WAKAYAMA, Japan — September 20, 2024 — Flat knitting technology company SHIMA SEIKI Mfg., Ltd. based in Wakayama, Japan, will be participating in the ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 exhibition in Shanghai, China in October. In line with its exhibition concept at ITMA 2023 and ITMA Asia + CITME 2022 held last year, Shima Seiki continues the concept for this year’s exhibition: “SHIMA SEIKI Reborn.”
The concept signifies the renewal of our passion and commitment to innovation, manifesting in physical form as the R-generation machines. At ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 visitors to the Shima Seiki booth will be presented with the latest flat knitting technology, in the form of new machines, new gauges and new features, including the long-awaited production version of the SWG-XR® WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines based on the highly acclaimed prototypes at both Milan and Shanghai the previous year.
SWG-XR is the spiritual successor and ‘Reborn’ version of the original SWG®-X WHOLEGARMENT knitting machine which debuted at ITMA Milan in 1995. Featuring 4 needle beds and Shima Seiki’s original SlideNeedle™, SWG-XR is capable of producing high-quality fine gauge WHOLEGARMENT products in all needles, with 25 percent higher productivity and wider range of patterning compared with the previous- generation MACH2®XS flagship. Two SWG-XR machines will be shown in different knitting widths, one of which will be paired with the i-DYCS® “intelligent Digital Yarn Changer System” option for changing colors on the fly for up to 32 colors with the device alone.
In addition to machine technology, demonstrations will be held on Shima Seiki’s APEXFiz® subscription-based design software featuring the latest upgrades. Various web services as part of the Shima Seiki Online Services web platform will be presented as comprehensive digital solutions that enhance the APEXFiz user experience by streamlining and promoting sustainable production.
With a comprehensive display of its latest products and services, Shima Seiki technology at ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 will demonstrate smart, speedy and sustainable production that further secures its leading role as flat knitting solutions provider.
Exhibit Details
Exhibition: ITMA Asia + CITME 2024
Date: Monday, 14th – Friday, 18th October 2024
Hours: 9:00AM – 5:00PM (final day: – 4:00PM)
Location: National Exhibition & Convention Center (NECC) No. 168 East Yinggang Road, Shanghai, CHINA
GESCHER, Germany— September 20, 2024 — More than 2.5 million euros was invested in a new coating tenter frame with a 3,200-mm-working-width, new calender with a 3,200-mm-working-width, and in a technical update of the Zimmer´s printing system — 10 colors, 2850 mm working width.
As a potential new player in the military fabric printing market, we are launching a capacity of 2,800,000 running meters up from 2025.
We process weights from 25 to 650 g/m² on the printing system and print on woven fabrics, nonwovens, films, and membranes.
The new equipment boasts the latest technology in rotary screen printing. etv’s modernized rotary screen printer will allow the manufacturer to process a complex range of technical textiles, from lightweight fabrics e.g., for waterproof or medical applications, to heavy weights for building & construction or home textiles.
Conductive prints, smart textiles have also been developed on the new system.
This new investment is etv’s strategic move to grow through new applications in a stagnant textile environment.
Dirk Tunney, etv’s managing director, said: “These investments are hugely important for our business. We expect noticeable new business from the second half of 2025.”
Posted: September 20, 2024
Source: etv/ETV EING TEXTIL-VEREDLUNG GmbH & Co. KG
FRANKFURT AM MAIN, Germany— September 20, 2024 — With 49 exhibiting member companies, ITMA ASIA + CITME, taking place October 14-19 in Shanghai, will see again a strong VDMA participation. German exhibitors make up the largest foreign presence at the trade fair.
The exhibiting VDMA members cover nearly all different machinery chapters with a focus on spinning and manmade fibers, nonwovens, weaving, braiding, knitting & hosiery, finishing & dyeing and textile processing. The heading of this year’s VDMA activities in Shanghai will be “smart technologies for green textile production.” The VDMA members are committed to reducing the consumption of resources in the textile value chain with highly efficient technologies. The goal is to utilize potential for resources, such as textile material, water, energy and chemicals, to minimize CO2 emissions. So, for VDMA members the show is an opportunity to reassert that they remain at the forefront of new ideas, products and technologies in the textile machinery sector.
