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FilSpec™ Adds Research And Development Assistant

January 12, 2018

SHERBROOKE, Canada — January 11, 2018 — FilSpec™ is pleased to welcome Martin Forest to its team as a research and development assistant.

Forest holds a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the Université de Sherbrooke and a Master’s degree in Environment. Forest will work closely with Sebastien Couture, our research and development director, to develop innovative solutions for technical textile yarns.

Specifically, Forest will participate in new product development sessions either internally or with the client, as well as participate in brainstorming sessions on other potential uses of already developed innovative yarns. He will also carry out a technological watch, analyze and present the main results of reports from the independent laboratories to the R&D director, as well as draft the technical documentation of research projects.

Forest will therefore be an important asset for FilSpec in the development and creation of innovative yarns for smart textile projects. Through his high-level scientific background, he will help FilSpec’s team develop new technologies and scientific concepts for our projects. FilSpec aims for more and more sophisticated product development and Forest will become a key resource for the company.

From a more personal point of view, MarForesttin is a music lover and a bassist and co-composer for a rock band. He has a great dry sense of humor that sometimes disarms the less aware of his colleagues … to the delight of others!

Posted January 12, 2018

Source: FilSpec™

Italian Textile Machinery A Major Player At Techtextil Russia

January 11, 2018

MILAN, Italy — January 11, 2018 — ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, and the Italian Trade Agency for the promotion and internationalization of Italian businesses abroad, will be organizing an exhibition space at the upcoming edition of Techtextil Russia, the specialized trade fair dedicated to technical textiles and nonwovens, slated to be held in Moscow March 20-23, 2018.

A total of 22 companies will be on hand at Italy’s exhibition space, including the following ACIMIT associated members: Beta, Bombi, Bonino, Cibitex, Cognetex, Durst, Fabotex, Fadis, Ferraro, Guarneri, Mcs, Cosmatex, Pugi, Ratti, Reggiani, Salmoiraghi, Sariel, Santex Rimar Group, Smit, Sicam, Tessil Gomma.

The trade fair event arrives at a time of growth for Russia’s textile sector. Indeed, the Russian authorities have initiated pilot projects specifically targeting the modernization of existing technology in the textile sector, and increasing the supply of local products on the Russian market. The production of technical textiles, in particular, is deemed by competent Government authorities to constitute a driver in reviving the fate of Russia’s textile industry.

As ACIMIT president Alessandro Zucchi explained: “This restructuring phase provides an opportunity to further strengthen existing relations between Russian textile manufacturers and Italian technology suppliers, which are already in good stead thanks to the promotional initiatives launched by ACIMIT and the ICE-Agency over the past few years.

“The result of this interaction between Italy’s textile machinery manufacturers and Russian producers,” added Zucchi, “is the Russian market’s constant presence among primary destinations for Italian exports of textile machinery.” In 2016, Italy exported 22 million euros worth of textile machinery to Russia, whereas figures updated to the first seven months of 2017 show a 51-percent increase compared to the same period for 2016, for a corresponding value of 11 million euros.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: ACIMIT

Ultimate Yarn Evenness Testing And More – With The Total Testing Center

January 11, 2018

USTER, Switzerland — January 11, 2018 — Only two years since its launch, the ground-breaking new USTER^® TESTER 6 is making a significant impact in Bangladesh. Ambitious and quality-conscious spinners are eager to participate in the rapid growth in export sales by the country’s textile producers. Uster Tester 6 is more than the ultimate evenness tester: it is also the gateway to wider potential benefits for mills, integrating data from other Uster quality measurement sources to create a real Total Testing Center.

Bangladesh mills have been quick to recognize these extended advantages, and several Uster Tester 6 units are already in operation in Bangladesh, as well as in the rest of South East Asia, following its global launch at the Milan ITMA in 2015. The forthcoming DTG exhibition is likely to stimulate even greater interest among visitors to the Uster booth.

At the 15^th Dhaka International Textile and Garment Machinery Exhibition, to be held in city’s Bangabandhu International Conference Centre February 8-11, Uster experts will provide visitors with first-hand information on the Uster Tester 6. Ahead of the exhibition, existing customers from the Bangladesh spinning sector here provide detailed feedback on their experiences to date.

