Unifi Announces Recipients Of Inaugural REPREVE® Champions Of Sustainability Awards

GREENSBORO, N.C. — January 25, 2018 — To further commemorate its recent milestone of recycling 10 billion bottles, Unifi Inc. is pleased to announce the recipients of the inaugural REPREVE® Champions of Sustainability awards. These annual awards celebrate Unifi’s brand and textile partners that share in its commitment to sustainability and vision for a better tomorrow.

“Unifi created the Repreve Champions of Sustainability awards to recognize our brand and textile partners that have achieved plastic bottle recycling milestones as a result of their use of Repreve performance fibers,” said Kevin Hall, chairman and CEO, Unifi. “We are proud to honor companies that exemplify leadership in sustainability, and are among those that have contributed to the more than 10 billion bottles that Unifi has recycled so far.  We look forward to recognizing even more companies in the future as we work toward our goal of recycling 30 billion bottles by 2022.”

Repreve Champions of Sustainability will be awarded to 25 brand and retail partners that have each used the equivalent of 10 million or more bottles, and 15 textile partners that have each used the equivalent of 50 million or more bottles, through the use of Repreve fiber. A partial list of award recipients can be found by visiting Repreve.com/champions.

“More than 70 percent of plastic bottles in the United States end up in a landfill,” Hall explained. “By creating these awards, we hope to inspire designers, customers and consumers to continue to invest in sustainability, and that together, we can make everyday life better by transforming recycled plastic bottles into the products consumers use every day.”

An added spotlight on sustainability

In addition to the bottle awards, Unifi is also introducing four special category awards:

  • Repreve Partners in Innovation recognizes companies using Repreve in a way that’s unique to the market;
  • Repreve Circular Economy recognizes companies demonstrating best-in-class use of the closed loop concept, which aims to eliminate waste throughout the product life cycle;
  • Repreve Newcomer recognizes key companies that started using Repreve in the past year; and
  • Repreve All-In recognizes companies that integrated Repreve into their entire product line from the beginning of the partnership.

Even the awards are recycled

To craft the awards, Unifi partnered with The Olio, a nonprofit organization based in Winston-Salem, N.C., that focuses on teaching and empowerment through entrepreneurship, glassblowing, art and sustainable solutions. Each custom crafted award is blown by hand from glass recycled from local restaurants and bars, and sits on a base made from recycled aluminum and reclaimed wood.

 

Brand and Retailer Bottle Awards Textile Partner Bottle Awards Special Category Awards
Adidas Billion Rise Repreve Partners in Innovation
Ford Motor Company Burlington Cone Denim
H&M Darlington A Moore Company Lucky Textiles
Haggar Clothing Co. duvaltex Momentum Textiles
Hanesbrands Inc. Intradeco Apparel Patagonia®
Haworth MAS Fabrics
JCPenney Milliken & Company Repreve Circular Economy
Levi Strauss & Co. Ningbo Shenzhou Designtex
Lindex Pettenati Steelcase
Momentum Textiles Sage Automotive Interiors The North Face®
NIKE SCT
Perry Ellis International Shanghai Shenan Repreve Newcomer
Polartec TEXHONG DOWNLITE
PVH TUNTEX New Era Cap
Quiksilver Valdese Weavers LLC Okaidi
Target
Under Armour Repreve All-in
VF Corp. Kathmandu
Volcom
Williams-Sonoma Inc.

 

Posted January 25, 2018

Source: Unifi Inc.

KBS Fashion Group Limited Announces Senior Management And Directors Change

SHISHI, China — January 25, 2018 — KBS Fashion Group Ltd., a vertically-integrated casual menswear company based in China, today announced that due to personal reasons, Xiaowen Zheng has tendered his resignations as CEO, president and director of the company. As a result of Zheng’s resignation, the Board of Directors reduced the size of the board to seven. Keyan Yan, chairman of KBS, was appointed by the Board as the company’s CEO and president, effective immediately. Zheng’s resignation was not a result of any disagreement or dispute with the company or its management regarding any matters relating to operations, policies or practices of the company.

Yan, chairman and new CEO of KBS, commented, “I would like to sincerely thank Xiaowen for his expertise and dedication to the Company during his tenure and we wish him every success in his future endeavors.”

Headquartered in Shishi, China, KBS Fashion Group, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the business of designing, manufacturing, selling and distributing its own casual menswear brand, KBS, through a network of 50 KBS branded stores (as of June 30, 2017) and over a number of multi-brand stores.

