Belgium-based Solvay recently purchased European Carbon Fiber GmbH (ECF) from Germany-based Dolan Holding GmbH, a company owned by funds managed by Alpina Partners and Dr. Jan Verdenhalven. ECF manufactures precursor for large-tow polyacrylonitrile (PAN)-based carbon fibers. Terms of the sale were not disclosed.
“We were looking for a strong new owner for ECF and truly believe that Solvay is the right partner to further develop the business in the future,” said Dr. Florian Strehle, Alpina partner.
Houston-based nylon 6,6 resin producer Ascend Performance Materials plans to increase production of its intermediate chemicals and polymers products — adiponitrile, hexamethylene diamine, adipic acid and polymers — by 10 to 15 percent through 2018. Ascend did not disclose the capital investment cost for the capacity increases.
“The global demand for nylon 6,6 and our intermediate chemicals continues to grow at 3 to 4 percent per year in a range of diverse applications,” said Phil McDivitt, president and CEO, Ascend. “We have consistently added capacity through our entire nylon 6,6 value chain since 2015, increasing our production by 10 to 30 percent depending on the product with no impact on our customers.”
Duluth, Ga.-based FiberVisions Corp. recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of its Covington, Ga., plant. Built in 1966, its parent company — Hercules Inc., a producer of Herculon® branded polypropylene and polyester fibers used in mid-century furniture and carpets — had the goal of producing 25 million pounds of polypropylene fiber each year when the facility opened in 1967 to support Georgia’s carpet manufacturing industry.
During its 50 year history, the plant has adapted and its Herculon fibers now can be found in a wide variety of nonwovens applications including diapers, geotextiles, filters, wipes and tea bags, among other applications. In 1997, the fibers division of Hercules formed a joint venture company with Denmark-based Danaklon Group and FiberVisions came into being as a wholly owned subsidiary of Hercules in 1998. FiberVisions currently is owned by Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd.
TNC Global, Greensboro, N.C., has signed a distribution agreement for the United States and Canada with the Radici Comfort Fibres business area, a part of the Italy-based Radici Group. TNC will be responsible for nylon and polyester fiber and filament yarn products. The polyester products previously were known under the brand Noyfil, but today are branded as Radici products.
“We are enthusiastic about working with such an estimable company in Radici,” said Joey Fields, global business director, TNC. “They can supply numerous specialty products that fit right in with our core customer base and for other companies that we don’t work with yet. Radici has offered full commitment to the U.S. and Canadian markets and have promised their best talent for engineering specific yarns for TNC and our customers.”
The former “Shelby” DuraFiber Technologies plant in Grover, N.C., has been purchased by Fiber Innovators International LLC, a joint venture between Wilmington, N.C.-based PolyQuest Inc. and Straterra Holdings — a company comprised of key DuraFiber executives. The facility manufactures medium- and high-tenacity industrial polyester filament including some unique filaments for technical applications, and supplies both domestic and global customers.
“We are pleased that we have been able to consummate this deal with Straterra Holdings and plan for additional investments in Grover,” said John Marinelli, CEO, PolyQuest. “Strategic customer relationships and retention of our excellent employees are two of the primary keys at Grover. Our workforce has the skills and talent to produce a highly engineered filament that has been and will remain a standard in the industry. We plan to support the growing technical needs of our key accounts for many years.”
In related news, Germany-based DuraFiber Technologies GmbH now operates as a stand-alone company after a management buyout in collaboration with a strategic investor. A new parent company has been formed, and a name change will be announced in the near future. The plant produces high-tenacity multifilament yarns including polyethylene terephalate, polyetheretherketone, polyphenylene sulfide and polybutylene terephalate for a wide variety of specialty applications requiring high strength.
DuraFiber Technologies, headquartered in Huntersville, N.C., closed its remaining two U.S. operations in Salisbury, N.C., and Winnsboro, S.C., and filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy with the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware.
Dr. Kathy Lawrence and Dr. Gary Lawrence are researching new ways to preserve cotton quality without harmful pesticides.
Cotton Council International recently launched a new promotional campaign for U.S.-grown cotton
TW Special Report
This year, Washington-based Cotton Council International (CCI) — the export promotions arm of the National Cotton Council (NCC), Cordova, Tenn. — launched a new campaign for U.S.-grown cotton: “COTTON USA is the Cotton the World Trusts.” The entire U.S. cotton industry — farmers, ginners, warehousers, merchants, classers, cooperatives, and manufacturers — is proud to be able to work together to create cotton fiber that is preferred for quality and is truly “The Cotton The World Trusts.” CCI carries this message to more than 50 countries through its 20 worldwide offices.
