VIVOBAREFOOT Takes Another Major Sustainability Step With Plant-based Shoes

SAN DIEGO — September 10, 2018 — On the heels of its recent Eco line release, leading global barefoot footwear company VIVOBAREFOOT announced today plans to bring a plant-based shoe range to the market. The new Primus Bio range will use a plant-based polymer — a product based on industrial field corn — in its sole and upper and will be the lightest and most environmentally-sound shoe range available to-date. The Primus Bio is Vivobarefoot’s latest step in the quest to use 90 percent sustainable materials across its entire product range by 2020.

Seventh-generation shoemakers Galahad and Asher Clark are firm believers that barefoot shoe-making is sustainable shoe making. The company has already pioneered shoes made of repurposed algae (Ultra 3 BLOOM), and an Eco range made of 50 percent recycled plastic, with 17 recycled bottles per pair. In 2017, Vivobarefoot diverted over 2 million plastic bottles from landfills into barefoot shoes.

60 percent of the outsole and 30 percent of the upper of the Primus Bio is made from Susterra® propanediol based Bio-TPU — making a shoe that we believe to be the least petroleum-reliant performance shoe in the world. Susterra Propanediol is created through a fermentation process using plant-derived glucose from the starch found in field corn and is petroleum-free, non-toxic and 100-percent USDA certified. The material gives shoes greater flexibility in the cold and is incredibly resilient to abrasions and general wear. Susterra propanediol uses 52-percent less energy than the standard petroleum-based materials used by the global footwear industry and 32-percent less greenhouse gas emissions.

“Sustainability is our journey and we believe that the perfect shoe has minimal interference with natural movement and minimal impact on the environment,” said Asher Clark, design director at Vivobarefoot. “The Primus Bio champions the future of sustainable materials which I believe will be largely bio-based. This is an exciting step in the right direction away from the single use petroleum-based alternatives commonly used in athletic footwear and every action counts in our journey of redefining the world’s relationship with environmentally-damaging materials,” added Clark.

The Primus Bio will be available to purchase from the Vivobarefoot website in 2019.

Posted September 11, 2018

Source: DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Company, LLC

Shaw Industries Ranked Fourth On ELearning! Magazine’s 2018 Learning! 100 List

DALTON, Ga. — September 11, 2018 — Shaw Industries Group Inc., a floorcovering provider, gained national recognition as a high-achieving private sector company through ELearning! Magazine’s® The Learning! 100. Honored for the eighth-consecutive year, Shaw is the only flooring manufacturer to be recognized on the 2018 Learning! 100 List.

Contributing to the company’s high ranking is its dedication to investing in its associates by offering learning opportunities through Shaw Learning Academy (SLA). Shaw provides more than 1 million hours of training annually, offering diverse solutions and platforms to meet the various learning needs of its associates and customers. By promoting innovative thinking and utilizing high-quality learning programs, SLA allows Shaw’s associates and customers to reach their highest potential.

Shaw’s comprehensive, competency-based talent model also supports the company’s superior ranking. The talent model aligns key associate skills and behaviors to strategic business objectives, encouraging leadership development, continuous learning and innovation within the organization while imbuing associates with a sense of empowerment.

“As an associate, from the day you walk in the door to the day you retire, Shaw’s commitment to continuous learning is apparent,” said Torrance Ford, Shaw’s director of talent management. “Investing in our associates and customers through training is the Shaw Way, which enables us to not only achieve our business goals, but deliver on our vision to create a better future.”

The Learning! 100 list is comprised of 60 corporate enterprises and 40 public sector organizations that are evaluated across three criteria: Collaborative Strategies’ Collaboration Index, Darden School’s Learning Culture Index and overall organizational performance. Every submission is evaluated on the same criteria, scores are totaled and ranked to generate the Learning! 100.

Posted September 11, 2018

Source: Shaw Industries Group, Inc.

