergnano, Gebrüder Munzert, JAB, Mattes & Ammann, Pugi, Rubelli, Rudolf Breuer Mechanische Weberei, Schmitz Textiles/drapilux, Subrenat, Verotex.

Trevira CS and Trevira CS Bioactive fabrics meet the requirements of the relevant international fire safety standards and can be certified according to the IMO regulations for the maritime sector. All Trevira fibers and yarns carry the Oekotex Standard 100 certificate. They are manufactured in accordance with the highest standards for sustainable products. A broad variety of collections with thousands of designs are available in Trevira CS worldwide.

Posted September 27, 2018

Source: Trevira GmbH

Avgol Collaborates With Local College For Successful Antimicrobial Trials

TEL-AVIV, Israel — September 27, 2018 — Avgol, a global manufacturer of high-performance nonwoven fabric solutions, has collaborated with the Biotechnology Center of Excellence at Alamance Community College (ACC), N.C., to run efficacy trials utilizing its pioneering antimicrobial solution, beneFIT™ Control.

Biotechnology degree students at ACC undertook hundreds of tests of fabric samples to which Avgol’s beneFIT Control technology had been applied, to demonstrate the solution’s antimicrobial efficacy. In one particular test, ten different fabric samples were used, exposed to two different bacterial strains — E.coli and Staphylococcus — as part of the range of standard and newly developed evaluations performed by Avgol and its partners to confirm antimicrobial efficacy in disposable applications. When checked after 24 hours of incubation there was a significant reduction of bacterial growth due to direct exposure to the samples infused with Avgol’s antimicrobial solution.

beneFIT Control has been developed to aid in contamination, discomfort and odor by controlling the microbial activity within hygiene applications, including diapers, adult incontinence and feminine care products. It is part of the beneFIT family of functional skin wellness technologies, a new range of chemistries and processes developed by Avgol to deliver superior performance and comfort to consumers.

Michelle Sabaoun, department head – Biotechnology at Alamance Community College, said: “Partnering with industry-leader Avgol has been absolutely invaluable to our biotechnology program and our students. Running the trials provides a real-world application of the skills students have mastered throughout their degree courses and gives graduates of our program a competitive advantage upon entering the workforce.

“The fact that Avgol, as a global leader in nonwoven textiles, bypassed a number of major research universities closer to its North Carolina facilities and chose to partner with ACC speaks volumes about the quality of our Biotechnology program. It is the longest-running two-year Biotechnology degree program in the USA and is widely recognized for its 700+ hours of hands-on laboratory training, as well as the quality of its graduates. We thank Avgol for the wonderful opportunity and look forward to our partnership continuing into the future.”

Nick Carter, director – Market Business Intelligence and Intellectual Property at Avgol, said: “Significant financial losses are encountered globally through infection, contamination and spoilage caused by bacteria, viruses, fungi and moulds.

“As proven in the trials run by ACC, beneFIT Control is an adaptable solution to this problem, providing a swift, effective response ideal for the short duration of use that hygiene products typically have. We look forward to continuing our work to create ever more effective solutions as we develop further generations of beneFIT Control in the future.”

Posted September 27, 2018

Source: Avgol Nonwovens™

DuPont Industrial Biosciences Introduces PREFERENZ® Line For Liquid Laundry Detergents

WILMINGTON, Del. — September 27, 2018 — With the recent release of DuPont™ PREFERENZ® P 300, DuPont Industrial Biosciences (DuPont) takes its enzyme portfolio, including multiple Preferenz products as well as EFFECTENZ® and REVITALENZ®, to the next level. DuPont’s cutting-edge enzymes help detergent manufacturers in diverse markets around the world provide the performance needed to stay clean in a messy modern world.

DuPont delivers enzymes that offer superior ability to remove tough stains for consumers with a wide range of cleaning challenges. The company’s renewable, biodegradable enzymes can avoid harsher cleaning agents while maintaining superior performance, making sustainability as easy as doing the laundry.

DuPont will be showcasing the capabilities of its full enzyme portfolio to customers at several upcoming conferences, including Cleaning Products US 2018 (Oct. 1-3), SEPAWA Congress (Oct. 10-12), AOCS Fabric and Home Care World Conference (Oct. 28-31) and 11th China International Cleanser Ingredients, Machinery and Packaging Materials Expo (Nov. 20-22).

“DuPont Industrial Biosciences brings tremendous value to the cleaning industry, delivering solutions to the challenges facing current and future consumers. We have enzyme expertise to cleave the stain, bio-polymer expertise to transport the stain and preservative expertise to manage microbial challenges, all under one roof,” said Simon Herriott, vice president and global business director for bioactives at DuPont. “Our full Preferenz line is just one example of that collaboration, delivering robust, stable solutions that address our customers’ needs in the laundry space.”