U.S. cotton offers manufacturers, as well as consumers, many benefits. It is a high-quality fiber produced in a sustainable and transparent manner while harnessing the latest industry innovations and offering premium value.
Sustainability
U.S. cotton is produced sustainably and is fairly grown. Family farmers own the land. Their fields have been in their families for generations, so it’s in their own best interest to protect them for future generations.
Furthermore, U.S. cotton is governed by a strict regulatory system. Environmental and workplace regulations are strictly enforced by federal and state agencies and the penalties for non-compliance are both civil and criminal. Farmers fill out extensive paperwork and are inspected by both state and federal officials. This comprehensive system of sustainability measurement is at the forefront of the industry.
Figure 1 shows the U.S. cotton industry’s continuing commitment to the environment with 35 years of reduced environmental impact.
Figure 1
The U.S. cotton industry also uses Precision Agricultural Management — innovative technologies that use high-tech measurement systems driven by computers to achieve high quality and yield using less water and fewer chemicals. New technologies are the key drivers for precision agriculture. For example, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technology allows producers to “map” fields, so they know exactly where inputs are needed, and they can use small precise dosages of water or plant protection products. Computer driven moisture sensors improve water efficiency. “No tillage” techniques also are employed to preserve the soil.
James Wray uses Unmanned Aerial Vehicle technology to help him apply water only where it’s needed.
With the goal of helping its members meet their current needs while making the world a better place for future generations, the U.S. cotton industry is setting goals that aim to build upon the strong environmental gains already achieved over the past 30 years.
“Our industry wants to be the supplier of choice for those who are committed to only buying cotton that is produced with sustainable and responsible environmental, safety and labor practices,” said NCC Chairman Ronnie Lee, a Georgia cotton producer. “That is the objective that was set by the Council’s COTTON USA Sustainability Task Force.”
Task Force Chairman Ted Schneider, a Louisiana cotton producer, said the actual sustainability resolution that the Council adopted earlier this year called for the creation of the sustainability task force and specified that it collaborate with U.S. cotton industry associations “on developing industry-wide goals for measurable continual improvements in environmental stewardship, farm productivity, and resource efficiency such as land, water, air, input, and energy use.”
Schneider mentioned some of the specific goals being pursued by 2025, including:
reducing by 13 percent the amount of land needed to produce a pound of cotton fiber;
reducing soil loss by 50 percent, in balance with new soil formation;
increasing water use efficiency — more fiber per gallon — by 18 percent;
reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 39 percent;
increasing soil carbon in fields by 30 percent; and
reducing energy to produce seed cotton and ginned lint by 15 percent.
“U.S. cotton growers have achieved significant environmental gains over the past three decades,” explained Schneider. “The goals are meant to continue that trend and to reinvigorate efforts through the setting of realistic targeted reductions.”
“We believe the United States may be the only country in the world with these kind of specific, measurable, quantified goals,” said Dahlen Hancock, chairman of Cary, N.C.-based Cotton Incorporated’s Board of Directors. Cotton Incorporated’s scientists have worked diligently to develop and refine U.S. cotton’s sustainability initiative.
Hancock, who is a Texas cotton producer, said the U.S. cotton industry is using science-based metrics and benchmarks developed by Field to Market: The Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture to assess environmental impacts and identify opportunities for improvement. Field to Market works across the entire agricultural supply chain to define, measure and advance the sustainability of U.S. crop production.
Hancock also is the former chairman of CCI, and said the organization looks forward to “sharing with U.S. cotton’s global customers the strides our industry will continue to make in providing the world with responsibly produced, quality fiber.”
Byron Cole, area director of the Memphis Classing Office, with the latest cotton classing technology.
Quality
Quality in. Quality out. That’s why, when mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers want strong, consistent and uniform fibers, they turn to COTTON USA. Since the mid-1980s, U.S. cotton fiber has undergone an enormous transformation. Intensive research and superior technology has produced a cotton product that’s now whiter, finer, stronger and cleaner.
The U.S. cotton industry prides itself on offering high quality, no matter what grade of cotton is specified. From jeans to sheets to the finest white shirts, the industry delivers. A comparison of the classing data from the last 10 years shows that the U.S. cotton industry has truly become a one-stop supermarket of cottons.
