European And Mercosur Business Associations Ask Swift Conclusion Of EU-Mercosur FTA

BRUSSELS — November 18, 2024 — In a joint call from both sides of the Atlantic, 78 business associations representing a diverse array of industries from the EU and Mercosur ask their governments to expedite the conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations. The statement underscores the strategic importance of reinforcing trade links, fostering investments and promoting sustainable development, which this historic agreement is built to deliver.

Addressed to the Presidents of the European Parliament, European Council, European Commission, and Hungarian Presidency of the Council, and shared with the Mercosur Presidency, the statement highlights that over €159 billion in goods and services was traded between the EU and Mercosur in 2022, with mutual investments approaching €380 billion. Together, these economic ties underpin millions of jobs on both continents. The associations highlight the importance of the EU-Mercosur agreement, emphasising that it can help mitigate the challenges posed by geopolitical instability and supply chain disruptions.

The joint statement notes that the agreement represents a rare opportunity to strengthen relations between the EU and Mercosur. Both sides would benefit from an agreement that  supports economic recovery and lays the foundations for sustained growth. In particular:

  • Market Access and Growth: The removal of trade barriers would enable greater market access, facilitating a steady flow of goods and services.
  • Supply Chain Stability: Strengthened trade relationships would mitigate the impact of supply chain disruptions, securing reliable access to essential resources.
  • Enhanced Cooperation: By deepening cooperation, the agreement could bolster sustainable development, labour rights, and environmental standards across both regions.

In conclusion, the coalition of business associations calls on policymakers to take immediate steps toward ratification, positioning the EU and Mercosur to advance their mutual competitiveness in a changing and challenging global landscape.

List of Signatories

  • ABAL – Associação Brasileira do Alumínio
  • ABBD – Associação Brasileira de Bebidas Destiladas
  • ABELAC – Alianza de Bebidas Espirituosas de Latinoamérica y el Caribe
  • ABIA – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Alimentos
  • ABICAB – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Chocolates, Amendoim e Balas
  • ABICALÇADOS – – Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Calçados
  • ABICS – Associação Brasileira da Industria de Café Solúvel
  • ABIFINA – Associação Brasileira das Indústrias de Química Fina
  • ABIHPEC – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Higiene Pessoal, Perfumaria e Cosméticos
  • ABINEE – Associação Brasileira da Indústria Elétrica e Eletrônica
  • Abipeças – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Autopeças
  • ABIPLAST – Associação Brasileira da Indústria do Plástico
  • Abiquim – Associação Brasileira da Indústria Química
  • ABIT – Associação Brasileira da Indústria Têxtil e de Confecção
  • ABITAM – Associação Brasileira da Indústria de Tubos e Acessórios de Metal
  • ABPI – Associação Brasileira da Propriedade Intelectual
  • ABRABE – Associação Brasileira de Bebidas
  • ABRAFAR – Associação Brasileira de Fabricantes de Refratários
  • ABRAFRUTAS
  • ABRAMEQ – Associação brasileira das Indústrias de Máquinas e Equipamentos para os setores do couro, calçados e afins
  • ACEA – The European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association
  • AmCham EU
  • ANFACER – Associação Nacional dos Fabricantes de Cerâmica para Revestimentos, Louças Sanitárias e Congêneres
  • ASIQUR – Asociación de Industrias Químicas del Uruguay
  • ASSOCIQUIM – Associação Brasileira dos Distribuidores de Produtos Químicos e Petroquímicos
  • The Brewers of Europe
  • BusinessEurope
  • CAEDHPA
  • CAOBISCO
  • CAPA
  • CAPABA – Cámara Paraguaya de Bebidas Alcohólicas
  • CASIC
  • CEC – European Footwear Confederation
  • CECE
  • CECIMO – European Association of Manufacturing Technologies
  • Cefic – European Chemical Industry Council
  • CELCAA – European Liaison Committee for Agricultural and Agri-Food Trade
  • Centro de Fabricantes de Licores
  • Cepi
  • Ceramie-Unie – The European Ceramic Industry
  • CICB – Centro das Indústrias de Curtumes do Brasil
  • CIQyP – Cámara de la Industria Química y Petroquímica
  • CIU – Cámara de Industrias del Uruguay
  • CIUS
  • CLEPA – European Association of Automotive Suppliers
  • CNI – Confederação Nacional da Indústria
  • Comité Vin
  • Cosmetics Europe – The Personal Care Association
  • COTANCE – The European Leather Industry
  • CUPCAT – Cámara Uruguaya de Perfumería, Cosmética y Artículos de Tocador
  • EDA – European Dairy Association
  • ESF – European Services Forum
  • ESRA – European Sugar Refineries Association
  • EURATEX – The European Apparel and Textile Confederation
  • Eurochambres – The Association of European Chambers of Commerce and Industry
  • EuroCommerce
  • EUROFER
  • EUROMETAUX
  • FADA – Federación Argentina de Destilados y Aperitivos
  • FIEMG – Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Minas Gerais
  • FIEP – Federação Industrial do Paraná
  • FIERGS – Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Rio Grande do Sul
  • FIESC – Federação das Indústrias do Estado de Santa Catarina
  • FIESP – Federação das Indústrias do Estado de São Paulo
  • FIRJAN – Federação das Indústrias do Estado do Rio de Janeiro
  • Grupo FarmaBrasil
  • IBRAC – Brazilian Institute of Cachaça
  • Medicines for Europe
  • Orgalim – Europe’s Technology Industries
  • SINCS – Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Café Solúvel
  • Sindipeças – Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Componentes para Veículos Automotores
  • SIR – Sindicato Nacional da Indústria de Refratários
  • SIREFMG – Sindicato da Indústria de Refratários no Estado de Minas Gerais
  • spiritsEUROPE
  • TIE – Toy Industries of Europe
  • UIA – União Industrial Argentina
  • UNICA – União da Indústria de Cana-de-Açúcar
  • UPEFRUY

