OEKO-TEX® New Regulations 2019

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — January 2, 2019— In 2019 the goal of the OEKO-TEX® Association is again to reinforce consumer protection and sustainability along the value creation chain for textiles and leather; the existing guidelines for the Oeko-Tex product portfolio have thus been amended again for the start of the year. The new regulations will come into effect after a three-month transition period on 1 April 2019.

Below you will find an initial overview of some important changes:

Oeko-Tex already complies with the new “REACH Annex XVII CMR Legislation”

The substance benzene and four amine salts have been included in the STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex and LEATHER STANDARD by Oeko-Tex and limit values have been defined. The substance quinoline, which has been under observation by Oeko-Tex since 2018, is now also regulated with a limit value.

In the course of “standardization” of the limit value requirements, the requirement “<” now applies for almost all limit values.

For over 25 years, the Oeko-Tex’s strategy has not been to wait for legislation but to be proactive in the field of consumer protection as a pioneer. As a result of the implementation of the above-mentioned updates, the STANDARD 100 and LEATHER STANDARD already comply with the requirements of the new “REACH Annex XVII CMR Legislation” (Commission Regulation (EU) 2018/1513). In contrast, this legislation addressing 33 CMR substances will only be applied for products from 1 November 2020 on. Thus, Oeko-Tex is way ahead and also covers many other parameters related to consumer protection.

Further new additions to the limit value catalogues

New to the limit value catalogues are various Substances of Very High Concern: these are the siloxanes D4, D5 and D6 as well as diazene-1,2-dicarboxamide (ADCA). Furthermore, a requirement has now been made with regard to the extractable part of the metals barium and selenium.

In Annex 6 of the STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex, limit values have been made stricter for various parameters. This relates to the parameters for phthalates (softeners), alkylphenols and alkylphenol ethoxylates as well for per- and polyfluorinated compounds. The even more stringent requirements for residues in textile materials will result in an overall lower impact on the environment, workers and consumers.

Glyphosate under observation

In 2019 two new product groups will be under observation: glyphosate and its salts as well as the carcinogenic N-nitrosamines and N-nitrosatable substances.

Glyphosate products in particular, currently the quantitatively most important ingredient in herbicides, received a lot of media attention during 2017 and 2018 and were the subject of fierce controversial debates around the world. At the end of 2017, approval for glyphosate and for further use was only temporarily extended by the EU to five years – under protest from different consumer groups and environmentalists. With the “Under observation” action, the Oeko-Tex Association is now looking more closely at the substance group in relevant textile materials and is analysing the situation in more detail.

Expanded product portfolio for sustainable production conditions

The STeP assessment will be extended to leather production facilities in 2019. The name will also be changed in the course of this integration: “Sustainable Textile Production” will become “Sustainable Textile and Leather Production” – the product name STeP remains the same.

Posted January 3, 2019

Source: OEKO-TEX® Association

Hydrofinity Announces Regional Sales and Service Partnerships for its Sustainable Laundry Solution

PROVIDENCE, R.I. — January 3, 2019— Hydrofinity (formerly known as Xeros), today announced that it signed a series of regional full-service sales and distribution service agreements across the United States for its sustainable near-waterless commercial laundry systems.

These partnerships follow on the agreements Hydrofinity signed with Eastern Laundry System (ELS) covering New England, New York and New Jersey and with Your Laundry Source in Georgia, who are covering their home state as well as Alabama and South Carolina.

Hydrofinity’s new regional sales and service partners include:

  • Viking Services, SAESPY and ECW – covering California;
  • Clean Source – covering Texas, Oklahoma and Arizona;
  • RJ Kool – covering the Midwest;
  • Industrial Laundry Systems – covering Florida;
  • Consolidated Laundries – covering Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina;
  • Tippett – covering Maryland and Delaware; and
  • Mill Creek – covering Pennsylvania.

These regional distributors will now service all existing and future Hydrofinity customers in the United States ensuring local support and service is of the highest standard and provided in a timely manner. These distributors will continue to stock and sell Hydrofinity commercial washing machines, featuring Xeros Technologies.

