PPG Announces Leadership Appointments

PITTSBURGH — July 16, 2018 — PPG today announced the appointment of Diane Kappas, current vice president, protective and marine coatings (PMC), Americas, as vice president, Americas, automotive original equipment manufacturer (OEM) coatings, effective September 1. Juanjo Ardid, currently general manager, global adhesives and sealants, will become vice president, PMC, U.S. and Canada, effective August 1. Ardid will report to Ram Vadlamannati, senior vice president, PMC, and Kappas will report to Rebecca Liebert, senior vice president, automotive coatings. Kappas will replace Matt Marek, who has announced his intent to retire, effective September 1.

Kappas joined PPG in 1986 as a resin process engineer in PPG’s industrial and packaging coatings businesses at the Springdale, Pa., and Oak Creek, Wis., facilities. She has advanced through positions of increasing responsibility throughout her more than 30-year career with PPG. Kappas held various roles in architectural coatings including purchasing, operations management, technical and quality control management in Pittsburgh; Dover, Del.; and East Point, Ga. In 1998, Kappas was named corporate diversity manager, corporate human resources. She became plant manager of PPG’s specialty chemicals manufacturing facility at Barberton, Ohio, in 2001, and in 2004, was named supply chain director, automotive replacement glass. In this role, she had additional responsibility as supply chain director, automotive refinish, North America. In 2007, Kappas became business director, TESLIN® products. She was appointed vice president, environment, health and safety (EHS) in 2011, with global leadership responsibilities for the EHS function and corporate sustainability. In late 2013, Kappas moved into her most recent role as vice president, PMC, Americas.

Kappas earned a Bachelor of Science degree in chemical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh and a Master of Business Administration from Duquesne University.

Ardid joined PPG in 1992 as a finance analyst at PPG Iberica in Rubi, Spain. Over his more than 25-year career with PPG, he has progressed through sales and marketing positions of increasing responsibility in industrial coatings and automotive OEM coatings in Spain, France and Switzerland. In 2008, Ardid was appointed market director automotive parts and accessories decorative and in 2013 added responsibility for all Central Europe automotive OEM accounts. Ardid was appointed to his current role as general manager, global adhesives and sealants in April 2015, where he was accountable to grow a newly combined adhesives and sealants business and was responsible for the integration of Revocoat.

Ardid earned a degree in economics from the University of Barcelona and a Masters in Finance from ESADE business school in Barcelona.

Marek joined PPG in 1994, through the acquisition of Nalco, as a market manager, pretreatment products, OEM coatings, based in Troy, Michigan. He held roles in automotive specialty products, industrial pretreatment and mill-applied products prior to moving to Pittsburgh as director, raw materials purchasing. In 2002, Marek joined the industrial coatings business as general manager. He returned to Michigan and the OEM coatings business in 2007 as general manager global automotive parts and accessories-decorative, and commercial vehicles, and was appointed president of PPG Kansai Automotive Finishes, in March, 2009. In 2014, Matt was appointed to his current position.

PPG: WE PROTECT AND BEAUTIFY THE WORLD™

At PPG, we work every day to develop and deliver the paints, coatings and materials that our customers have trusted for 135 years. Through dedication and creativity, we solve our customers’ biggest challenges, collaborating closely to find the right path forward. With headquarters in Pittsburgh, we operate and innovate in more than 70 countries and reported net sales of $14.8 billion in 2017. We serve customers in construction, consumer products, industrial and transportation markets and aftermarkets.

Posted July 18, 2018

Source: PPG

Fashions, Fabrics and Textiles from Around the World to be Showcased in Toronto August 20-22

TORONTO, Ontario – July 9, 2018 – Want to know what’s trending in the world of fashion across the globe? The Apparel Textile Sourcing Canada (ATSC) show will unveil to the Canadian market the latest and greatest in apparel from 20 countries August 20-22, 2018, in Toronto.

From a “Made in Ukraine” showcase introducing eight Ukrainian designers and manufacturers, to a display of offerings from China’s top 10 brands and the newest fashion innovations from countries such as Switzerland, Spain, the U.S., the U.K., India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Nepal, to Canadian-made futuristic clothing that diagnoses and treats health conditions, ATSC will present a three-day apparel and textile extravaganza at the Toronto International Centre.