With a view to the expectations for this year’s ITMA ASIA, Dr. Harald Weber, managing director of the VDMA Textile Machinery Association, said: “ITMA ASIA 2023 was the first edition of the show after the Covid pandemic. After years of lockdowns and travel restrictions, people could meet again, which made the event something special. In the meantime, the economic situation has deteriorated noticeably. But there is some light at the end of the tunnel. This makes the participation of VDMA member companies at ITMA ASIA 2024 even more important. The presence at the event is essential to ensure an exchange of information between machinery manufacturers and textile producers in Asia and to get ready for the sector’s restart.”
Throughout the last years, around 50 percent of the German exports of textile machinery and accessories went to Asia. Between January and July 2024, textile machinery worth about 580 million euros have been shipped from Germany to Asia, a decrease of 25 percent compared to 2023 due to the weak global economic situation. With 240 million euros, the biggest export market was again China, followed by India, Bangladesh, Uzbekistan, Pakistan and Vietnam.
The VDMA team in Shanghai is staffed again with colleagues from the VDMA headquarters in Germany as well as from VDMA China. With these joined forces, the team is well prepared to support the exhibiting member companies on site.
LENZING, Austria— September 20, 2024 — VEOCEL™, the flagship specialty nonwovens brand of Lenzing Group, highlighted its commitment to innovation and providing solutions to help address the global plastic crisis at the “SEA of Solutions 2024” (SoS) event organized by SEA circular — an initiative by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Coordinating Body on the Seas of East Asia (COBSEA) on September 18 in Bangkok, Thailand.
UN’s SEA of Solutions 2024
Since its launch in 2019, SoS has served as a platform for sharing best practices, fostering collaboration, and exploring solutions to address plastic pollution. Lenzing’s participation builds on longstanding efforts to provide cellulosic fibers for the nonwovens industry that are high quality, manufactured with high production standards with low emissions to air and water1, and minimize the reliance on synthetic materials. Guided by the company’s “Naturally Positive” strategy2 the VEOCEL brand has been pioneering the acceleration of systemic transformation by driving conversations around preventing plastic pollution and advancing effective end-of-life product solutions3.
On the theme of “Re-designing for a Circular Plastics Economy,” Norma Schönherr, Manager of Partnerships for Sustainability at Lenzing AG, Nonwovens, shared VEOCEL’s best practice examples to “Tackling Microplastics Pollution by Advancing to Cellulosic Fibers.” Schönherr emphasized how Lenzing’s VEOCEL fibers that are wood-based4, biodegradable and compostable5 can serve as a more responsible alternative to synthetic, plastic-based materials, particularly in applications such as personal hygiene and sanitary products.
VEOCEL fibers contribute to the circular economy which seeks to minimize resource depletion and maximize sustainability. For example, scientists at the prestigious academic research institute Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) at the University of California, San Diego confirmed back in 2021 that VEOCEL Lyocell fibers completely biodegrade in sea-surface conditions in a remarkably short time6. The results of their experiments are striking; while the wood-based cellulosic fibers fully biodegraded within 30 days, both in sea- surface and sea-floor conditions, the petroleum-based fibers tested were practically unchanged after more than 200 days.
“At Lenzing, we are deeply committed to working closely with our value chain partners to advance sustainable solutions and help the industry progress on its sustainability roadmap,” said Monique Buch, executive vice president Nonwovens at Lenzing AG on their attendance at the event. “Our participation in the United Nations’ SEA of Solutions event this year underscores our dedication to tackling plastic pollution through collaboration and knowledge sharing among stakeholders around the world.”
The VEOCEL brand portfolio includes totally chlorine-free lyocell and viscose fibers, as well as high- performance hydrophobic fibers. All VEOCEL’s fibers originate from wood as a source, and do not fall under the plastic definition of the EU’s Single-Use Plastics Directive (SUPD)7 and thus provide a strong, functional alternative to synthetic fibers. Looking ahead, VEOCEL™ intends to expand its range of cellulosic fibers to cover more applications and industries and will continue to act as a catalyst for change for the nonwovens industry by providing a greater range of low-environmental impact alternatives to synthetic materials.