From formulation to transportation, to retail to its final destination – the washing machine – DuPont’s recently launched Preferenz P 300 survives the challenges throughout the “Journey of the Detergent.” By the time the detergent ends up in the home of the consumer and in the actual washing machine, this intrinsically stable enzyme is still active and will deliver a consistent cleaning performance. It does that without the need for a full stability system, meaning that there is potential for significant cost savings for detergent formulators.

Preferenz P 300 can help customers reduce their use of stabilizers, cut costs and improve sustainability, all without compromising on performance. A key strength of Preferenz P 300 is its robustness. Structurally stable, this protease delivers reliable cleaning performance where it matters most to consumers — in the washing machine. Preferenz P 300 has Cleangredients approval making it a market ready ingredient that can be used to formulate products targeted for EPA Safer Choice approval and eco-labeling in the U.S.

Preferenz P 300 rounds out DuPont Preferenz line, which also includes Preferenz S 210 with Cleangredients approval and Preferenz L 100. Preferenz S 210 is designed to deliver high-level cleaning performance and boost effectiveness in removing a wide range of food-based starch stains in all wash conditions you can think of. Preferenz L 100 is highly effective in removing fatty food soils including both those from animals and plants. Preferenz L 100 can help close the performance gaps when wash conditions are not ideal for the surfactant system in the detergent.

Home & Personal Care resides under DuPont Industrial Biosciences — one of the businesses within DowDuPont’s Specialty Products Division — which creates innovative bio-based solutions to make industrial processes more effective and sustainable. DuPont enzymes enable sustainability progress across a wide range of home and personal care products, especially in the laundry and cleaning sectors.

Posted September 27, 2018

Source: DuPont Industrial Biosciences

OMNOVA Acquires Leading Supplier In European Coating Resins

BEACHWOOD, Ohio — September 26, 2018 — OMNOVA Solutions Inc. announced today that it has acquired Resiquímica, S.A., a Portugal-based producer of resins and binders for the coatings and building and construction industries. Resiquímica’s aqueous polymer emulsions and solvent-borne alkyd and acrylic resins are key elements used in a wide variety of residential and industrial coatings. Additionally, unsaturated polyester resins from Resiquímica are targeted at demanding applications in marine, food storage tanks, and more.  Geographic markets served by Resiquímica include Portugal, Spain, France, and North Africa.

“This is another important milestone in Omnova’s path to becoming a premier global specialty solutions company. The acquisition of Resiquímica expands our technology and product offerings in the coatings and construction industries, strengthens our position in the EMEA region and enhances production flexibility and capabilities for our specialty business,” said Anne P. Noonan, president and CEO of Omnova Solutions. “We welcome the Resiquímica team to the Omnova family. The combined businesses are synergistic and will help accelerate growth.”

Posted September 26, 2018

Source: OMNOVA Solutions Inc.

Planalytics Partners With The NPD Group To Provide Weather-Driven Demand Analytics To Retailers And Consumer Brands

PHILADELPHIA — September 26, 2018 — Planalytics Inc. has partnered with The NPD Group to provide consumer-focused businesses with valuable insights into how the weather affects demand for specific products. Planalytics can now apply its weather impact modeling technologies to NPD’s point-of-sale (POS) data from retailers to provide companies with much-needed visibility into how a key critical external variable influences sales.

Through this partnership, customers who purchase NPD data can access Planalytics’ Weather-Driven Demand (WDD) analytics to understand how changes in the conditions outside impact the sales of specific products on a week-by-week basis by regions or markets. These WDD metrics precisely calculate how sales have been or will be affected in apparel, footwear, accessories, sporting goods, automotive, beauty, toys, home, and other weather-sensitive segments.

“Combining NPD data with weather insights will enable customers to more proactively manage weather-based sales volatility in their business and capture both top-line and bottom-line benefits as a result,” said Antoine Verrier, vice president of Corporate Business Development at The NPD Group.

With NPD data-based WDD analytics, retailers and consumer goods suppliers can more clearly understand performance from a weather-adjusted viewpoint. For example, the evaluation of sales results across regions, advertising effectiveness, and promotional programs all benefit from a “weather corrected” perspective in which the positive and negative weather effects are isolated and quantified. From a forward-looking standpoint, companies can utilize weather analytics to better align inventories and businesses resources with projected consumer demand changes. Planalytics helps improve planning accuracy by accounting for weather biases embedded in sales histories, with gains of 20% or more typical for many weather-sensitive products.

“Working together with NPD offers an exciting opportunity to bring valuable insights to leading retail and consumer brands, many whom rely on NPD’s data assets and expertise,” said Evan Gold, executive vice president, Global Partnerships & Alliances at Planalytics. “These companies know that weather volatility will always play a part in their sales performance and together we allow them measure and more effectively manage this reality.”

Posted September 26, 2018

Source: Planalytics Inc.

