Winter 2018 editions of Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA will feature on-trend fabrics, finished apparel sources.

TW Special Report

The biannual Texworld USA will assemble at the Javits Convention Center in New York City January 22-24, 2018, for three days of sourcing, seminars and networking alongside collocated show Apparel Sourcing USA.

Texworld USA — an apparel sourcing event for buyers, research and product development specialists, designers, merchandisers and overseas sourcing professionals — is organized by Atlanta-based Messe Frankfurt Inc. and offers attendees “the opportunity to meet directly with a wide range of manufacturers from Asia, the Middle East, North America and from many other regions from around the globe.” The show is produced in partnership with Austria-based Lenzing, and builds on the success of Innovation Asia and a sister Texworld show held in Paris.

More than 240 exhibitors will showcase their latest fabrics at Texworld USA’s winter edition. Items on display at the show are organized into more than 14 categories including cotton; denim; embroidery and lace; faux fur; findings and trims and accessories; functional fabrics; jacquard; knits; linen; prints; shirting; silk; wool; and yarns.

Apparel Sourcing USA — a long-term joint venture partnership between Messe Frankfurt and the China-based Sub-Council of Textile Industry, China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT-TEX) — is designed to offer apparel brands, retailers, wholesalers and independent design firms a dedicated sourcing marketplace for finding the best domestic and international apparel manufacturers. According to Messe Frankfurt, Apparel Sourcing is the only event on the East Coast to focus on sourcing finished apparel, contract manufacturing and private label development. Product groups help visitors to find the fabrics they wish to source including: childrenswear; womenswear; menswear; activewear; knits; wovens; denim/jeans; collections; suiting; contemporary; intimates/lingerie; and loungewear/sleepwear.

Seminar Program, Event Highlights

As well as the show floor dedicated to exhibitors, a complimentary seminar program and trend forum are offered to attendees.

The full seminar series schedule was not available as of Textile World’s press time, but some speaker highlights include:

• Ben Mead, managing director for the Hohenstein Institute of America and Dr. Jan Beringer, head of research and development department of function and care, Hohenstein Institute, presenting on the topic of “Microplastics and Environment – Quantifying the Impact;” and
• Anna Czerwinska, head of marketing and communication, International OEKO-TEX® Association who will give a presentation titled, “The Key to Confidence: Consumers and Textile Sustainability.”

Texworld USA also will host a live, pre-event webinar on January 17 at 11 a.m. hosted by Laurie Pressman, vice president, Pantone Color Institute. The webinar will focus on Spring/Summer 2019-20 color trends.

In addition, Apparel Sourcing USA’s Winter 2018 trend area will throw the spotlight on denim fabrics featuring manufacturers that specialize in denim production.

“We are always focused on bringing the best quality exhibitors to our attendees each season and making sure they have a platform for education, networking and conducting business,” said Jennifer Bacon, show director. “Our ever-popular seminar sessions, organized by Lenzing Fibers, are focused on relevant topics in our ever-evolving industry. We are also incredibly excited to debut our third edition SPOTLIGHT: denim, and shed some light on the wide array of denim fabrics that our exhibitors have to offer.”

Registration is complimentary for qualified trade industry professionals. Messe Frankfurt recommends that attendees preregister online, but it also is possible to register on-site using a business card and photo identification. The show is open January 22 and 23 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 24.

“We are continuing our efforts to make Texworld an industry event that can’t be missed,” Bacon said. “Texworld’s winter edition truly serves the market as a “one stop shop.”

For more information about Texworld USA and Apparel Sourcing USA, please visit texworldusa.com and apparel sourcingshow.com

November/December 2017

Outdoor Retailer’s debut in Denver offers a revamped show format.

TW Special Report

Since 1996, the Salt Palace Convention Center in Salt Lake City had hosted the Outdoor Industry Association’s (OIA’s) Outdoor Retailer trade show produced by Emerald Expositions LLC. But under pressure from several high-profile outdoor company executives, organizers recently reevaluated the show’s location and announced all shows, including the Summer and Winter markets, will move to Denver’s Colorado Convention Center beginning with the January 2018 edition. The show is a business-to-business outdoor sports show that forms a gathering place for brands, retailers, suppliers and industry leaders; and features conferences, training sessions, leadership seminars and other educational opportunities. According to the organizers, the show is a place “to share ideas, explore best practices and unite as a powerful advocate for environmental issues and the protection of public lands …”

“Denver was selected not only because it met the logistical criteria to host a successful show (we expect to bring more than 85,000 attendees annually, across three shows), but also because the state of Colorado shares the industry’s passion for outdoor recreation and preserving public lands,” said Marisa Nicholson, Outdoor Retailer show director. “While we now turn to the future, I must say that the support of the Salt Lake community was essential in helping Outdoor Retailer grow and thrive over the past 22 years.”