Posted: November 18, 2024

Source: The European Textile and Clothing industry (EURATEX)

Elkem Reaches Major Milestone In Advancing The Circular Economy For Silicones

LYON, France  — November 18, 2024 — Elkem today announced the successful scaling of its chemical silicone waste upcycling project from a laboratory to pilot unit at its Saint-Fons production site in Lyon, France. This marks a significant milestone in driving the transition to a circular economy for silicones.

As part of its climate strategy, Elkem is committed to cutting CO2 emissions and resource-use to reach climate-neutral production by 2050, notably by increasing recycling in its own operations and developing circular loops with customers and suppliers. In 2021, Elkem initiated a collaborative project* dedicated to breaking down silicone waste, using eco-designed depolymerization methods. This project led to the implementation of innovative routes and processes for the recycling of silicones that are patented by Elkem and partners and embedded in the construction and operation of the unit at Saint-Fons. Recycling silicones reduces their carbon footprint and contributes to securing the provision of the critical raw material, demand for which is rising due to the green transition and digitalization.

The technical implementation of the chemical recycling is now being performed at a pilot scale. This marks a major milestone in Elkem’s journey towards offering recycled silicones to the market. The pilot unit will provide vital scale-up information for safe and energy-efficient recycling of silicones at the industrial scale, and supply Elkem’s target customers with representative quantities of silicone with recycled content.

“As a manufacturer of silicones since 1948 and leading global supplier of silicones, we are committed to creating a circular economy for our products, giving them a second life. Chemical recycling of silicones is a key technological enabler to close the loop. Through our innovative technology, we can provide a solution for silicone waste and offer low carbon solutions from recycling with the same quality as those made from virgin material to the market,” says Joséphine Munsch, Sustainability Project Leader at Elkem.

Elkem’s patented depolymerization process technologies offer multiple unique benefits, such as low process temperatures, which enable lower carbon emissions, high conversion rates and chemical selectivity that avoids the generation of undesirable by-products and residues.

This project** was funded by the France 2030 national innovation and industry investment programme, operated by ADEME (the French Agency for Ecological Transition), and the European Union’s NextGenerationEU fund.

*Elkem’s collaborative project, known as the Resourcing Silicones Polymers (REPOS) project, focuses on developing eco-friendly depolymerization chemistry to reduce silicone waste. REPOS has been developed with CP2M and IMP academic labs, and the SMEs Activation and Processium. This project received the support and funding from Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes et BPI France and labelled by Axelera.