The best in testing

The sheer speed of the Uster Tester 6 — without compromise on quality — is hailed by all the spinners. The test speed of 800 meters per minute (m/min) also provides highly reliable and extremely accurate results, thanks to the new Capacitive and Optical Sensors. Abdul Latif, deputy general manager of Divine Spinning Mills Ltd., said: “Hairiness testing at high-speeds of 800 m/min — also now including Hairiness Length Classification — requires relatively much less time for testing.”

Companies also report increased efficiency in quality management, with feature such as the graphical presentation of timeline reports — analyzing the product with a long-term perspective and providing quality data over a predefined time. “We are able to analyze the product at a single glance,” said Khorshed Ali, senior manager, Quality Control, Pahartali Textile & Hosiery Mills. Another well-appreciated quality analysis shows the total of pre-defined imperfection classes (neps, thin and thick places) graded by standard and sensitivity level, making it a valuable quality management tool.

In fact, the Uster Tester 6 can provide essential data for any parameter describing yarn appearance — taking in well over a hundred different factors — using its inbuilt yarn testing functions, as well as through connections with other Uster testing and monitoring systems. This totally-integrated facility leverages the value of the information and provides practical insights into the entire yarn production sequence and downstream processes.

This enormous mass of data requires built-in intelligence to transform it into quick and easy-to-follow guidance for the spinner. Quality alerts provide an early warning of potential issues, allowing spinners to identify and remedy any faults likely to cause second-quality material. Objective guidance helps spinners to categorize quality levels, using the so-called yarn grades, while critical questions about a yarn’s performance in subsequent processes are answered by intelligent forecasting of fabric appearance, pilling resistance and overall weavability.

Immediate help for users in case of a quality problem on a spinning machine is provided by the Knowledge Based System (KBS). A single click on a spectrogram display — with no need for additional settings or inputs from the machine supplier — brings up the defective component on screen.

Extended support possibilities

Assistant Q is compared to an additional employee arriving in the mill with Uster Tester 6. He is on duty 24/7, embodying 65 years of Uster application experience. He checks every measurement — whether from the laboratory and the online instruments. Where quality issues arise, Assistant Q offers a checklist of actions to solve the problem. “Assistant Q gives us a lot of ideas to solve any problems,” said Khorshed Ali at Pahartali Textile & Hosiery Mills.

The Uster Tester 6 is the key to accessing the Total Testing Center. As each additional Uster measuring system is connected to the Total Testing Center, the depth of knowledge and expertise held by Assistant Q increases. A major benefit already results from the integration of in-process information from the Uster Quantum 3, which monitors 100-percent of production at the winding machines. The Total Testing Center then takes spinning mills to the next stage, with detailed analysis of all the data and expert interpretation — giving practical advice and options for specific improvements. This allows quality and productivity criteria to be balanced, so that mills can make informed and risk-free decisions on every aspect of the yarn manufacturing process.

It is clear that spinning mills in Bangladesh are already well aware of the massive possibilities these benefits offer: “To us, the Uster Tester 6 is the best evenness tester ever and we intend it to become our Total Testing Center in future,” said Shafiqul Islam, Manager Quality Control at Akij Textile Mills Ltd. Other Bangladeshi spinners have also indicated that they plan to connect fiber testing systems and yarn clearers in future.

At DTG 2018, spinners can assess their options for a future with the Total Testing Center — or simply experience the world’s best evenness tester — on the Uster booth in hall 6, booth 606. “The possibility to manage the spinning mill with quality in mind, the range of new and unique features on top of unmatched reliability and accuracy of all functions as a yarn testing system will convince all our customers of the value of Uster Tester 6,” says AFM Zubair, director within New Asia Ltd., Uster’s agent for laboratory systems and yarn clearers

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: Uster Technologies

VF Corp., NC State Announce A Strategic, Multi-Year Partnership

January 11, 2018

RALEIGH, N.C. — January 11, 2018 — VF Corp. and North Carolina State University (NC State) today announced a collaborative, strategic partnership that will support student development at NC State and advance apparel and textiles innovation within VF.

“VF is proud to partner with NC State University, one of the world’s top universities and home to the only college in the United States devoted entirely to textiles,” said Steve Rendle, chairman, president and CEO, VF. “Through our shared expertise in research and consumer insights, we aim to stimulate apparel innovation while also developing a consistent pipeline of exceptional leaders for our company.”