1 These results were calculated using the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI) tools provided by the Sustainable Apparel Coalition. The Higg MSI tools assess impacts of materials from cradle-to-gate for a finished material (e.g. to the point at which the materials are ready to be assembled into a product). However, this figure only shows impacts from cradle to fiber production gate. VEOCEL™ branded fibers’ LCA results are represented by TENCEL™/ECOVERO™ data based on Higg MSI database v3.7 (December, 2023).
2 To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, driving systemic change, and advancing the circular economy through partnerships with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative, and UN Global Compact.
3 With a process in place that factors in rapidly evolving regulatory requirements when developing and updating claims, VEOCEL™ provides QR-coded claims and a Claims webpage that offer value chain partners and conscious consumers more clarity on what its fibers offer.
4 Adhering to the company’s commitment to environmental protection and resource preservation, Lenzing procures wood and pulp only from certified or controlled sustainable sources. In its Wood and Pulp Policy, Lenzing is committed to procuring wood and pulp exclusively from non-controversial sources.
5 A range of LENZING™ Lyocell and Viscose fibers for nonwoven applications are certified by TÜV AUSTRIA to be biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine conditions and compostable under home and industrial conditions.
TOKYO — September 19, 2024 — YKK Corp. is now rolling out the revived renewal series of products as an initiative to lengthen the usage life of textile products.
Longer usage life and reuse of final products are becoming increasingly important in the fashion industry, and repair-oriented initiatives have been accelerating. These revived replacement elements to be newly launched for the VISLON® zipper are products that make it possible to repair VISLON zippers by attaching die-cast revived replacement elements using a special tool when elements have come off the zipper tape. Rolling these out along with the special tools will likely make repairs easier for each brand’s repair centers and significantly reduce repair time by making it possible to repair only the damaged element portion instead of conventional repairs that remove entire zippers from products and stitch new ones on.
Product Introduction (Revived Replacement Elements for VISLON®)
Zippers can be repaired by attaching die-cast revived replacement elements using a special tool to replace elements that have come off.
“Large volumes of apparel products are thrown away each year, and the resulting environmental impact is becoming a major problem,” said Terry Tsukumo, vice president, Product Strategy Division, Global Sales Headquarters, YKK Corp. “With YKK’s revived renewal series, YKK aims to streamline zipper repair work performed at brands’ repair centers and specialist repairers while striving to help bring about a circular society by enabling everyone to keep wearing their favorite clothing items for longer. YKK will continue adding to this series of products while aggressively working to tackle environmental problems throughout entire supply chains in the apparel industry.”
Product Introductions (other Revived Renewal Series products)
Revived Replacement Slider (coil zipper, size 3, reverse use) – Makes it possible to easily replace broken sliders without needing any special tools.
VISLON® with Revived Top Stop (size 5) – Employs specially designed top stops that make it easy to remove and repair sliders
Revived Replacement Puller for Racquet Coil zipper (size 8, front-side use) – Special body and puller structure make it possible to easily replace broken and damaged slider pullers
ZÜRICH, Switzerland — September 19, 2024 — Haelixa has partnered with Italian fashion brand OVS for the second consecutive year. This collaboration aims to mark and trace cotton grown in Italy, ensuring trust throughout the supply chain.
OVS – Traceable Shirts with Haelixa
Haelixa has integrated its DNA markers into the existing operations for OVS’s cotton. The cotton is grown in Italy and marked with the DNA markers at the gin, close to the farm. The fibers are tested during the entire manufacturing process, ensuring that the cotton used in this OVS collection is ethically and sustainably sourced. This partnership is a testament to their commitment to promoting responsible and transparent practices in the fashion industry, providing customers with the assurance of the cotton’s origin.
About the project, Haelixa CEO Patrick Strumpf commented: “In tracing the journey of the Italian-grown cotton, we are supporting OVS in bringing full transparency to their supply chain. The marking increases brand trust and enables OVS to make sustainable product claims.”
