VIENNA, Austria — April 3, 2019 — More than 100 international speakers from industry and research will present the latest innovations of the fiber and textile industry at the Dornbirn-Global Fiber Congress (GFC) 2019 from September 11-13, 2019. As generator of ideas and networks, the 58th Dornbirn-GFC would especially like to offer the platform to young companies by organizing a Startup Event in cooperation with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), a worldwide leading and internationally operating auditor and consulting firm. As the world’s biggest Fiber Innovation Congress, the Dornbirn-GFC has been an inherent part in the calendar of approximately 700 participants of more than 35 nations.

DORNBIRN-GFC as Generator of Ideas and Networks

Last year, more than 700 international participants — 70 percent from Europe and 30 percent from Asia and America — utilized the Fiber Innovation Congress in Dornbirn as networking platform and 50 new companies were welcomed to the congress.

The crème de la crème of the fiber industry as well as international global players of the entire value chain will be present at the 58th Dornbirn-GFC. This year, the congress is entirely dedicated to the topics of sustainability and digitalization. Thus, the top-class lead sponsor Lenzing Group, Indorama Ventures and Märkische Faser as well as PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Microsoft and Palo Alto Networks will be expected as important partners.

More than 100 expert lectures concentrate on the following key themes:

• Fiber innovations;
• Circular economy and recycling;
• Digitalization and smart textiles;
• Surface modification and additives;
• Sports and leisure wear; and
• Nonwovens and technical textiles.

A few Highlights of this Year’s Congress:

• A CEO panel and a panel discussion on digitalization will accompany the expert lectures of more than 100 international speakers.
• Austrian’s federal minister of Digital and Economic Affairs as well as high-level industry leaders of Lenzing, Indorama Ventures, Oerlikon, Microsoft, Palo Alto Networks, PwC and others are looking forward to a highly interesting discussion.
• In cooperation with PwC, 50 “Startups” will be invited and given the opportunity to present their business models in Dornbirn.

Because of success, the “Young Scientist Forum” will also be held for the fourth time. The workshop will take place on September 10, 2019, under the leadership of the industrial consultancy SYNGROUP. The purpose, inter alia, is to enhance and enable a network amongst young scientists.

Because of the vast interest from industry and trade and the strong support of the EU Commission “Circular Economy” is a focal point this year again.

International Cooperations

In recent years, various cooperations have been initiated in order to support and promote the Dornbirn-GFC. These efforts will be extended in 2019.

Techtextil – May 17, 2019, Frankfurt, Germany

The Dornbirn-GFC organizes a symposium on “Sustainable Fiber Innovations and Applications” at the Messe Frankfurt’s Techtextil Forum on May 17, 2019.

Take part in the Techtextil Forum on May 17, 2019 (Hall 4.1/J39) or get more information at the Techtextil fair booth (Hall 4.2/C27).

More information on the programme can be found on www.dornbirn-gfc.com/news.

EDANA

EDANA, an international association of nonwovens manufacturers, supports the Dornbirn-GFC very constructively through the organization of highly qualitative lectures from the nonwovens industry as well as enabling the participation of young scientists of the industry in the “Young Scientist Forum“.

TAPPI

TAPPI, which is a big U.S.-based “Learning & Networking” organization for the industry is cooperating with Dornbirn-GFC in the promotion of the congress.

Sponsors as the Key Elements of the Success of Dornbirn-GFC

Particular emphasis should be placed on the economic region Land Vorarlberg and “the smart city” Dornbirn which have tremendously supported the congress since its foundation.

Lenzing AG, the associations CIRFS (European Fiber Association) and IVC (German Fiber Association) are the initiators of this annual congress.

Lenzing AG, an innovative cellulose fiber producer — this impressive company with high innovative power will be represented as the lead sponsor of the congress.

It is especially delightful to have gained PwC as an important partner for the Dornbirn-GFC 2019.