The College of Textiles and VF have a long-standing relationship. Under this new multi-year agreement, the partnership is further strengthened by NC State’s Poole College of Management, which brings particular expertise in business analytics and supply chain management. The new partnership adds structure to existing collaborations and creates new opportunities for students in both Colleges. The partnership will:

Offer a variety of undergraduate and graduate education and training activities for students within the Colleges, including internships, student projects and competitions;
Facilitate industry-leading research that will elevate apparel and textile products and experiences;
Provide executive education opportunities for VF associates; and
Establish a VF presence on Centennial Campus, NC State’s nationally recognized research campus.

“With many College of Textiles alumni working and thriving at VF, we could not be more pleased to be building on our partnership,” said David Hinks, dean at the College of Textiles. “The addition of VF on campus and the ability of students and faculty from both the College of Textiles and Poole College of Management to work shoulder-to-shoulder with VF personnel will bring new avenues to advance textiles, apparel and footwear.”

“Together with the College of Textiles, we are uniquely positioned to partner with a market leader like VF to expand professional development and research in the world of textiles,” said Annette L. Ranft, dean and Stephen P. Zelnak Jr. Chair at Poole College. “We are also excited about the potential of this partnership to bring meaningful experiences to NC State students.”

“VF’s presence on Centennial Campus will create a collaboration space where students, faculty and VF employees can come together to solve challenges and accelerate innovation,” said Dennis Kekas, associate vice chancellor of partnerships and economic development at NC State.

Today’s announcement begins a long-term engagement between VF and NC State, with more initiatives to be announced.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: NC State University

Beaulieu Yarns Introduces EqoBalance®, The First Biomass-Balance Polyamide Yarns For Carpets

January 11, 2018

WIELSBEKE, Belgium — January 11, 2018 — Beaulieu Yarns now offers sustainable versions of all its polyamide (PA6) yarns for carpets for residential and commercial use, including automotive. The EqoBalance® family of “biomass-balance” yarns is being launched at Domotex 2018, held January 12-15 in Hannover, Germany. Beaulieu Yarns is on Stand B56 in Hall 11.

A first for the carpet industry, new EqoBalance PA6 yarns follow the biomass balance approach, which ensures that at the very start of the supply chain, natural renewable raw materials can partially or even completely replace fossil resources in the production of polymers processed into yarns. By choosing these yarns, carpet tufters can contribute to a sustainable future through less use of fossil resources and reduced greenhouse gas emissions.

The sustainable yarns from Beaulieu Yarns are conform the TÜV SÜD certification standard CMS 71 “Certification of the use of renewable resources”, which confirms the saving in fossil resources. The potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions as a result of the replacement of fossil use is calculated in a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). EqoBalance yarns hereby allow a reduction of up to 75 percent of CO2 eq/kg compared to our fossil based yarns.

EqoBalance yarns do not compromise on either quality or performance, as their formulation remains identical to their fossil-based equivalents. Since they are a drop-in alternative solution, tufters need to make no alterations to their manufacturing processes or final products. Beaulieu Yarns offers a wide variety of PA6 yarns for use in carpet tiles, carpet planks and broadloom carpets for commercial offices, hospitality & leisure, education & healthcare premises, automotive, and residential.

Karena Cancilleri, vice president of Engineered Products, Beaulieu International Group, commented: “Carpet tufters are requesting more environmentally-compatible yarns to support their overall commitment to greater sustainability and more efficient resource use. We see biomass balance as the fastest path forward and, through EqoBalance, are excited to pioneer this milestone for the contract market as part of our long-term strategy to give customers a fundamental new choice to step into sustainable products and contribute to a better world.”

Biomass balance in practice

The principle of biomass balance in production of yarns is comparable to that of green electricity. The basic idea involves using renewable resources such as biogas or bio-naphtha, together with fossil resources, in production of the polyamide. The share of biobased resources is then arithmetically assigned to certain products using a method certified by the TÜV SÜD technical control board. Product characteristics are absolutely identical to those of the fossil-based equivalent.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: Beaulieu International Group

DuPont Industrial Biosciences And Wools Of New Zealand Announce Materials Collaboration

January 11, 2018

WILMINGTON, Del. — January 11, 2018 — DuPont Industrial Biosciences (DuPont) is proud to announce a collaboration with Wools of New Zealand (WoNZ) to create a new platform of yarns for home textiles that will offer enduring performance characteristics with a more sustainable, eco-friendly profile.

Bringing together source traceability and patented technology from WoNZ with DuPont’s expertise in bio-sustainable, high-performance materials inspired this collaboration of expertise and products, scheduled for release in 2018.

