COLOMBES, France — March 25, 2019 — Arkema has successfully started up a Kepstan® polyetherketoneketone (PEKK)plant at its site near Mobile (Alabama – United States). Inaugurated today, this investment is a new step in Arkema’s ambitious growth strategy in high-performance polymers and advanced materials, the development of which is supported by the Group’s cutting-edge technologies in search of solutions for sustainable development.
This investment, which complements the doubling of Kepstan PEKK resin capacities in France in 2017, supports the strong demand for carbon fiber reinforced composites and 3D printing.
It confirms Arkema’s wish to strengthen its offering of advanced materials in the most demanding markets such as aeronautics, oil and gas, electronics and automotive, and the Group’s commitment to lightweight materials, which is one of its six innovation platforms for sustainable development.
The Kepstan PEKK resins range features excellent mechanical, chemical, fire and abrasion resistance. These resins also accommodate a wide range of processing technologies, particularly in the field of 3D printing where they are uniquely suited for powder sintering and filament extrusion processes.
Parts made of Kepstan reinforced carbon fiber PEKK, replacing metal for structural parts of future generations of aircraft, will provide lightweight materials including faster production cycles in the aeronautics and defense sectors.
“This new capacity, which has been brought on line on schedule, will enable our customers and their customers to better meet the future demand for ever more efficient materials. We thank our customers, our partners and the users who have trusted us and very early on selected Kepstan PEKK in their respective markets” said Christophe André, executive vice president, Advanced Materials for Arkema.
Located in Axis, Ala., the Mobile site, which will produce PEKK Kepstan resins, also manufactures plastics additives.
MAHWAH, N.J. — March 25, 2019 — ascena retail group inc. today announced that it has signed a definitive agreement to sell a majority interest in its subsidiary, Maurices Inc. to an affiliate of OpCapita LLP as part of its review to enhance shareholder value.
The review includes a comprehensive assessment of its portfolio brands, operations and assets. Management and the company’s board of directors are overseeing this review, which is currently underway.
David Jaffe, chairman and CEO said: “Structural changes in our industry have impacted a number of retailers. We have not been immune to these challenges. In 2016, we initiated our Change for Growth plan, which is on track to deliver run rate cost savings of $300 million to our company by July 2019. We have also identified, and developed plans for, an additional $150 million in savings, which will drive operating margin rate expansion. These efforts are expected to deliver a leaner operating model and enhanced competitive capabilities, but we must do more. To create value for our shareholders, we are planning deliberate actions to generate more profitable growth from those brands and operations in our portfolio that we believe have greater long term potential.”
The maurices transaction is valued at approximately $300 million, and the company expects to receive roughly $200 million in cash after expenses, while maintaining a significant minority interest. Cash proceeds from the transaction will be used to pay down the company’s existing term loan balance and/or for reinvestment in the company’s business in accordance with the terms of its credit facilities.
Additionally, ascena will continue to support the maurices brand on its shared business services platform through a managed services agreement, including support for IT, supply chain, sourcing and certain back office functions. The transaction furthers the development of the company’s platform services business, and is structured to allow ascena to participate in potential upside by partnering with a strong operator who has a history of success in apparel retailing.
“The sale of a majority interest in maurices underscores the value that exists in our portfolio brands. The review and evaluation process we are undertaking, with the help of outside advisors, is designed to recognize this value on behalf of ascena shareholders,” Jaffe said.
Jaffe noted that the maurices transaction will strengthen the Company’s balance sheet and liquidity, and the ongoing managed services arrangement will serve as a template for offering third-party platform services to others.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including, among other things, expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvement Act of 1976, and is expected to close by early summer.
Guggenheim Securities and Proskauer Rose LLP advised the Company on financial and legal matters, respectively, and PJ SOLOMON and Clifford Chance were financial and legal advisors, respectively, to OpCapita.
Messe Frankfurt’s exhibition grounds in Frankfurt, Germany, are located near the city’s financial and business center. Photographs courtesy of Messe Frankfurt GmbH/Jean-Luc Valentin
The fifth collocated Techtextil and Texprocess event returns to Frankfurt this May under the theme “Urban Living – City of the Future.”