The renowned sponsors of last year’s congress as well as several new sponsors will contribute to the success of the event in 2019:

• AVANTEX/Messe Frankfurt France (FRA);
• Techtextil/Messe Frankfurt (GER);
• CHT Beitlich (GER);
• CIRFS (BEL);
• Dralon (GER);
• Ecoplus. Niederösterreichs Wirtschaftsagentur GmbH (AUT);
• EDANA (BEL);
• Gherzi Textil Organisation (SUI);
• Glanzstoff Industries/Indorama (AUT);
• Groz Beckert (GER);
• IFG Asota (AUT);
• IKV Innovative Kunststoffveredlung (GER);
• Kunstuniversität Linz (AUT);
• Land Vorarlberg (AUT);
• Lenzing AG (AUT);
• Märkische Faser (GER);
• Microsoft (AUT);
• Oerlikon Manmade Fibers (GER);
• Perlon Nextrusion Monofil (GER);
• PricewaterhouseCoupers PwC (AUT);
• PHP Fibers/Indorama (GER);
• Saurer AG (SUI);
• Stadt Dornbirn (AUT);
• SYNGROUP (AUT);
• WISTO – Wirtschaftsstandort Vorarlberg GmbH (AUT); and
• WKO Wirtschaftskammer Vorarlberg (AUT).

Dornbirn-GFC App

Improving the flow of communication and information throughout the congress is the main purpose of the app. It enables participants to familiarize themselves with speakers, participants and exhibitors as well as to arrange personal meetings prior to the congress. In 2018, the app was utilized by more than 50 percent of the participants. In 2019, an expansion of its functions is planned.

Networking Event on the Last Day

In 2018 for the first time, a networking event took place as closing of the Dornbirn-GFC on the last conference day. More than 100 congress participants enjoyed the Dornbirn-GFC closing party in a cozy atmosphere. The charming event enhanced the participants’ networking once again. A similarly special networking event will be organized again this year.

Dornbirn-GFC on Social Media

Updated information about the Dornbirn-GFC can be found on:

• LinkedIn/Dornbirn-GFC
• Facebook/Dornbirn-GFC
• Instagram/@dornbirn-gfc.

In order to enlarge the “Dornbirn-GFC Innovation Community” every day, sharing of our postings within your contacts would be highly appreciated.

Posted April 3, 2019

Source: DORNBIRN GLOBAL FIBER CONGRESS (Dornbirn-GFC)

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – March 25, 2019 — Braskem — the largest thermoplastics polyolefins producer in the Americas, and the leading producer of biopolymers in the world — today announced a new U.S. distribution partnership for Braskem’s growing U.S. polypropylene (PP) business with PolyQuest Inc., a North America-based polymer resin distributor and recycler. As a distributor of polypropylene, and the largest distributor of PET in the U.S., PolyQuest has long-standing relationships with customers in the sheet, film, textiles, strapping and BCF markets.

Mark Nikolich, Braskem America CEO, commented, “We’re pleased to be partnering with PolyQuest to expand our reach and presence with new clients and sectors, accelerating our market share growth, as well as supporting our position as the largest producer of polypropylene in the Americas. Just as importantly, PolyQuest shares a focus on advancing the future of the circular economy through a commitment to sustainable development. We look forward to leveraging our expertise in polypropylene recycling and closed-loop technologies with PolyQuest’s established U.S. recycling facilities. Our leverage across these activities will only grow in importance as Braskem remains on track to launch Delta, our new U.S. 450 kiloton polypropylene production line in early 2020.”

Tod Durst, PolyQuest executive vice president, commented: “There is no better partner for PolyQuest in the polypropylene market than Braskem and we look forward to expanding our relationship responsibly and rapidly. The expansion of our resin offerings in the U.S. to include polypropylene was a logical one for us as it further enhances our position as a value-added supplier to an important and growing segment of the industry. We’re delighted that the partnership occurred organically through one of our joint strategic packaging clients.”

With an increased focus from both producers, converters and brand-owners towards a sustainable and recyclable raw material, PolyQuest aims to provide a solution for post-consumer polypropylene products in the marketplace through its recycling facilities in New York and South Carolina. PolyQuest’s goal is to introduce several post consumer polypropylene recycled capabilities to customers in 2019.

Braskem has committed up to $675 million towards the design and construction of its new PP production line named Delta which is being constructed next to Braskem’s existing production facilities in La Porte, Texas. With main construction ongoing, Delta is targeted for initial production in early 2020. The new plant will have a production capacity of 450 kilotons (kt), or the equivalent of approximately 1 billion pounds, per year.

The new Delta line will represent additional production capacity of homopolymers, random copolymers, impact copolymers, and reactor TPOs, building upon Braskem’s current polypropylene production plant in La Porte which has a production capacity of 354 kt annually and will continue operations. Braskem also maintains a UTEC ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) production plant located at the same La Porte site.