Posted January 25, 2018

Source: KBS Fashion Group

Lectra Announces The Acquisition Of Kubix Lab

PARIS — January 25, 2018 — Lectra, the technological partner for companies using fabrics and leather, announces the signing of a share purchase agreement to acquire the entire capital and voting rights of the Italy-based company Kubix Lab.

Founded at the end of 2015, Kubix Lab has developed a cutting-edge technological offer called Link. This offer enables fashion brands to manage, from end-to-end, all product information deriving notably from multiple IT systems — ERP, PDM and PLM, for example — within one single application. Users can modify, enrich or add new data, while maintaining data synchronization with all IT systems. In just a few months, Link has convinced more than 10 high-end Italian brands of its value.

“We were particularly impressed by the relevance of the solution created by Kubix Lab,” underlines Daniel Harari, chairman and CEO, Lectra. “By capitalizing on their knowledge of best practice, the founders of Kubix Lab knew how to develop an offer perfectly adapted to the expectations of fashion companies. Link enables all players involved in product development, manufacturing and sales to collaborate in real time, in a simple and efficient way, around exactly the same data.”

“We are delighted to join Lectra. We are convinced its leadership, global presence, strong expertise in the fashion industry and the richness of its product portfolio will enable us to develop an integrated offer with high value for all Lectra customers,” states Giampaolo Urbani, CEO and co-founder of Kubix Lab.

The founders of Kubix Lab will be in charge of developing an integrated Lectra — Link offer, which will complement — and reinforce, Lectra’s entire offer.

“Product data is at the heart of Link. We took an approach diametrically opposed to existing solutions on the market and designed an offer which is highly innovative, flexible, evolutionary and easy to use,” explains Pierluigi Beato, R&D director and co-founder of Kubix Lab. “With Lectra, we will take Link to the next level.”

The transaction involves the entire acquisition of Kubix Lab for the maximum amount of 7 million euros: 3 million euros paid when the acquisition agreement is signed; 1.3 million euros and 2.7 million euros paid respectively in 18 and 36 months’ time, providing objectives are met.

Final completion of the acquisition should take place by January 31, 2018.

These amounts will come from Lectra’s available cash, with no financing from the bank. Kubix Lab will be consolidated into Lectra’s accounts, effective from the signature of the final agreement.

Posted January 25, 2018

Source: Lectra

DuPont And Formosa Taffeta Introduce Heated Clothing Technology At ISPO Munich

WILMINGTON, Del. — January 25, 2018 — DuPont Advanced Materials today announced the newest offering from DuPont™ Intexar™ — a powered smart clothing technology for on-body heating. Intexar Heat is a thin, lightweight and durable heating solution for outdoor clothing that is designed to be easily integrated into garments. DuPont will highlight Intexar Heat in partnership with the Formosa Taffeta Co. (FTC) at the upcoming ISPO Munich trade show, January 28-31, in Munich, Germany, at FTC’s booth C3 544.

“Intexar Heat is a revolutionary stretchable ink and film that when powered, creates a comfortable warmth,” said Michael Burrows, global business manager, DuPont Advanced Materials. “Our team has worked hard to develop a heater that feels like fabric, doesn’t rely on cables, thick wires or big batteries, and can stand up to very cold environments. From outdoor enthusiasts to industrial workers, Intexar Heat can help conquer the elements in comfort, increasing focus and improving performance.”

FTC is the first textile manufacturer to take advantage of Intexar Heat technology as part of its Permawarm™ line. Permawarm delivers clothing brands a complete garment heater system including the Intexar heater, connectors and control software.

“With Permawarm, clothing brands can focus on garment design and brand engagement. We are taking the guesswork out of bringing their customers safe and comfortable heated garments,” said James Lee, president, FTC.

Intexar materials also can enable biometric monitoring in smart clothing. Pulse rate, respiratory rate, muscle activity and form awareness are all measurable using sensors and conductive pathways built from Intexar.