** The funded project ROSE UPP is dedicated to the scale up of chemical recycling technologies.  

Posted: November 18, 2024

Source: Elkem ASA

Haskell W. Beckham Receives The AATCC Olney Medal

SAVANNAH, G.A.,  — November 15, 2024 — Haskell W. Beckham is the 2024 recipient of the AATCC Olney Medal. Beckham, Vice President of Innovation at Columbia Sportswear, is being recognized for his significant contributions to textile sciences. Beckham has worked in academia, consulting, and industry focusing on the development of advanced materials, textiles and test methods, and teaching and problem-solving. He has spent many years developing moisture measuring methods and heat management polymer compositions and has made several significant contributions and advancements to the textile industry.

Haskell W. Beckham

In 2024, Beckham was awarded two utility patents for his work in textile thermal wear and composite foam for performance footwear. One patent is related to heat reflecting materials, and the other relates to the components of performance footwear, and the construction of the midsole with polymer foams. His patents will improve comfortability in articles of clothing and footwear.

Career

Beckham is currently the Vice President of Innovation at Columbia Sportswear. Throughout his career, Beckham has applied and shared his knowledge of textile chemistry. He has held numerous leadership positions, leading and driving innovation of advanced materials and material constructions for integration into apparel, footwear, and equipment. He was involved in the development of Columbia’s heat-reflective textile called Omni-Heat Infinity and served as technical lead for partnership with the space-exploration company, Intuitive Machines. Beckham worked with Woody Blackford and others on this Millson winning invention. At Exponent, a leading scientific and engineering consulting firm, he provided numerous technical services, including project development, litigation support, failure analysis, and more. He was a named expert witness in patent infringement, product liability, and personal injury cases involving footwear, textiles, coatings, polymers, and nonwovens.

Beckham was also a professor at Georgia Institute of Technology. During his time at the Georgia Tech, he taught courses in chemistry, textiles, materials, and polymers to undergraduate and graduate students. Beckham also helped establish a campus-wide center for nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), including the first-ever laboratory dedicated to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of fluids in textile materials. His contributions during this time include the development of imaging protocols to quantitatively measure fluid concentrations for water in textiles, which standard MRI sequences do not provide. He helped develop a new and validated wicking test that yields fundamental intrinsic properties of fluids in textiles, which is important for modeling and designing textiles for specific wicking behavior. He also served as primary research advisor for four postdoctoral, 17 PhD, nine MS, 45 undergraduate, and three high school students.

Beckham received a BS in Textile Chemistry from Auburn University, a PhD in Polymer Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and a held a postdoctoral appointment in Magnetic Science from Max Planck Institute.

Achievements and Service

The results of Beckham’s research projects are found in peer-reviewed publications, books, presentations, and patents. Beckham has received several honors and awards, including Auburn University’s Outstanding Alumnus in Polymer and Fiber Engineering, National Science Foundation Career Award, National Science Foundation Research Initiation Award, and Alexander-von-Humboldt Research Fellowship Award. His work has also been presented in the AATCC Review and has been presented at several AATCC conferences and workshops. Beckham has been an active member of AATCC since 1983. He served on the Executive Committee on Research, and multiple research committees throughout the years.

The Olney Award

Established in 1944 in honor of Louis Atwell Olney, the founder and first president of AATCC, the Olney Medal recognizes outstanding achievement in textile or polymer chemistry or other fields of chemistry of major importance to textile science. The award consists of a gold medal, a scroll, and an honorarium.

The presentation of the medal each year is a highlight of the AATCC’s annual conference. This year, the conference, AATCC Textile Discovery Summit, was held October 6-8, 2024, at The Westin Savannah Harbor Golf Resort & Spa in Savannah, GA, USA. The Association presented the Olney Medal at the Awards Luncheon on October 8, 2024.