Monarch And BMSvision Join Forces To Bring Industry 4.0 To The Knitting Industry

KORTRIJK, Belgium — September 11, 2018 — Monarch, a supplier of high-end circular knitting machines and Belgium based BMSvision have entered into a cooperation agreement for the development, marketing, installation and service of a state-of-the-art Manufacturing Execution System (MES) for the circular knitting industry. The system, which is based on the proven BMSvision KnitMaster architecture, is marketed as MMS – Monarch Monitoring System.

Using the LAN interface board of the Monarch machine, all production data is automatically collected and sent to the MMS server for real-time analysis and reporting. An additional interface has been developed with the LGL feeders on the machine providing real-time information of yarn tension and yarn consumption in the MMS monitoring application. Older machines or machines from any other brand are connected by means of one of BMSvision touch screen based data collection terminals.

Powerful analysis tools allow quick identification of bottlenecks resulting in optimal usage of production capacities. In case a problem is detected on a certain machine, such as high stop level, deviation in yarn feed…, automatic alarm messages are sent to the supervisors allowing an immediate reaction and correction of the problem. Managers can build their own personalized dashboards for a quick and transparent analysis and evaluation of their KPIs.

The integrated job scheduling module automatically calculates the time needed for every single job and updates it based on real-time information such as actual speed, efficiency and stop level of the machine. By means of simple “drag & drop” functions, the planner easily assigns jobs to machines.

MMS is available in three versions: MMS Basic for machine monitoring, MMS Plus which includes also a complete scheduling software module and MMS Advanced as the full option MES system.

With this co-operation, Monarch wants to support its customers in their path to digital, paperless production and offer them customized solutions for better utilization of their machines as well as for increasing their overall equipment effectiveness (OEE).

Posted September 11, 2018

Source: BMSvision

Innovation In The Fibre World: Focus Of Talks At GFC

DORNBIRN, Austria — September 12-14, 2018 — For more than 15 years, RadiciGroup has been a constant presence at the Global Fiber Congress, the international meeting on innovation in fibers that takes place in Dornbirn, Austria.

About 700 specialists from 30 countries are taking part in the 57th edition of the event, during which over 100 lectures will take stock of the situation in the evolving fiber world, with particular emphasis on the topics of the circular economy and sustainability. Participants will also have the opportunity to explore special areas of application more in depth, for instance, the automotive sector.

“With these themes as a focus during the three days in Austria,” said Arturo Andreoni, marketing and R&D director of RadiciGroup Performance Yarn, who has been on the GFC program committee for many years, “RadiciGroup brings its experience as a manufacturer of innovative synthetic fibres that meet the needs of a continually evolving market, increasingly more demanding from a performance point of view. And the Group wants to share its circular approach to business. Our message for the entire production chain revolves around the concept of mechanical recycling: synthetic fibres, especially those with high physical-mechanical properties, can be recycled at the end of their useful life, for example, for new technical and industrial uses in the plastics field.”

Recycling is possible if polyamide production is vertically integrated. In Europe, RadiciGroup is the only manufacturer that can guarantee and has full control of its whole production process, from polymer chemicals to synthetic fibres and engineering plastics, including end-of-life recycling.

On Wednesday, 12 September, at 3.10 pm in Hall C, during the Recycling – Circular Economy session, Filippo Servalli, marketing and sustainability director of RadiciGroup, will give a talk entitled “RadiciGroup – Our approach to the Circular Economy”.

As for new products for the automotive sector, the RadiciGroup Performance Yarn Business Area offers a range of yarn increasingly in line with market needs. The products of reference are PA 6 and PA 6.10 BCF yarn, which blend lightness, durability, design, sustainability and reduced costs to meet the requirements of new trends. From electric autos to autopiloted cars, car interiors are studied in great detail with the goal of offering comfortable spaces to enjoy as entertainment centers.

“Based on our experience in the field,” Andreoni concluded, “we are convinced that PA 6 or PA 6.10 BCF tufted carpets are the best solution for the automotive industry, because they ensure quality, performance and easy maintenance with remarkable cost efficiency, thanks to the focused effort of the Performance Yarn Business Area.”