Posted January 25, 2018

Source: DuPont Advanced Materials

Gerber’s Digital Solution Is Adopted By Grosso Moda To Meet Speed And Industry 4.0 Trends

TOLLAND, Conn. — January 24, 2018 — The need for speed continues to intensify with ever changing consumer trends that evolve as technology makes it possible for ideas to spread quickly – creating the demand for the see now, buy now mindset. To succeed, fashion companies need to adopt technology and embrace digitalization to streamline workflows, which enable greater agility and speed without sacrificing quality and design. “The market evidence and conversations with our customers helped us to see the need for digitalization,” said Guus Backelandt, CEO, Grosso Moda. “We’ve had a long partnership with Gerber and worked together to map out and present a fully digitized workflow including 3-D design to one of our leading customers. Their strong, positive response validated the benefits we knew digitalization would enable.”

Often in the fashion development cycle, processes are fragmented and complex. Manual processes are slow. By leveraging Gerber’s YuniquePLM® Cloud, AccuMark® and AccuMark 3-D software, Grosso Moda will empower the creative and design process further while at the same time improving speed, cost and agility. As a longtime user of Gerber’s industry-leading AccuMark pattern design, grading, marker making and production planning software, Grosso Moda realized the strength of automating processes. Adding YuniquePLM Cloud to improve the collaboration and organization of the overall design process will help their customer better leverage data so they can focus on the needs of their consumers, ensuring they get the right products to market, at the right time.

“We have enjoyed a long, prosperous relationship with Grosso Moda and are excited to add AccuMark 3D and YuniquePLM Cloud to their mix of Gerber products,” said Bill Brewster, vice president and general manager, enterprise software solutions at Gerber. “We think Grosso Moda will be a great example of the power of integration and digitalization.”

YuniquePLM Cloud product lifecycle management software serves as a central repository of critical data and eliminates problems companies often face when using multiple Excel spreadsheets, email or tracking documents to communicate throughout the stages of product development and management. YuniquePLM Cloud creates a single version of the truth, connecting a company’s creative process with their supply chain and production processes.

Posted January 25, 2018

Source: Gerber Technology

CORDURA® Brand Brings Durability To The Streets With Converse

WICHITA, Kan. — January 24, 2018 — INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand and Converse, the iconic street brand recognized around the world and across cultures for its footwear and apparel, have collaborated to present durable new bags at Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show 2018. Reflecting lifestyle trends in urban cities, the bags are an essential item to meet the demands of being on the go from day to night. The Converse X CORDURA® Collection brings skate-inspired durability to everyday wear.

“As we continue to encourage consumers to Live Durable™ in all facets of life, we’re excited to team up with such a well-respected brand,” said Cindy McNaull, global Cordura brand and marketing director. “The Converse X Cordura Collection is geared towards the young city dweller and features bags that are designed not only to serve as a stylish piece, but also a survival kit throughout their day.”

The new Converse X Cordura Collection delivers bold transit essentials and bags made for the city streets — whether it’s a modern take on the traditional outdoor silhouette for long days with larger loads, a cross body pack that hugs close for secure carry during skate or bike, or a weekender duffle that’s sneaker-friendly. The new Street 22 Backpack, Toploader Backpack, 3-Way Duffel, Utility Backpack and Fast Pack will be available February 2018.

To see the latest bags in the Converse X Cordura collection, visit Cordura brand at Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, booth #54037-UL.

Posted January 24, 2018

Source: INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand

Robotic VISION Technologies Granted Four Patents To Advance Next Generation Machine Vision

SILVER SPRING, Md. — January 24, 2018 — Robotic VISION Technologies Inc. (RVT) and its partners have been awarded four new patents for its vision guided robotic automation software by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office.

“We believe that vision is the main enabler for global machine automation,” said RVT Founder and CEO Rick Weidinger. “Vision guided robotics is advancing at an extraordinary pace, and these patents recognize the innovation in machine vision robotics technology that we are bringing to the marketplace.”

The new patents cover several aspects of machine vision, including:

  • Detection and tracking of item features: Automatic feature detection and tracking of moving parts so that the program can learn the shape and features of an object. This allows a machine to handle an object, even when it is moving, adjusting for changes in location and orientation the way people automatically do.
  • Sensor-based safety features for robotic machines: Safety features using light-based sensors for places identified where humans might enter or exit. A model of an industrial robot’s location is created using the low cost sensors and then monitored so that the robot will note when something could be in its way. The safety system instructs the robot to slow or stop depending on the extent of the safety space breach to avoid endangering what could potentially be a person. This vision safety system eliminates the need for costly and traditional safety cages or laser screens.
  • Distance determination between RFID tags: Using two or more RFID tags allows for additional position information to be provided to vision guidance systems. A relative distance between the tags is calculated and distance determination may be implemented for robotic sensing, assembly systems and wearable technology to track motion and/or positions of objects.
  • Foreground motion detection in compressed video data: Software that can tell the difference between background and foreground features in compressed video streams. Compressed video is often used in high-speed vision systems, but traditional systems need to totally decompress and process the video to tell what is in the foreground and what is in the background. This technology allows for extraction of foreground content of a compressed video stream directly from the compressed video allowing the background to be ignored as desired.