Highlights of the event include more than 500 international exhibits, three days of seminars and panels, and a spectacular fashion show on August 21 at noon, spotlighting one-of-a-kind designs from established and up-and-coming Canadian designers, including internationally-popular Narces of Toronto. Nikki Wirthensohn Yassemi, Narces designer and creative director, learned tricks of the trade from her mother, who worked with esteemed British tailor Victor Edelstein, renowned for creating some of Princess Diana’s most iconic gowns.

“This is a not-to-be missed event for anyone wanting to make connections and do business with fashion, apparel and textile contacts across the globe,” said Jason Prescott, CEO of JP Communications, ATSC producer and North America’s leading publisher of B2B global trade platforms TopTenWholesale.com and Manufacturer.com.

“Nowhere else in Canada can you find this kind of opportunity for international apparel networking and product displays under one roof, without having to travel overseas.”

More than 5,000 visitors are expected to attend over the three-day event – now in its third year – including apparel and fashion executives, influencers, designers, retailers, importers, wholesalers, merchandisers, buyers and suppliers. A unique on-site business matchmaking service will be offered to bring overseas suppliers and contacts together with interested Canadian show attendees.

“As an example, China’s top 10 brands – being featured under the Brand China umbrella – have unique designs and innovations to offer and are eager to do business with Canadians,” Prescott said. “These are top, high-quality Chinese brands that are hugely popular in China and looking for Canadian representatives to import and distribute their products in a big way in this market – it’s an unprecedented opportunity.”

New to this year’s event is the addition of the China Brand Show, coming to Canada for the first time as part of ATSC and adding categories such as accessories, giftware, home electronics, footwear, luggage and housewares and general merchandise.

ATSC is supported by many international governments and associations, headed by the China Chamber of Commerce for Import and Export of Textile and Apparel (CCCT) and the Bangladesh High Commission on behalf of the Export Promotion Bureau and the Bangladesh Garment and Manufacturers Export Association. The event is also supported by the Taiwan Textile Association, the Federation of Indian

Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI), India’s Apparel Export Promotion Council (AEPC) and TFO Canada, experts in trade for developing countries.

Registration – which includes a three-day pass to both the exhibits and conference sessions – is free of charge. For more information or to register for the show, visit http://www.appareltextilesourcing.com/canada/
Posted July 18, 2018

Source: Apparel Textile Sourcing

Applied DNA Ships $1.15 Million Order In Fiscal 2018 Third Quarter To Tag Initial Cotton Harvest

STONY BROOK, N.Y. — July 17, 2018 — Applied DNA Sciences Inc. today announced that it received and shipped a $1.15 million order in its fiscal 2018 third quarter ended June 30, 2018, to tag cotton in the upcoming 2018-19 ginning season. The order for the Company’s SigNature T® platform technology will be used to tag, test and track three U.S. cotton varietals, Pima, Acala and Delta.

“We are pleased that ongoing efforts to build the market for tagged, traceable and sustainable cotton are converting into new orders across all three main US varietals, reflecting recurring use of tagged cotton across the home textile category,” said Dr. James A. Hayward, president and CEO of Applied DNA. “As brands and retailers continue to deploy strategies and technologies to ensure brand protection, label compliance and consumer assurance, our molecular taggant technology platform is ideally positioned to protect their supply chains by providing assurance of quality and provenance, and helps brands guarantee claims with certainty.”

Since 2014, over 200 million pounds of cotton have been tagged, representing the source of a total end-to-end traceability solution that is substantiated by forensic test data. Well over 5,000 DNA tests have been conducted on cotton tagged for the past 4 years. SigNature T technology utilizes fully-automated DNA Transfer Systems in the “Industrial Internet of Things” design that have been installed in 9 gins including one used this season to tag Australian cotton. The additional orders have not yet been received for the 2018-19 ginning season.

“The database of information we collect from the tagging and testing of cotton fiber now reaches into the millions of data points covering bale identity, spray quality and supply chain testing metrics to ensure true cotton integrity that can be preserved from source to the retail level,” continued Dr. Hayward. “The global implementation of proper controls for segregation of cotton at the gin all the way to finished goods ensures total traceability with no room for substitution.”