Traceability has become crucial in the fashion industry, with consumers demanding more information about the products they purchase. By partnering with Haelixa, OVS continues to meet this demand and set a new standard for cotton in the industry. This alliance will benefit customers and the farmers in Italy, giving them fair recognition for their work.
Simone Colombo, Head of Corporate Sustainability, said: “In 2024, we have continued with Swiss DNA Traceability supplier Haelixa in marking and tracing our OVS Cotone Italiano for the second year. Our goal is to approach 5 percent of our cotton requirements from cultivation in Italy within a few years.”
The collaboration between Haelixa and OVS has boosted the transparency of their supply chain. With the help of traceability provided by Haelixa, OVS is working towards improving its products’ social and environmental impacts. OVS is firmly committed to sustainable and ethical practices and aspires to enhance its operations yearly. The partnership with Haelixa is a testament to their dedication to improving traceability in the fashion industry.
ISSAQUAH, Wash. — September 18, 2024 — SanMar Corp., one of the largest suppliers of promotional products in the United States, is excited to announce it has joined bluesign® as a System Partner. This move underscores SanMar’s commitment to sustainable manufacturing and responsible chemical management, reinforcing its position as a leader in the promotional products industry.
As a bluesign System Partner, SanMar joins a global network of companies dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of textile production. By integrating bluesign standards into their supply chain, SanMar will ensure that their supply chain continues to meet the highest environmental and safety criteria, aligning with their long-term sustainability goals.
“SanMar’s decision to partner with bluesign is a testament to their dedication to sustainability and responsible manufacturing,” said Daniel Rüfenacht, CEO of bluesign technologies ag. “Their leadership in the promotional products sector makes this partnership particularly significant. We are proud to support SanMar in their journey towards a more sustainable future, and we look forward to seeing the positive impact they will have on the industry.”
Through system partnership, SanMar is taking significant steps to enhance the sustainability of its product offerings, from material sourcing to production processes. By adopting bluesign standards, SanMar is not only contributing to environmental conservation but also continues their commitment to ensuring that its products are safe for consumers and the planet.
“The awareness and importance of sustainability is growing within our industry, and we’re excited to add bluesign to our bench,” said Emily Gigot, senior manager of Sustainability at SanMar. “We look forward to leveraging the bluesign system and their team of experts to improve our programs and to continue providing our customers with products made to the highest environmental standards.”
NORCROSS, Ga. — September 18, 2024 — FineLine Technologies a global provider of tags, labels and packaging solutions, announces its partnership with DHL Global Forwarding in the GoGreen Plus initiative. Through its participation in the DHL program, FineLine supports sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) use, reducing carbon emissions.
“Environmental sustainability is a priority for FineLine Technologies and very important to our customers,” said chairman and CEO George Hoffman. “We will be looking for additional opportunities like DHL GoGreen Plus to reduce our scope 3 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.”
FineLine Technologies recognizes that express shipping accounts for approximately 3 percent of global emissions annually. By participating in GoGreen Plus, the company actively addresses scope 3 emissions, which are indirect GHG emissions from its value chain.
Through GoGreen Plus, DHL leverages SAF to reduce carbon emissions. SAFs are produced from feedstock such as cooking oil waste, sugar cane and other organic matter. Because SAFs currently are very expensive, they typically are combined with conventional jet fuel. “Sustainable aviation fuel is an alternative fuel made from non-petroleum feedstocks that reduce emissions from air transportation,” according to the U.S. Department of Energy. “SAF can be blended at different levels with limits between 10 percent and 50 percent, depending on the feedstock and how the fuel is produced.”
FineLine’s sustainability actions also include recycling all in-house paper waste, using water-based inks and having aqueous waste hauled and recycled.
RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — September 18, 2024 — The AATCC Gray Scales for Color Change and Gray Scale for Staining are the fundamental evaluation tools when assessing colorfastness of textile materials. Using AATCC EP1 and EP2, textile testing professionals use the AATCC Gray Scales to assess how fabrics that have been washed, exposed to temperature, light, and storage conditions maintain their color, and even stain onto other materials. The AATCC Gray Scales are valuable tools for textile colorfastness testing as it aids textile product developers and companies in various industries to determine whether to use a fabric for a specific application.