U.S. cotton is 100-percent machine-picked cotton. And the U.S. cotton industry has an ongoing and continuing commitment to educate growers and ginners on the latest technologies and practices for the elimination of potential sources of contamination.
U.S. cotton’s fiber fineness, or micronaire, and color quality also are excellent. Micronaire is key to producing yarns for knit fabric formers. And U.S. cotton makes the job of dyeing yarn much easier. Most U.S. cotton now classes as a white grade, the easiest fiber to dye, as compared to spotted or tinged grade.
As spinning and fabric forming speeds increased, perhaps the greatest demand on fiber was for increased strength. The U.S. cotton industry uses innovative seed varieties scientifically developed to provide stronger, longer cotton fibers. The longer fiber allows for more twist to be applied during spinning. The increase in twist produces yarn and fabric strong enough to knit and weave the highest quality cotton fabrics.
Recent COTTON USA mill studies show how using U.S. cotton leads to processing efficiencies that reduce costs. The research examined U.S. cotton quality, spinning and fabric manufacturing results. CCI conducted nearly 60 mills visits in six countries to present the results of these studies, and will continue to conduct one-on-one meetings with global textile mills to maximize the use of U.S. cotton.
Transparency
COTTON USA has become the cotton the world trusts because of years of transparent partnership. U.S. cotton is fairly traded, and the U.S. cotton industry stands behind its bales. And the United States is the only country in the world that tests 100-percent of all its bales. Not every fourth or fifth. Not even every other. Every single bale. So a customer knows he will receive what was ordered. It’s just one more example of the U.S. cotton industry’s commitment to excellence — and your satisfaction.
The U.S. cotton industry uses the latest computer classing technology to make sure every bale is fairly and correctly classed. And its stringent processes insure uniformity and consistency within classes.
Every bale has its own Permanent Bale Identification (PBI) tag. As each bale goes through the ginning and classing process, this tag goes along with it. So a buyer always knows where, when and how the bale was harvested, ginned and classed.
Premium Value
COTTON USA is committed to creating programs, networking opportunities and educational forums that benefit mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers. It’s all a part of the premium value that COTTON USA brings to the entire supply chain. This dedication to helping build closer relationships between suppliers and buyers benefits the entire industry.
To help facilitate its goals, COTTON USA introduced a new global website located at cottonusa.org. Translated into 12 different languages, the site offers mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers economic data, global supplier search capabilities, and new developments in the areas of cotton sustainability, quality, transparency and innovation. The new COTTON USA website is totally focused on serving business needs, and newly built to connect, educate and inspire the entire cotton supply chain.
COTTON USA also provides sourcing services and networking opportunities. The biennial Sourcing USA Summit brings together U.S. cotton merchants with the world’s premier mills and manufacturers in the industry’s largest event. COTTON USA provides information on the latest innovations in cotton production through ongoing seminars, conferences, executive delegations and U.S. Cotton Belt tours that update textile executives on U.S. cotton industry developments, techniques and processes. Through COTTON USA Buyers’ Tours and Sourcing Fairs, CCI facilitates the sourcing process for the buyers by preselecting manufacturers and providing basic company profile information based on the buyers’ needs.
Furthermore, the COTTON USA Sourcing Program is a successful partnership between CCI and a group of U.S. cotton textile manufacturers designed to develop business relationships along the entire cotton textile and apparel supply chain. CCI has developed relationships with companies throughout Latin America through private trade events, regional trade shows and personal visits.
The COTTON USA™ Mark licensing program continues to add value to customers’ business. The COTTON USA Mark is a sign of softness, strength, comfort and sustainability to consumers around the world. It identifies superior cotton products made with a majority of cotton grown in the United States. In a recent hangtag study, the COTTON USA Mark was proven to add value for consumers. But even more significantly, consumers indicated they would be willing to pay more for a product with the COTTON USA Mark rather than a generic 100-percent cotton logo. CCI recently signed 136 new COTTON USA licensees, for a total of 714 licensed mills, manufacturers, brands and retailers that proudly use the COTTON USA Mark. It’s easy to become a licensee — just ask a local CCI representative.