“These agreements in the US follow similar agreements recently signed covering China, Dubai and South Africa. They will enable our Hydrofinity business to increase revenues from a lower cost base while continuing to provide customers with excellent service,” said Mark Nichols, Chief Executive of Xeros.

Water scarcity is at a crisis level around the globe and traditional commercial laundry machines are notoriously wasteful, particularly when it comes to water and energy use. Hydrofinity’s near-waterless laundry systems allow hotels and commercial laundries to save water, energy and detergent on every wash load enabling a reduction of energy usage in laundry operations by up to 50%, and water usage by up to 80% – a truly sustainable solution.

Posted January 3, 2019

Source: Hydrofinity

Asahi Kasei Bemberg™ To Return To Première Vision New York

JAPAN— January 3, 2019— Since 1931, Bemberg™ is a new material definition for responsible luxury. The one for cool exquisite comfort, whose smart heritage is born in a circular economy.

Made by Asahi Kasei, the company is the sole maker of this one-of-a-kind, matchless, high-tech natural material, with a unique and precious touch and feel.

Starting from September 2018, Asahi Kasei has launched the Bemberg brand in Europe, with an openness and positive approach that facilitates a stronger, more focused role in the market while supporting our partner’s strengths too.

It is about enhancing core values through a now even better, more refined product and process that supports our partner’s mission to materially benefit the whole supply chain with beautiful products and open, honest communication. This is the key reason to launch the Bemberg™ global brand, taking the next steps on a journey that redefines a new future of contemporary luxury this unique fiber represents.

And for this, manufacture is playing its key role in the global role out of the latest Bemberg innovations. Bemberg is presenting a selection of premium lining, not only 100% Bemberg plains but also interesting blends with elastane and cotton and stylish striped and fancy designs. Pioneering partner mills for apparel textiles featured at the booth include: Ekoten, Ipeker, Sidónios Malhas, Silver Textiles and SMI Tessuti.

Moreover, you will be able to enjoy the circularity of the Bemberg story: its source, manufacture and end-of-life credentials, as well as checking the LCA study, also signed by ICEA and validated by Paolo Masoni, a step that confirms a new quality profile and standard for Bemberg with a more responsible and unique position today. Full GRS certification, Oeko-Tex 100, ISO 14001, & Eco-Mark.

Also Bemberg can add to its premium position on responsible issues, starting from its raw material choice that clearly demonstrates its circular economy approach. Bemberg is made from a cotton linter bio-utility waste, a natural derived and abundant source, and a truly unique one in the smart fiber arena that doesn’t deplete food or forestry resources.

Bemberg has new Compostability Certification. Innovhub-SSI report confirms Bemberg filaments disintegrate at 100% value within the limits specified by the UNI EN 13432, point A.3.1 for disintegration in the composting process. Also related is a new Ecotoxicity metric to EN 13432:2000 Annex E, the compost obtained from the Bemberg filaments according

to ISO 16929:2013 revealed the absence of any ecotoxicity effect respect higher plants. The Bemberg  filaments tested for the presence of heavy metals and other toxic hazardous substances comply with the requirements specified by the UNI EN 13432, for the substances listed in table A.1.

Remarkable this season, Bemberg started a collaboration with Martin Greenfield, one of the world’s most renowned tailor company based in Brooklyn. The company, founded in 1977 by Martin Greenfield, realizes hand tailored men’s clothing to meet the requirements of innovative designers, specialty retailers, costume designers, stylists and individuals. For their finest made-to-measure suits, they choose Bemberg Yarn Dyed Lining produced in Italy and Japan for its preciousness and exquisite comfort.

Other premium brand adoption is the one of Ilaria Nistri, the Italian brand of the namesake designer who, after years of experience in the family fabric business, first presented her line to press and buyers, becoming a finalist of the prestigious Who is on next? competition in 2008. The brand, for the SS 2018 selected several Infinity’s Bemberg fabrics for poetical and essential styles.

One of the brand’s strengths is its deep knowledge of fabrics and its ability to combine contrasting materials, overlapping or inserting them
to create a fluid
silhouette that
appears elegant yet
edgy at the same
time. An avant-garde
collection of timeless
pieces, where stylish research and easy wearing coexist. And a quality 100% made in Italy.