“Wools of New Zealand is truly a leader in responsible wool supply,” said DuPont™ Sorona® Global Segment Leader John Sagrati. “This level of care, along with their devotion to innovation and quality control is exactly what we at DuPont seek in partners. They occupy a premium position in their market and have a proven track record of performance and sustainability with the unique capability to deliver consistent, tailored fibers.”

“We are genuinely excited to partner with DuPont Industrial Biosciences, a business that has been able to bring biomaterials to market on a commercial-scale,” said WoNZ Chief Executive Rosstan Mazey. “Like us, DuPont is committed to delivering added value innovation without compromising the planet or its inhabitants. The combined resources and know-how in order to create this exciting, brand-new yarn is a perfect fit with our mission to change the game through innovation and to connect the people who grow our fiber with the end consumer.”

DuPont’s industry-leading excellence in the biomaterials industry has received a number of accolades over the past year, including the Platts Global Energy “Breakthrough Solution of the Year” award for a partnership with ADM on a novel process to produce FDME from fructose; Frost & Sullivan’s award for 2017 European Company of the Year Award for bio-based materials; and, most recently, PLASTICS’ 2017 Innovation in Bioplastics Award.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: DuPont Industrial Biosciences

Cotton Egypt Association Unveils New ‘Be Human’ Brand For Egyptian Cotton™

January 11, 2018

GIZA, Egypt — January 11, 2018 — Cotton Egypt Association has unveiled a new brand identity and digital platform to re-enforce Egyptian Cotton™ as the finest cotton in the world.

The fresh, modern look, revealed at Heimtextil, in Frankfurt, this week, is designed to convey the superior quality and natural beauty of Egyptian Cotton while engaging consumers, retailers and manufacturers with its heritage and values.

Developed with United Kingdom-based brand specialists Salesworxs, the new platform places the consumer at the centre of the Egyptian Cotton experience, with a strong emphasis on how the luxury hand-picked fabric feels against the skin.

Khaled Schuman, executive director of CEA, said: “We believe that everybody should experience the luxuriously soft touch of Egyptian Cotton. We want people of all ages, worldwide, to seek out its strength, softness and durability. It’s all about the personal human touch.

“Our sales & marketing partner Salesworxs created a powerful brand identity which reflects the brand’s heritage whilst educating our audience as to our core values.”

Salesworxs Managing Director Richard Newman said: “It’s a privilege working with Cotton Egypt Association on a global project to reinforce Egyptian Cotton as the finest cotton in the world, and to bring the brand up to date with a relevant story.

“We know that a brand is a story that is always being told, it’s what people say about you when you’re not around. Egyptian Cotton is without question the world’s finest cotton, our job is to ensure our global audience recognise this when making purchasing decisions on relevant products such as home textiles and clothing.”

The rebrand is designed to increase consumer demand and retailer confidence and will support the CEA’s drive to rid the supply chain of falsely labelled Egyptian Cotton goods.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: Cotton Egypt Association

EFI Launches Fiery Textile Bundle To Deliver Superior Quality And Streamline Reggiani Textile Printing Workflows

January 11, 2018

FREMONT, Calif. — January 11, 2018 — Businesses looking to grow with digital industrial textile production for apparel and décor can advance their operations with the new EFI™ Fiery® Textile Bundle — a set of design and production workflow innovations from Electronics For Imaging Inc. The bundle — used with EFI Reggiani digital inkjet printers — includes new Fiery DesignPro Adobe® Illustrator® and Photoshop® plug-ins to create professional textile designs efficiently, and the newest Fiery proServer digital front end (DFE) for high quality textile production.

With the launch of Fiery DesignPro, EFI provides the ability to accurately match colors to the printed result, share color palettes across the design team in real time, design professional repeat patterns and create multiple colorways from one design. The plug-ins work as part of designers’ familiar environment within Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator, resulting in reduced learning curves and shorter design time.

The bundle also includes the new version 6.5 of the EFI Fiery proServer DFE, an advanced offering for wide- and superwide-format inkjet printers that brings superior EFI Fiery performance and color technology to the EFI Reggiani family of industrial textile printers. Used by major textile brands for sampling, Fiery proServer provides color consistency in the production workflow with color profiles that can be used across the design and production process.

“The Fiery Textile Bundle brings valuable new tools to further automate and streamline the design and prep process for EFI Reggiani customers looking to stay on the leading edge of innovation,” said EFI Reggiani Vice President and General Manager Adele Genoni. “Now, with this bundle, including the newest Fiery proServer, Reggiani customers get the proven, high-end advantages Fiery technology offers so they can be more efficient, more productive and more profitable.”