TW Special Report
Next up on the busy 2019 textile trade show calendar is the biennial combined Techtextil and Texprocess trade shows, to be held May 14-17, 2019, at the Messe Frankfurt Fairgrounds in Frankfurt, Germany. With floor space almost fully booked some six months ahead of the event, Messe Frankfurt is expecting strong participation from exhibitors and visitors at the 2019 edition. Combined, Techtextil and Texprocess attracted more than 47,500 visitors from 114 countries at the last edition held in 2017 to view the technologies and products of 1,789 exhibitors from 66 countries.
This theme for the 2019 event is “Urban Living – City of the Future,” which will focus on how technical textiles will shape urban life in the future. Almost 70 percent of all people will live in metropolises and megacities by 2050, according to estimates by the United Nations. As the globe’s population increases, humans will need to overcome living and mobility challenges and innovative textiles will play a role in development. An exhibition space, developed in collaboration with Creative Holland, will present such examples of textile applications, including functional and smart apparel.
For the first time, Techtextil and Texprocess will share exhibition space in Hall 4.1, in an attempt to show visitors the entire production process from raw material to finished product. Techtextil exhibitors — including suppliers of woven, laid web, braided and knitted fabrics; coated textiles; and nonwovens — will gather with Texprocess exhibitors that supply functional apparel textiles. Select textile machinery, product preparation, finishing, logistics and sewing solutions providers also will display their technologies alongside the “Digital Textile Micro Factory.” This micro factory is one of four that will be on view during the show (See page 22).
Techtextil 2019
Techtextil will organize the exhibits into 10 different product groups: technology, processes and accessories; fibers and yarns; woven fabrics, laid webs, braids and knitted fabrics; nonwovens; coated textiles; composites; Bondtec; functional apparel textiles; associations; and publishers.
In addition, Techtextil offers a classification system for exhibits, which are organized according to 12 application areas:
Agrotech — horticulture and landscape, gardening, agriculture, forestry and animal husbandry;
Buildtech — membrane construction, lightweight and solid structures, civil engineering, industrial construction, temporary constructions, interior construction, earthworks, hydraulic engineering and road construction, and agriculture construction;
Clothtech — functional apparel, clothing and shoes;
Geotech — road construction, civil engineering, and dam and waste site construction;
Mobiltech — cars, ships, aircraft, railway and space travel;
Oekotech — environmental protection, recycling and waste disposal;
Packtech — packaging, protective covering systems, sacks, big bags and container systems;
Protech — personal safety and property protections; and
Sporttech — sport and leisure, activewear, outdoor equipment, sports equipment and outfits, and sports footwear.
The application areas are illustrated by graphic icons displayed on exhibitor booths. Show organizers report the icons help visitors find the suppliers they need in an efficient manner.
At Techtextil 2017, Neenah, Wis.-based Bemis Co. Inc. highlighted its thermoplastic adhesive film that provides a sleek finish without the burden of nuts and bolts.
“Every two years, Techtextil mirrors the range of applications for textile materials,” said Olaf Schmidt, vice president Textiles and Textile Technologies, Messe Frankfurt. “Leading international experts from the most diverse industries — be they from architecture, the automotive industry, medicine, the fashion industry or personal protection — come together at Techtextil in search of lightweight, durable and sustainable materials.”
Texprocess 2019
Texprocess, the International Trade Show for Processing Textile and Flexible Materials, will showcase the latest machines, plants, processes and services for the production of garments, and textile and flexible materials.
Texprocess covers 20 product groups that encompass the entire value creation chain: CAD/CAM and product development; production preparation and organization; cutting, making and trimming (CMT); fusing, setting and manufacturing preparation; textile machinery; textile finishing; knitting technology; embroidery technology; stitching, joining and fastening technology, and automation technology; stitching, joining and fastening materials, technical accessories for garment, house and home textiles; product processing and finishing; energy, air conditioning, disposal and recycling; quality control; internal material flow; textile logistics; information technology; services, consultancy and training; media; research, development and training; and sourcing.
“While on all sides people are talking of Industry 4.0, at Texprocess we are now talking of Impact 4.0,” Schmidt said. “Trade visitors will find an impressive range of technologies which in every respect are having formative effects on the way we manufacture and process textiles, effects which will continue in future.”
Texprocess will highlight four micro-factories:
Hall 4.1 — Digital Textile Micro-Factory of Texprocess and Techtextil: Industry partners in collaboration with the Denkendorf Institutes for Textile and Fibre Research (DITF) will present three production lines — one for clothing production, one for a 3D knitted shoe and one for processing technical textiles.