Asahi Kasei is proud to present the Bemberg heritage that delivers a true precious uniqueness through responsible smart innovation and transparency. To make contemporary luxury materials that provoke emotive responses through its rarity, sensuality, research and creativity. The ingrained knowledge and know-how behind the brand adds value to the supply chain, working only with the best, amplifying our partner’s knowledge and dynamic commitment too.

Posted January 3, 2019

Source: Asahi Kasei Corp. Fibers and Textiles SBU

Record Results At All In Print China 2018

CHICAGO, Ill. — January 3, 2019— The 7th All in Print China (AIP 2018) recently closed with record results in Shanghai: 1,030 national and international exhibitors showcased printing technology trends and developments on almost 1.2 million square feet of exhibit space (34% increase compared to the last staging) to 100,933 visitors. With these figures, All in Print China was the world’s largest comprehensive printing exhibition in 2018.

With the theme “Enter the Era of Intelligent Printing”, AIP 2018 was designed according to the “7+3” plan, covering all segments of the industry. These included the seven classic themed pavilions: Digital Pre-press Pavilion, Comprehensive Printing Pavilion, Post-press Converting Pavilion, Packaging Equipment Pavilion, Label Industry Pavilion, Ink & Innovative Materials Pavilion as well as the Comprehensive/Packaging Pavilion. New were the three special areas Flexible Packaging Equipment, Corrugated Box Equipment and Spay Printing Equipment. In order to present a wider range of intelligent manufacturing, innovative and technological developments and highlight the theme of the exhibition, the AIP organizers also set up two special zones –  the Innovation Factory and the Intelligent Factory.

The exhibitors were very satisfied with the amount and quality of the visitors, the number of international buyers and the professionalism of the organizers.

The exhibits at AIP 2018 were supported by more than 100 forums, technical exchanges and conferences. At the 2018 World Printing and Communication Forum Council Meeting representatives from various countries held in-depth discussions on how to better promote the development of the printing industry in their own countries and how to enhance the social status of the printing industry. The “Dialogue with the World: Face a New Era of Intelligent Printing – 2018 World Printing and Communication” featured Liu Xiaokai, Director General of Department of Printing and Distribution, SAPPRFT, as the keynote speaker and industry associations from China, the U.S., Japan, India, Australia and renowned  companies such as HP, Goss China, Founder Electronics, Artron, Yuto and Sunglow shared their knowledge. At the 2018 All in Print China Conference “The Future of Intelligent Manufacturing”, seven leading suppliers presented cutting-edge intelligent manufacturing-related technologies for the printing sector.

Over 300 participants took part in the 2018 Global Label Technology Summit Forum and the Intelligent Label – 2018 “Sun Cup” Awards Ceremony of Asia Label Printing. Other events included the 2019 China International Paper Packaging Forum & Paper  Industry Chain Solution Demonstration, the C9 Printing and Packaging Quality Control and Evaluation Conference, the 2018 Digital Printing in China Technology Summit Forum and the 2018 “KONICA MINOLTA & Keyin” Digital Printing Elite Invitation Awards ceremony.

Since its first staging in 2003, AIP has developed into the most influential professional exhibition for the Chinese printing industry

The 8th All in Print China will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Center from October 12-16, 2020.

Posted January 3, 2019

Source: Messe Düsseldorf North America

Devan Chemicals Promotes Deep Sleep Via Its R-Vital™ Range With A New, CBD-Encapsulated Fabric Treatment

RONSE, Belgium — January 3, 2019— Devan Chemicals NV, the Ronse-based developer of finishing technologies for textiles, plans to showcase some of its latest health and wellness solutions at the upcoming Heimtextil trade show in Frankfurt, Germany.

Heimtextil, the world’s largest international trade fair for home and contract textiles, takes place this January 8-11 at Messe Frankfurt, where Devan will occupy Booth B28 in Hall 11.0.