In the “Transportation and Mobility” session, on the morning of 13 September in Hall B, Piero Saragat, Product Manager – Automotive yarn of RadiciGroup Performance Yarn, will present “New trends in automotive carpeting” (11:25 am).

Posted September 11, 2018

Source: RADICIGROUP

Conquering The 3rd Dimension – Sympatex To Introduce Its Revolutionary UTMOSPHERIC™ Shoe Technology At The Lineapelle Milan Trade Show

MUNICH/UNTERFOEHRING, Germany — September 11, 2018 — Using a sophisticated, innovative process, Sympatex Technologies has developed a manufacturing technology that allows lasting three-dimensional shape forming of their laminates. Sympatex *UTMOSPHERIC™ is produced by means of a thermal moulding process, and is a liner that adapts perfectly to the shape of the foot, without seams and creases and without compromising the quality and functionality of the laminate. Combined with appropriate textiles, the sustainable polyester-based high-performance membrane from Sympatex is the perfect base material for this. Utmospheric will be presented to the general public for the first time at the Sympatex booth (Hall 22P M11-M19/N12-N20) at this year’s Lineapelle trade show (September 25-27, 2018, Milan).

With Utmospheric, the traditional process involved in producing a liner can in future be made redundant when manufacturing a waterproof outdoor shoe. Today, a shoe of this nature is pretty much expected to be not only waterproof but also breathable to ensure that your feet stay dry and comfortable even during strenuous hikes and ascents. Manufacturing the interior of such a shoe is, however, generally still a complex manual process. Since the necessary membrane-based functional laminate has until now only been available in two-dimensional form, it takes a great deal of time and effort to create a three-dimensional foot shape. At the same time, the cuts and seams required to achieve this inevitably damage the membrane, which means that water impermeability properties then have to be re-created in the final steps by means of tape. While this has been an accepted method in the industry so far, these times are now finally over. Instead, a thermally moulded three-dimensional Utmospheric liner is optimised to fit the required final shape and can directly be integrated in the existing manufacturing processes.

“It can reasonably be expected that this innovation will open up a completely new chapter in the development of outdoor shoes, as it offers significant improvements both for the manufacturer, on the process side, and for the customer, in terms of added comfort”, says Dr. Rüdiger Fox, CEO at Sympatex Technologies. “We were guided by lean principles in our innovation process, and simply refused to accept that you first have to perforate and cut up waterproof materials, only to then seal them again by means of complex handicraft”, adds Fox.

Prototype series for the first pilot customers have already been in the development phase for several weeks, and will be launched during the course of next year. Due to the overwhelming feedback, production machine development has also already been started, with a view to going into full series production by the end of 2019 at the latest. Plans for modular production facilities in the manufacturing countries are also already in place.

* UTMOSPHERIC™ = utmost + spheric

Posted September 11, 2018

Source: Sympatex Technologies GmbH

ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 Exhibitor Preview: Trützschler

MÖNCHENGLADBACH — September 10, 2018 — In Shanghai, all Trützschler divisions will exhibit current and new products on a 600 m2 area.

Highlights on the stand:

  • TD 10 The new Trützschler autoleveller draw frame – ITMA ASIA marks the launch of the new Draw Frame TD 10. It features increased compactness and has a highly modern regulating system. This results in a significant increase in control dynamics and an improvement in sliver quality.
Despite 20% less space requirement, it was possible to increase the filter once more.
The intelligent SMART CREEL in combination with T-LED offers an unprecedented level of functional reliability and more comfort for the operator and mill manager.

Digitalization and connectivity are not only catchwords at Trützschler: Machines connected to T-Data allow a real-time quality monitoring.

