ACIMIT: 2017 Kicks Off With Growing Orders For Textile Machinery

MILAN, Italy — May 9, 2027 — The year 2017 has started off on a positive note for Italian textile machinery manufacturers. For the first quarter, orders have increased both in Italy and abroad. ACIMIT president Raffaella Carabelli said: “Orders for the start of 2017 confirm a positive trend in major foreign markets, and a climate of trust for Italy’s textile industry that is on the upswing.”

The orders index for textile machinery compiled by ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, for the period from January to March, grew 24 percent compared to the same period in 2016. The index value stood at 113.7 points (basis 2010 = 100).

This growth regarded mostly markets abroad, where the index came in at an absolute value of 124.1 points (+26 percent). In Italy, the increase compared to the period from January to March 2016 was 16 percent, with an absolute value of 71.5 points.

ACIMIT president Raffaella Carabelli commented on the results, “The index data for the  first three months of the year confirm the positive signs ascertained by our businesses in various foreign markets.”

The dynamic trend for Italy’s domestic market originates, on the other hand, with the National Industrial Plan 4.0. “A renewed climate of enhanced trust is currently perceived in the textile sector,” states Raffaella Carabelli, “triggered by the government’s commitment to enact a range of significant incentives for the Country’s manufacturing system.”

Posted May 9, 2017

Source: ACIMIT

Schoeller Signs HYDRO_BOT Production Agreement

SEVELEN, Switzerland — May 9, 2017 — Schoeller Textil AG and Osmotex AG have signed a production agreement for HYDRO_BOT. This agreement represents another major step towards commercialisation for HYDRO_BOT. The two companies also announced that further tests of the HYDRO_BOT panels have shown encouraging results for the moisture management solution.

HYDRO_BOT, a new revolutionising technology for moisture management was first introduced at ISPO earlier this year. HYDRO_BOT will solve one of the biggest challenges in sports, work and protective clothing: to transport moisture to matches human sweat rates in various climates, conditions and activity levels.

Behind HYDRO_BOT is Osmotex, a Swiss-Norwegian start-up dedicated to developing solutions for electro osmosis for moisture management.  The Swiss leading textile manufacturer, Schoeller Textil AG is the production partner for the  HYDRO_BOT panels.  The agreement means that Schoeller will market HYDRO_BOT to its clients and enable Omotex to support new client projects with HYDRO_BOT with all the hallmark qualities a world-leading Swiss textile manufacturer.

The first product to consumer is planned with KJUS, a leading innovator in ski-, golf- and lifestyle wear. They will be the first leading brand to take HYDRO_BOT to market in selected skiwear products planned for the 2018/2019 season. On-going testing in the reign of Empa, the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, suggest that everything is proceeding to plan with the expected quality.

“World-class testing of HYDRO_BOT is crucial, and we are pleased with the results to date.  The agreement with Schoeller now also finally secures our quality production, and we are soon ready to provide samples for the demo jackets for 2018/19 season,” says Trond Heldal, Director of R&D and Operations at Osmotex and the lead researcher on the decade long research and development effort.

“It is our speciality to bring highly-functional fabrics, knits and innovative textile technologies to market.  With HYDRO_BOT we enable a totally new functionality to be brought into garments. Now we are step closer to the new reality smart textile performance”, says Siegfried Winkelbeiner, CEO of Schoeller Textil AG.

Posted May 9, 2017

Source: Schoeller Textil AG 

Hexcel at SAMPE CHINA 2017 China International Exhibition Center, Beijing

STAMFORD, Conn. — May 9, 2017 — SAMPE China 2017 takes place in Beijing on May 10-12, 2017 and Hexcel is exhibiting at the event as a leader in advanced composite technologies. At booth #A60 Hexcel’s displays will demonstrate the wide range of composite materials supplied by Hexcel to customers in China.

Display parts will include the A350 XWB rudder skin and belly fairing panel made by Hexcel customer HMC (Harbin Hafei Airbus Composite Manufacturing Center), a joint venture established by Hafei and Airbus in 2009. Since then Hexcel has been a strategic supplier to HMC of composite materials for packages including the Airbus A320 elevator, HTP spar and rudder, and the A350 XWB belly fairing, rudder, elevator and section 19 maintenance door.

Other booth displays include HexTow® carbon fiber, a helicopter canopy made from HexPly® prepreg, and a structural sandwich made from HexWeb® honeycomb and HexPly® prepreg. Hexcel will also display a section of a composite beam manufactured by hot forming Hexcel’s HexPly® M21 UD carbon fiber prepreg.

Other promotions include HexFlow® RTM6-2 resin system a 2-component version of HexFlow® RTM6 for resin transfer molding. A number of OEMs have qualified this infusion system designed for aerospace primary structures, which has a high Tg and provides excellent hot/wet performance from a flexible cure cycle. RTM6-2 also has a long shelf life and has no transportation restrictions.

Hexcel is also promoting its engineered core capabilities whereby flat honeycomb is transformed into drop-in core parts meeting precise customer specifications using a number of processes such as machining and heat forming. Hexcel is opening a new plant in Casablanca, Morocco later this year to complement existing engineered core facilities in the USA and Belgium.

Hexcel’s Sales Office in Shanghai was one of the first members of the SAMPE China association and this year marks the 12th anniversary of Hexcel’s participation in SAMPE China, demonstrating our continued commitment to the aerospace industry.

Posted May 9, 2017

Source: Hexcel

Itema Announces Diversification Strategy; Acquires Majority Stake in Lamiflex And Minority Stake In NoeCha

COLZATE/BERGAMO, Italy — May9, 2017 — Itema finalized the agreements to acquire 61 percent of shares in Lamiflex, leading supplier of technical composite products, and a minority stake in NoeCha, provider of high-tech, wide-format printing solutions.

The acquisitions are part of a wider strategy of Itema and its shareholders, namely the Radici family with 60 percent of shares and the Arizzi e Torri families with the remaining 40 percent, to ultimately accelerate the continued expansion and secure the long-term profitability of Itema by diversifying into complementary, high-growth markets through stakes in innovation-driven companies which offer significant economies of scale to fuel the joint development of each others’ core businesses.

“Following a remarkable five-year period in which Itema Group has doubled the sales of its weaving machines with consecutive, double-digit growth per annum, the Company is now ready to strengthen its leadership, to quicken the pace of its expansion and to accelerate its global reach through targeted acquisitions,” said Carlo Rogora, CEO of Itema Group.

“We chose Lamiflex and NoeCha due to their forward-thinking missions and innovative approaches, which perfectly match our dedication to supply top-performing, advanced machinery. Combining our strengths, we will no doubt reach new heights of success in the development and manufacturing of innovative, highly technological products. Itema will guarantee to Lamiflex and NoeCha Customers worldwide a structured organization, based on lean manufacturing concepts in its world-class production sites and on a global network of agents and distributors,” continued Rogora.“We are confident that this first round of acquisitions will act as an important launch-pad for our diversification strategy and will bring positive results in the nearest future, creating significant synergies and adding value for our Customers and Shareholders.”

Headquartered in Ponte Nossa, Bergamo province, Lamiflex specializes in composites materials, such as carbon, glass and Kevlar and offers a portfolio of innovative solutions and patented new products with exceptional versatility and adaptability for industrial applications, catering to industries as wide-ranging as weaving machinery, medical and aerospace, among others.

NoeCha, also Bergamo-based, is a quickly-scaling-up young company which offers high-tech printing solutions, such as the revolutionary wide-format industrial UV-LED flatbed digital press, the NoeCha ONE, for photo-realistic, high impact graphics. NoeCha ensures excellent printability on different type and size of material up to 3.2x2meters at production speeds with a native 600 dpi x 600 dpi image resolution.

Itema Group’s move is set to create and stimulate significant synergies along the respective supply chains in which Itema, Lamiflex and NoeCha, as well as RadiciGroup companies operate and to grow not only in the textile machinery sector, but also to expand into new, highly innovative sectors, such as composites, and thus, together, be much more competitive than otherwise possible individually. These acquisitions will lead to optimizing processes and improving product performances, as wel l as providing advantages derived from a shorter, more sustainable supply chain, lessening the environmental impact of the joint operations, in line with the principles of a circular, greener economy.

Posted May9, 2017

Source: Itema

OUTLOOK™ 2017 Keynote Speakers Announced As Registration Opens

BRUSSELS, Belgium — May 9, 2017 — EDANA today announced the keynote speakers and opening of registrations for OUTLOOK™ 2017. The innovative conference will offer participants expert insights into the latest sector trends, as well as valuable networking opportunities.

Taking place in Cascais, Portugal, from September 27-29, OUTLOOK™ 2017 will kick off with a keynote speech by Robert Ward, Editorial Director of The Economist Intelligence Unit. ‘The World Economy in the Age of Trump’, will address the global political and economic outlook. Jonathan Bourget, Managing Director of Apis Rex, will give the second keynote presentation: ‘Corporate Venture Capital – Creating New Opportunities for the Nonwovens Industry’.

New features for 2017

  • OUTLOOK™17 will start at 11:45 on Wednesday the 27th of September with Mr Robert Ward’s keynote presentation. This is open to both conference delegates and holders of the new EDANA networking pass and will be followed by a networking lunch.
  • Networking pass: a company is entitled to buy a networking pass for 1 person per 3 paying delegates. This pass grants access to the keynote presentation on the first day, the two lunches, all the coffee breaks and the two evening cocktails.
  • Benefit from a 15-percent discount on the total amount by registering a minimum of 4 paying delegates (note: registrations must be done simultaneously to benefit from the discount).
  • Workshop on innovation organized on the morning of Friday the 29th.

Delegates are recommended to register now, and book their hotel rooms as early as possible. The registration form and further conference information can be found on the EDANA website.

Posted May 9, 2017

Source: EDANA

CORDURA® Brand And Dupont Tate & Lyle Bio Products Launch New Eco-Efficient Textiles At Techtextil

WILMINGTON, Del. — May 9, 2017 — Leading apparel, footwear and gear brands are demanding innovative eco-efficient solutions. INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand, in partnership with DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products, brings the first in a series of eco-innovations to Techtextil, driving the future use of new sustainable textiles. Based on the combination of the legendary long-lasting durability of Cordura fabrics married with the bio-based performance of Susterra® membranes and coatings, the first cutting-edge innovations resulting from this collaboration will be on display at Invista Stand G25, Hall 4.1 at Techtextil, May 9-12, 2017, in Frankfurt, Germany.

“Invista continues to look at ways that we can benefit the environment as part of our innovation continuum — and Cordura fabrics can do this by increasing the utility and durability products,” explained Cindy McNaull, global Cordura brand and marketing director. “As the textile market is undergoing a pivotal shift to reduce its environmental footprint, we want to provide long-lasting products that need to be replaced less often with other eco-efficient solutions. Now, designers of apparel, footwear and gear will have access to innovative durable performance fabrics that incorporate plant-based materials based on high-performance coating and membranes from DuPont Tate & Lyle.”

Tiong Liong, the first authorized mill for footwear and gear as part of the Cordura + Susterra® brand collaboration, is dedicated to developing product innovations with eco-effiicency in mind.  This is why some of the first composite textiles utilizing the Susterra propanediol thermoplastic polyurethane membranes incorporate Cordura EcoMade fabrics made with recycled polyester yarns as well as Tiong Liong’s own Ariaprene™ foam.  Ariaprene foam uses a certified bluesign® system water-based lamination process that is designed for non-skin irritation and does not off-gas harmful pollutants throughout the product lifecycle. Durable, solvent-free, renewable, and recycled are the key descriptors that describe the exciting new developments coming from Tiong Long’s Cordura + Susterra developments.

Everest, the first apparel fabric mill brought into this collaboration, has the ability to incorporate bio-based membranes and coatings based on Susterra® propanediol from DuPont Tate & Lyle into a variety of Cordura brand fabrics. At Techtextil, Everest will highlight how Cordura Naturalle™ fabrics incorporated with a polyurethane bio-based membrane containing more than 25 percent renewable sourced materials by weight are engineered to help keep your body dry and comfortable in all kinds of weather. The Susterra propanediol based membrane demonstrates good hydrolysis resistance, excellent low temperature flexibility and elasticity thus allowing the membranes to be incorporated with stretch fabrics for added mobility.

“Eco-innovations in the industry can take the shape in many forms from renewably sourced products, to long-lasting durability to recycled materials,” stated Laurie Kronenberg, global marketing director, DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products. “This is exactly what we had in mind as we engaged our first apparel, footwear and gear fabric mill collaboration partners, Tiong Liong and Everest. We worked with eco-efficiency in mind to develop solutions for those brands demanding bio-based, sustainable, performance materials across a variety of markets.”

Posted May 9, 2017

Source: DuPont Tate & Lyle Bio Products

Techtextil Exhibitor 2017 Preview: Beaulieu Technical Textiles

COMINES-WARNETON, Belgium — May 9, 2017 — Beaulieu Technical Textiles (BTT) brings its specialized extrusion coating & extrusion laminating support for industrial applications to the fore at this year’s Techtextil showcase in Hall 4.1, Booth F13.

Technical textile producers are invited to discover the diverse finishing and innovative customization opportunities possible with BTT’s advanced, fully automated line for Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) and Polyester (PES) woven fabrics and nonwovens.

BTT’s extrusion coating process can apply a wide range of polymers as a liquid layer — one-sided, two-sided or multi-layer — to make a fabric printable and/or achieve specific protective and functional performance, including waterproofing, flame resistance and antistatic properties. Optional UV stabilization is also offered. Transparent and white transparent, standard white and black, and colored coating options are available. Coatings range from minimum 25 to 30 g/m² up to 450 g/m². As well as standard widths, BTT offers extensive possibilities to customize lengths and widths, with supplementary cutting provided on a separate line with up to six cutters in width.

In addition to extrusion coating, BTT is also equipped for extrusion laminating to support the production of composite structures.

Franky Viaene, global sales manager Beaulieu Technical Textiles, commented: “As an established leader and driving force in technical textiles, Beaulieu Technical Textiles supports a wide range of customers in varied markets, and our expertise extends right through to the finishing process. Our in-house extrusion capabilities are available to external customers and we offer close technical collaboration to ensure the optimal treatment for the desired result for their application. We’re looking forward to discussing new possibilities for the industry to benefit from our support, starting at Techtextil.”

Beaulieu Technical Textiles will feature its extrusion coating and extrusion laminating capabilities alongside its customer-oriented and market-specific textile solutions at Techtextil 2017 Booth F13 from May 9-12 in Frankfurt-am-Main, Germany.

Posted May 9, 2017

Source: Beaulieu Technical Textiles (BTT)

EFI Acquires CRC Information Systems

FREMONT, Calif. — May 8, 2017 — Electronics For Imaging Inc. (EFI) today announced that it has acquired privately held CRC Information Systems (CRC), a Reynolds and Reynolds company. Reynolds and Reynolds is headquartered in Dayton, Ohio. CRC, which is based in Scottsdale, Ariz., is a provider of business management information systems (MIS) for commercial printers and packaging label and forms printers throughout the United States and Canada.

EFI™ is the global market leader of innovative end-to-end certified business and production workflow software to the commercial print, publishing, and packaging industries. The addition of the CRC will expand EFI’s market share in North America, enabling EFI to offer CRC customers a path for the future, including opportunities to implement complete, end-to-end, business and production workflows that drive efficiency and profitability.

“We are excited to welcome CRC customers and employees into the EFI family,” said Jeff White, general manager, SMB Segment, in the EFI Productivity Software business unit. “We intend to continue to meet the needs of CRC’s existing client base with the same enthusiasm they have come to expect over their years in business, while offering those customers access to the full portfolio of EFI products, as well as an opportunity to consider an end-to-end solution approach leveraging EFI Productivity Suites, including the Midmarket Print Suite, Enterprise Commercial Print Suite, and Packaging Suite.”

“We are very excited to join the EFI family and are confident in the additional value they can bring to our customers,” said Erv Ratazak, Manager, Product and Services, CRC Information Systems. “EFI has the technology, skill and reach that will enable CRC customers continued growth and success for years to come.”

Posted May 8, 2017

Source: Electronics For Imaging (EFI)

CORDURA® Brand + Carrington Launch Enhanced Flame Retardant Fabric For Extreme Industrial Environments

WICHITA, Kan. — May 8, 2017 — INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand has teamed up with European specialist in military, workwear and industrial protective fabrics, Carrington, to offer a flame retardant fabric engineered with Cordura NYCO fabric technology to enhance durability. Designed to protect against multiple hazards in extreme industrial environments, Carrington Flametougher 280AS made with Cordura NYCO fabric technology for enhanced tensile, tear, and abrasion resistance offers a multi-norm flame retardant treated solution that meets electric arc performance of 13.5 cal/cm2 (EN 61482-1-1). This innovative fabric will make its debut at Techtextil 2017.

Based in Lancashire, England, Carrington has been pushing boundaries in protective textiles for 25 years. Flametougher 280AS is the first of Carrington’s new generation of flame retardant coated textiles made with Cordura NYCO fabric technology for enhanced durability. The fabric has been industrial wash tested by Carrington’s accredited facility and is proven to continue to offer flame, static electricity and electric arc protection without significant loss of performance, wearer comfort or appearance after 50 wash and wear cycles, making Carrington Flametougher 280AS a long-lasting solution for protective garments worn in foundries, petrochemicals and the oil and gas industry.

“As we look forward to our next fifty years of fabric innovation, we will continue to expand our fabric portfolio, offering solutions where durability is valued,” said Cindy McNaull, global Cordura brand and marketing director. “We are pleased to be collaborating with the talented technical team at Carrington to deliver long-lasting, comfortable, performance-driven textiles that can meet the standards required for protective clothing, such as Flametougher 280AS with its multiple protective capabilities.”

Currently available in twill construction with anti-static grid, further variations are under development to expand the Carrington Flametougher range made with Cordura NYCO fabric technology. Future options under consideration include both lighter and heavier weight versions to meet market requirements and alternative constructions such as ripstops.

“Carrington’s flame retardant protective fabrics help provide peace of mind for those at risk working in industries where they are exposed to extreme heat environments,” said Jonathan McKendry, export sales and marketing manager for Carrington. “Using CORDURA® NYCO fabric technology, we are now able to offer a flame retardant, durable fabric solution.  We look for innovative technologies that help us to offer enhanced wearer protection against known hazards such as metal splash, chemical splash, fire, heat and sparks, as well as tough fabrics that can withstand the everyday rigors of the industries that we serve.”

To learn more about Carrington Flametougher 280AS fabric featuring durable Cordura NYCO fabric technology, visit Carrington at Techtextil Hall 6, B32 or Invista’s Cordura brand at Hall 4.1, G25

Posted May 8, 2017

Source: INVISTA’s CORDURA® brand

drupa 2020 Online Exhibitor Registration Open Now

CHICAGO — May 8, 2017 —The online exhibitor registration for drupa 2020 is now open at www.drupa.com. With a clear strategic alignment, a new communication strategy and pioneering highlight topics, the leading international trade fair for printing technologies will be held from June 16 – 26, 2020 in Düsseldorf, Germany. Registered exhibitors will receive the official drupa 2020 brochure by mail soon. The registration deadline is October 31, 2018.

Messe Düsseldorf North America will again organize a U.S. Pavilion, co-sponsored by NPES, The Association for Suppliers of Printing, Publishing and Converting Technologies. The U.S. Pavilion provides a cost-effective means for U.S. companies to enter into or to expand their business in the lucrative overseas marketplace. The all-inclusive pavilion turnkey rental package includes a fully furnished booth, access to an attractive lounge area with daily snack and beverage service and the on-site service of a project manager, hostesses and roaming interpreters. In addition, U.S. Commercial Service staff will be on hand in the U.S. Pavilion to assist with export and licensing questions. Please contact Messe Düsseldorf North America at (312) 781-5180 to reserve exhibit space within the U.S. Pavilion.

The new drupa 2020 key visual, created by Agentur Niehaus Knüwer and friends, refers to the dramatic changes in the industry in the past few years and signifies beauty, aesthetic appeal, creativity and depth. Sabine Geldermann, Director of drupa and Global Head Print Technologies at Messe Düsseldorf, explains: “The delicate butterfly wings symbolize departure, change – a transformation process that affects all industries, but particularly the traditional print industry, every company, everybody. Transformation moves companies to rethink their strategies, adapt to new processes and move into new business models – a change that also takes place in people’s minds. Different individuals have already moved into the focus of the new marketing campaign. On the one hand, it underlines the international alignment of the drupa trade fair, on the other hand, it shows that trade fairs stand for emotions and experience and, last but not least, it shows that “people are business”. The heads are surrounded by color digits that symbolize the wide variety of print applications. Below the slogan “embrace the future” is the drupa 2020 invitation extended to exhibitors and visitors, who are welcome to experience and accept technological innovation, trends and future challenges in order to implement them into their own corporate workflows and tap into new potentials.”

With this strategy, drupa 2020 will continue the success of the 2016 event and conform again that no other event in this industry has a stronger international reach and attraction. drupa 2020 will maintain this strategic realignment and focus on future topics with major growth potential. The trade fair profile follows a clearly defined structure, consisting of the following product groups:

  1. Prepress / Print
  2. Premedia /Multichannel
  3. Post press / Converting / Packaging
  4. Future Technologies
  5. Materials
  6. Equipment / Services / Infrastructure

Highlight topics: packaging production, functional printing, 3D printing, industrial printing

Due to the growing international markets and increasingly demanding requirements from the industry and manufacturers of branded products, the packaging production segment has again been selected as one of the most important topics for drupa 2020. Technological developments in packaging and labeling have produced innovative solutions in the areas of customizing and personalization, while technologies such as smart and intelligent packaging, packaging design and finishing have become increasingly important.

drupa 2020 will feature the special forum “Touchpoint Packaging”, organized in close cooperation with the European Packaging Design Association (epda), Europe’s leading association of brand and packaging designers. It will cover the entire packaging production chain from the brand, materials, design and print to finishing and sales. The interaction between all involved industry segments – branded products manufacturers, designers, material manufacturers and high-caliber companies from the printing and finishing industry – will turn this forum into a place for inspiration, presenting solutions and answers to relevant questions for future developments.

The future will become tangible in all its facets and the focus will be on all that is new, unconventional and surprising. An event entitled “AMAZING, INSPIRING, EXCITING and UNEXPECTED” with best case studies, innovative technology applications and visionary packaging solutions for different markets will welcome visitors to an interactive brainstorming session with exhibitors.

The forum will address interested manufacturers of branded products and designers as well as companies from the packaging segment, who will have the opportunity to join the Touchpoint Packaging team. In addition to experienced professionals, young talents from all related areas and professions are welcome.

Among the other highlight topics showcased at drupa 2020 will be functional printing, 3D printing and industrial printing. These areas of application have major potential and therefore provide important new markets. The related technologies are also extremely important for the global packaging market since they provide intelligent packaging with additional functions while different printing technologies allow the use of a wide range of printing substrates. In the segment of industrial printing, the trade fair will focus on major issues such as “artificial intelligence” and “robotics”, new workflows in the production process and the “next generation of industry 4.0” since they all have a major impact on the workplace and industry environment.

drupa 2020 will present all technical processing methods for the global printing and media industry as well as for the packaging industry. Werner Matthias Dornscheidt, Chairman and CEO of Messe Düsseldorf, stated: “With the innovative products presented by our international exhibitors and the extensive ancillary program, drupa 2020 will set new trends. It inspires markets and vertical industries and as such, it provides exceptional networking opportunities, opportunities and ideas for excellent business deals. drupa focuses on the industry’s innovative force, provides pioneering technologies with a platform for highlight topics and presents an extensive supporting program – such as the “Touchpoints”, the “drupa cube” and the “dip” – which encourages the exchange of knowledge and dialogue. No other event is more relevant for the entire industry.”

Posted May 8, 2017

Source: Messe Düsseldorf North America

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