Millions of people suffer from insomnia, insufficient sleep or other sleep disorders. Revitalising the body through sleep is vital for all. To help, Devan has now added cannabidiol, or CBD, to its R-Vital™ sleep-promoting range of microencapsulated active ingredients that enhance textiles with anti-oxidative effects. This rich CBD tincture or extract has a balancing effect that helps facilitate a good night’s sleep.

Originating from ancient civilisations in Asia, CBD-rich hemp has long been used for its positive health benefits. Devan has succeeded in encapsulating this CBD, which is extracted from hemp, a non-psychoactive type of cannabis.

Devan has applied its expertise to encapsulate active ingredients or extracts such as CBD and valerian root for use in its sleep-promoting R-Vital range of products. These can be applied to everything from bedding to sleepwear fabrics. When the skin touches the fabric, the resulting friction causes the capsules to break, releasing the ingredients to the body.

Since skin is our body’s largest organ, it is ideal for transporting these ingredients, adding comfort, care and well-being to the body while sleeping.

Argan oil from the Moroccan Desert enhances hair care

Berber women in the Moroccan dessert have harvested argan oil for the last 3,500 years, but it has only just been discovered by the rest of the world. Especially for Muslim women who wear hijabs, argan oil is an important element in their haircare.

Devan is pleased to now have added argan oil to its Health & Wellness range. Sleeping on a pillow containing argan oil capsules can help to hydrate and nourish the hair and scalp. Devan has leveraged its R-Vital range to create its own blend for specific and unique solutions, including for pillow covers, bed sheets, cover sheets and sleepwear.

Devan’s Q10 blend aids sports recovery through textiles

During the recent Performance Days fabric trade fair in Munich, a specific member of Devan’s R-Vital range of functional finishes — a blend of “Ubiquinol (Q10), sea kelp and thyme oil” — earned praise from the jury, which awarded it a “100% Jury Like” stamp. That designation means that all members of the jury selected the sample, a recognition granted to only a handful of the 1,400 applications.

The Q10 blend offers sports recovery through textiles. It reinforces the body’s antioxidants, thereby disarming damaging free-radicals and having an overall anti-aging effect. Devan collaborated on development of this product with Japanese pharmaceutical company Kaneka Corp.

Posted January 3, 2019

Source: Devan Chemicals NV

Lenzing & Hyosung Collaborate To Launch New Sustainable Fabric Collection At ISPO 2019

LENZING, Austria/SEOUL, South Korea — January 2, 2019— Two global fiber producers will present a new sustainable fabric collection at the upcoming ISPO show in February 2019. This new collaboration will showcase the sustainable benefits of the two companies’ leading brands; TENCEL™ Modal from Lenzing and creora® elastane from Hyosung offering brands & retailers new levels of performance and innovation.

“This Lenzing & Hyosung collaboration fits perfectly under the slogan Better Together” says Andreas Guertler, head of Active & Outdoor Global Business Development for Lenzing AG.

“The combination of natural softness, comfort & performance from TENCEL and the power, fit and recovery of creora elastane allows us to offer customers new products for sports & leisure clothing with unrivalled sustainable credentials” added Andreas.

The collection offers:

  • LENZING™ ECOVERO™ with creora eco-soft for a softer touch, whiter whites & low heat settable for reduced energy consumption
  • TENCEL Modal & creora  PowerFit for smooth, natural feel with superior shaping and compression
  • TENCEL Modal & creora Black for breathable, softer touch and deeper black with no grin through

“We are delighted to partner with Lenzing with this innovative fabric collection to deliver enhanced performance with products that use less energy & water and improved environmental care that today’s informed consumers demand” says Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, EMEA Marketing Director –Performance Textiles Business, Hyosung.  “Collaboration is the way forward as the textile industry seeks creative & performance solutions throughout the value chain and to meet changing market dynamics.  This is just the start of our cooperation with our friends at Lenzing!”