Between Halls 4.1 & 5.1 — Smart Textiles Micro-Factory: RWTH Aachen University and industry and research partners, will highlight the production of a smart cushion from design to finished product.
Hall 4.0 — World of Digital Fashion: Six firms working in several fields — visualization, CAD cutting systems, automated body-mass calculation, layout and process automation — will jointly illustrate how their products can be integrated and combined in different workflows with the emphasis on clothing and fashion customization.
Showcase of Efka and Gemini: Texprocess exhibitors Efka and Gemini will show how individually designed football shirts may be made using easy-to-implement solutions.
Education, Awards
Messe Frankfurt is rebranding the Techtextil Symposium as the Techtextil Forum. According to organizers, “the new Techtextil Forum provides an opportunity for an interactive exchange of ideas and information between exhibitors and trade visitors, as well as researchers and developers and users.” The forum will be located in the exhibition hall and is free of charge to all participants of the show. The program includes topics covering a wide variety of application areas.
Held in Hall 4.1, the Texprocess Forum — organized in collaboration by the Textile-Clothing Dialogue, International Apparel Federation and the World Textile Information Network — will feature talks by experts on current topics of interest to the industry.
Germany-based SILTEX Flecht-und Isoliertechnologie Holzmúller GmbH & Co. KG showcased its high-end braidings for composite materials at Techtextil 2017.
Techtextil will award outstanding and new developments in the fields of technical textiles, nonwovens and functional apparel fabrics at the 15th Techtextil Innovation Awards. Winners, selected by a jury consisting of global experts, will be presented with their awards at an inauguration ceremony on the first day of the trade show. The Texprocess Innovation Award honors “cutting-edge developments that foster new and unconventional ideas and visions and supports cross-industry dialog among researchers, manufacturers and users.”
In addition, students and young professionals will be recognized through the “Textile Structures for New Building” competition. This focus of this year’s contest “is on textile-based solutions for architecture, clothing, living and health in an increasingly urbanized society.” Competition categories include macro-architecture, micro-architecture, material innovation, environment and ecology, and composites and hybrid structures. The competition is sponsored by the international network TensiNet, and supported by the Institute for Lightweight Structures and Conceptual Design at the University of Stuttgart, as well as the architecture and design platform Architonic.
All award-winning work will be presented in special shows and displays during Techtextil and Texprocess.
Sustainability also is a central theme at this year’s event, and the both shows will highlight exhibitor’s sustainability efforts. The Techtextil and Texprocess Innovation Awards will confer prizes to sustainable innovations and processing approaches. The Texprocess Forum also offers a series of seminars related to sustainability in the textile and fashion industries through an offshoot of Fashionsustain, Messe Frankfurt’s sustainable textile innovations conference.
Both shows are open from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. May 14-16, and from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on May 17. Visitors can purchase a one-day ticket to both trade fairs, or a four-day pass, and tickets are cheaper if purchased in advance.
For more information about Techtextil 2019 and Texprocess 2019, please visit techtextil.com and texprocess.com.
Stamford, Conn.-based Hexcel has partnered with France-based start-up company Lavoisier Composites, the developer of Carbonium® material. This new-generation material is sourced from carbon composite by-products generated by the French aerospace sector.
According to the companies, Carbonium reduces the environmental impact by 40 to 50 percent overall when compared to equivalent products made using virgin materials. A life cycle assessment conducted by Lavoisier and Hexcel showed that up-cycling by-products from the aerospace composites industry results in a carbon dioxide reduction of 13 kilograms per kilogram of Carbonium utilized.
In other company news, Hexcel and Arkema have announced plans to open a joint research and development laboratory to develop carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic prepreg tapes for lightweight aircraft parts production. The two companies formed an alliance last year to leverage Hexcel’s carbon fiber knowledge and Arkema’s strength in polyetherketoneketone (PEKK) to create thermoplastic composite solutions for aerospace applications.
The inaugural FiltXPO™ will be held February 26-28, 2020, at Navy Pier, Chicago. This new trade show and conference is organized by the Association for the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C., and focuses on filtration and separation. The three-day event is expected to attract 300 exhibitors and 3,000 attendees. The show will run on an 18-month cycle.
