The re.solution team received the 2024 ACHEMA 2024 Start-up Award in Frankfurt this June.
Textile supply chain practices in Germany are poised to be positively impacted by the country’s precarious energy supply situation.
TW Special Report
It’s notable that major developments in the textile manufacturing supply chain are at present to be found at either side of the basic yarn spinning and fabric formation stages of production.
Software advances for all technologies aside, one major focus is currently on the development of more sustainable new feedstocks, fibers and chemicals — both natural and synthetic — while another is on dyeing and finishing processes, which for a long time have been the most resource draining stage in the manufacturing chain in terms of energy, water usage and waste.
ACHEMA 2024
Fittingly — given the current major interest in the recycling of synthetic fibers — re.solution, a spin-off from RWTH Aachen University, has just claimed the ACHEMA 2024 Start-up Award.
ACHEMA, held every three years, is a trade fair for the processing industries, and the latest edition recently took place in Frankfurt attracting 2,842 exhibitors from 56 nations and 106,000 visitors from 141 countries.
The event showcased the latest developments in the chemical, pharmaceutical and food processing industries — including the production of synthetic fibers — and also featured a total of more than 900 lectures, discussion panels and workshops.
Start-Ups
The fact that start-ups are now an integral part of all major processing industries was demonstrated not only by the number and quality of the applications for the ACHEMA’s 2024 Start-up Award, but also by their range — although all generally reflected the major manufacturing trends of sustainability and digitalization.
Re.solution has developed a new chemical process based on hydrolysis for recycling PET polyester with renewable energy and low water and chemical consumption.
The robust process has been further designed to overcome textile-specific recycling challenges such as accommodating fiber blends and the removal of impurities, resulting in high product quality.
The start-up has also developed a salt-waste free downstream recycling method of dealing with the hydrolysis depolymerization technology’s consumption of vast amounts of auxiliary chemicals. With the successful recycling of these additives, re.solution reports it can produce feedstock that is sustainable and price competitive with virgin feedstock.
Re.solution is currently being funded by Germany’s Federal Ministry of Economics and Climate Pro-tection (BMWK) and the European Union as part of a research transfer program and plans are now underway for rapidly scaling the process up.
Monforts outlined its plans to use green hydrogen at two well-attended seminars during ITMA 2023 in Milan last June.
Green Hydrogen
One of the major themes of this year’s ACHEMA was the potential of green hydrogen as a key element of the energy transition, which given Germany’s precarious energy supply position, is being taken very seriously by the country.
Hydrogen is a versatile chemical feedstock and energy carrier that can be used to secure energy supplies for many sectors and if produced in a climate-friendly way, has the potential to significantly reduce carbon emissions and ultimately contribute to bringing them down to zero.
However, the production of hydrogen is comparatively energy-intensive, which is why it should be used for applications where renew-able electricity cannot be utilized directly. In addition, the costs of producing hydrogen are currently still high, and the capacities for generating it are insufficient. This means that large investments need to be made in developing electrolysis capacities, compensating for higher operational production costs, as well as ensuring stable conditions for selling green hydrogen at an economically viable price.
Germany’s government is supporting these efforts through its National Hydrogen Strategy which has made several billion euros available from federal funds to promote hydrogen generation, build the necessary infrastructure and enable its use.
WasserSTOFF
Funded projects are now underway across the entire value chain, including the use of hydrogen as an alternative fuel for energy-intensive industries, and one such industry is certainly the dyeing and finishing of textiles.
Since November 2022, Germany-based A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG has been leading a consortium of industrial partners and universities in exploring all aspects of this fast-rising new industrial energy option in a three-year WasserSTOFF project. The aim is to establish to what extent hydrogen can be used in the future as an alternative heating source for textile finishing processes.
Monforts specializes in advanced technology for fabric finishing based on successive industry developments over many decades and is celebrating its 140th anniversary this year. It was founded in 1884 in Mönchengladbach, Germany, where it is still head-quartered today, which is also where its Advanced Technology Centre (ATC) is situated.
Monforts Montex tenter frames —for processes such as drying, stretching, heat-setting and coating — are an industry standard for the fabric finishing industry, particularly in the denim and home textiles sectors, providing a number of advantages in terms of production throughput and especially in energy efficiency and savings. The other key technologies in the company’s range include relaxation dryers, Thermex dyeing ranges, Monfortex compressive shrinking ranges and Montex Coat and coaTTex coating units.
Concern
The cost of energy remains a major concern for textile manufacturers and for the latest Monforts Montex tenters, the MonforClean heat recovery system with air/air or/and air/water is fully integrated into the tenter chamber. In combination with other new features, the heat recovery system results in energy savings of up to 43 percent.
The company also offers a number of options for retrofitting to existing lines such as the Monforts universal Energy Tower — a flexible, free-standing air/air heat exchanger for recovering the heat from the exhaust air flow of thermal processes. It can result in a 25-percent reduction in the energy consumed by a line, depending on the exhaust air volume and operating temperature.
A Monforts Eco Booster, integrated into the chamber design of the Montex tenter, is another retrofitting option. As a single heat recovery system with automatic cleaning, it can be added to existing ranges and up to 35-percent energy costs can be saved. In addition, the Eco Booster consumes only minimal amounts of water during the cleaning cycle and the entire process is controlled and monitored automatically.
Options
Within the WasserSTOFF project, tests on laboratory equipment together with associated partners have already been carried out and the results are now being transferred to an industrial-scale pilot tenter frame at the Monforts ATC in Germany.