Posted: November 15, 2024

Source: American Association of Textile Chemists & Colorists (AATCC)

Albany International Corp. Announces Plans To Consolidate Manufacturing Capacity

ROCHESTER, N.H. — November 15, 2024 — Heimbach Switzerland AG, an affiliate of Albany International Corp., announced today that it will initiate consultations with employee representatives regarding a proposal to discontinue manufacturing operations in Olten, Switzerland, and to transfer production to other Heimbach GmbH manufacturing facilities. The reduction is subject to local law and will be implemented in accordance with such law and in consultation with the employees’ representative body.

This action, if approved, will enable the Albany’s Heimbach GmbH subsidiary to align its paper machine clothing manufacturing capacity with the local market demand and the needs of customers. This initiative to streamline operations is driven by existing and anticipated market conditions, and in no way reflects on the performance of the 83 affected employees, who will be offered separation and outplacement assistance. Until consultations are concluded, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the costs that it would expect to incur in connection with the proposed action. If closure is concluded, the Company will disclose the amount, type and timing of any such costs promptly after they are determined.

Posted: November 15, 2024

Source: Albany International Corp.

Q-Lab Now Offering New QUV Lamps That Can Produce Color Change In Materials

WESTLAKE, Ohio — November 15, 2024 — Q-Lab, the global supplier of weathering and corrosion equipment and outdoor exposure testing, is excited to announce the release of TUV-421 UV fluorescent lamps for QUV accelerated weathering testers.

This breakthrough in lamp technology for weathering applications offers an extended light spectrum compared to conventional UV fluorescent lamps. This extended spectrum includes longer-wavelength UV light and short-wavelength visible light, a first in such UV lamps. This exciting new light source is compatible with all irradiance-controlled QUV accelerated weathering testers in the field, and provides a cost-effective way to expose materials to a broader light spectrum. This innovative new technology is especially well-suited to testing a variety of materials for resistance to color change, including plastics, paints, textiles, and printing inks.

“Our team is always looking for ways to help our customers more cost-effectively achieve their goals in the field of weathering and lightfastness,” comments Brad Reis, Q-Lab President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re excited to share this new technology with our loyal QUV customers around the world and provide a unique technology that no other UV fluorescent testers can match. Innovations like this are what’s made the QUV ‘the world’s most widely-used weathering tester’, for the past 50 years.”

Visit our website for more information about TUV-421 lamps and QUV accelerated weathering testers.

Posted: November 15, 2024

Source: Q-Lab

Helena Helmersson And Jonatan Janmark To Lead Circulose

STOCKHOLM — November 15, 2024 — Circulose is proud to announce the appointment of its new Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Circulose now welcomes two strong leaders with in-depth expertise to accelerate Circulose’s journey to become a global champion for renewable textiles.

Jonatan Janmark And Helena Helmersson

Circulose has appointed Helena Helmersson as the new Chairman of the Board, along with Jonatan Janmark as new CEO. They will be assuming their roles on December 1st, 2024.

“A challenger like Circulose, with the power to make the textile industry circular, will need experienced and world-class leaders to drive that change. We are taking action on that now, and we are immensely proud to attract Helena and Jonatan, a true dream team. Their experience and expertise are key for us to secure a stable and successful path for Circulose moving forward. They will be a great addition to Magnus, who has done an excellent job navigating Circulose through an intensive year as interim CEO and will continue to lead operations moving forward” said Clara Zverina, Principal at Altor.

Helena Helmersson joins Circulose with an extensive experience from the fashion industry and driver of sustainability leadership, most recently in her role as CEO at H&M Group.

“I am thrilled to be joining Circulose and support the company in my role as Chair. We have an ambitious agenda ahead of us and a talented team ready to make it happen. I am glad to be working with Altor, our partnership will benefit from their industrial heritage and helping companies scale. Circulose feels very much like a natural fit, for me and for the future, and I look forward to contributing with my many years of experience in the fashion industry.” said Helena Helmersson, Chair of Circulose.

Jonatan Janmark assumes the role of CEO for Circulose, Jonatan Janmark joins the company with in-depth experience from the consumer and textile industry as Partner at McKinsey & Company.

“For the past years, I have had the fortune of dedicating my time to helping companies navigate the sustainability transition in the apparel and textile industry, working with both brands and textile manufacturers. When the opportunity to join Circulose opened up, I was excited to accept the challenge. With a strong team, we will now focus on strengthening Circulose to unlock the necessary shift from a linear to a circular textile industry. We recognize the many challenges ahead and the shift won’t happen overnight, but we are fully committed to seeing it through” said Jonatan Janmark, CEO at Circulose.