January Show Highlights

For the first time in almost 30 years, the outdoor and snow industries will be together as Outdoor Retailer collocates with Snow Show for its January 2018 edition, to be held January 25-28, 2018, with on-snow demonstrations January 29 and 30. The show is endorsed and sponsored by OIA and Snowsports Industries America.

The show focuses on innovative outdoor apparel, footwear, gear, hard goods and accessories, which are grouped into the following categories: Adventure Travel; Backpacking; Camping; Hiking; Climbing; Skiing; Snowboarding; Snowsports; Mountaineering; Mountain Biking; Fishing/Fly Fishing; Health and Fitness; Nutrition and Natural Products; Paddlesports/ Watersports/SUP; Pet Products; Running/Trail Running/Triathalon; Surf; Skate; Lifestyle; Multisport Endurance; and Yoga/Pilates.

To coincide with the move to the Colorado Convention Center the show format has been revamped. Exhibitors will occupy three floors, and four curated spaces — Venture Out, Luxe, Scandinavian Village and Rental World — will present trends, luxury products, Scandinavian brands and rental gear to visitors.

On January 26, the Red Rocks Amphitheatre will host a fashion show featuring DJ Matt Cassidy followed by JAUZ and Mac Miller. Presented in partnership with Icelantic’s Winter on the Rocks, the fashion show and concert are open to the public as well as Outdoor Retailer attendees to extend the show’s reach.

Outdoor Retailer also offers educational opportunities. The Camp, located on the show floor, will offer insight on a variety of topics including women in the outdoors, creative merchandising, Amazon and specialty retail, and the changing retail landscape. The Trend + Design Center features innovations in materials and manufacturing. In addition, organizers will present The Inspiration Awards to people “who inspire us to do more in the outdoors;” and the “Night of Stoke” will feature films and speakers who participate in the winter sports lifestyle.

“The positive response to the combined show has exceeded all expectations,” said Nicholson. “We are going to be bursting at the seams with gear. The opportunities for product discovery and access to outdoor and snow brands will be unparalleled, as well as the other hallmarks of an Outdoor Retailer show — education, networking and events that allow us all to connect with the outdoor community.”

Outdoor Retailer Summer Market will be held July 23-26, 2018, and Outdoor Retailer Winter Market will be held November 8-11, 2018.

For more information about Outdoor Retailer + Snow Show, please visit outdoorretailer.com.

November/December 2017

The SYFA recently wrapped up its annual fall meeting in Charlotte, and honored a long-time collaborator.

By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

The Synthetic Yarn And Fabric Association (SYFA) recently held its annual Fall Conference at the Sheraton Charlotte Airport Hotel in Charlotte, N.C. The conference’s “Tools For Transformation In Textiles” program featured a diverse group of speakers. Harold W. Hill, Jr., president, Glen Raven, N.C.-based Glen Raven Technical Fabrics LLC, was the featured keynote speaker and he talked about “Building a Culture of Innovation,” focusing on Glen Raven’s own efforts to innovate and remain competitive as a company.

Nine other speakers gave insightful presentations on a range of topics from economic and Washington policy updates to robotics and other technologies applicable to the fiber, yarn and fabric industries.

“As attendees reflect on the value of the two-day meeting, I think the title of this conference, ‘Tools for Transformation in Textiles,’ was appropriate,” said Hardy Sullivan, vice president, market development, Crypton Inc., and SYFA first vice president. “With Harold’s talk we heard about how to create an environment for change; we learned about advancements in resin technology and inkjet printing; and we saw how DNA-based markers can protect products from counterfeiters. In one way or another, we all left the meeting with fresh insight for strengthening our businesses.”

Conference sponsors for the fall event included Gold Sponsors Oxford Instruments Inc. and Premiere Fibers Inc.; Silver Sponsor Pulcra Chemicals LLC; Bronze Sponsors Burlington, DAK Americas LLC, PolySpinTex Inc., and Techtextil North America; and Patrons & Exhibitors Sponsors 4M Plants S.r.l., American Fiber Manufacturers Association, Clariant Masterbatches, Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, Glen Raven Technical Fabrics, Goulston Technologies Inc., Industrial Fabrics Association International, Milliken & Company, National Council of Textile Organizations, O’Mara Inc., Unifi Manufacturing Inc. and William Barnet & Son LLC.

SYFA announced the Spring Conference will be held April 26-27, 2018, so mark the calendar.

View a gallery of the speakers and attendees here.

Carmichael Announces Retirement

The Synthetic Yarn and Fabric Association (SYFA) used the occasion of its fall meeting to honor long-time affiliate and past board member Alasdair Carmichael who has announced he will retire from full-time employment with PCI Wood Mackenzie at the end of January.