  • TC 15 Benchmark in productivity- A whole range of individual measures ensure performance increases compared to the predecessor machine. In addition to high productivity, the 1.28 m wide Card TC 15 stands for increased sliver evenness and improved running behaviour. Trützschler will demonstrate the high flexibility with five different sliver coiling systems on the stand.
  • TC 10 The most successful card in China – Made in China – for China. The Card TC 10 is the card for the Chinese market. This Trützschler card in the traditional working width of one metre has been specifically designed for the Chinese market.
  • T-MOVE Space saving and increased efficiency – The can filling station does more than just save space. The new moving head allows a can change at high delivery speeds. This improves card efficiency. T-MOVE is also designed for JUMBO CANS with 1,200 mm diameter.
  • T-SCAN Five technologies work hand in hand for highest separation rates – In the Foreign Part Separator T-SCAN TS-T5, five detection technologies ensure an all-time high separation efficiency:
    • F-module
    • G-module
    • P-module
    • UV-module
    • LED-module
  • IDF-Vortex – Shortened preparation system for air-jet yarns – In cooperation with the Japanese company Murata, the leading manufacturer of air-jet spinning machines, Trützschler has developed a new sliver preparation technology. When processing viscose, two of three draw frame passages can be eliminated. This represents an enormous economic advantage.
  • T-WIND Semi-automatic Surface Winder TWW-SD – Robust master roll winders are used when the production of ready-for – sale rolls is decoupled from the nonwovens production. The two-stage configuration with downstream unwinding, slitting and winding increases process stability. The Surface Winder TWW-SD provides an appropriate solution for spunlace systems, for a variety of thermal bonding processes as well as for technical nonwovens. Winding of master rolls up to 1,800 mm diameter and system speeds up to 300 m/min can be realized.
  • GX1 The cylinder clothing that no longer requires grinding – The new GX1 clothing has been specifically developed for all spinning processes in the area of cotton. Improved fibre guidance results in less short fibre content and significantly better nep separation. The clothing is basically maintenance-free, but can also be ground when required.
  • NOVOTOP 30 The very special flat clothing – The flat clothing NOVOTOP 30 has been newly developed for the processing of coarse and/or dyed fibers and reclaimed fibers for rotor spinning.
It is ideally suited for use with yarn counts below Ne 10 and realises high production speeds. The flat type NT 30 is available as MAGNOTOP and CLASSICTOP.

Posted September 11, 2018

Source: Trützschler

Teijin Frontier To Participate In Première Vision Paris

TOKYO — September 10, 2018 — Teijin Frontier Co. Ltd., the Teijin Group’s fibers and products converting company, announced today that it will participate in Première Vision Paris, a major global event for fashion industry professionals that will be held in Paris from September 19 to 21.

The “TEIJINTEX® by TEIJIN FRONTIER” (stand 6G22-6H29) will feature mainly two top-quality materials — SOLOTEX and DELTAPEAK — along with displays of eco-friendly materials and high-functional fabric in daily use for Autumn/Winter.

Exhibits will include:

  • Solotex is a polytrimethylene terephthalate fiber that is soft, stretchable, shape-retaining, dimensionally stable and brightly colored owing to its spring-like molecular structure. Several versions will be presented, including shape memory fabric and wool like fabric. Partially bio-derived Solotex is an environmentally friendly choice for next-generation clothing.
  • Deltapeak is a next-generation polyester fabric that combines excellent physical properties with high levels of functionality and quality. Thanks to its dense, flat-knit surface, Deltapeak is a wonderfully multifunctional material that has been adopted by a range of global sports-apparel brands. 4-dimentional bulky Deltapeak and a new Deltapeak two-in-one sweat-suit fabric that combines water-repelling and sweat-absorbing property are new line in the Deltapeak series. They are an excellent choice as a high-performance material for a wide range of applications including casual, athleisure and more.

Première Vision Paris, held twice yearly, is expecting to attract some 60,000 visitors and over 1,900 exhibiting companies from 57 countries this year. Teijin Frontier, which will mark its seventh appearance in the show, aims to further raise its profile and continue expanding its market, mainly in Europe.

Posted September 10, 2018

Source: Teijin Ltd.