These new patents bring RVT’s total granted patent portfolio to 10, with another 10 pending. RVT’s patents include the first single-camera 3-D patent, two random bin picking patents and its trademarked eVisionFactory™ (eVF™) vision guidance software platform. RVT also owns the trademarks for RBP, Random Bin Picking, SC3D and VGR.

“These patents are a testament to the extraordinary work that has been accomplished, and the growing recognition of vision guided robotics as an integral part of cutting-edge machines,” Weidinger said. “They underscore how, as active participants in vision guided robotics technology, we work hard to see what’s coming next, understand the demand and build it.”

Posted January 24, 2018

Source: Robotic VISION Technologies Inc.

FLEXcon Develops Breakthrough UV Inkjet Topcoat Technology

SPENCER, Mass. — January 24, 2018 — FLEXcon Co. Inc., a provider of adhesive coating and laminating technologies, today announced the introduction of FLEXcon® DPM® UVIJ white polyester, white polypropylene (non-vinyl alternative), and white vinyl products for narrow-format ultraviolet (UV) inkjet printing of durable goods labels.

The new product line features FLEXcon’s UV inkjet gloss topcoat designed to meet the fastest growing digital print technology, narrow-format UV inkjet. FLEXcon’s UV inkjet gloss topcoat sets a new standard in narrow-format UV inkjet printing by providing excellent ink receptivity for sharp, vibrant graphics while providing excellent ink adhesion. By leveraging FLEXcon’s industry leading UV inkjet gloss topcoat, products are printable across various digital UV inkjet platforms, as well as UV flexo.

The DPM® UVIJ product line features UV inkjet topcoated 2.0 mil white polyester and 4.0 mil white polypropylene, as well as non-topcoated 4.0 mil white vinyl — all yield consistent surface smoothness and excellent dimensional stability. The polyester can endure varying temperatures.

The products are coated with FLEXcon’s industry leading V/L-344 permanent acrylic adhesive and are backed with either a roll-form liner, or a first-in-the-industry layflat liner specifically designed for narrow format UVIJ printable roll-to-roll or roll-to-sheet converting. The product line is designed for durable goods and industrial labeling applications including power tools, appliances, electronics, compliance labels, and warning and instructional labels. DPM® UVIJ polyester and polypropylene products are UL/cUL pending with specific OEM printers.

“In the digital sector, the fastest growing technology is narrow-format UV inkjet. FLEXcon recognized this trend and worked directly with OEM printer manufacturers to develop and qualify a UV inkjet topcoat that will work consistently across multiple platforms including narrow-format UV inkjet printers with UV flexo capabilities. In addition, by this collaborative effort, we developed the only roll-to-sheet products in the marketplace,” said Ron Ducharme, Market Development Specialist, Product Identification Business Team for FLEXcon.

Products (DPM® UVIJ 1PW, 1PWS, 1PPW, 1PPWS, 1FW, and 1FWS) are available through FLEXcon’s FLEXchoice™ for Durables program. With the FLEXchoice™ for Durables program, converters can order custom widths without purchasing a whole master, with no upcharge.

Posted January 24, 2018

Source: FLEXcon Co.

Xerox And EFI Lay Groundwork For Next Generation Printing With New Fiery-Powered Digital Front End

LAS VEGAS — January 24, 2018 — Xerox and Electronics For Imaging (EFI) today demonstrated a new Fiery® digital front end (DFE) that will give print providers a powerful new tool to manage high value jobs that require special embellishments and effects using dry inks including silver, gold and clear.

Keypoint Intelligence-InfoTrends projects that digital print enhancement volume will grow at a 27-percent compound annual growth rate through 2020, providing print operations with new business that promises both growth and profit1.

“This new development by Xerox and EFI is a testament to the commitment by both suppliers to enrich their solutions with efficient production workflow, processing power and color management needed for the range of applications produced today,” said Ron Gilboa, group director, Keypoint Intelligence. “These tools are critical for print providers who are looking to grow their business and offer their clients differentiated solutions including color and the use of special embellishments in metallic gold and silver.”