Posted: November 15, 2024

Source: Circulose (formerly Renewcell)

Mayer & Cie. Distributes Braiding Machine Equipped With 48 Carriers

ALBSTADT, Germany — November 14, 2024 — The German braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. has been offering braiding machines with 48 carriers since this autumn. An MR-11 type braiding machine will be the first to be delivered with 48 carriers. It will leave the plant in Albstadt, Southern Germany, before Christmas. The first MR-15 equipped with 48 carriers is to follow in spring 2025. With the braiding machines with 48 carriers, customers benefit from larger inner tube diameters, short set-up times and unaltered coil volumes. This applies to both yarn and wire.

The heart of a braiding system: The carriers “dance” in the maypole principle, the wires converge at the braiding point.

“We are pleased to be able to present this new development to our customers,” says Patrick Moser, head of the business unit. “This significantly increases the possible applications of our machines.”

More carriers for larger hose diameters

Previously, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machines were available with 16, 20, 24 and 36 carriers. The option to equip both the MR-11 and the MR-15 with 48 carriers expands the range of hose inner diameters: braiding machines for reinforcement of high-pressure hoses made of wire offer an inner diameter of up to 50 millimeters (2 inches). With 48 carriers, systems for textile braids achieve an inner diameter of up to 150 millimeters (6 inches).

Same coil volume combined with more carriers

Service technicians are putting the finishing touches on the MR-11 with 48 carriers. It can be equipped with both yarn and wire.

As the number of carriers increases to 48, the braiding machine maintains the same coil volume. The Bobbin Standard, suitable for both yarns and wire, holds 1,580 cubic centimeters. For a larger capacity dedicated to yarn, the Bobbin Long offers 3,920 cubic centimeters, while the Bobbin Extra Long provides the maximum volume of 5,170 cubic centimeters, also exclusively for yarn.

“With more carriers and higher coil volumes, users can process greater material quantities before needing a spool change,” explains Patrick Moser. “This translates to shorter setup times for the same machine application, boosting efficiency overall.”

The rotor speed remains the same on all MR-11 and MR-15 models, regardless of the number of carriers the machine is equipped with. However, the speed of the individual carrier decreases the higher the total number of carriers.

Extensive combination options

Mayer & Cie. currently offers two braiding systems in its lineup: the MR-11 and MR-15, both operating on the maypole braiding principle. The MR-11 uses a 2-over-2 braid pattern, while the MR-15 utilizes a 3-over-3 pattern. Both models come in single, double, and triple-deck versions and are now available with 16, 20, 24, 36, and, most recently, 48 carriers.

Since 2019, Mayer & Cie. has centralized its braiding machine production at the company’s headquarters in Albstadt, Germany, enhancing its research and development capabilities. “The move has certainly paid off,” says Patrick Moser. “Alongside component improvements, our innovations like the SpeedBooster and the expanded carrier options offer users significantly increased productivity.”

Posted: November 15, 2024

Source: Mayer & Cie. (MCT)

revalyu Resources Successfully Commissions Second Plant Of World’s Largest Chemical PET-Plastic Recycling Site

NASHIK, India — November 14, 2024 — revalyu Resources, a chemical PET recycling company with a global presence, has commissioned its second technology-leading PET recycling plant at its site in Nashik, India to further bolster its production capacity and meet growing customer demands.

The recent commissioning of the second plant means the revalyu site now recycles over 20 million used PET bottles a day into 350,000 pounds per day of high quality PET chips and PET polymer. This is being used by customers to meet their sustainability targets in applications from diverse sectors such as PET bottle, packaging materials, textiles, automobile accessories and a wide variety of other PET copolymer based products.

The third plant is fully financed as part of the US$100 million investment, and under construction which will add a further 260,000 pounds per day of capacity in Q3 2025. This will increase the site’s recycling capacity to approximately 35 million post-consumer plastic bottles a day and total production capacity to 620,000 pounds per day.