Carmichael began his career some 48 years ago and is a well-known figure to all who are involved in the fibers and yarns industry. Carmichael spent time working in the United Kingdom, United States and Hong Kong before permanently locating in the United States in 1984. Past companies include Rieter Scragg and Rieter Corp. before Carmichael joined PCI Fibres in 2000 as president – Americas. He provided a full range of consultancy services including man-made fiber research for PCI Fibres and later PCI Wood Mackenzie. Laura Murphy is taking over the fiber activities in North America for PCI Wood Mackenzie and is working with Carmichael as he transitions into retirement. Murphy has an extensive background in the nylon and polyester yarn industry.

During the years Carmichael was based in the United States, he has been very closely affiliated with the SYFA and its predecessor the Textured Yarn Association of America (TYAA). He attended his first TYAA meeting in 1973, which was the second ever association meeting. Carmichael is a TYAA past president and long-time active SYFA board member.

“The success of SYFA is very satisfying for me,” Carmichael said. “We were very close to wrapping things up as the textured yarn business in the United States shrank and TYAA membership got smaller and smaller. We had several choices — to close the doors, merge or rebrand, with rebranding being the most difficult of those options. But we chose rebranding, and it worked!”

“With his warm smile and readiness to help educate, Alasdair has been integral to the growth of SYFA as well as its members,” said Machell Apple, product director, True Textiles, and current SYFA president. “He is quick to share with anyone his vast textile knowledge. Who among us could have a crowd on the edge of their seats when discussing petrochemicals except the one and only Alasdair Carmichael.”

“I’m not going to fade away,” Carmichael said. “I will continue to work on a part time basis and will remain connected to a part of the fiber industry. I also will continue to be involved with the SYFA. I look forward to keeping up with my many friends in the industry.”

November/December 2017

INDA offers educational opportunities, advocates for and serves its membership in numerous ways. 

By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor

The Cary, N.C.-based Association of the Nonwovens Industry (INDA) has served its member companies working in the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industries since 1968. The organization works to fulfill its mission of “fostering member and industry success through its activities” in a variety of ways including expositions and conferences, recognition awards, industry reports, advocating for the industry in regulatory and consumer-driven issues, education and training, and outreach and recruiting, among other activities.

Rebranding Campaign

Recently, INDA launched a rebranding campaign changing the association’s tagline from “Advancing Nonwovens Worldwide®” to “Advancing Engineered Material Solutions.” The new tagline appears under the association’s logo. INDA made this change to better reflect the dynamic and technology-based nature of the industry. “Our industry has traditionally defined itself by what it is not — which is a woven, knitted or converted product,” said David Rousse, INDA president. “Some of our members are adopting more modern phrases to describe themselves, including engineered materials, performance materials and fiber-based specialty materials. We support this language refinement as we try to distinguish ourselves from textiles and instantly connect with those not familiar with our business.”

The rebranding campaign is comprised of three initiatives. The first is a one-minute video created to help position nonwovens as engineered materials while appealing to young professionals and painting an image of the industry that is modern and forward-looking. The second is an Academic Outreach Initiative led by INDA’s newly appointed Assistant Director of Career Services Justin Gutierrez. To support members when recruiting on college campuses, Gutierrez provides information on the industry and its products, as well as prospects for jobs, career growth and hiring companies. The third facet of the initiative is to work with EDANA — the Brussels-based international association serving the nonwovens and related industries — to obtain International Organization for Standardization (ISO) approval for a new nonwovens definition. The current ISO language — which underpins trade agreements and forms the basis for the Harmonized System of tariffs — defines nonwovens as “structures of textile materials,” while the proposed definition states that nonwovens are “primarily fibrous assemblies.” INDA and EDANA consider this change significant because it is a more general approach that separates nonwovens from textiles for more fair tariff and trade treatments.

“These three initiatives are critical to ensure our industry is properly recognized, attractive to newcomers and defined as being independent from textiles to enable fair tariff treatment,” Rousse said.

Conferences, Education And Recognitions

INDA hosts many conferences and training courses each year, as well as the IDEA trade show held once every three years. Conferences include Hygienix geared to the absorbant hygiene and personal care markets, WOW World of Wipes® International Conference, Filtration International Conference and Exposition, and Outlook Plus Latin America.

INDA’s 7th Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics (RISE®) Conference held recently in Raleigh, N.C., promoted emerging technologies with a focus on innovations in plastics extrusion, multifunctional fabric technologies, innovative apparel manufacturing and disruptive engineered materials. The event aims to connect innovations with real-world applications through three days of presentations and networking. More than 140 technical professionals attended the 2017 event to hear from a diverse group of 24 presenters including keynote speakers from Germany-based Reifenhäuser Reicofil GmbH & Co. KG, the National Network of Manufacturing Innovation Institutes’ Advanced Functional Fabrics of America (AFFOA), Cambridge, Mass., and The Nonwovens Institute (NWI), Raleigh.