In February of last year, Xerox announced the sale of its FreeFlow® Print Server (FFPS) DFE business to EFI, along with plans to work with EFI to market a single DFE to drive Xerox digital production presses. The new DFE combines unique features from the Xerox FFPS with the capabilities of the market leading EFI Fiery DFE.

“This is an important step in our collaboration with EFI to offer our customers a single and more powerful DFE,” said Andrew Copley, president, Graphic Communications Solutions, Xerox. “Customers will benefit not only from greater production efficiencies and performance capabilities, but also from increased support in the field.”

The new DFE delivers fast Raster Imaging Processor (RIP) speeds, seamless automation integration, and advanced workflow efficiency and productivity. Additional customer benefits include:

  • Access to EFI’s sales and technical field resources working side-by-side with their Xerox sales reps;
  • A standardized and simplified digital workflow. Fiery Command WorkStation® provides a single, intuitive user interface across a customer’s entire print operation;
  • Customized workflows for metallic applications. The DFE optimizes processing speeds for single or multiple jobs with Fiery HyperRIP technology; and
  • Color management tools along with gold, silver and clear dry ink capabilities that allow customers to create more metallic effects and tactile embellishments for higher-value applications.

“Working with Xerox on the 2017 acquisition of FFPS technology marked a new level of cooperation in our longstanding partnership, and we are excited about the new technology that it has yielded,” said Toby Weiss, senior vice president and general manager, EFI Fiery. “The new technology demonstration at Connect will show customers the important ways digital print is expanding, with fully color managed metallic effects, stronger, better automation, superior options in late-stage editing, and much more.”

The new DFE will be driving a production color press technology demonstration at EFI Connect in Xerox booth # 101. The booth will also display a Xerox AltaLink® C8000 with the recently launched Xerox EX-c C8000 Print Server Powered by Fiery along with a workflow station featuring Xerox FreeFlow® Core.

Posted January 24, 2018

Source: Xerox Corp.

Gecko Biomedical Secures 6 Million Euros In Funding Under The Investments For The Future Programme To Develop Innovative Solutions For Tissue Reconstruction

PARIS — January 24, 2018 — Gecko Biomedical has been granted a total of 6 million euros in funding under the Investments for the Future programme (PIA) for its project proposal entitled “PIAVE” [Projets Industriels d’Avenir (Promising Industrial Projects)], which is piloted by the General Secretariate for Investment (SGPI) and operated by Bpifrance. This funding is a contribution towards the industrialization and development of innovative solutions in the area of tissue reconstruction, and the peripheral nerve in particular.

Gecko is a medical device company developing an exclusive platform of polymers allowing for tissue reconstruction. These synthetic polymers, which are biocompatible, bioresorbable, and activated by a specific type of light, can be applied onto internal tissues during surgical procedures — acting like an adhesive, a barrier or a filler product, depending on the type of surgery. They are also 3D-printable, allowing for the production of flexible, bioresorbable and very high-resolution implants.

This funding will provide support for the industrialization of Gecko’s polymers platform, as well as for the development of a new, innovative program that will enable the reconstruction of peripheral nerves, without sutures, using 3D-printed micro-conducts secured by one of the company’s exclusive adhesives.

A 1,150-square-meter (m2) manufacturing site, powered by 100-percent green electricity, is currently under construction in Roncq and will feature four clean rooms (totaling 300 m2) and an analytical laboratory extending over 140 m2.

Christophe Bancel, CEO, Gecko Biomedical, said: “This funding will allow us to speed up our industrialization process and equip ourselves with a globally unique manufacturing site. Cutting-edge processes will be performed on this site to produce all our liquid polymers in individual, sterile conditions, ready for use by surgeons. We also intend to speed up a second phase in our strategy through the industrial and clinical development of our 3D printing platform for flexible, bioresorbable and high-resolution implants, by leveraging our polymers as a biomedical resin, as well as by optimising state-of-the-art 3D printing techniques”.

Marie Zwarg, the area leader for Healthcare within the management team for Bpifrance’s Industrial Sectors, added that: “Bpifrance has supported Gecko Biomedical since its creation. We are delighted to contribute to furthering the development of its top-level technological platform with multiple applications, while also contributing to its industrialization in France”.

Posted January 24, 2018

Source: Gecko Biomedical

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