The next stage in the project is to compare the results of trials powered partially or fully by hydrogen, with those of existing energy combinations of electricity, gas and steam, as well as fully analyzing the full impact of the various energy-saving technologies that have already been developed.
“Green hydrogen’s potential as a clean fuel source is tremendous, but there is much we need to explore when considering its use in the textile finishing processes carried out globally on our stenter dryers and other machines,” said Monforts Managing Director Gunnar Meyer. “Everybody knows that textile finishing is a high energy consuming process and to make the processes more efficient, we already offer several solutions, but as a technology leader we are also rising to the challenge of exploring alternative heating options to be ready for the future.”
Some plants may run perfectly, but others can benefit from tips on how to improve production.
TW Special Report
Maximizing production in a textile plant requires a combination of process optimization, quality control, technology integration and people management. This is a practical set of steps to improve production while maintaining high quality standards. Germany-based Sedo Treepoint GmbH, with its numerous installations and operations worldwide, has gained invaluable insights into running a plant efficiently. Conversely, the company also has experience with countless traps and challenges that can lead to inefficiencies if not addressed effectively.
Time is undeniably one of the most valuable resources in production. Yet, it’s also finite, impossible to stop, but possible to utilize wisely. The efficient use of time directly affects production costs. Employing the best available technology, coupled with effective automation to minimize idle times, allows for the optimization of manufacturing processes.
There is always room to grow, even in well-organized, clean and state-of-the-art factories employing experienced people. Following are some areas to examine in order to optimize plant operations.
1. Assess Current Production Processes
How is the current today, where are bottlenecks, inefficiencies and areas for improvement? Document the entire production process from raw materials to finished products and determine how effectively the current automation systems are performing their intended tasks. Are they improving productivity, reducing errors, and optimizing processes as expected? Are there still manual processes used? Are there still spare parts/service available?
If not, plan upgrades in time, before machines unexpectedly break down and disrupt production. Are there any potential risks or safety concerns associated with machine operation? What about water and energy consumption?
Can automation and a manufacturing execution system (MES) solution be scaled to future changes and growth? Evaluate how well the automation systems integrate with other manufacturing processes and technologies within the plant. Is software still supported and are upgrade possible? Is software already linked to other production units or are links possible? Can all machines and systems be linked or just a group?
2. Invest In Technology Because Automation And Digitization Are More Important Than Ever
Investing in technology is crucial, particularly in automation and digitization. Advanced machinery and automation technologies streamline production processes, reducing manual labor and increasing output efficiency. Introduce cutting-edge machinery and automation to enhance production efficiency. Incorporate software solutions for inventory management, production scheduling, and quality control. Additionally, integrate Internet of Things (IoT) devices for continuous real-time monitoring of equipment and processes. Software systems made for the textile industry — such as MES, color management, energy management, automatic optimized production planning, Enterprise Resource Planning and other systems— can help to enhance overall plant performance as well.
Seek out a neutral partner to act as a guide through this digital transformation journey. Such a partner can provide unbiased advice, independent of specialized providers focusing on singular aspects, ensuring a comprehensive approach to digitization projects.
Moreover, technology can help textile companies meet regulatory requirements and sustainability goals by enabling better tracking and management of resources and waste. Also, plan investments according to their return on investment. Some systems may be indispensable today, but are no longer supported. Plan to replace such systems, possibly in different stages.
Use color management and recipe systems for color consistency, accuracy, efficiency and cost savings.
3. Train And Empower Employees
Enhancing employee skills and fostering a culture of empowerment are essential for achieving peak performance in any textile plant.
To begin with, investing in comprehensive training programs is primary. In today’s fast-paced environment, inefficiency is no option and errors can quickly become costly. Therefore, keeping staff well-trained is crucial to ensuring smooth operations. Regular updates and refresher courses are necessary to keep pace with rapidly evolving technologies and industry knowledge.
Moreover, it’s vital to cultivate a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the workforce. Encouraging employees to contribute ideas for process optimization not only boosts morale but also leads to valuable insights that can drive efficiency and innovation throughout the plant. Empowering workers to make decisions instills a sense of ownership and responsibility, further fostering teamwork and productivity. A positive team spirit not only inspires employees, but also enhances productivity and streamlines workflows.
In summary, prioritizing employee training and empowerment creates a motivated workforce capable of driving ongoing improvement and success in a textile plant.
4. Optimize Supply Chain Management And Inventory
Building robust relationships with suppliers is important to guarantee the punctual delivery of high-quality raw materials to a textile plant. Fostering strong partnerships can enhance reliability and consistency in the supply chain.
Implementing lean principles is instrumental in streamlining operations and minimizing waste while simultaneously reducing lead times. Embracing lean methodologies enables a plant to operate more efficiently and respond swiftly to market demands. Furthermore, utilizing forecasting techniques helps anticipate fluctuations in demand and optimize inventory levels accordingly. By accurately predicting customer needs, a plant can avoid overstocking or understocking situations, ensuring smoother production cycles and minimizing costs. Inventory management systems provide real-time information about stocks of raw/finished goods, chemicals and dyestuffs, for example.