Reifenhäuser Reicofil CEO Dr. Bernd Kunze spoke about intelligent production and rethinking the development process during his speech titled, “Leaving the Comfort Zone: Why We Must Rethink Our Way of Developing and Implementing New Products.” According to Kunze, outside of the comfort zone is where the “future” happens, and companies must look for opportunity instead of trying to avoid the risks.

AFFOA CEO Dr. Yoel Fink highlighted just some of the research taking place at AFFOA in his presentation entitled, “Realizing a Moore’s Law for Fibers.” AFFOA is looking to change what fabrics are, to turn fibers into devices and look at fabrics as a service rather than monetized goods — “fabrics as the new software.” Fink sees basic fiber functions increasing and changing in the years ahead and envisions “fabrics that see, hear, sense, communicate, store and convert energy, regulate temperature, monitor health, and change color.”

Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, Klopman Distinguished professor, associate dean for Industry Research & Extension, and executive director, NWI, spoke about the nonwovens industry and NWI in his keynote, “Nonwovens – Major Trends and More,” presentation.

Other RISE presentations covered trends in 3-D nonwovens as viewed from patent art, using ultrasonic frequencies to dry nonwovens, advanced elastomeric nonwovens, new polymers for meltblown applications, Qmilk milk protein-based fibers, high recover polypropylene spun blown webs, surface modification technologies for moisture management, and recent trends in wet laying for nonwovens, among other many other topics.

“I found the content of the 2017 RISE conference to be stimulating in terms of innovative ideas for future business opportunities,” said Russ Johnson, head of New Business Development and Strategic Marketing, Freudenberg. “Whether you were looking for high-tech materials, such as programmable fabrics or sustainable solutions to meet customer needs and organizational targets, RISE offered new thinking.”

In addition to the presenters, RISE included a poster session featuring the work of postdoctoral students from NWI. Students were on hand throughout the event to discuss their research with interested attendees. Conference attendees also were treated to a guided tour of the new 40,000-square-foot NWI facility located on the Centennial Campus of North Carolina State University.

“The Rise poster session offered industry professionals an excellent opportunity to meet over 20 talented graduate students and explore new processes, structures, coating, polymers and applications in their poster presentations,” Pourdeyhimi said. “The NWI tour was amazing; we had a bus full of companies who wanted to see the facilities. We had a great interactions with many companies in attendance, and we are already in touch with a few about potential partnerships. It was a great venue to showcase NWI, who we are, what we do and the capabilities,” Pourdeyhimi added.

“RISE is a great technical conference where product developers and nonwovens scientists come together in one place to share their innovation stories” said Dr. Mohammad Hassan, senior application scientist, Fibers & Microfibers Technology, Eastman Chemical Co. “The balanced number of researchers from academia and industry creates a good mix of applied research and fundamental science-based knowledge. It keeps me up-to-date with the major research trends and directions.”

RISE® Innovation Award

Three finalists were selected by INDA’s Technical Advisory Board and a team of industry experts to compete for the 2017 RISE Innovation Award, which “recognizes innovation within and on the periphery of the nonwovens industry that uses advanced science and engineering principles to creatively solve challenges within the nonwovens and engineered fabrics industry.” The finalists were:

• Toronto-based Club Coffee LP for its PurPod 100™, a 100-percent compostable Keurig® single-serve coffee format pod, which features a thermoformed polylactic-acid-based nonwoven filter.
• Turkey-based Mogul Nonwovens for its Madaline® microfilament fabric for textile applications; and
• New Zealand-based Revolution Fibres’ Xantu.Layr®, a nanofiber interleaving veil used in carbon fiber reinforced composite materials.

Following presentations highlighting each nominated product, RISE attendees voted and selected Club Coffee as the recipient of the 2017 RISE Innovation Award. “We are truly honored to receive this year’s RISE Innovation Award,” said Claudio Gemmiti, senior vice president of Innovation and Strategic Growth, Club Coffee. “Millions of consumers are enjoying a great cup of coffee ‘guilt-free’ in our 100-percent compostable PurPod100 format every day, and we are proud to see industry experts recognize the sustainable nonwoven filter innovation that makes every cup possible.”

“The RISE Conference embraces INDA’s mission to stimulate, and recognize innovation,” said Rousse. “The forward-thinking technical professionals were stimulated with new ideas on materials, machinery and the development process itself, and came away delighted and looking forward to the next year’s event.”

The 8th RISE conference will be held September 11-13, 2018, at the Raleigh Marriott City Center in Raleigh.

November/December 2017