The event will host technical conference sessions featuring more than 36 presentations, as well as a 1.5-day intensive filter media training course.
INDA is inviting members of the industry who wish to speak at the conference to submit abstracts on industry topics related to filtration and separation with a focus on biopharmaceutical filtration needs, membrane filtration and nanofiber-enhanced meltblown materials, and energy technology and applications. Abstracts approximately 200 words long will be accepted until May 1, 2019. For more information, visit filtxpo.com/papers.html.
Spider silk-based fiber developer Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich., has signed an agreement with the University of Notre Dame that increases the university’s equity position in Kraig Labs. The university and Kraig Labs collaborated for 10 years to develop the recombinant spider silk technologies. The deal converts a portion of money owed to Notre Dame into common stock. The remaining balance of money owed to the university has been converted into a note that is payable over a two-year period.
“Today, we are pleased to report that, having now finalized this agreement, [Notre Dame] have nearly tripled their equity position in the company,” said Jon Rice, COO, Kraig. “The deal has strengthened the company’s balance sheet and, in conjunction with the equity financing announced [recently], improves our financial position, as we move towards larger scale production.”
Virent Inc., Madison, Wis., and BP and Johnson Matthey (JM), both based in London, have signed an agreement that will help commercialize Virent’s Bioforming® process for bio-paraxylene (PX). Virent and JM are working together to develop the technology, which produces a drop-in reformate product from renewable resources that can be used to produce renewable fuels. The reformate also may be processed into a lower carbon intensive bio-PX that can become the feedstock for bio-purified terephthalic acid — a key ingredient needed to make renewable polyester.
As part of the agreement, BP will contribute technical resources to Virent and JM’s commercialization efforts. BP also has exclusive rights to negotiate becoming the sole manufacturer of bio-PX using the Bioforming technology.
“We have been working with JM to scale up the BioForming process for production of renewable fuel and are very pleased to enter into this agreement with BP to commercialize the technology for production of bio-PX and bio-PTA,” said Dave Kettner, president of Virent. “This is an indication of the flexibility of the BioForming technology to produce both bio-fuels and bio-aromatic chemicals.”
Messe Frankfurt’s odd-year technical textiles show drew record crowds to Raleigh, N.C.
TW Special Report
Techtextil North America’s odd-year trade show held recently in Raleigh, N.C., once again disproved the myth that size matters. The number of exhibitors was on the small side at 165, but the 3,185 visitors in attendance represented an increase of 52 percent over the Chicago event in 2017, and made the 2019 edition the highest attended odd-year show in its history.
One only had to look around the exhibit halls to see the large crowds — at times navigating the aisles or finding an empty seat in the dining and break areas was difficult because of the sheer volume of people gathered in groups clearly engaged in interesting conversations.
“The first hour of the show that I witnessed was phenomenal,” said Dennis Smith, president, show organizer Atlanta-based Messe Frankfurt Inc. “We want to create events that drive business discussions and from what I have seen so far, we are delivering on that.”
The overall satisfaction of the exhibitors backed up the positive numbers and show floor buzz.
Bill Christmann, vice president of sales, Gehring Textiles, commented that while the show floor was smaller than past events, the traffic and discussions were good. “If you come to a show with an open mind, it’s almost always a good show,” Christmann said. “We see suppliers, customers, old friends and new, and that combination along with the potential opportunities gained justifies us coming back again and again because we always seem to make new worthwhile connections.”
Lumat USA highlighted its ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene filament at the show. Lumat’s Manager of Sales Bart Krulic offered: “This is the best odd year Techtextil thus far. Everyone I’ve spoken with had nothing but positive things to say about the show.” Tony Webber, sales director, Adaptive Control, mentioned: “The show has been great for us. Lots of good conversations.”
The show floor provided the usual array of interesting offerings from exhibitors, once again displaying how vast and diverse the applications for technical textiles have become. Several of the symposium presentations, student posters and floor talks also provided further indication of new applications and opportunities still to come.
R&M International was a first-time exhibitor at Techtextil North America. “We are launching some new products – textured yarns, plied yarns and large denier yarns — and have had a lot of inquiries and met new customers, people we don’t normally do business with,” said Dominic Rawson, managing director. “The show has been great for us to showcase the new products.”