5. Focus On Quality Control
To ensure high-quality output in a textile plant, it’s essential to implement stringent quality control measures at every stage of production. This includes conducting regular inspections and audits to swiftly identify and address any quality issues that arise. Investing in quality testing equipment is crucial to verify that all products meet both industry standards and customer expectations. However, use software to save quality measurements, so that the history is available. Furthermore, documenting production procedures is key to facilitating seamless adoption by both new and existing personnel. Even seemingly basic rules, such as dyeing from light to dark, should be clearly outlined to prevent any confusion or errors. Despite their apparent simplicity, adherence to such procedures can significantly impact the overall quality and consistency of the final products. Save dependencies in software formulas — store qualities, colors, and machine preferences in the system to automate their usage, minimizing errors and ensuring seamless operations.
Focus on maintaining plant equipment.
6. The Underestimated Importance Of Color Management Systems
Color management and recipe systems are often underestimated in the textile finishing industry but are important for many reasons.
Color Consistency — Ensuring consistent color across different batches of textile products is vital for brand reputation and customer satisfaction. Color management systems help maintain uniform color shades, eliminating variations that can occur due to differences in dye lots, materials or processing conditions.
Recipe Accuracy — Recipe systems ensure that the exact proportions of dyes and chemicals are used in every batch, leading to consistent results. This precision is essential for meeting the specifications required by clients and for maintaining uniformity in large-scale production.
Reduced Waste — Accurate color management and recipe systems minimize trial and error in dyeing processes, reducing the amount of wasted dyes and chemicals. This efficiency not only saves costs but also reduces the environmental impact.
Time Savings — By using standardized recipes and automated color matching, the time required for adjusting and correcting colors is significantly reduced, speeding up the production process and improving overall productivity.
Meeting Standards — These systems help in maintaining the high quality of textile products by ensuring that the colors meet specific standards and client requirements. This is particularly important for industries such as fashion and home textiles where color accuracy is critical.
Reproducibility — With accurate color management and recipe systems, reproducing the same color across different production batches becomes feasible, ensuring that
repeat orders or large production orders have identical color quality.
Enhanced Customer Satisfaction — Consistent and high-quality color results lead to greater customer satisfaction. Reliable color matching ensures that customers receive the exact shade they expect, which is particularly important for brands with specific color identities.
Regulatory Compliance — Many regions have strict regulations regarding the use of dyes and chemicals in textiles. Accurate recipe systems help in ensuring compliance with these regulations by precisely controlling the types and amounts of substances used.
Environmental Sustainability — Efficient color management and precise recipe systems contribute to more sustainable production processes. By reducing waste and ensuring the efficient use of dyes and chemicals, these systems help minimize the environmental footprint of the textile industry.
Digitalization and Automation — Modern color management and recipe systems often integrate with advanced technologies like spectrophotometers, dispensing stations, solving stations, paternosters and distribution systems for example. This integration enhances the accuracy and efficiency of the color matching and dyeing processes. The transmission of digital color files eliminates the need to send swatches, which is costly and time-consuming.
Rules and Formulas — By entering production knowledge in rules and formulas, dependencies and knowledge are stored in the software and automatically implemented in production.
Data Management — These systems enable better data management and traceability, allowing for detailed records of dyeing processes, recipes, and outcomes. This data is invaluable for continuous improvement and troubleshooting.
Fully integrated color management and recipe systems are fundamental to the textile finishing industry due to their role in ensuring consistent quality, reducing costs, enhancing customer satisfaction, ensuring regulatory compliance and promoting sustainability. By integrating advanced technology, these systems streamline the production process and support the industry’s move towards more efficient and environmentally friendly practices.
7. Implement Energy-Efficient Practices
In pursuit of sustainability and cost-efficiency, it’s imperative to identify opportunities to minimize energy consumption throughout a textile plant. This involves assessing existing equipment and processes to pinpoint areas where energy usage can be reduced through upgrades and optimization.
Investing in energy-efficient machinery and lighting systems is another effective strategy to decrease energy consumption. Upgrading to equipment with higher energy efficiency ratings and implementing energy-saving lighting solutions can yield significant long-term savings while also reducing the environmental footprint. Additionally, fostering a culture of energy conservation among employees is crucial. Encourage them to adopt simple yet impactful practices such as diligently turning off equipment when not in use, to contribute to overall energy savings across the plant. By collectively prioritizing energy efficiency, a textile plant can not only reduce operational costs but also contribute to environmental sustainability.
Today’s newer machinery can collect production and energy data. Analyzing this information in in conjunction with software offerings may reveal further optimization potential.
Combine process optimization, quality control, technology integration and peo-ple management to improve production.
8. Embrace Sustainable Practices
Implementing ecofriendly manufacturing processes is essential to minimize the environmental impact of a textile plant. This involves adopting sustainable practices that
reduce resource consumption and pollution. Investing in renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind power, is a proactive step towards reducing reliance on fossil fuels and mitigating greenhouse gas emissions. By harnessing clean, renewable energy, a plant can significantly decrease its carbon footprint and contribute to a greener future.
Furthermore, reducing water consumption and waste generation through recycling and reuse initiatives is crucial for sustainable operations. Implementing water-saving technologies and systems, along with establishing recycling programs for water or materials like fabric scraps and packaging materials, can help minimize environmental impact and conserve valuable resources.
9. Maintain Equipment: Preventive Maintenance Is Crucial
Keeping up with preventative maintenance is crucial for a number of reasons, including:
Minimizing Downtime — Regular maintenance helps to identify and address potential issues before they escalate into major problems, reducing the risk of unexpected break-downs and minimizing downtime in production.
Optimizing Equipment Performance — Scheduled maintenance ensures that equipment operates at peak performance levels, maximizing efficiency and productivity through-out the manufacturing process.