Innovation
To showcase a continued focus on innovation, COTTON USA launched its new “WHAT’S NEW IN COTTON™” initiative with the objective of inspiring the target audience to think about the many opportunities in U.S. cotton and ultimately to specify more U.S. cotton in their products. At recent international trade shows — including Premiére Vision in Paris and Intertextile in Shanghai, China — CCI, Cotton Incorporated and Supima collaborated to exhibit jointly in one large cotton pavilion and showcase What’s New In Cotton including innovations in technologies, fabric blends, performance, design and fashion.
CCI also launched the innovative COTTON USA Mill Exchange Program in Southeast Asia, which enables textile mills to see firsthand how competitors are successfully using U.S. cotton in their mills to increase profits, as well as learn best practices.
CCI is dedicated to making U.S. cotton the preferred fiber for mills/manufacturers, brands/retailers and consumers, commanding a value-added premium that delivers profitability across the U.S. cotton industry and drives export growth of fiber, yarn and other cotton products. CCI’s demand-building activities are critical in showcasing U.S. cotton’s quality, sustainability, transparency, premium value and innovation — all of which make U.S. cotton “The Cotton The World Trusts.”
ASTM International, Conshohocken, Pa., has announced plans to establish a center of excellence in the area of additive manufacturing/3-D printing. The organization is seeking up to two partners in the venture with full proposals due by December 15.
Brussels-based EDANA – the association serving the nonwovens and related industries, is taking entries for the OUTLOOK™ Asia Innovation Award, which honors innovative products and services designed in, or intended for markets in the Asia Pacific. EDANA also launched a call for papers for its International Nonwovens Symposium to be held May 23-24, 2018, in Rome, Italy.
Belgium-based Beaulieu Yarns reports its France-based production site Ideal Fibres & Comines — that produces a wide variety of yarns for various automotive industry applications — has been awarded Highly Protected Risk (HPR) status. The HPR designation shows that a facility meets the highest industry standards for property protection.
Switzerland-based Archroma reports for the second year in a row, its Pakistan-based affiliate Archroma Pakistan Ltd. has been named “Employer of the Year” in the multinationals segment in the Employers Federation of Pakistan contest. In addition, Mujtaba Rahim, Archroma Pakistan CEO, earned the “Best CEO of the Year” award.
Fibrix LLC, Conover, N.C., reports it will increase the list and off-list prices for its nonwovens products by 5 cents per pound effective December 1, 2017, or as contracts allow. The increase is the first to its customers in more than four year, but was necessary because of higher costs in raw materials and freight, according to the company.
Exton, Pa.-based AGC Chemicals, a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Asahi Glass Co., is celebrating its 100th anniversary.
UltraTech International Inc., Jacksonville, Fla., recently was awarded ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX® certification for its EverShield superhydrophobic fabric coating, which means any fabric treated with EverShield is safe for use with clothing, blankets and other materials produced for babies and toddlers.
A new New Era Denver Broncos cap features REPREVE® recycled bottle polyester from Unifi Inc.
New Era Cap Co. Inc., Buffalo, N.Y., has debuted the first-ever official National Football League cap manufactured using eco-friendly REPREVE® recycled bottle fiber produced by Greensboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. The caps are available at the Denver Broncos Team Store at Sports Authority Field at Mile High during Broncos games.
The Netherlands-based Stahl Holdings BV announced it recently received the bluesign® system partner status from Switzerland-based Bluesign Technologies AG.
The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C., has issued the “North American Nonwovens Industry Outlook, 2016-2021,” a 370-page industry outlook report. The study is available to INDA members for $3,850 and non-members may access the report for $5,500.
Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company launched a website, located at millikenspecialtyinteriors.com, to offer information on its new Specialty Interiors business, which offers textile products and services to the home, office, healthcare, hospitality and special events markets.
Americhem Inc., Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio, has announced a global price increase for all color and additive products effective October 1, 2017. The price increase reflects inflation-based increases in raw materials, energy, freight and packaging costs. Americhem also released its 2018-19 color trends forecast comprised of six color palettes named Motown, Techno, Festival, Bossa Nova, Lullaby and Concerto.
England-based MagnaColours® has translated its MagnaAcademy video tutorial training program into Spanish, and will also issue Russian and Turkish versions of the videos in order to help screen printers develop their skills and learn how to best use the Magna product range.
Cincinnati-based Standard Textile Co. Inc. reports its VESTEX® Active Barrier apparel was awarded a 2017 Innovative Technology designation from Vizient Inc., a member-driven healthcare performance improvement company.