New and Improved Features and Benefits
The new style of AATCC Gray Scale for Color Change and AATCC Gray Scale for Staining have added features that now improve upon the durability and use of these valuable tools.
New reinforced edge
Enhances the durability of the scale
Prevents chipping of the color chips
Prevents smudging, transfer of oils from hands when handling
Masks with larger area view
Accommodate specimens and scale edge
Sturdier construction
Reduces the likelihood of scuffing, scratching of the color chips
Keeps same material for base and sleeve
Maintaining the use of vinyl for scale and sleeve material
More cost-effective option
New style reduces material waste in manufacturing
Availability of New AATCC Gray Scales
The current styles of the AATCC Gray Scales remain in stock and continue to be perfectly applicable to performing colorfastness evaluation using AATCC Evaluation Procedure 1 and Evaluation Procedure 2. The new, edgier style Gray Scales will be available once the remaining stock of the current style is sold out. Special requests for the new style Gray Scale will not be offered.
Maintenance of AATCC Gray Scales
With regular use of the AATCC Gray Scales, it is important to handle the product with care to extend the shelf life of the product. Naturally, with the use of the current AATCC Gray Scales, customers have shared the challenges of keeping the color chips of the gray scales from being scuffed, scratched, and stain-free when handled with less care. AATCC recommends using gloves, proper storage of the gray scales in its protective sleeve when not in use, and regularly replacing them on a yearly basis. The added features of the new style of AATCC Gray Scales further support customers in their use of the scales.
NEW DELHI — September 18, 2024 — myTrident, a name in the premium home décor industry, has unveiled its grand festive Out-Of-Home (OOH) advertising campaign across 15+ Indian cities. The billboard series is designed to deeply connect with customers, strengthening brand presence and boosting brand value. This visually striking campaign features the first-ever mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pairing of Bollywood icons Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore, promoting myTrident’s premium Bed & Bath products.
The innovative campaign is not just about placement but also about creativity. The billboards feature a 3D immersive cut-out design, making them stand out in the bustling cityscapes. This unique approach adds a dynamic element to the campaign, creating a visually compelling effect that brings the product to life and creating a lasting impression.
Neha Gupta Bector, chairperson of myTrident, expressed her excitement about the campaign, saying: “This festive season, we wanted to create something truly memorable that resonates with our audience. Our OOH campaign, featuring Kareena Kapoor Khan and Sharmila Tagore, is designed to capture the essence of our brand — a blend of luxury, comfort, style and especially family. We’ve chosen iconic locations to ensure our message reaches as many people as possible.”
The campaign has been strategically placed in key cities including Delhi NCR, Srinagar, Katra, Bhopal, Ludhiana, Jaipur, Amritsar, Jalandhar, Bathinda, Lucknow, Kanpur, and Chandigarh. The billboards have been mounted in high-traffic areas, ensuring maximum visibility and engagement. Prominent locations include South Extension and DND Flyway in Delhi, Elante Mall in Chandigarh, Ludhiana’s busiest streets, Hoshangabad Road in Bhopal, MI Road in Jaipur, and Ambarsar Mall in Amritsar, among others.
Rajneesh Bhatia, CEO of myTrident Group Corporate Ltd., added, “Our goal with this campaign is to showcase our Bed & Bath collection in a way that’s both innovative and impactful. By utilizing 3D elements and choosing strategic locations, we’ve been able to create a campaign that not only promotes our products but also enhances the visual experience of the viewers. We’re confident that this will elevate our brand visibility during the festive season.”
With this ambitious OOH campaign, myTrident aims to solidify its presence in the home textiles market and continue to deliver high-quality products that enhance everyday living.
The concept signifies the renewal of our passion and commitment to innovation, manifesting in physical form as the R-generation machines. At ITMA Asia + CITME 2024 visitors to the Shima Seiki booth will be presented with the latest flat knitting technology, in the form of new machines, new gauges and new features, including the long-awaited production version of the SWG-XR® WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machines based on the highly acclaimed prototypes at both Milan and Shanghai the previous year.