Posted July 18, 2018

Source: Applied DNA Sciences

Looking For Sustainable Fashion Tips? Spring Into Summer With Fashion Ideas And Latest Industry Updates Enabled By TENCEL™

SALZBURG, Austria — July 18, 2018 — Fashion is more than just looking good. Being able to feel good and do good are equally, if not more important. As concerns around the environmental impact of the fashion industry continue to rise, sustainability has been gaining more importance in consumer purchases.

Since February, a number of TENCEL™ (Lenzing’s flagship brand for textile) co-branding programs retail brands have been successfully introduced alongside iconic brands, including Los Angeles-based fashion brand Bella Dahl and global apparel brand ONLY. In addition, Lenzing has also been in the heart of the discussion of sustainable fashion driving the conversation of sustainable value chain at various industry events.

“We are committed to building a sustainable fashion industry and together with value chain partners and retail brands, we will bring Tencel branded collections closer to stakeholders and consumers at around the world. Textile products made with Tencel make a significant contribution to an improved environmental footprint for the textile industry. Research shows that consumers who bought a Tencel branded product are likely to buy it again, enabling consumer experience that echoes with our brand tagline ‘feels so right’,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, Chief Commercial Officer, Lenzing Group. More co-branding programs are in the pipeline and will be introduced in the coming months.

Here is an overview of the latest Tencel-enabled sustainable apparel offerings:

Bella Dahl’s Tencel-enabled Apparel Offers Extreme Comfort to Fashion Lovers

Bella Dahl, a popular Los Angeles based brand, recently incorporated Tencel branded Lyocell fibers into their product line, which features a unique fabrication and wash process that yields ultra-soft touch and smooth finish. Committed to protecting the planet, Bella Dahl adopts biodegradable fabric and a non-toxic solvent, which is recycled during the production of its products.

ONLY Introduces Ecological Black Forever Line with Lasting Color

ONLY incorporates Tencel branded fibers into an ecological Black Forever product line that utilizes new sustainable solutions. The concept, featuring cutting-edge innovation with black fabrics that provide incredible durability and lasting color, will be launched in July 2018 across all European stores and online.

Tencel Active Empowers Apparel to Keep Pace with Active Lifestyle

Being active isn’t just part of life, it’s a way of life. To ensure consumers to look good, feel good and do good amidst the rigors of a rapid lifestyle, Tencel Active is the total solution for apparel makers who want to tab the growing active-wear market. With botanic origin, Tencel Active defines a new standard of sustainability and natural comfort for people who love to stay active.

To support the growing industry focus towards sustainability, TENCEL™ has also been leading discussion of sustainable fashion through industry events in Asia, Europe and North America.

Lenzing Fosters Emerging Chinese Designers in Guangzhou

Lenzing and Guangzhou-based Indigo Tank co-hosted the T WAVE Fashion Show in Guangzhou, China to promote close collaboration of the fashion design community and empower young designers. The event was a crucial platform to showcase contemporary apparel from emerging designers and to elevate international recognition of local clothing designs in China.

Lenzing Drives Carbon Footprint Reduction in Vancouver and Makes Fashion Circular in Copenhagen

In May, Lenzing participated at Planet Textiles in Vancouver and Copenhagen Fashion Summit to drive positive change in the industry. At Planet Textiles, Lenzing joined key industry stakeholders for conversation around collaborative change in carbon footprint reduction. In Copenhagen, Lenzing joined some of the biggest names in fashion under the Make Fashion Circular initiative to create a thriving industry based on the principles of a circular economy.

In addition, Lenzing has also introduced some global initiatives to drive industry awareness towards sustainability.

Lenzing Continues to Drive Value Chain Transparency and Bring TENCEL™ Story to Asia

With increasing consumer demand for products which are ethically produced, sustainable and transparent, Lenzing recently launched the new E-Branding Service platform that allows value chain partners and customers to showcase their use of Lenzing fibers and develop co-branding campaigns to enhance product transparency and improve product value. Following the launch of TENCEL™ in February, Lenzing brought TENCEL™ to the 2018 Fibers & Yarns by Tecoya Group in Mumbai India and Indo Intertex, the biggest B2B2C Textile and Nonwoven trade fair in Indonesia. During Indo Intertex, Lenzing also provided participants of Indo Project Runway with textile materials like TENCEL™ woven fabric.

