PFÄFFIKON, Switzerland — November 7, 2017 — The world of floor coverings is showing its latest innovations, designs, and technologies at Domotex, this year with a new hall layout. Stäubli, along with its brand Schönherr carpet systems, has a new booth location, one that is still close to its customers. All interested persons are invited to visit Stäubli in Hall 6 at Booth H28.

With its ALPHA carpet weaving machines, Stäubli is renowned worldwide for unsurpassed flexibility. Whether for weaving loop or flat carpeting, low or high pile, high-density rugs for traditional markets, or ultra-modern uni-coloured rugs with surface design effects, the ALPHA 500 series of weaving systems includes the ideal model for any carpet weaving project – while also giving mills the flexibility to handle all sorts of future applications.

Trend-setting technology for any low-pile application

Low-pile applications take various forms, from trendy used-look rugs to lightweight wall-to-wall carpeting for the transportation sector or light carpets, which require a combination of low pile and high density. Each of these requires know-how and weaving technology suited to specific needs. The broad range of ALPHA carpet weaving systems includes perfectly adapted solutions for each of these applications as well as uncounted others. The key components, such as the cutting device guided by a belt to ensure perfectly plane carpet surfaces, or a special device for forming perfectly aligned 2mm mini-loops, or the ultra-flexible and precise shed formation machines, all incorporate Stäubli know-how, which the company offers to weavers aiming to create an attractive and competitive carpet range and remain ideally poised to swiftly respond to future market demands.

Highly flexible and responsive partner answering the mill’s needs

No matter how good a machine is, its full potential can be realised only through perfect operation. That’s why customer support is a top priority at Stäubli. As a consultancy partner, the company analyses the mill’s needs with the customer to choose the best machines and solutions to cost-effectively meet the stated goals. The ALPHA range is as comprehensive as any, forming the ideal basis for intelligent solutions for any mill. Stäubli’s experts are there to assist – from initial planning all the way through to final handover of the equipment. And after overseeing installation, testing, and fine tuning of the machinery, Stäubli trains the operators and production planning staff (using CSS software) so that the mill is sure to derive the fullest benefit from the high-performance equipment. Training programmes are tailored to the mill’s wishes and needs and conducted in the mill or at Stäubli’s training centre in Bayreuth, Germany. Highly competent service technicians (permanently stationed in China, Iran, Turkey, and the USA) complete Stäubli’s comprehensive service offer, which is delivered worldwide.

Posted December 7, 2017

Source : Stäubli

ZURICH — December 7, 2017 — Customers are particularly demanding if the textile has direct contact with skin. Since 1992, OEKO-TEX® has offered textile testing for harmful substances using independent laboratory tests. Yet customer consciousness towards textiles is constantly expanding and nowadays other questions are increasingly influencing purchasing decisions: Was this bedding produced under socially responsible and safe conditions? Were these towels produced by an environmentally friendly company? The MADE IN GREEN label answers all the customer’s queries with a clear and simple “yes”. It is only issued for textile products that have been tested for harmful substances according to STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX and that also originate from sustainable production facilities following the requirements of the STeP by OEKO-TEX certification (STeP stands for “Sustainable Textile Production”). “If customers consider the MADE IN GREEN LABEL, they have the opportunity to make a sustainable purchase decision for themselves, fellow human beings and the environment” explained Georg Dieners, General Secretary of the OEKO-TEX Association.

Although the label was only introduced in 2015, numerous home textiles are now labelled with MADE IN GREEN, the clear commitment to improving product safety and ecological and social production conditions. This includes mattress toppers and incontinence support, hand towels, bedding and pillows from the companies Amidex, Dibella, Loftex, Setex, and Adam Matheis GmbH und Co. KG with their brand Schlafgut (Sleep Well), just to name a few.

The MADE IN GREEN label offers consumers a level of transparency that was previously unattainable. Each label has a unique product ID or QR code. With this, customers can trace the production of the respective product directly in the shop via their smartphone. A brief scan of the QR code provides answers, among others, to questions such as: In which production facility along the textile chain was this textile produced? In which countries did production take place? This creates trust and offers customers an additional opportunity to inform themselves directly about products and compare them to one another when buying textiles. The MADE IN GREEN label, introduced in spring 2015, is therefore a compelling sales argument, particularly for brands and retailers with an affiliated supply chain that market to health conscious and responsibly minded customers.