Hyosung are the largest elastane producers in the world and this is the second time they have exhibited at the ISPO show. As part of the Hyosung product story they will showcase 4 key trends featuring creora elastane, MIPAN™ nylon and polyester fibers under the SS2020 themes:

  • Protect the Body – MIPAN aqua-x, askin, aerowarm, aerolight, creora Fresh
  • Help Save the Earth – MIPAN regen, regen, creora Black, creora eco-soft
  • Fast Fashion – MIPAN rexy, MIPAN duo, prizma, creora Color+

Lenzing & Hyosung Collection – creora eco-soft

Hyosung fabrics have also been chosen for the 2019 ISPO Textrend for the Street Sport, Eco Era and Base Layer categories. Come and see these winners and the very latest in sustainable textile technology.

creora Hyosung at ISPO — Hall C4, Stand 326

Posted January 2, 2019

Source: The Lenzing Group & Hyosung

Columbia Sportswear Company Announces Closing In Buyout Of China Joint Venture With Swire Resources Limited

PORTLAND, Ore. — January 2, 2019— Columbia Sportswear Co. today announced that effective January 2, 2019, it has closed its buyout of the remaining 40 percent interest in Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Co., the joint venture in China with Swire Resources Ltd., a subsidiary of Swire Pacific Ltd..

“We thank Swire Resources for contributing to the success and growth of the Columbia brand in China. They have been an exceptional partner for us over the years and we look forward to continuing our strong relationship with them in Hong Kong and Macau,” said Tim Boyle, Columbia’s president and CEO. “We are very pleased with the positioning of the Columbia brand, and are committed to investing in the continued long-term success of Columbia in the crucial Chinese market. The acquisition is consistent with our strategy to accelerate investment as a brand-led, consumer-focused business in the areas of highest growth potential for our existing brands.”

The joint venture began operations on January 1, 2014, with headquarters in Shanghai. Columbia Sportswear owned 60 percent of the operation and Swire owned 40 percent, with profits and losses shared in similar proportions.

Future plans include continued investments in building the Columbia brand in China, as well as expansion of direct and dealer-operated retail locations. Columbia also intends to maintain the existing management team, staff, dealers, and distribution networks that have helped the Columbia brand flourish in China.

As previously announced, John Soh will become the general manager of Columbia Sportswear Commercial (Shanghai) Company in mid-February 2019.

Swire Resources will continue to serve as the exclusive independent distributor of Columbia Sportswear in Hong Kong and Macau.

Dutch’s position as CEO was effective January 1, 2019.

Posted January 2, 2019

Source: Columbia Sportswear

OrderMyGear Appoints Dave Dutch As CEO

DALLAS — January 2, 2019— OrderMyGear, the leader in group e-commerce software for apparel and gear, announced today the appointment of Dave Dutch to the position of CEO. Dutch was most recently CEO of PayLease, where he helped the company grow to over 200 employees during his seven year tenure.

“We have big ideas for the future of OrderMyGear, so it just made sense to hire someone with a track record of thinking big,” says President and Founder Kent McKeaigg. “Dave Dutch is a proven leader and innovator with a long history of scaling growth stage businesses off-the-charts. We couldn’t be more excited to welcome him to the team.”

Founded in 2008, OrderMyGear has revolutionized the group e-commerce space by providing online stores, order management and supply chain software to the team sporting goods and group apparel markets. In 2018, OrderMyGear facilitated orders for thousands of dealers, tens of thousands of teams and groups, and millions of coaches, athletes, fans, and administrators. Also in 2018, Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE) invested $35 million into OrderMyGear to fund expansion and product development.

“Dutch has a long track record of leading software companies through the step change from the growth stage to industry-leading scale,” said Ben Weinberg, managing director at Susquehanna Growth Equity. “We are thrilled to welcome him to the team, and to work with him and Kent to build a category-defining company.”

“I’ve always been drawn to entrepreneurial potential,” said Dutch. “OrderMyGear has shown themselves year after year to be a company committed to creating exciting, innovative products for their customers, but also helping their customers move the needle in terms of sales. I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with this amazing Team in order to make the next leap forward.”

Dutch’s position as CEO was effective January 1, 2019.

Posted January 2, 2019

Source: OrderMyGear

STOLL & The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao Collaborate In One Of The Works Featured In Architecture Effects Exhibition

REUTLINGEN, BILBAO, NEW YORK — January 2, 2019— STOLL, Germany’s leading 3D knitting machinery company, co-created and manufactured the textile element of A Tent Without A Signal, a digitally flat-bed knitted tapestry with technical content, as part of an exclusive collaboration with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in connection with its exhibition Architecture Effects – on view from December 5, 2018, to April 28, 2019.