Posted July 18, 2018

Source: Lenzing Group

The Game Launches Hats With brrr° Cooling Technology

PHENIX CITY, Ala./ATLANTA — July 16, 2018 — The Game®, a premier brand in team headwear, is creating a new line of hats made with brrr°® cooling technology to keep athletes and consumers cooler and more comfortable than ever before.

brrr° technology has three unique cooling effects that immediately and continually move heat away from your body. brrr° combines natural cooling minerals with active wicking and rapid drying technologies to create a “Triple Chill Effect”™ that won’t ever fade or wash out. The material also offers maximum UV protection and it’s hypoallergenic.

“We’re excited that this cooling technology by brrr° can help keep athletes more comfortable so they perform their best, on the field and off,” said Chad Kennedy, national sales manager at The Game.

The Game makes custom designed headwear for universities, schools, community teams and recreation leagues for players of all ages, and will offer hats made with brrr° technology through its website and catalogue starting this summer.

“It’s great to bring brrr°’s proven cooling performance technology to headwear through this partnership with The Game,” said Mary-Cathryn Kolb, Founder and CEO of brrr°, who has worked in the apparel industry for more than 15 years and was formerly an executive at Spanx and TOMS shoes. “This is a great example of how brrr° can be integrated with a variety of fabrics that we touch and use in our everyday lives.”

The cooling and drying capabilities of brrr° fabric are lab tested and validated by internationally recognized independent labs.

Posted July 17, 2018

Source: brrr°/The Game®

Med Tech Company Launches Clothing Line That Protects The Skin Of “Butterfly” Children

MINNEAPOLIS — July 17, 2018 — Med tech innovator Tamarack Habilitation Technologies, Inc. is launching a clothing line specifically designed for children with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a painful, rare disease where any amount of friction causes the skin to blister and slough off.

The clothing incorporates GlideWear, Tamarack’s patented, low-friction fabric technology, over parts of the body at increased risk for injury, such as the elbows and knees. The GlideWear fabric protects the skin from harmful friction.

Being on the move is part of being a kid. But for a child with EB, even a slow-motion fall can mean a layer of skin being torn off the hands and knees. Their skin is so fragile it’s often compared to butterfly wings and kids with EB are called “butterfly children.” Parents of children with EB constantly worry about falls and the resulting blisters and wounds.

”Before GlideWear, my son frequently had open wounds on his knees and elbows. When he started wearing GlideWear clothing, the frequency of wounds reduced significantly. I’ve also seen him lying on his belly and propping himself up on his elbows — for the first time in his life! GlideWear has helped my son more than I dared to dream it would,” says Nina Schuppler, whose 4-year-old son has a mild version of recessive dystrophic EB.

According to the Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association of America (debra of America), 25,000 people in the United States have EB and 200 children with EB are born each year. With its new GlideWear clothing line, Tamarack hopes to provide these children with skin protection, comfort, and a higher quality of life.

“We’ve had remarkable results with the GlideWear prototypes we’ve made for kids with EB. We’re looking forward to helping even more kids by launching the GlideWear clothing line,” says Caroline Portoghese, Senior Clinical and Education Specialist at Tamarack.

Tamarack’s GlideWear team has also been working with the Blood and Marrow Transplant (BMT) Center at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital. Children with EB travel from around the world to receive bone marrow transplants through the hospital’s innovative program. Their initial experience with GlideWear is promising.

“The families we’re working with are beyond excited for these new GlideWear possibilities. The EB population is tightknit and when word gets out of a new product that might help their children, they pursue it,” says Gretchen Lilja BSN, RN, Pediatric BMT Nurse Coordinator at the University of Minnesota Masonic Children’s Hospital.

The new GlideWear EB clothing line will officially launch at the debra Care Conference, which takes place on July 22-25. Clothing and accessories for kids with EB are available at www.glidewear.com.

Posted July 17, 2018

Source: GlideWear

LENZING™ Redefined As Specialty Industrial Brand

BANGALORE, India — July 16, 2018 — The Lenzing Group at Techtextil Atlanta, on May 22nd, introduced LENZING™ as the specialty industrial brand, which provides smart solutions from botanic origins that are made in environmentally sound production processes. The LENZING™ brand covers a broad range of industrial applications ranging from agriculture to engineered products, packaging to protective wear and workwear. Also, the product brand LENZING™ will be positioned for the Biorefinery Business.