President Trump Announces Intention To Appoint NCTO Vice Chairman Don Bockoven To The Advisory Committee For Trade Policy And Negotiations

Bockoven
Bockoven

WASHINGTON — September 26, 2018 —  On September 25, President Trump announced his intention to appoint 2018-19 National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) Vice Chairman Don Bockoven to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations (ACTPN) for a four-year term.  Bockoven is the President & CEO of Leigh Fibers and ICE Recycling, companies based in Wellford and Lake City, S.C., respectively.

“NCTO is very appreciative of this announcement. Don Bockoven is highly respected leader in the U.S. textile sector,” said NCTO President & CEO Auggie Tantillo as he thanked President Trump for his appointment of Bockoven to the ACTPN on behalf of the U.S. textile industry.

“Because the textile supply chain from fiber production to finished apparel and sewn products is very trade-sensitive, the U.S. textile industry is grateful for the opportunity to have a voice in formulating America’s trade policy,” Tantillo added, noting that nearly 40 percent of duties collected by the U.S. government are on textile-related goods.

The ACTPN is appointed by the President of the United States and is the principal trade advisory committee which provides overall policy advice on trade matters to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR). Established by Congress under the Trade Act of 1974, the committee provides information and advice with respect to U.S. negotiating objectives and bargaining positions before entering into trade agreements, on the operation of any trade agreement once entered into, and on other matters arising in connection with U.S. trade policy. The ACTPN considers trade policy issues in the context of the overall national interest.

Leigh Fibers maintains over a million square feet of space dedicated to fiber reprocessing, research and development, quality control, warehousing and administration and is capable of handling over 350 million pounds of recycled fiber annually.

ICE Recycling custom designs plans for businesses to divert their waste products away from landfills, specializing in carbon footprint reduction, bailing, grinding and packaging of recyclable materials for repurposing in future manufacturing projects.

NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers, including artificial and synthetic filament and fiber producers.

  • U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 550,500 in 2017.
  • The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $77.9 billion in 2017.
  • U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $28.6 billion in 2017.
  • Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2.4 billion in 2016, the last year for which data is available.

Posted September 26, 2018

Source: NCTO

Port Houston Continues To Shatter Records And Investments To Its Bayport Channel Continue To Yield Results

HOUSTON — September 26, 2018 — The investments being made to Port Houston’s channel continue to pay off. As a result of the completion of the widening and deepening of its Bayport Channel and work on what’s known as the Bayport flare, Port Houston is seeing rapid growth in the size of ships calling its container facilities.

Later this week, Port Houston is expected to receive its largest container ship to date, a 9500 twenty-foot equivalent (TEU) vessel Port Commission Chairman of the Port of Houston Authority Janiece Longoria announced Tuesday during the Port Commission regular meeting.

“This is sign of the future for the container industry and we must continue to make the investments to handle these vessels of the next generation,” Chairman Longoria said as part of her announcement. Just last week, Port Houston received an 8450 TEU vessel to Bayport.

As another example of the growing demand, in July the port recorded the largest number of container lifts on one vessel in its history at 4,800 lifts. That record has since been shattered twice, the latest being earlier this month when more than 5,700 container moves were handled on one of the port’s East Asian services.

Several items acted on the agenda by the Port Commission further illustrated a commitment to investment to meet the port’s growing demand. They included the approval to accept a request for proposals to redevelop container yards at Barbours Cut Container Terminal; a recommendation to award the planning and design of the next phase of terminal development at Bayport; and a recommendation to construct the rail spur into the Bayport container facility.

Port Houston concluded the month of August delivering strong results. Overall tonnage for the year at nearly 28 million tons reflects an 8 percent increase over last year. Steel tonnage remained steady through August, reflecting growth of 29 percent for the year. August container volume remained solid, but Executive Director Roger Guenther noted that comparisons to the same month last year at this time is skewed due to the effect of Hurricane Harvey with port operations closed for a week in August of 2017. However, year-to-date activity continues to be strong with a port-wide increase of 11 percent overall in TEU. Loaded container units are up 10 percent compared to last year.

Port Houston alone handles more than two-thirds of all U.S. Gulf container traffic. With the growth in larger ships that depend upon Houston, the importance to highlight the needs for improvements required for the Houston Ship Channel are emphasized by Port Houston’s leadership.

Before concluding, Chairman Longoria underscored some of the advocacy efforts given by Port Commission members, staff and herself to top leadership of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in the greater interests of the Houston Ship Channel to stress the requirements for widening and deepening of the busiest waterway in the nation to serve our industry and maintain efficient two way traffic.

“Through our partnership with the Corps in the current Mega-Study that will conclude in 2019,” Chairman Longoria said, “We continue to highlight the need to widen the channel through the entire reach of Galveston bay to handle increasing vessel sizes, and that the economic security of our nation is dependent upon safe, two way traffic through the busiest waterway in the nation.”

Finally, Chairman Longoria proudly shared a reminder that Port Houston was once again sponsor of Breakbulk Americas Houston, Oct. 2-4. A few thousand industry leaders from across the country and around the world seeking business opportunities for Houston are expected to attend this important business networking event.

Posted September 26, 2018

Source: Port Houston

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