The site utilizes highly advanced patented glycolysis-based recycling technologies and automated processes, which make the manufacturing operations highly optimized, scalable, profitable and easily replicable. The recycled PET is produced using 75% less water and 91% less energy than conventional PET made from oil.

Commenting on the recent successes, Dr. Vivek Tandon, Founder, revalyu Group said, “This is a revolutionary moment for the PET plastic recycling industry.  Finally the world has a commercially proven, scalable, profitable and environmentally sustainable recycling technology that can truly reverse engineer used PET plastic into virgin grade quality PET polymer.  I cannot thank our team, customers, shareholders and suppliers enough for their hard work, trust and support.  We continue to seek global partners to join us in our global expansion as we continue to drive innovation to deliver the highest quality sustainable (r)polymer to customers and take care of our planet for our future generations”.

The revalyu Group’s Managing Director Jan van Kisfeld stated: “This marks a significant milestone for revalyu and the advancement of global plastic circularity. Imagine PET being recycled continuously, creating a sustainable cycle. Our 100% post-consumer recycled polymer can seamlessly replace conventional PET in any polyester or PET application. Our new plant demonstrates two critical achievements: first, that this chemical recycling process is commercially viable on a global scale, and second, that it operates with an impressively low environmental footprint. Our new facility serves customers with high-quality 100% recycled PET similar to conventional PET and supports them in reaching their sustainability goals.”

Makarand Kulkarni, CEO, revalyu India  said, “Our Nashik site underscores our strategic vision of reinforcing our leadership position in the PET recycling landscape globally. This environmentally sustainable chemical recycling process is scalable and replicable and that gives our customers an edge in their respective markets, the technology is a game changer. We will continue to explore collaborations globally to build scale and create market opportunities.”

revalyu Resources will set up a 520,000 pounds per day PET recycling facility in the US by 2027 and has plans to expand globally with partnerships to increase its production to over 2,200,000 pounds per day by 2030.

Posted: November 15, 2024

Source: revalyu Resources GmbH / revalyu Recycling (India) Limited

Apex Mills Appoints Martha Miller Hopkins To Business Development Team

INWOOD, NY — November 15, 2024 — Apex Mills, the premier manufacturer of specialty USA-made industrial textiles, announces Martha Miller Hopkins’ appointment to its business development team.

In her new role, Miller Hopkins will drive the continued growth of warp, circular knits, stretch, 3D spacer fabrics, and enhanced finishes and treatments within the activewear, shapewear, industrial, military, and other textile markets.

Martha Miller Hopkins

Her professional career includes executive and director positions at Guilford Mills, Triangle Automotive Components, and APJeT, Inc., with responsibilities focused on sales, marketing, and business development with manufacturers, brands, and retailers.

“It is an exciting time for Martha to join our team, said Jonathan Kurz, CEO, and president of Apex Mills. “Martha will be a strong asset to our customers seeking innovative textile solutions in the activewear and shapewear markets. Her textile knowledge and sales skills will advance our collaborative role within our management teams.”

“I am excited to be joining such an innovative company and looking forward to contributing to Apex Mills’ continued success,” Miller Hopkins said.

Miller Hopkins holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from North Carolina State University.

Posted: November 14, 2024

Source: Apex Mills

A&E President Chris Alt Cuts Ribbon on New Technical Sewing Center In Bawal, India

MOUNT HOLLY, NC — November 13, 2024 — American & Efird (A&E) opened A&E/Gütermann India’s new technical sewing center this past month at an inauguration ceremony in Bawal. President Chris Alt was on hand for the ribbon-cutting and introduced the technical education sewing center to the world. The dedicated creative hub provides a workspace for brands and cut and sew customers to evaluate new developments. Staffed by a team with years of technical expertise, the new center is equipped with a traditional training center setup and features an extensive range of sewing machines.

A&E President Chris Alt and the Bawal Team at the New Technical Sewing Center In Bawal, India.

“We are always thinking of ways to better serve the industry, whether it be through the quality sewing thread products we produce or the technical service we provide our customers,” said Alt. “We want people to know they have a partner and resource with A&E/Gütermann. The new technical center is an example of our dedication to innovation and education for our clients.”

Posted: November 14, 2024

Source: American & Efird (A&E)

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