The construction of Braskem’s new Delta production line is positively impacting economic activity in the La Porte region, employing approximately 1,000 development and construction workers to fully construct the facility. The Delta production line design is being developed directly in-line with Braskem’s commitment to sustainability and attention to eco-indicators such as emissions, water, and energy efficiency, as well as recycling and waste reduction.

Posted April 3, 2019

Source: Braskem North America

WIELSBEKE, Belgium — April 3, 2019 — Beaulieu Fibres International, Europe’s largest producer of polyolefin fibers, was nominated for the 2019 essenscia Innovation Award for its recently introduced UltraBond fiber.

The Award

The biannual award is the most prestigious prize for industrial innovation in Belgium. Created by essenscia, the Belgian Federation for Chemistry and Life Sciences industries, it aims to promote innovations in the Belgian industry and encourages companies to invest even more in innovative and sustainable products and applications. During the evaluation of the nominated innovation projects, the jury assesses their link with chemistry, life sciences and materials, their contribution to sustainable development, their intellectual property management strategy as well as their added value for the economy.

The Product

Formally introduced in early 2019, UltraBond is a patented polyolefin bonding staple fiber that eliminates the need for latex or other chemical binders to bond nonwovens. It enables carpet manufacturers to create 100 percent polypropylene (PP) needlepunch carpets that meet the same performance requirements as traditional constructions, while also reducing end-of-life environmental impact.

UltraBond helps manufacturers make a significant contribution to the circular economy through the production of 100-percent recyclable carpets. In addition to making recycled PP available for the plastics production chain and reduced waste generation, their total lack of water use and reduced energy use result in significant environmental advantages and financial savings. There is also a reduction in the VOC level of the carpet. This all leads to a significant reduction in a needlepunch carpet’s ecological footprint to the tune of a 35 percent reduction in CO2 emissions during the full production process.

Karena Cancilleri, vice president Engineered Products for Beaulieu International Group, commented: “We are extremely proud to be nominated for this award, and I would like to thank essenscia for formally recognizing our efforts to introduce this significant change for our industry. Innovation is a key focus for our business to differentiate and to remain competitive on a global scale. This is also why we have invested 10 million euros in new production capacity and employment opportunities in Belgium.”

Cancilleri added: “Today’s carpet industry is looking for a greener, more cost-effective production process, without reducing performance levels. We see textile flooring as just the beginning. Together with our customers, we look forward to exploring the potential of this unique thermal bonding fiber in other applications such as laminated nonwovens or as an alternative to dry powders.”

Posted April 3, 2019

Source: Beaulieu Fibres International

KINGSPORT, Tenn. — April 3, 2019 — Eastman announced today a breakthrough innovation to address the world’s plastic waste problem.

Eastman’s innovation-driven growth strategy, underpinned by creating value through sustainability and a commitment to enhancing the quality of life in a material way, is driving the company’s efforts to advance the circular economy by finding new uses for products or materials otherwise reaching end of life. In March, the company announced plans to launch an advanced circular recycling technology that breaks down polyester waste that cannot be recycled by current mechanical methods into basic polymer building blocks that can be reintroduced as new polyester-based polymers, delivering a true circular solution.

Today’s announcement introduces a second Eastman innovation called carbon renewal technology, which is capable of recycling some of the most complex plastic waste, including non-polyester plastics and mixed plastics that cannot be recycled with conventional recycling technologies. With this new recycling technology, materials such as flexible packaging and plastic films, among others, can be diverted from landfills.

By modifying the front end of Eastman’s cellulosics production, carbon renewal technology uses plastic waste as feedstock and converts it back to simple and versatile molecular components. The process partially oxidizes the plastic and, at a very high efficiency, converts it into the basic building blocks of certain Eastman products, including Advanced Materials and Fibers segment products that serve ophthalmics, durables, packaging, textiles and nonwovens end-use markets.

Eastman has completed pilot tests at its Kingsport site and plans commercial production in 2019 by leveraging existing assets. This rapid success in developing a new recycling approach is a further example of how Eastman leverages its scale and integration to provide sustainable solutions to the world.

Eastman is exploring commercial collaborations to yield mixed plastic waste to be recycled through carbon renewal technology at commercial scale.

Board Chair and CEO Mark Costa said: “Eastman has the technology, the innovation power and the people to make a difference. Eastman is now uniquely positioned to deliver two powerful innovation solutions that target different plastic waste streams that pose complex challenges. Plastics are used in so many important ways. But because some don’t have good end-of-life solutions or are discarded, the world is facing a problem of significant magnitude.”