Clariant Confirms SABIC To Complete Purchase Of 24.99-Percent Stake In Clariant After Receiving All Regulatory Approvals

MUTTENZ, Germany — September 10, 2018 — Specialty chemicals manufacturer Clariant today announced that SABIC has received the final outstanding regulatory approvals from the competition authorities for the purchase of a 24.99% stake in Clariant. Therefore, an unconditional closing of the purchase will take place in the next days which makes SABIC Clariant’s largest strategic anchor shareholder, and second anchor shareholder beside the group of former shareholders of Süd-Chemie.

SABIC, the world’s third largest diversified chemical company and a long-standing partner of Clariant in the Catalyst joint venture Scientific Design, entered into a purchase agreement regarding the acquisition of the stake in Clariant in January 2018.

“With SABIC receiving all the regulatory approvals and the transaction set to be completed, we look forward to further developing the strategic relationship between both companies in order to generate value for all stakeholders”, said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant.

Clariant and SABIC are discussing about possible future collaborations that will generate value for the stakeholders of both companies. Any outcome of these discussions will be presented in due course.

Posted September 10, 2018

Source: Clariant

ITMA Asia + CITME 2018 Exhibitor Preview: ANDRITZ

GRAZ, Austria — September 10, 2018 — International technology Group ANDRITZ will be presenting its innovative nonwovens and textile finishing technologies for the Asian markets at the ITMA ASIA + CITME 2018 show to be held at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai, China, from October 15 to 19 (hall H2, booth A24). In response to market demands, ANDRITZ has yet again raised the bar for turnkey and customized solutions for drylaid, spunjet, thermobonding, and wetlaid, as well as for conversion of absorbent hygiene products. ANDRITZ offers unique technologies tailored to each customer’s individual needs.

ANDRITZ Air-through bonding technology – A NEW SOLUTION FOR THE hygiene Market

Air-through bonding lines are the preferred choice for producing nonwovens with the best quality of softness and bulk for acquisition and distribution layers, top sheets, and back-sheet products. With ANDRITZ carding machines and the new flat belt oven, customers benefit from high production capacities and high-performance fabrics from 16 to 80 gsm, produced with bicomponent fibers. Several Chinese customers have already invested in ANDRITZ aXcess carding machines, which provide perfect web uniformity. In addition, the CETI (European Center for Innovative Textiles) in Lille, France, has recently installed an air-through bonding oven from ANDRITZ. Customers can compare the technical results obtained from two different options: bonding with the flat belt oven or with the drum (both supplied by ANDRITZ). If customers would like to see the new solution for themselves, they are most welcome to conduct trials at the CETI (European Center for Innovative Textiles) in Lille, France.

Full drylaid processes OFFER with the andritz axcess range

Thanks to its aXcess portfolio, ANDRITZ offers the full range of drylaid processes for medium production capacities. During the past few months, Chinese spunlace producers have invested in several aXcess lines with direct-line and crosslapped configurations manufactured by ANDRITZ Wuxi. This booming market goes hand in hand with new trends such as the development of the facemask industry and continues to be driven by the growth of wipes applications.

In the medium-capacity needlepunch area, ANDRITZ signed a cooperation agreement in 2017 with ShanTou SanFai Nonwoven Machinery, a leading supplier of needlelooms in China. This cooperation fits together perfectly, uniting the advantages of proven technologies and providing reliable solutions for a wide range of applications in the needlepunch industry. The ANDRITZ aXcess range for web forming and SanFai’s needlelooms offer a big advantage in terms of investment security, innovation, and quality, and this combination also meets the increasing demands of a strong, growing market.

To better serve the local market, ANDRITZ Wuxi focuses on increasing efficiency and shortening delivery time – from project management and design, to service work.