To simplify the selection of MADE IN GREEN labelled products for retailers and companies, OEKO-TEX provides the OEKO-TEX Buying Guide free of charge at www.oeko-tex.com/products. The tool provides support with the sourcing of raw materials and products, as well as in the selection of cooperative partners and suppliers along the textile chain. OEKO-TEX thus offers companies and retailers a complete system based on highly coordinated and integrated labels and services. Those wishing to obtain an overview in person can speak directly to the OEKO-TEX experts from several member institutes at the Heimtextil exhibition 2018 in hall 8.0, booth D96.

Posted December 7, 2017

Source: OEKO-TEX®

MASON, Ohio — December 7, 2017 — With more than 100 years of down processing expertise that began in Europe prior to settling in the United States in the late 1940’s, Downlite not only knows a thing or two about down, but how the buying trends of this commodity have evolved over the years.

“Years ago, buyers’ primary concerns when purchasing down and feather for bedding and outdoor gear were that it was clean and delivered to factories on time,” said Chad Altbaier, vice president, Downlite Outdoor. “Today there are many additional factors involved in the buying decision such as where and how the down is sourced, a supplier’s stand on environmental and sustainability matters, product innovation and cost. We continually need to be pro-active and rigorously evolve on each of these fronts.”

Being in tune with customer needs and market conditions, Downlite has developed new down-fill innovations involving natural and recycled materials, which offer the dual benefit of enhancing the performance of the material, while being grounded in its core value of environmental stewardship.

At the forthcoming 2018 Outdoor Retailer Winter Market and ISPO trade show, Downlite will highlight the following new down fills and sustainability initiatives.

Performance Fills

• GRS certified re/charged™ down provides unprecedented performance levels for 100% recycled down due to its ability to ‘boost’ the down to a higher cluster and resulting fill power. re/charged down is offered in both white and gray colors and can be combined with Downlite’s performance-enhancing technologies such as its proprietary PFC-free DWR treatments and Pur-Down™ anti-microbial solution. Downlite has increased capacity to meet increased customer demand for GRS certified re/charged down.

• Repreve®-down blend is an intimate blend of Repreve — a brand creating GRS certified post-consumer recycled fiber made from plastic bottles – and virgin down and/or Downlite’s GRS certified recycled down blends. Repreve down-blend offers a sustainable solution with enhanced performance benefits.

• Wool-Down HALO™ is a proprietary blend of nature’s best insulating materials. Wool-Down HALO uses a traceable wool sourced in the U.S. and has achieved new laundry durability standards. This fiber brings the temperature and humidity control benefits of wool together with the loft, softness, and compressibility of down.

• PFC-Free DWR Treatment Enhancements offering increased wash durability and performance in PFC-free DWR treated down and down blends.

Sustainability initiatives

• Waste Water Recycling System — A little over one year ago, Downlite installed an advanced waste water recycling system, which allows Downlite to dramatically reduce the amount of water needed to cleanse down and feathers to hypo-allergenic levels – two times governmental standards. To date, the system has recycled 36MM gallons of water. That’s enough water to fill nearly 55 Olympic size swimming pools!

• 1% For the Planet — 1% of the sales of Downlite’s GRS certified re/charged™ down, in addition to 1% of sales of the company’s eco-friendly Evolution of Comfort bedding collection from its Home Division featuring organic and recycled materials, earth-friendly components and chemistries, will be donated to 1% For the Planet.

• Composting — Downlite engages with an outside organic recycling company to utilize the large waste feathers that traditionally end up in landfill and, instead, treat them for soil compost. The dry feathers help make the compost more manageable when mixed with other matter. Due to feathers added pore space, they also degrade the organic matter of the compost more efficiently. Lastly, feathers are rich in keratin, a protein that slowly releases nitrogen when added to compost. The slow release of nitrogen allows for long-term plant growth stimulation.

Brand Partners

Downlite proudly supplies its performance down fills to the following prestigious brands: Patagonia, The North Face, Columbia Sportswear, Mountain Hardwear, Ralph Lauren, lululemon, REI, Cascade Designs, Jack Wolfskin, Berghaus, Helly Hanson, Nemo, Mammut and Bergans, among others.

Posted December 7, 2017

Source: Downlite