The Guggenheim Museum Bilbao’s co-curators, Troy Conrad Therrien and Manuel Cirauqui, expressed that the exhibition’s purpose is to exemplify “the connections between art and architecture at the height of unique 21st century conditions” by highlighting the impact technology has on a time of major digital transformations, social media, artificial intelligence, and climate change.

“Braided with metallic fibers, MOS’s tent doubles as a Faraday cage for the future, scrambling forthcoming 5G mobile signals,” says Therrien. “It embodies a nomadic typology but denies its traditional formless slack in favor of a taught lofting between two archetypal symbols in plan — the cross and the circle — by means of a digitally flat-bed knitted futuristically fluorescent tapestry, completed in collaboration with groundbreaking textile technology maker, STOLL.”

A Tent Without A Signal, designed by MOS Architects, was uniquely made possible with STOLL machinery and knitting innovation due to the complexities and intricate details of this piece. The artwork was made with STOLL’s CMS 530 HP E16 and consisted of twenty-four 1m x 6m knitted panels. The five-colored jacquard with mesh pointelle panels were knitted with high tech Filati Be.Mi.Va, Pinori Filati, and Statex yarns.

“We are proud to collaborate with the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao for MOS’ project, A Tent Without A Signal. The Architecture Effects exhibition was a natural fit for us as our Knitelligence platform, and its various software solutions, continues to flourish in this Industry 4.0, digital age,” says Joerg Hartmann, head of Fashion & Technology at STOLL. “There are so many capabilities of knitting that tend to go unnoticed, and we are very excited that the community can be witness to STOLL’s impact within the architecture industry.”

A case study of MOS’ A Tent Without A Signal and STOLL’s contribution will become available to the public and the contemporary artists and architects exhibiting as a part of Guggenheim Museum Bilbao and STOLL’s technological collaboration.

Posted January 2, 2019

Source: H. Stoll AG & Co. KG

ThreadSol Becomes A Part Of Coats After A $12 Million Acquisition

UTTAR PRADESH, India — January 2, 2019— ThreadSol is pleased to announce its acquisition by Coats. ThreadSol will now be a part of Coats Global Services, a dedicated business providing a set of complementary software solutions to the apparel and footwear supply chain to deliver operational benefits in cost, speed and compliance.

The deal, pegged at $12 million, will see a combination of technology and expertise from the two companies which will serve as fuel for taking forward Coats’ vision of building a range of innovative software solutions for the apparel and footwear industries. The deal extends the scale and capability of ThreadSol’s AI and Big-data based solutions. It also expands its services capabilities and consumer reach to a global scale through Coats’ unparalleled global footprint and strong corporate brand.

“This partnership enables ThreadSol to be best positioned to pursue its growth strategy, while accelerating our vision to develop apparel tech of the future.”, says Manasij Ganguli, co-founder at ThreadSol. “It is very exciting to be part of a global industry leader whose stature and array of expertise in the apparel supply chain is exceptional”, he adds.

The innovative solutions by ThreadSol, coupled with Coats’ apparel supply chain solutions will be unsurpassed in the apparel tech space. This rich combination will provide the clients with significant competitive advantage through automated and digitized platforms.

ThreadSol’s products provide an excellent fit with Coats existing Fast React Systems and GSD range of Evolve™, Vision™, Align™, Enterprise™ and Quest™. This complementary suite of software solutions for the apparel and footwear industries will enable brands, retailers and manufacturers to drive productivity gains, supply chain control and speed to market.

Coats’ Group Chief Executive Rajiv Sharma said: “ThreadSol is an exciting acquisition that supports a key aspect of our growth strategy: to build an innovative software solutions business for the apparel and footwear industries. We will be able to draw upon our demonstrable track record of successfully integrating bolt-on companies following the acquisitions of Patrick Yarn Mill, Gotex and Fast React Systems, all of which are performing well under our ownership.”

Posted January 2, 2019

Source: ThreadSol

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