New development in textile calendering

With the latest development in textile calendering, ANDRITZ in co-operation with Rolf Ramisch, who has over 45 years of experience in this specific business and commands excellent expertise in deflection-controlled roll technology, is again raising the bar for the textile calender market. The new teXcal raconip calender is versatile, operator friendly, and provides IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) features for a smart production process. Sensors on the machine collect and archive all machine data and send them to a monitoring system. This intelligent production equipment offers a transparent and optimized process as well as a forecast for maintenance planning. In addition, the calender includes an optimized, deflection-controlled roll with unrestricted profiling possibilities over the entire roll width. This ensures maximum production flexibility and reproducible product properties – e.g. absolute flatness and ideal air permeability for technical textiles.

The ANDRITZ team is looking forward to meeting you at ITMA ASIA + CITME 2018 and to presenting its wide range of innovative products adapted to the Asian market.

Posted September 10, 2018

Source: International technology Group ANDRITZ

INDA Recruits Industry’s Most Talented Students To Enter STEM Fields At Nonwovens And Engineered Material Companies

CARY, N.C. — September 10, 2018 — INDA is once again hitting some of the nation’s top college campuses this fall to promote in-demand STEM jobs in the burgeoning nonwovens/engineered materials industry as part of its Academic Outreach Initiative.

Launched in 2017 with the creation of the new position of Assistant Director of Career Services, INDA has been actively working with INDA member companies to help them fill entry-level positions with bright and talented college students from flagship universities. Based on its first-year success, INDA is building on the program.

INDA has been successful in its continuous outreach that includes its Career Corner with posted resumes and available entry-level, internship and career positions on its website; participating in career fairs at college universities; and partnering with member companies at strategic universities to actively promote and fill open positions.

Exciting expansion plans for this academic year include conducting department-specific information sessions with inquisitive students, participating in academic camps held at universities and helping member companies host field trips to their companies for half-day visits.

Partnerships Formed

INDA’s Academic Outreach Initiative has brought results for both hiring companies and job seekers. In the 2017-18 academic year, INDA engaged with more than 2,000 college students at 18 career fairs at a dozen universities. Member companies were provided 40-plus quality resumes for each career fair attended.

“I have been very impressed with INDA’s strategy to partner and focus energies on building connections between students and employers in the industry,” said Barb Hamann, PHR, SHRM-CP, Corporate Recruiter at Rockline Industries. “I am not aware of any other Association that has taken this approach for building future interest and prioritizing a workforce development initiative like this.”

Akshay Jain, a 2017 graduate of Texas Tech with a Master’s in Industrial Engineering, worked with INDA’s Assistant Director of Career Services Justin Gutierrez to find a position as Associate Scientist, Global Product Development at Rockline Industries.

“INDA’s Academic Outreach Initiative and Career Corner was a great resource during my job search,” Jain said. “INDA’s market analysis and news helped me in understanding the industry and Justin Gutierrez provided insight into how to match my skill set with an innovative nonwoven company.”

Career Fairs

INDA’s Academic Outreach Committee and Gutierrez have been aggressively promoting nonwoven/engineered materials as a diverse technology-oriented, exciting industry solving real problems.  At career fairs, members share adjacent booths with INDA to position the overall industry and specific opportunities.

Member companies participating in the Academic Outreach initiative include Berry Global, Inc., Fibertex Nonwovens, Fitesa, Freudenberg Performance Materials LP, Glatfelter, Johns Manville Corporation, Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Lydall Performance Materials, Proctor & Gamble Co., Suominen, and The Nonwovens Institute.

INDA will be at the following career fairs for STEM majors: Virginia Tech (Sept. 11-12); NC State University (Sept. 18-19); University of Tennessee (Sept. 24); NC State University College of Textiles (Sept. 26); Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology (Oct. 3); East Carolina (Oct. 17). INDA will also exhibit career opportunities for all majors at Auburn University on Oct. 30.

For details on the Academic Outreach Initiative program contact:  Justin Gutierrez, Assistant Director of Career Services, jgutierrez@inda.org. Visit the Career Corner employment resource portal at http://www.inda.org/CareerCorner. Job listings for INDA members are a free service.

Posted September 10, 2018

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

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