“To remain competitive in a constantly evolving business environment, Lenzing has decided to embark on a bold new course and adopt a new branding strategy that will enable us to simplify our brand portfolio, better protect and defend our trademarks, and minimize inefficiencies and inconsistencies,” said Robert van de Kerkhof, chief commercial officer, Lenzing Group. “The new branding strategy builds on the key pillars of our Core TEN strategy as we continue to strengthen our existing expertise in specialty fibers, innovate with customers and partners, and bring breakthrough technologies to the market. By redefining the LENZING™ brand, we can focus our efforts on solving tomorrow’s challenges with smart solutions from botanic origins that are inspired by the needs of the world.”

LENZING™ is a distinctive product brand that caters to the specific needs of Lenzing’s customers who focus on industrial applications. Branded offers of the LENZING™ brand portfolio includes:

  • LENZING™ for Protective Wear, which is enabled by inherently flame-resistant and breathable LENZING™ FR fibers which are produced in eco-responsible production process. Applications of LENZING™ for Protective Wear include firefighting usage, military and police usage, electric arc protection, metal splash protection, oil and gas industry usage, as well as motor sports;
  • LENZING™ for Workwear features adoption of LENZING™ Lyocell and LENZING™ Modal fibers to create fabrics suitable for a range of everyday consumer needs. Both fibers are produced via sustainable processes and are compostable and biodegradable, gentle on skin and strong, while ensuring comfort, durability and regulates body temperature;
  • LENZING™ for Packaging features usage of LENZING™ Lyocell and LENZING™ Modal fibers to provide environmentally sustainable solutions certified for food contact compliance. Applications can be found in tea bags, coffee pads, botanic nets, and reusable bags;
  • LENZING™ for Agriculture is enabled by LENZING™ Lyocell fibers, which are certified for food contact compliance, strong, biodegradable and compostable. Key application of LENZING™ for Agriculture include farming ropes for agriculture and horticulture;
  • LENZING™ for Engineered Products features adoption of LENZING™ Lyocell and LENZING™ Modal fibers to provide solutions for technical applications including electrical separators, filter media, coated fabrics;
  • LENZING™ for Biorefinery and Co-products offer a series of bio based products which make a major contribution to the optimum utilization of sustainably grown wood resources used in integrated cellulose and fiber production. Key offerings include food-grade LENZING™ Biobased Acetic Acid, LENZING™ Biobased Furfural, LENZING™ Biobased Magnesium-Lignosulphonate and LENZING™ Sodium Sulphate.

“In recent years, we have noticed a growing trend among industry partners to enhance transparency in the value chain and drive sustainability by the increasing use of renewable raw materials,” emphasized Bernard Alowonou, vice president, Global Business Management Industrial Applications, Lenzing Group. “The launch of a unique brand for industrial applications enables us to address these trends by fostering greater collaboration between Lenzing and our global customers and partners. Driving industrial application innovation, turning CO2 and sunlight into highly functional products is at our hearts. This combined with our existing and new partnerships allows us to be an epitome for promoting the circular economy”.

Following the introduction of TENCEL™, Lenzing’s specialty brand for apparel and home applications and VEOCEL™, the Group’s specialty nonwovens brand earlier this year, the introduction of LENZING™ specialty industrial brand completes the product brand architecture of the Lenzing Group.

“The introduction of the LENZING™ brand completes the comprehensive offering of Lenzing, which encompasses textile, nonwoven and industrial applications. Coupled with targeted communication programs, the new brand architecture will enable us to enhance clarity, generate awareness and strengthen exposure across different industry sectors. We will continue to work closely with customers and industry partners to drive innovation in functionality, performance and sustainability with our offerings across the industry value chain globally”, said Harold Weghorst, Director of Global Brand Management, Lenzing Group.

Posted July 17, 2018

Source: The Lenzing Group

Hexcel, Gazechim Join To Provide Kitting Services To Aerospace, Defense And Industrial Markets

STAMFORD, Conn. — July 17, 2018 — Hexcel Corp. and Groupe Gazechim Composites, an official Hexcel distributor for more than 20 years, have reached agreement to provide customized kitting services for advanced composite materials sold to aerospace and defense customers and for high-performance industrial applications.