Extending Equipment Lifespan — Proper maintenance prolongs the lifespan of machinery and equipment, reducing the need for costly repairs or premature replacements.
Ensuring Safety — Regular inspections and maintenance checks help identify and mitigate safety hazards, creating a safer working environment for employees and reducing the risk of accidents or injuries.
Cost Savings — Preventive maintenance is often more cost-effective than reactive maintenance, as it helps avoid costly emergency repairs and unplanned downtime, ultimately saving money in the long run.
Maintaining Quality Standards — Well-maintained equipment is essential for consistently producing high-quality products that meet or exceed industry standards and customer expectations.
Overall, preventive maintenance is essential for maintaining operational efficiency, ensuring safety, and reducing costs in manufacturing operations. Develop a preventive maintenance schedule and train staff. Integrate the maintenance schedule into the software system, with reminders to follow up in time. Keep detailed records of maintenance activities and equipment performance for analysis and improvement. Stock important spare parts so they are available if needed.
10. Monitor Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Today, there a lot of data exists collected in an average plant. Check if the information provides necessary insights and see how the data can be used to improve performance.
• Establish KPIs related to productivity, efficiency, quality and cost.
• Regularly monitor and analyze KPIs to identify trends and areas for improvement.
• Use KPI data to set targets and track progress towards performance goals.
• Don’t stop at production data, but also think about how to utilize the information for other areas. Can it be combined with energy data, customer data, quality data and more?
Employing someone who really understands this data analysis can provide new insights beyond surface level observations. The data should be used for strategic decision making and for solving problems, as well as innovations and optimization.
Employing someone who really understands this data analysis can provide new insights beyond surface level observations. The data should be used for strategic decision making and for solving problems, as well as innovations and optimization.
• Foster a culture of continuous improvement by encouraging feedback and suggestions from employees at all levels;
• Implement regular performance reviews and brainstorming sessions to identify and prioritize improvement opportunities;
• Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to remain competitive and drive ongoing improvements;
• Use new technologies such as using digital color swatches instead of physical samples; and
• Set up a database of rules that are important for your company.
These tips are not an inclusive list, but can guide a plant when reconsidering certain key areas for improvement. These tips may improve plant operations and help reach new levels of optimization. Companies such as Sedo Treepoint, with more than 45 years of experience in automation and software for dyeing and finishing operations, can offer guidance or support in implementing such measures, and conduct personalized audits to determine the best way to achieve a set of goals.
Lectra’s VectorFurniture iX2 is a versatile, low-ply cutter.
Lectra recently showcased its “Furniture on Demand” enhanced with Lectra’s Valia platform to industry insiders.
TW Special Report
Recently, Lectra welcomed industry insiders to an exclusive furniture event showcasing “Furniture on Demand” with Valia at Lectra’s Experience Center in Atlanta, Ga. The event showcased the new Valia platform, which was announced earlier this year. When the product was introduced, Maximilien Abadie, Lectra’s chief strategy officer and chief product officer, explained that Lectra was continuing to innovate Furniture on Demand by enhancing the solution with Valia — a digital production preparation and planning platform for upholstered furniture. “Furniture On Demand by Lectra connects all the components in the cutting room and facilitates order and production data processing,” Abadie noted. “Our customers gain additional advantages for optimizing automated manufacturing workflows and material consumption on their production lines. With this new offer, they are fully committed to Industry 4.0 and benefit from a significant competitive advantage, offering new growth drivers for more sustainable production.”
Experience Center
Guests were welcomed to the insider event by Lectra President Americas Lenny Marano who kicked-off the event with a brief history of Lectra’s leadership in bringing advanced technology solutions to the industry through the years.
Cindy Hodnett, Furniture Today’s executive editor, Home+Design, brought the guests up-to-speed with a presentation titled “The Future is Now: The new reality of home furnishings.” She illustrated trends that set the stage for driving Industry 4.0 and new ways to manufacture.
Marano then led a panel discussion featuring Lectra’s Global Senior Vice President Business Development Furniture & Automotive Olivier Nold; Senior Vice President of Customer Success, Americas John Brearley; and CSM Director Christine Fox. The panel covered various topics including “Why Lectra implemented 4.0 solutions,” how it helps customers and how Lectra is expanding the offering.
Product Marketing Director Clementine Mitard explained what Valia is and how it works, emphasizing the overarching achievements possible with Valia — removing complexity and dependence on expertise, while providing visibility and control regardless of upholstery type or production volumes.
In-Depth Demo
Luis Magna, Lectra’s Technical Sales director, Manufacturing, got to the heart of the matter with a Valia demonstration creating several orders for sofas with varied requirements including multiple orders and matched upholstery patterns. Magna’s presentation explained cutting solutions for made-to-order, mass customization and mass production.
Live Equipment
Lean Business Consultant Jerin Xavier and Presales Consultant Gilberto Nava then demonstrated the cutting process on the VIRGA single-ply fabric cutting line and the Vector low- and high-ply fabric cutting line.
Guests were able to move about the equipment and spend one-on-one time with Lectra staff asking more technical questions and exploring the possibilities of the new technology for their own operations.
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Lectra’s Furniture On Demand digitalizes production steps and automates workflow.
Luis Magna, Lectra’s Technical Sales director, Manu-facturing
Product Marketing Director Clementine Mitard;
Remnants of the cutting process on the VIRGA single-ply fabric cutting line after a Valia integration demonstration.