Greenville, S.C.-based Kentwool Inc.’s CEO Mark Kent recently passed away at the age of 55. He was the fifth generation Kent to run the family-owned state-of-the-art wool-based spinning business. In addition to wool yarns, Kentwool is known for the “World’s Best Golf Sock,” a product Kent conceived of and developed after suffering badly blistered feet during a three-day charity golf pro-am. Kent’s obituary notes that: “his business family remembers best his kindness, his generosity, his infectious smile, and his exceptional character. Mark lived a life celebrated for his commitment to his customers and his employees, as well as the countless people he served quietly as a philanthropist and public servant.”
“He was an expert in his field who cared deeply for his workers and the communities that relied on Kentwool to provide employment and investment,” said Auggie Tantillo, president and CEO, National Council of Textile Organizations. “From a national policy standpoint, Mark’s insight and direction on issues impacting the U.S. wool textile sector will be especially missed.”
Ambroza
Dearborn, Mich.-based Carhartt promoted its senior vice president of marketing Tony Ambroza to the newly created senior leadership position of chief brand officer.
Pittsburgh-based Dick’s Sporting Goods has named Paul Gaffney chief technology officer.
Feltrup-Exum
Jordan Feltrup-Exum has joined High Point, N.C-based Morbern as director of sales for the United States.
Brückner Trockentechnik managing associate Regina Brückner was elected chairperson for the Germany-based VDMA Textile Machinery Association at its member meeting held recently in Berlin. The association also elected Verena Thies, Thies Textilmaschinen, and Fritz P. Mayer, Karl Mayer Textilmaschinenfabrik, vice chairs.
Berlin
Finland-based Spinnova Ltd. has named Emmi Berlin head of communications.
Downlite, Mason, Ohio, has hired Clive Wilkie as vice president, Quality Assurance & Compliance.
Larson
Dana Claire Larson has joined Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company as director of design and development for its new Specialty Interiors business.
Greensboro, N.C.-based Unifi Inc. has elected Kevin D. Hall chairman of the Board of Directors; and Archibald Cox, Jr., lead independent director. Hall will also continue in his role as CEO.
Drew Watson has joined Supreme Corp., Hickory, N.C., as southeast market manager for the Tuff-N-Lite® brand of safety gear and personal protective equipment.
Hoather
England-based Global Inkjet Systems has named Martin Hoather COO.
Cary, N.C.-based Cotton Incorporated has named Dr. Jesse Daystar vice president and chief sustainability officer.
Keegan
Tim Keegan has joined American Textile Co., Duquesne, Pa., as senior vice president, Hospitality Sales.
Hologenix LLC, Santa Monica, Calif., has elected Bill Werlin chairman of the board. In addition, Jim Calhoun was appointed to the board of directors.
Germany-based Reifenhäuser Holding has appointed Dr. Bernd Kunze and Karsten Kratz to the management board. Kunze is the chief technology officer and Kratz is CFO responsible for the IT and Compliance divisions.
du Chesney
Paris-based Lectra has promoted Olivier du Chesnay to CFO.
INX International Ink Co., Schaumburg, Ill., has promoted Jim Lambert to vice president of digital sales — Ink and Hardware.
Kevin R. Williams is the new president and CEO of Winston-Salem, N.C.-based EPIC Brand Management Group.
Italy-based Itema Group recently celebrated the opening of Itema Campus, a state-of-the-art training center in Pakistan. The company hosted an opening ceremony for more than 100 guests in cooperation with Noon International, its exclusive sales and after-sales agent in Pakistan. Chief guests at the event included Aamir Fayyaz Sheikh, chairman, All-Pakistan Textile Mills Association, and CEO, Kohinoor Mills; and Stefano Pontecorvo, Italian Ambassador to Pakistan. Itema Group Sales & Marketing Director Christian Straubhaar and Head of Sales responsible for Pakistan Franco Brambilla were present at the opening along with sales agents from Itema and Noon International, and employees from textile companies in Pakistan.
“The concept of the Campus is to bring Itema to Pakistan because we believe that a physical presence in a country is essential in order to create a dynamic and positive environment for business,” said Straubhaar.
Germany-based Dilo reports it has received an order from Rome, Ga.-based Foss Floors for a complete Dilo needlepunch line that is suitable for producing floorcovering felts. The line includes a DiloTemafa opening and blending line, 3-meter-wide DiloSpinnbau MC 3-5 carding machine, a DLBS 30/50 DiloMachines crosslapper with CV1 system, two DI-LOOM series needlelooms as well as the DILO-PCS integrated process control system.