The joint venture, named HexCut Services, brings together Hexcel — a provider of advanced composites — and Gazechim to provide pan-European kitting services that will include Hexcel’s innovative carbon fiber prepreg and other composite materials such as adhesives and fabrics for aerospace, defense and industrial applications. Pre-cut kits save customers time and investment, reduce inventory and minimize material losses through scrap reduction.

Gazechim’s existing kitting plant in Maulévrier, 75 kilometers east of Nantes, France, acquired in 2016, will be the initial hub for providing pre-cut kits to customers as well as central services in the future to a network of local kitting facilities in Europe.

Thierry Merlot, Hexcel President – Aerospace, Europe, MEA and Asia/Pacific, said, “This is a great opportunity for us to join together with Gazechim, a trusted and well-established partner, to offer our leading advanced composite products to customers in a way that helps them become more productive and profitable.”

Gazechim will own a majority share of the joint venture. Jean Guittard, Chairman Gazechim, said, “This project marks a new era between Hexcel and Gazechim and consolidates our long-term partnership of almost 20 years.”

Posted July 17, 2018

Source: Hexcel

Loepfe Invests In Its Corporate Headquarters In Switzerland

WETZIKON, Switzerland — July 2018 — Developed and manufactured in Switzerland — this is one of the key USPs of products from Loepfe Brothers Ltd. Today the company announced a substantial investment in the extension of its headquarters in Wetzikon, Switzerland. Construction of the new headquarters building, which will add two additional stories on top of the existing production building, started earlier this month. With a total of 2,500 m2 floor space it will have enough room for some 60 offices in combination with modern meeting facilities and a canteen for the employees.

The building will accommodate the general management, R&D, the service teams, product management, financial management, and HR. “The new building will open up the opportunity for all departments within Loepfe to further grow, to work together much closer, to enjoy modern offices and labs and to offer customer and supplier trainings in state of the art facilities,” said Daniel Link, CEO, Loepfe Brothers, during a barbeque, which was organized to celebrate the official start of the construction phase for the new building together with Loepfe´s staff.

The extension will be built in a modern wooden construction, which reflects the commitment of the company to environmental sustainability. With the investment in its headquarters Loepfe renews its commitment to the Swiss based operation. The new corporate headquarters is also a strong sign to present the company as a modern and attractive high tech employer in the region. “We are looking forward to a promising future in the coming decades here in the Zurich Oberland region,” Link said.

July 17, 2018

Source: Loepfe Brothers Ltd.

Uniquetex Announces The Installation Of Two Spunmelt Lines

GROVER, N.C. — July 5, 2018 — Uniquetex LLC — a joint venture between Foshan Nanhai Beautiful Nonwoven Co. Ltd. and Chaolong Textile Machinery Co., Ltd (CL Enterprise) both based in China — has installed its first two spunmelt lines, capable of producing  more than 10,000 tons of SS and SMS engineered nonwoven fabrics and composite materials. This development allows the company to begin production and start serving its current customer base of more than 100 companies. Uniquetex primarily serves the industrial, home furnishing, packaging, medical and hygiene markets by providing 100-percen Made in USA nonwoven goods. The company offers integrated converting capabilities from nonwoven roll goods to post-treatment, from cut-and-sew to finished package products, and newly launched elastic nonwovens and composites.

Dwight Fillers, vice president of sales, commented on Uniquetex’s current value proposition. “Uniquetex has its own spunmelt technology that can offer finer fiber denier extrusion for superior softness and great comfort to meet the market demand, especially in the hygiene and medical markets,” Fillers said. “Our nonwoven technology also provides us with the flexibility and a cost-effective way to make and customize elastic nonwovens. Combined with the company’s two parent companies’ technical expertise and integrated nonwoven manufacturing experience, we are confident in establishing Uniquetex in the global market for a bright future.”

Uniquetex has 100 acres of land and a 360,000-square-foot building in Grover, N.C. Over the next five years, Uniquetex plans to produce more than 10,000 metric tons of SS and SMS engineered nonwoven fabrics and specialized composites annually. The company targets industrial, medical, hygiene markets and technical specialties.

Posted July 16, 2018

Source: Uniquetex

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