(left to right): Lectra’s Olivier Nold global senior vice president, Business Development, Furniture & Automotive; Lenny Marano, president, Americas; John Brearley, senior vice president, Customer Success, Americas; and Christine Fox, CSM director
Lectra’s Presales Consultant Gilberto Nava (left) and Lean Business Consultant Jerin Xavier
The Porsche Experience
Finally, guests transferred to the Porsche Experience Center in Atlanta for a tour of the Porsche Museum as well as a presentation by Porsche Consulting Manager Simon Tabke titled, “Industry 4.0 &Factory of The Future: The Journey to The Smart Factory at Scale.”
Tabke explained Porsche’s manufacturing challenges in the 1980s and how these issues led to the company’s adoption of current manufacturing processes. Tabke was joined by Michael Kopacko, associate partner, Porsche Consulting, who explained how Porsche took this knowledge and has been able to help clients adopt a process to move forward with the Industry 4.0 concept in a wide range of industries harnessing Porsche’s knowledge of the “Power of the Digital Transformation.”
Attendees were treated to the Porsche Ride Experience accompanying professional drivers on a closed-circuit course pushing the limits of the latest Porsche offering, as it happened, in the rain.
More Than Furniture
The event showcased Lectra’s commitment to support the evolution of fashion, automotive and furniture manufacturers by providing technical solutions with the potential to assist the transition to an efficient and sustainable Industry 4.0 business.
The Valia digital production preparation and planning platform is one step further into the future of supporting new ways to manufacture that embrace made-to-order, mass customization and mass production.
The Porsche Experience
The Furniture on Demand group ended the day of exploring Lectra’s 4.0 solutions with final presentations and networking at Atlanta’s Porsche Experience Center. Porsche Consulting Manager Simon Tabke and Associate Partner Michael Kopacko presented an overview of Smart Factory concepts developed during Porsche’s own Smart Factory transformation.
A video titled “REPLAY | PORSCHE SMART FACTORY BEST PRACTICES” is available on lectra.com for further exploration of Porsche’s journey. The video features a discussion between Porsche Consulting and Lectra focused on Smart Factory concepts and Industry 4.0 best practices. Lectra notes: “Aligned with Lectra’s Industry 4.0 digital cutting room approach, Porsche Consulting has helped enterprises across industries transform different parts of their manufacturing to accelerate how they perform.”
Trivantage®, Burlington, N.C., has expanded its product offerings for designers and workrooms to include: sewing machine accessories; hand tools; cutting tools; threads; invisible zippers; clasps, needles and pins; tapes; and fabrics.
Paris-based traceability platform TextileGenesis — a Lectra Group company — announced a partnership with the Forest Stewardship Council® (FSC®), which will enable the traceability of cellulose fibers from responsibly managed forests.
Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Inc., Ann Arbor, Mich., reports its BAM-1 recombinant spider
silk hybrids are now in production after successful production trials.
Online visitor registration is open for ITMA Asia + CITME, which will take place October 14-18, 2024, at the National Exhibition and Convention Centre in Shanghai, China. Attendees that preregister can take advantage of an early bird rate until October 13. To register, visit itmaasia.com.
Avient Corp., Kennesaw, Ga., recently launched Rutland™ Evolve™ Bio Plastisol™ inks, which contain more than 50 percent bio-derived content, for the screen printing industry.
Eight students from North Carolina State University’s Wilson College of Textiles recently participated in a week-long tour of production sites in Vietnam. South Korea-based Hansae Co. Ltd. organized the “Summer Tour of Hansae” as part of an industry-academia collaboration between the company and the university.
Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company was recognized as one of the 2024 Top 100 Global Most Loved Workplaces, a list released by Newsweek in collaboration with the Best Practice Institute. Companies were evaluated based on a range of criteria including employee engagement, leadership, company values and the overall environment as assessed by polled employees.
IACMI — The Composites Institute has added a state-of-the-art fiber sizing line from Cincinnati-based Michelman Inc. at the IACMI Collaboration Facility in Knoxville, Tenn.
South Korea-based Hyosung TNC recently joined the Textile Exchange, Lamesa, Texas, as a partner-level member.
Lee® recently introduced its first golf apparel collection.
Greensboro, N.C.-based Lee® recently introduced its first golf collection for men.
Datacolor®, Lawrenceville, N.J., recently issued significant software portfolio updates including the integration of Colibri® support and enhancements to its color matching and quality control tools.
Registration is now open for the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) 2024 Textile Discovery Summit, which will be held in Savannah, Ga., October 6-8. For more information and to register, visit aatcc.org/summit/.
The Association of the Nonwovens Fabric Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C., recently released the 11th edition of its North American Nonwovens Supply Report. The 2024 report offers data on key metrics including capacity, production, operating rates and regional trade through 2023.
China-based FixDye selected a polycondensation system from Oerlikon Barmag Huitong Engineering Co. Ltd. — a subsidiary of Germany-based Oerlikon Barmag — to expand its capacity for recycled dope-dyed filament yarns.
Portugal-based Tearfil Textile Yarns recently inaugurated a research and development line for Finland-based Spinnova Plc’s SPINNOVA® fiber. The spinning line was provided by Switzerland-based Rieter Group .In other Spinnova news, Luhta Sportswear Co.’s Rukka brand introduced a T-shirt made using 29-percent Spinnova fiber, 6-percent cotton and 3-percent elastane.
After four years of R&D efforts, Israel-based Sonovia Ltd. and Italy-based PureDenim S.r.l. have unveiled the first jeans collection made using Sonovia’s sustainable dyeing technology.
Cincinnati-based Standard Textile was named a 2024 U.S. Best Managed Company Gold Standard winner. The award recognizes the achievements of U.S.-based private companies and the successes of their management teams.
AmorSui, Philadelphia, has expanded its product line with the addition of lab coats in men’s and women’s sizes, fire-resistant clothing, and isolation gowns that are all reusable and recyclable.
Alex Zucchi was named the president of Zurich-based CEMATEX — the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers.
Mario Jorge Machado, director of Portugal-based Adalberto Textile Solutions S.A., was recently elected president of Brussels-based EURATEX. Alberto Paccanelli was named honorary president.
The England-based Society of Dyers and Colourists (SDC) has named Dr. Susan Kay-Williams president for the 2024-25 term.
Davis
Glen Raven Inc., Burling-ton, N.C., has named Joseph “Joey” Davis president of the Glen Raven Material Solutions Group. Davis replaces Dave Swers who is retiring after a 35-year career with Glen Raven.
Austria-based Borealis has appointed Stefan Doboczky CEO.
Switzerland-based Loepfe Brothers Ltd. has appointed Markus Kleindorp CEO. In addition, Gregor Stalder was named CFO.
Precision Textiles, Fairfield, N.J, has named Bill Learn director of quality control.
To support continued growth in Europe, South Korea-based Hyosung TNC recently hired Andreas Puchert as the European marketing manager.
Spangler
Grant Spangler has been promoted to vice president of manufacturing for Champion Thread Co., Gastonia, S.C.
Herculite Products has hired Patrick Clysdale as Southeastern Regional manager for the Direct Sales Team; and Anthony Pappalardo has joined the company as regional sales manager covering the Mid-west and Southeast for all awning and marine brands. In addition, Julie Tinsman has joined Strataglass LLC, a Herculite Products’ company, as director of Business Development.
Kimberly Peoples has joined Ultrafabrics, Tarrytown, N.Y., as the team sales director for the Residential Market. Amanda Bylsma also recently joined the company as sales manager for the Midwest region.
Paris-based Lectra named Antonella Capelli president of the Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) region. She takes over from Fabio Canali who is retiring.
Columbia Sportswear Co., Portland, Ore., has hired Michael Minter as SOREL’s vice president, Brand.
The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance (SCMA) has elected Kevin Brown as the chair of its board of directors. Brown is senior vice president of Global Operations for Spartanburg, S.C.-based Milliken & Company’s Textile Division.
Russian
Dan Russian is the new president and CEO of Sage Automotive Interiors, Greenville, S.C. S.C. Russian succeeds Chris Heard who retired earlier this year.
Jeffrey P. Pritchett recently joined Charlotte, N.C.-based Elevate Textiles as CEO and member of the board of directors.
INX International Ink Co., Schaumburg, Ill., has promoted the following executive managers to vice president positions: Anthony De Francesco to vice president of Integrated Supply Chain; Alex Folloso to vice president of R&D Metal Decorating Technology; and Kim Hill to vice president of R&D Liquid Solvent Technology.
Christoph Kowitz is the new leader of Wacker Chemical Corp., Adrian, Mich., a subsidiary of Germany-based Wacker Chemical. He succeeds David Wilhoit who is retiring.
The board of directors at Hexcel Corp., Stamford, Conn., have named Thomas C. GentilleIII CEO and president. He replaces Nick Stanage who is retiring, but will remain on the board as executive chairman until the end of the year to ensure a smooth transition.
The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA), Cary, N.C., recently honored three individuals with awards for their contribu-tions to the nonwovens industry and INDA: David Powling, Kimberly Clark Corp., Lifetime Service Award; Paul Latten, Southeast Nonwovens, Lifetime Technical Achievement Award; and Arnold Wilkie, Hills Inc., Lifetime Technical Achievement Award.
Culp Inc., High Point, N.C., hired Armando Alfaro as director of Business Development for Culp Home Fashions (CHF), the company’s mattress fabrics division.
Flexible carbon fiber composites producer Carbitex, Kennewick, Wash., has named FilippoSartor vice president of Global Sales, and Sam Gardner vice president of Engineering and Operations.
Celanese and Under Armour developed NEOLAST™ as a sustainable, performance-based spandex alternative.
By Rachael S. Davis, Executive Editor
Spandex, also known as elastane, has been prized for its elasticity since its invention in 1958. The fiber has become ubiquitous finding its way into sportswear, leisurewear, and even denim — any garment requiring stretch properties. However, spandex suffers from some inherent challenges when talking about sustainability. Traditional elastane fibers are not recyclable, and also require the use of hazardous chemical solvents during the spinning process. In addition, the fiber deteriorates in chlorine-heavy environments such as swimming pools, and doesn’t manage odors or moisture very effectively, among other performance issues.
With these challenges in mind, Celanese Corp., Irving, Texas, and Baltimore-based Under Armour Inc. partnered to create a new type of stretch fiber — one that is sustainable, delivers elite performance, and offers improved moisture management and comfort for the wearer. The resulting fiber, NEOLAST™, is a high-performance elastane alternative made from elastoester polymers using a proprietary solvent-free, melt-extrusion process.
NEOLAST fibers are woven or knit into stretch fabrics at a percentage of between
2 and 40 percent, which allows a manufacturer to either dial up or dial down the power-stretch level, depending on the application and needed power-stretch performance. The fibers may be blended with polyester, cotton, nylon, linen, rayon and silk, among other fibers.
According to Celanese, garments made using the fiber deliver stretch, durability, comfort and moisture management properties. In addition, the elastoester polymers, depicted as “NEOLAST polyester” on garment labels, are recyclable and therefore, so are garments made using NEOLAST.
Applications include sports apparel, stretch fleece, socks, medical items, shapewear, denim and narrow fabrics, to name just a few of the potential uses seen for the fiber.
“Working with a leading global brand like Under Armour to elevate the performance and sustainability benefits of their products is just the first of many great things we hope to accomplish with this innovative NEOLAST technology,” said Tom Kelly, senior vice president, Engineered Materials at Celanese. “… We are just beginning to unlock its potential and look forward to what’s ahead as we explore other opportunities with end users.”
Under Armour recently debuted the first product to feature NEOLAST, the Vanish Pro tee.
“We took a minimalist approach to the design of this shirt, eliminating distractions for the athlete and opting for classic lines that allow the NEOLAST material to shine,” said John Hardy III, senior director, Product, Under Armour. “The Vanish Pro tee’s durable material will not only increase its lifespan, it will offer consistent fit and stretch throughout the garment’s life. We’re proud to have developed the first apparel with this innovation and are excited about bringing more performance garments that utilize the future of stretch to athletes everywhere.”
“Part of the beauty of this material innovation is the value we’ve been able to add by taking things away,” said Kyle Blakely, senior vice president, Innovation, Development & Testing, Under Armour. “…We look forward to introducing this revolutionary performance fiber across additional product lines as we work to scale it and evolve the broader industry landscape.”
The NEOLAST innovation helps support Under Armour’s goal to eliminate the use of spandex its products by 75 percent by the year 2030. “Through performance-driven sustainability and innovation, we look forward to helping athletes play at the top of their game as we work with Celanese to realize this new fiber’s potential to forge a path toward circularity,” Blakely added.
For more information about NEOLAST™, visit celanese.com.
TACOMA, Wash. — July 16, 2024 — Toray Composite Materials America Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of carbon fiber and prepreg materials, announces the execution of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) adding Elevated Materials as a provider of repurposing services for its Tacoma, Wash., facility. Under the three-year agreement, Elevated Materials will repurpose Toray scrap prepreg materials, including slit-edge and full-width prepreg sheets.
Elevated Materials’ mission is to eliminate carbon fiber waste in the aerospace industry. Since its founding, the company has successfully diverted 200,000 pounds of carbon fiber waste through its innovative upcycling process. Elevated Materials transforms this waste into press-cured carbon fiber sheets, plates, and blocks, which have applications in various industries, from sports equipment to manufacturing accessories and drones.
The agreement between the two companies is a testament to their shared commitment to prioritize sustainable solutions in response to the planet’s growing environmental challenges. Their focused efforts aim to make a positive ecological impact by reducing waste, conserving resources, and decreasing pollution.
“Collaborating with the Toray team on tough sustainability challenges has been a rewarding experience. Their expertise and collaborative spirit have been instrumental in pushing the boundaries of what we can achieve in sustainable composite materials. Together, we are making significant strides towards a more sustainable future,” said Ryan Olliges, founder and CEO of Elevated Materials.
The MOU is a significant and strategic step towards supporting Toray’s sustainability vision. This vision includes achieving net zero emissions by 2050 and managing resources sustainably.
“Our commitment to repurposing waste material underscores our dedication to sustainability and innovation. With this initiative, we are reducing our environmental footprint and setting a new standard for responsible manufacturing,” said Jeff Hawkey, senior vice president of operations at Toray.
SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — July 16, 2024 — Auria, a supplier of highly engineered systems for automotive acoustics, textiles and cargo management for gas and electric vehicles, today announced the appointment of QiuMing Yang as the new president and CEO, effective July 22, 2024. Yang succeeds Brian Pour, who is stepping down after leading the business for the past seven years since its inception.
QiuMing Yang, president and CEO, Auria, effective July 22, 2024
Yang has served as Auria’s executive vice president and managing director for Asia/RSA operations since the company’s formation in 2017, in which time he has expanded the company’s customer base, while adding five new manufacturing facilities in the region. Yang will be based in the company’s operational headquarters in Southfield.
“We are fully confident that Qiuming Yang’s thorough understanding of the business and his impressive career achievements make him ideally suited to seamlessly transition to the president and CEO role. We congratulate Yang on this well-deserved appointment!” said Board Chairman Zhijun Lu.
Yang said: “I am honored for the opportunity to lead this great company and our talented employees. It has been a privilege to work alongside Brian, and I am excited to continue building upon the foundation and momentum established under his leadership. As we continue driving towards our ambitious financial targets and sustainability standards, I know that the future is bright for Auria!”
Pour said: “Auria has been an important part of my life over the last 7 years. I am filled with pride for what we, as a team, have achieved together. Together, we have transformed Auria from a startup joint venture to a global leader in automotive soft trim and acoustic systems. I’ve worked closely with Yang for 20 years at Auria and its legacy companies and have complete trust and confidence that Auria will continue to build on its success and thrive under his leadership.”
Lu said, “On behalf of the entire Board of Directors, we would like to thank Brian for his exceptional leadership and the invaluable impact he made on Auria. He was instrumental in building Auria into the company that it is today and setting the organization on a path for continued success. We wish him much success in his future endeavors.”