Quality, productivity and usability

Version 6.5 of the Fiery proServer includes textile-specific capabilities such as support for multiple ink types and color technology to ensure the highest print quality with saturated black, fine details and smooth gradients. Superior halftoning technology keeps pastels and light tones clean, and reduces graininess in highlights and large solid areas. The new version supports digital production operations in both direct-to-textile and transfer printing, plus it provides the production tools to handle step and repeat, changes in fabric dimensions during production, and brand color accuracy.

The Fiery Textile Bundle was introduced at the recent ShanghaiTex tradeshow in China. The new products are part of a comprehensive EFI ecosystem that includes EFI Optitex 2D/3D design software, and EFI Reggiani digital printers such as the new Reggiani VOGUE direct-to-textile printer, which also made its debut at ShanghaiTex.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: EFI

Starlinger’s rPET PP*STAR: A Real World Star

January 11, 2018

VIENNA, Austria — January 11, 2017 — For many years, the PP*STAR, a pinch bottom bag produced on Starlinger machinery, has been known as a robust and attractive packaging solution for products such as dry pet food, fertilizer, sugar, flour, or rice. Since early 2017, the PP*STAR can be manufactured directly from PET bottle flakes, turning it into the rPET PP*STAR. This sustainable concept has recently been awarded two prizes.

A pinch bottom bag made of woven tape fabric is currently making headlines. It turns out that the rPET PP*STAR, which has been designed for dry bulk goods, is a real world star. At national level, it was first awarded the national Green Packaging Star Award in September 2017. At the international level, the rPET PP*STAR is among the winners of the prestigious international WorldStar Award in the category “Packaging Materials and Components” and on the shortlist for the Sustainability Award. The WorldStar award ceremony will take place on May 2, 2018 in Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia. Bag manufacturing in a fully closed loop: This is the concept that impressed the jury. While other types of packaging are made from recyclable virgin material, the rPET PP*STAR already consists of 100 % recycled material. To be more precise, the bag is made from rPET bottle flakes, without the use of virgin material. Used bottles are turned into bags that are in turn recyclable: a maximum of waste reduction!

This point is also emphasized by Stéphane Soudais, Head of Consumer Bags at Starlinger: “Whereas others only talk about the theoretical recyclability of their product, our product is actually made from recycled material. We are proud that our efforts for an environmentally friendly and cost-efficient bag production are rewarded with such prestigious awards.” The recycling in a closed loop is favored by the use of the plastic PET. Through a process known as polycondensation, the original properties of the material can be restored, meaning that a bag can theoretically be recycled indefinitely. The quality of the material remains the same, and with it the proven break resistance and the bag’s suitability for use in food contact.

Well in advance of receiving any prizes, the PP*STAR was known as distinctly environmentally friendly, given that it is a real lightweight. While a 3-layer paper bag for 50 kg fertilizer weighs about 140-160 g, the weight of a one-layer rPET PP*STAR is a mere 117 g. And that does not only save material, but also transport cost and carbon dioxide because a great number of unfilled bags can be transported on one pallet.

An environmentally friendly, recycled and recyclable packaging: the rPET PP*STAR has the whole package!

PP*STAR® is a registered trademark. PP*STAR® bags are manufactured exclusively on Starlinger machinery.

Posted January 11, 2018

Source: Starlinger

SEAMS Announces 2018 Board Of Directors

January 10, 2018

WAKE FOREST, N.C. — January 10, 2018 — SEAMS, the National Association and voice for the U.S. Sewn Products Industry for more than 50 years, announced today the SEAMS membership election of four new Officers to serve on its executive board. SEAMS also announced six Manufacturer/Contractor Directors and three Specialty Directors.

“SEAMS 2018 Board of Directors reflects our dedication to promoting sound economic growth for our members and leading the resurgence of “Made in America” on the world stage,” said Matt Poovey, newly elected President of SEAMS. “Our board includes leaders from some of America’s foremost brands, manufacturers and suppliers in the sewn products industry. These top executives will serve our membership well through progressive and timely educational programs, dissemination of information on government regulations/legislation impacting the industry, and adding increased value to control costs and achieve business improvements that were never available before in the U.S.”

Four Executive Directors were confirmed by a member vote to a two-year term on the board: