REINACH, Switzerland — April 12, 2017 — Archroma will present at China Interdye 2017 some of its most innovative technologies under the motto: “Colors enhanced, performance enhanced, sustainability enhanced”. True to its long-term commitment to sustainability and innovation, Archroma will present solutions that combine performance, cost optimization and responsible textile production. With a heritage of more than 120 years, Archroma is in the position to offer solutions for enhancing colors, performance and sustainability globally.

Colors Enhanced

Drawing on its extensive formulation and technical know-how in dyestuff and pigments, Archroma will showcase at China Interdye some of its latest innovations:

Optisul® C dyes – Optisul C dyes for casualwear enable manufacturers to expand their color horizons with a new range of six dyes especially designed to produce colors in continuous dyeing processes, as well as on coating and printing. These affinity-free, sulfide-free(1) dyes, suitable for GOTS(2) and bluesign®(3) approval, can be combined with each other to obtain collections of garments suitable for wash-down treatments in a wide array of easily achievable and reproducible soft colors.

Advanced Denim technology – When employing Archroma’s ADVANCED DENIM technology, based on “Denim-Ox” and “Pad/Sizing-Ox” dyeing processes, users can reduce water consumption and wastewater by up to 92 percent, eliminate up to 63 percent of the usual cotton waste, and save up to 30 percent in energy costs compared to traditional Indigo processes. Archroma estimates that the use of this technology allowed savings of about 700 million liters of water in 2012 alone. Just imagine how much water could be used if more manufacturers would join the Advanced Denim revolution.

Metal-free acid dyes – Archroma has introduced a wide range of Nylosan® S and Lanasyn® F metal-free(1) dyes aimed at meeting the wet and light fastness levels typically needed for the creation of bright and beautiful colors on polyamide and wool, without compromising on ecological requirements. The Nylosan S dyes exhibit excellent build properties on polyamide, polyamide microfiber, polyamide/elastomeric blends, polyamide/cotton blends and on wool.

The range also incorporates AOX and metal-free(1) ternary elements including Nylosan® Orange S-3R, Nylosan Red S-3B, Nylosan Navy S-3G and Nylosan Blue-black S-3R which achieve exceptionally high wet fastness levels in deep, muted shades including navy, dark brown, olive and blacks. Nylosan Brilliant Red S-3R is also AOX and metal-free(1) and produces deep, vibrant red shades with very high wet fastness levels. As well as being metal-free(1), the Nylosan S range also meets Oeko-Tex(4) 100 and is bluesign®(3) approved.

Performance Enhanced

By offering a constant flow of eco-advanced and innovative new process and functional chemicals, Archroma provides solutions that combine performance, safety and low impact on resources.

‘Zero add-on’ formaldehyde solution for finishing – Fixapret® Resin WFF is a novel, “zero add-on” formaldehyde finishing system for no-iron performance. Its anti-wrinkle finish shows good performance and benefits compared to other such offerings, including strong, flexi Resin WFF, consumers can enjoy end-products that look good, while saving on precious resources and being gentler on the skin.

SmartRepel® Hydro – SmartRepel® Hydro supports the increasing adoption of eco-advanced materials and production processes by textile producers and brand owners. This new range is Archroma’s nature-friendlier protection that keeps cotton, polyester and polyamide textiles dry. The unique technology offers exceptional, durable water repellency and is not based on fluorine. SmartRepel Hydro produces a soft hand feel and outstanding breathability – the perfect long-lasting, high-performance finish for weatherproof garments.

EarthColors – This new range of dyes is created from agricultural waste: almond shells, saw palmetto, rosemary leaves, etc. They can be used to provide rich red, brown and green colors to denim and casualwear. The information about the individual batches of color and the garments production route is available to brand owners to be put on hang tags to be attached to each item of clothing and accessed using Near Field Communications (NFC), a sophisticated and consumer friendly technology incorporated into smartphones. With EarthColors, Archroma helps brand owners and textile mills by letting the consumer know how the colors of their clothes are made, and where the raw materials come from.

Sustainability Enhanced

For all of us, inner beauty matters just as much as outer beauty. Brand owners and retailers around the world are taking action to evaluate the environmental impact of textile treatment, dyeing and finishing processes in response to consumer concerns.

Archroma’s engagement in favor of a more sustainable textile industry is deeply rooted in everything it does. In 2012, after more than two years of development, the company launched a game-changing service called ONE WAY. ONE WAY is designed to demonstrate to textile manufacturers, brands and retailers that it is possible to bring together the dual objectives of ecology and economy. The tool provides a fast, measurable and reliable approach to the selection of chemical product and resource-saving process solutions.

We are constantly improving this tool. In 2014, Archroma added its portfolio of ZDHC MRSL-compliant(5) chemicals and dyes to the ONE WAY sustainability calculation tool. ONE WAY has received industry recognition with the 2013 ICIS Best Business Innovation Award(6).

“At Archroma,” notes Robert Liu, Head of Textile Sales & Marketing China, at Archroma: “we continuously challenge the status quo in the deep belief that we can make our industry sustainable, and we do this using the strong foundation of an expertise built over more than 120 years. We are very excited to meet customers, brands, retailers and consumers in Shanghai, and show them how Archroma can support them in the needs and challenges they face on their own markets.”

Visit Archroma on Stand A 100 at China Interdye 2017 at the Shanghai World Expo Exhibition & Convention Center from April 12-14.

Optisul®, bluesign®, Nylosan®, Lanasyn®, Fixapret® and SmartRepel® Registered trademarks.

Posted April 12, 2017

Source: Archroma

MONCHENGLADBACH, Germany — April 12, 2017 — Tessitura Oreste Mariani S.p.A. has taken delivery of Italy’s first Monforts Montex texCoat coating unit, along with a new Montex 8500 stenter, at its plant in Gissano, just outside Milan; ordered through local representative Sacconaghi-Monaco S.r.l.

The flexible texCoat unit is allowing the company to carry out both knife over air and knife over roller coating based on simple and user-friendly PLC techniques, with on-screen visualisation for all operating modes and recipe management for many different coating processes all integrated in to the proven Qualitex 800 control system of the Montex stenter.

Founded in 1937, Mariani is now run by Andrea and Gaia Mariani and their cousin Edoardo Mariai as third generation members of the founder’s family.

Today it specializes in high-end linings for luxury handbags and shoes, as well as continuing to also make the umbrella fabrics which for many years were the company’s sole stock-in-trade, until imports from Asia made this business less tenable.

The company’s response was to diversify, initially into sun umbrellas and garden furniture, but eventually its fabrics for luxury leather goods came more in demand, built on firm relationships with the brands, and today represents 85 percent of business, with the remaining 15 percent being umbrella fabrics.

“This change in response to the market was something of a revolution for the company,” says Gaia Mariani, “because until then we had been making standard fabrics based mainly on nylon and producing bulk orders.

“In moving successfully into the luxury brands market we had to review our entire operation and focus on many different types of fabric construction and designs, while at the same time shortening our production cycles and enhancing our packaging and distribution operations.

“We now work with many of the famous luxury brands and 90% of our manufacturing is personalised for them, based on discussions with their designers about how best to adapt the fabrics in our regular collections for their specific leather goods.”

Mariani’s latest finishing line certainly further strengthens the company’s position.

It is some 43 meters long and at its heart is the six-chamber Montex stenter and texCoat coating unit.

The Montex 8500 stenter is distinguished by several new features, including a newly designed operator’s platform with improved access, a new and improved visualization with modern ‘slider effect’ on bigger 24 inch screen monitors and the Eco Booster heat recovery module.

With the Qualitex 800 visualisation software, ‘finger tip’ control features offer smart phone-type techniques for the machine operators and ensure smarter operating procedures. Additional benefits allow the operator to compose and pre-programme the ‘dashboard’ of the monitor to personal requirements and preferences.

Construction of the line for Mariani started late last year. It has been operational for some months, but as Andrea Mariana explains, the company is still working to further exploit the maximum benefits from it.

“In many ways, it’s a lot simpler for the operators because everything is electronically controlled. One major benefit with the new stenter, for example, is complete electronic control of the tension at all times, and the same applies to temperature.

“We use a range of temperatures for our different finishing steps and each chamber of the stenter can be individually optimized.

“In a way, it’s a little like changing from an old-fashioned desk phone to an iPhone for us – although relatively easy, it takes time to familiarize yourself with everything that’s actually possible.

“The machine is longer than our other working four-chamber stenter, and the older one it has replaced, and by comparison, operating speeds are 30-40 percent higher.

“On average, we are running each fabric four times through the tenter, to thermo-fix before dyeing, for drying after dyeing, for waterproofing and then for coating. With the texCoat, the application of coating chemicals is very precisely measured and applied.”

“Because the new Monforts technology is completely electronic, the adjustments for differing weights and fabric constructions are immediate and instantly compensated for, in terms of tension control, humidity, machine speed and all other parameters,” he concludes. “We are learning to totally trust this technology.”

Posted April 12, 2017

Source: A. Monforts Textilmaschinen

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — April 12, 2017 — Microban® International Ltd. will present “Odour Control Myths Versus Facts” workshops on 26 and 27 April during Performance Days in Munich, Germany. Focusing heavily on silver treatments, the workshops will dispel pervasive industry misconceptions on the effectiveness and durability of various odor control treatments used on apparel, footwear and work-out gear. The presentation will educate buyers on testing standards and protocols and why testing standards are altered.

These one-hour workshops, which will be held in room R02a, second floor, from 15:00-16:00 on 26 April and from 10:00-11:00 and 13:30-14;30 on April 27 will be led by Lisa Owen, vice president of global textiles at Microban, and Zsolt Huszágh, head of Microban’s textile business development in Europe.

The workshops are free and open to show attendees and members of the media, but advance registration is recommended as seating is limited. For additional details and to register for the event please click here.

“The truth is that there are very wide variances in the efficacy and durability of odour control technologies, yet some suppliers have manipulated test protocols to enhance results or failed to provide sufficient scientific evidence to support marketing claims,” said Lisa Owen. “This presentation, which will focus on explaining these differences and general industry education, is intended to bring greater clarity to the market and empower buyers to make more informed choices.”

With high-profile brand partners, such including Calvin Klein®, Fila®, Teva®, Reebok®, Puma®, Terramar Sports®, New Balance®, Spanx®, Under Armour®/All Star Sports, Hook&Tackle®, Curad® and 5.11 Tactical® Microban’s Portfolio of Textile Odor Control Technologies includes: AEGIS®, AEGIS Excalibur® Scentry®, SilverShield® and ZPTech®. The company has recently introduced a complete brand refresh, including a new b-to-b website, revamped marketing collateral, introduced new brandmarks,  and an expanded global sales team. It has also updated its consumer-facing website TheCleanerHome.com. and has just launched its “Live On” campaign.

Posted April 12, 2017

Source: Microban® International, Ltd.