A full biography of QiuMing Yang is available on Auria’s website.
MINOT, N.D. — July 17, 2024 — The FabricLink Network (FLN) announced the launch of TheTextileGateway.org to help reenergize the textile industry. The website connects the textile industry to students from elementary school to universities. A challenge is that most young students aren’t thinking about textile careers, in part because they lack sufficient education about the opportunities.
“The mission of The Textile Gateway is to educate and inspire students at all levels about textiles; promote career paths in the industry; and, serve as a catalyst for future innovation,” explained Tom Swantko, director of the Gateway program. “The Gateway is vitally needed to help develop the next generation of leaders, innovators and skilled workforce.”
Outreach to elementary and high school students is a primary focus. The Gateway provides students in every grade through high school with a wealth of age-appropriate resources designed to engage and inspire. Outreach is also provided to students in colleges and universities. The Gateway aids students by bridging the gap between academic studies and real-world applications. You’ll find an array of resources, and gain access to industry professionals who share their knowledge and insights through articles, videos and live events.
Students will learn about textile industry workforce development programs. Swantko explains, “We are looking to partner with workforce programs that provide internships, apprenticeship, skills-training programs, or offer scholarships to students. The Gateway is an ideal partner to direct students to these opportunities.“
Steve Schiffman, president and CEO, Advanced Textiles Association (ATA), agreed, stating: “We are very excited to partner with the Textile Gateway and support their education and outreach programs. Workforce development in the textile industry is a critical initiative and one that requires collaboration between textile-related trade associations, and other like-minded organizations/partnerships.”
David Parkes, founder and CEO, Concept III Textiles, concurred: “For the Textile/Apparel industries to present mature ideas and innovations in the future, we need TheTextileGateway.org as a platform where high schools, and entry-level college students can have exposure to the many careers and exciting opportunities these industries provide.”
Family & Consumer Science (FACS) programs and Career and Technical Education (CTE) curriculums for middle and high schools often lack resources for textiles. So, little is being done to educate young students about textiles and its many career paths. Swantko added: “We’ve met with administrators involved with FACS/CTE programs, who are excited to hear about what we’re doing and want to know how they can help. There is a real opportunity to promote the textile industry through schools across the USA.”
This is a platform where teachers can interact, share ideas and lesson plans, connect online with the industry, or arrange school visits. Ann Dietchman, supervisor of Family & Consumer Science Education (FCSE), for North Dakota’s Department of CTE (Career and Technical Education), is eager to work with TTG, and sums up the program in this way: “The Textile Gateway program brings exciting opportunities for our students taking textile and clothing classes, by linking education to the textile/apparel business world. This resource has long been needed for our FCSE programs.”
CHESHIRE, England — July 17, 2024 — Composites technology company Cygnet Texkimp has supplied a multi-mode filament winding cell to TWI’s Materials Integrity Centre in Middlesbrough, England.
The technology will be used to develop, validate and commercialize new composite materials and parts, including high-performance pressure vessels and pipes for the aerospace, nuclear and hydrogen markets.
TWI is a membership-based global research and technology organization offering R&D support and engineering, materials and joining technologies at 18 sites worldwide, delivered by more than 800 scientists, engineers, consultants and support staff. Its Materials Integrity Centre is a state-of-the-art laboratory and world-leading test facility part funded by the European Regional Development Fund to provide specialist materials and engineering support to businesses in the North East of England.
Cygnet Texkimp supplies filament winding cell to TWI 2024
The cell delivered by Cygnet Texkimp consists of a filament winding machine, driven fiber unwinding creel and pneumatic mandrel extraction technology. It is designed to run in a number of modes and can be modified to accommodate different resins and materials, with an adaptable wet-out system and wet winding capability to trial and optimize new resin formulations.
The machine can wind four tows simultaneously and each tow has its own tension control unit and dancer arm to regulate tension. This, coupled with a bespoke fiber handling and delivery system, enables accurate winding at higher tensions and speeds. The machine developed for TWI is currently capable of winding dry fibers and towpregs at tensions in excess of 100 Newtons, but with simple modifications, and depending on the fiber being wound, can be engineered to produce much higher tension in the region of 200 to 300 Newtons.
Mihalis Kazilas, Business Group manager of TWI’s Materials Performance and Integrity Group said: “The new centre combines the industrial expertise of TWI in the area of non-metallics testing and evaluation with the academic excellence of Teesside University in net-zero technologies. Together, TWI and Teesside University will support local businesses and enterprises in the development of new products and services that will contribute to the growth objectives of the Tees Valley Social Economic Plan.”
Amir Khamsehnezhad, Section manager at TWI’s Polymers & Composite Services Section, said: “The filament winder is a key piece of equipment that will help TWI deliver research and manufacturing projects on composite pipes and tanks. The equipment is already playing a role as part of a bid for the European Space Agency (ESA) to develop SMART manufacturing technology.”
Gareth Davies, International sales manager at Cygnet Texkimp, explains how the machine’s engineering makes it ideal for TWI’s R&D programmes: “A crucial feature of this highly versatile, multi-mode winding cell is the ease with which it can be modified and customised by TWI, giving the organization and its partners a very flexible resource to carry out effective product development and optimization.
“As with all our machines, the way the fibers are handled and guided through the cell is critical to the quality and performance of the end product. Because this machine has been designed to look after the fibers throughout the process, TWI and its partners can achieve higher production speeds and fiber tensions, which in turn leads to lighter, thinner parts.”