“Eastman is embracing its stated purpose of enhancing the quality of life in a material way for people around the world,” Costa added. “This translates not only to producing superior materials for the products consumers use daily but also contributes in a meaningful way to a circular economy — an economy where we reuse and repurpose our resources so they retain their value for as long as possible.”

Steve Crawford, senior vice president and chief technology officer for Eastman, said the new recycling portfolio is a perfect example of the company’s innovation-driven growth strategy.

“As a leader in materials innovation, Eastman can now provide unique solutions that will support our customers and end users in achieving their sustainability goals,” Crawford said. “Eastman’s circular technologies represent the opportunity for partnerships to provide solutions, including end-of-life options, that will have an impact on the global waste problem.”

Posted April 3, 2019

Source: Eastman Chemical Co.

WASHINGTON — April 2, 2019 — Today, two major U.S. man-made yarn producers — Unifi Manufacturing Inc. and Nan Ya Plastics Corp. America (Nan Ya) — filed a “critical circumstances” allegation regarding imports of polyester textured yarn from China in an ongoing trade remedy investigation. The critical circumstances claim charges that imports of the yarn surged into the United States in order to avoid the imposition of duties. If the allegation is proven, importers could face significant duty liabilities.

The critical circumstances provision allows the U.S. Department of Commerce to apply antidumping and countervailing duties retroactively if the agency determines that certain criteria are satisfied. In particular, the Commerce Department looks at whether imports of the merchandise under investigation were shipped into the United States in large volumes after the petitions are filed but before preliminary duties are established.

Unifi and Nan Ya filed petitions with the Commerce Department and the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) in October 2018 alleging that dumped and subsidized imports of polyester textured yarn from China and India are causing material injury to the domestic industry. The Commerce Department initiated the investigations in November 2018 and the USITC preliminarily determined that imports from China and India are causing injury to the U.S. domestic industry in December 2018.

After the petitions were filed in October 2018, imports of polyester textured yarn from China increased by over 27 percent from their pre-petition volumes. The critical circumstances allegation filed by Unifi and Nan Ya asks the Commerce Department to account for this surge by imposing retroactive duties as soon as possible, but no later than the date that the preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty investigations are made. These preliminary determinations are scheduled to be completed by April 26, 2019.

The products affected by this case are made by Unifi at its production facilities in Yadkinville, N.C., and Madison, N.C., where Unifi employs approximately 1,100 and 450 people, respectively, and by Nan Ya at its production facility in Lake City, S.C., where Nan Ya employs approximately 900 people.

Fact Sheet

Antidumping and countervailing duties: Antidumping duties are intended to offset the amount by which a product is sold at less than fair value, or “dumped,” in the United States. The margin of dumping is calculated by the Commerce Department. Estimated duties in the amount of the dumping are collected from importers at the time of importation. Countervailing duties are intended to offset the unfair subsidies that are provided by foreign governments and benefit the production of a particular good. The USITC, an independent agency, will determine whether the domestic polyester textured yarn industry is materially injured or threatened with material injury by reason of the unfairly traded imports.

Next steps: The Commerce Department is scheduled to reach preliminary determinations in the countervailing duty and antidumping duty investigations on April 26, 2019, and June 26, 2019, respectively, at which point preliminary cash deposit rates will be put in place.  The entire investigative process will take approximately one year, with final determinations of dumping, subsidization, and injury likely occurring by the end of 2019.

Product descriptions: The product covered by the petitions is polyester textured yarn, which is synthetic multifilament yarn that is manufactured from polyester (polyethylene terephthalate). Polyester textured yarn is produced through a texturing process, which imparts special properties to the filaments of the yarn, including stretch, bulk, strength, moisture absorption, insulation, and the appearance of a natural fiber. The petitions include all forms of polyester textured yarn, regardless of surface texture or appearance, yarn density and thickness (as measured in denier), number of filaments, number of plies, finish (luster), cross section, color, dye method, texturing method, or packing method (such as spindles, tubes, or beams).

Petitioning companies: The petitioning companies are Unifi Manufacturing Inc. and Nan Ya Plastics Corp., America, represented by Kelley Drye & Warren LLP.

Posted April 3, 2019

Source: Kelley Drye & Warren LLP