Collocated Open House
Hosting the show in Raleigh also provided the opportunity to attend an open house at North Carolina State University’s (NC State’s) Wilson College of Textiles to tour the various labs and meet the next generation of textile industry employees. The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), also housed on the NC State campus, was a highlight of the tour, showcasing its state-of-the-art equipment and capabilities, as well as demonstrating a refreshing philosophy that emphasizes working with industry partners to advance technology and applications. The NWI may not be well known to all, but for those companies in the know, it has certainly become a valued industry asset.
Future Events
Smith reported that launching the odd-year show has been an interesting journey, but “we know there is a demand for a technical textiles show in the United States annually.” Organizers were not yet ready to go public with the location for the next odd-year Techtextil North America, but Smith said it’s looking most likely to be a venue in the Southeast.
Techtextil North America returns to Atlanta for its flagship even-year edition May 12-14, 2020.
The room engaged in thoughtful discussion about issues facing the sewn products industry.
SPESA’s 9th Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference attracted 90 industry leaders in Raleigh, N.C.
TW Special Report
The Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of the Americas (SPESA) recently collocated its 9th Advancements in Manufacturing Technologies Conference with Techtextil North America held at the Raleigh Convention Center in Raleigh, N.C. More than 90 registered attendees came together to discuss issues facing the sewn products industry. The conference focused on the current and future state of innovations in the sewn products industry related to microfactories, on-demand manufacturing, software connectivity and automation.
The day’s agenda was broken into three panel discussions. During each session, the featured panelists were given a few minutes to introduce themselves and their companies to attendees. Then, attendees were encouraged to ask questions to stimulate thoughtful discussion among everyone in attendance with the panel members contributing their own personal stories and expertise.
The three topics covered, and featured panel members for each discussion, were:
Microfactories & On-Demand Manufacturing —
Yoram Burg, president, EFI Optitex;
Leonard Marano, vice president, Gerber Technology; and
Michael Rabin, president, Morgan Tecnica America.
The Internet of Sewn Products & Industry 4.0 —
Mariano Amezcua, president, DAP America;
Roberto Mangual, CEO, Exenta;
Toni Lublin, communications and partnership manager, Lectra North America; and
Kirby Best, president and chairman, PAAT International.
Advancing Automation —
Rick Frye, director of engineering, Brother International;
Dr. Mike Fralix, president and CEO, [TC]2; and
Frank Henderson, CEO, Henderson Sewing Machine Co.
Dr. Fralix also served as moderator for each panel discussion.
Regardless of the topic of each panel discussion, one issue — workforce development and training — was the clear issue of concern for conference attendees. Demand from the industry for skilled operators, engineers and mechanics is clear, and SPESA understands it has an opportunity to play a role in building the next generation’s workforce.
Michael McDonald, SPESA president opened the event.
“It was very exciting to see the energy in the room and watch as conversations evolved into constructive dialogue,” said Michael McDonald, SPESA president. “This was more than a professional development event. This was an opportunity to provide both speakers and attendees a platform to share and discuss insights about the changes impacting their day-to-day as it relates to technological advancements in manufacturing. Moving the industry ahead starts by understanding both the hurdles we face and the opportunities on the horizon.”
SPESA’s next event is its 2019 SPESA Executive Conference to be held in New Orleans October 29-30, 2019.
Gap Inc., San Francisco, has announced it will spin off Old Navy as a separate company creating two independent, publicly traded companies — Old Navy; and a yet-to-be-named company that will comprise Gap, Athleta, Banana Republic, Intermix and Hill City.
The separation allows each company to increase its focus and flexibility, align investments and incentives and optimize its cost structure to ensure profitable growth.
The as-of-yet unnamed company earns approximately $9 billion in annual revenue. Old Navy boasts approximately $8 billion in annual revenue and is one of the fastest-growing apparel brands in the United States, according to Gap.
The separation will give Old Navy the flexibility, focus and control necessary to increase customer access and continue to grow its market share.
Art Peck, Gap Inc.’s current president and CEO will maintain the same position with the new company after the split. Sonia Syngal, president and CEO of Old Navy also will maintain her leadership role.
“Following a comprehensive review by the Gap Inc. board of directors, it’s clear that Old Navy’s business model and customers have increasingly diverged from our specialty brands over time, and each company now requires a different strategy to thrive moving forward,” said Robert Fisher, Gap Inc.’s board chairman.
