Baldwin To Acquire Ahlbrandt System GmbH

ST. LOUIS — September 8, 2017 — Baldwin Technology Co. Inc. announced today that an agreement has been reached to acquire Ahlbrandt System GmbH. The acquisition is pending German government approval, with a target closing date of September 30, 2017.

Headquartered in Lauterbach, Germany, Ahlbrandt’s 87 team members and top-quality Corona Treatment, Spray Coating and Hot Air Drying products complement the Baldwin team and their broad product and service portfolios.  In addition, Baldwin plans to capitalize on Ahlbrandt’s expertise and industry leading technology to enhance solutions for the rapidly growing textile and film industries.

“I am very excited that Ahlbrandt is joining the Baldwin team,” said Holger Bätz, Managing Director of Ahlbrandt. “Not only is our expertise in developing and producing top-quality equipment and systems a nice complement to Baldwin’s broad product portfolio, I am confident that Ahlbrandt’s talent and passion for innovation in surface finishing will rise to new levels within the Baldwin family.  This partnership presents a great opportunity for the Ahlbrandt team to expand our business to new geographical markets and customers, and I am convinced that this acquisition will have a very positive influence on Ahlbrandt’s new ‘Serviceplus’ growth strategy.”

“Bringing Ahlbrandt into the Baldwin family will strengthen our ability to provide value to our customers through broader technology and service offerings,” said Brent Becker, CEO of Baldwin.  “This exciting investment underscores our commitment to a strategy that blends organic and acquisition growth to enhance our global footprint and the technology we can deliver to our customers.  We are also eagerly looking forward to expanding our footprint in Germany, and we expect both teams to realize many benefits from close cooperation between our Lauterbach and Friedberg production and assembly facilities.”

Ahlbrandt is Baldwin’s third acquisition since joining the BW Forsyth Partners’ family of companies in 2012. In 2014, Baldwin acquired Web Printing Controls; in January of 2017, Air Motion Systems. Baldwin’s continued focus on strategic acquisitions has positioned the company for even greater success and created enormous opportunity for the company’s team members around the world.

Posted September 8, 2017

Source: Baldwin Technology

Nonwoven Fabrics Manufacturer WPT To Add Second Western Kentucky Plant, Create 40 Jobs

FRANKFORT, Ky. — September 7, 2017 — Nonwoven fabrics manufacturer WPT Corp. will open a $6 million, 40-job plant — its second in Ohio County — to add capacity for materials used in hygiene and filtration products such as diapers and furnace air filters, Governor Matt Bevin announced today.

“As a family-owned and operated company, WPT Corp. is taking a major step forward in establishing a new production facility. Our state and local economic development efforts provide support for exactly this kind of business growth across Kentucky,” Bevin said. “We congratulate both the company and the Ohio County community on this new project and look forward to their continued success.”

WPT will locate its new operation in the 60,000-square-foot former Nestaway plant on 7th Street in Beaver Dam. The facility will increase WPT’s manufacturing capabilities with installation of a state-of-the-art nonwoven production line focusing on the hygiene and filtration media sectors. WPT’s current facility on South Main Street underwent an expansion in 2015 and is now nearing capacity. Wayne Robbins founded WPT in 2008; and his grandson, Travis Robbins, currently leads the 57-employee company.

“We’re excited to grow our company in Ohio County, and most of all I’m proud of the hard work and dedication from our team of employees. Without their countless hours, attention to detail and dedication to our customers, this would not be possible. We also appreciate the support from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and Gov. Bevin,” WPT plant manager Travis Robbins said. “Our new state-of-the-art facility will be online in late March, and we look forward to the opportunity to supply a high-quality product to the region’s and commonwealth’s nonwoven hygiene and filtration markets.”

WPT uses raw fibers — polyester, rayon and cotton — to manufacture a wide range of products such as telecom cable wrap, landscape fabrics, fire-retardant roof membrane and hot oil filtration media.

Sen. C.B. Embry Jr., of Morgantown, expressed gratitude that the company has decided to grow its local presence.

“I am excited to hear WPT Corp. is expanding its operations here in Ohio County,” he said. “This company has been a great economic partner for our region, and I am pleased it chose to invest once again in our Western Kentucky workforce. I look forward to the completion of the project and wish WPT Corp. the best in the company’s future endeavors.”

Rep. Matt Castlen, a business owner from Maceo, said the Red Tape Reduction initiative has set the stage for companies like WPT to more readily expand.

“WPT’s addition of a manufacturing plant in the old Nestaway building is a boon for Beaver Dam and surrounding communities,” he said. “This is just another example of what happens when government cuts the red tape and creates pro-growth economic policies. I applaud WPT for recognizing that Kentucky is a shrewd investment in the future.”

Beaver Dam mayor Paul Sandefur noted the significance of the project.

“We’re excited WPT chose Beaver Dam to grow their business,” he said. “Any time you have a business willing to make an investment in the community and add new jobs, it’s a good thing.”

Ohio County judge-executive David Johnston said the project will be boon for the region.

“I am very pleased with WTP’s announcement of their expansion in Ohio County,” he said. “This will create jobs and prosperity for our community. Our state’s tax incentive is instrumental in helping with this expansion as well as others locally. I thank them for their help with this endeavor that greatly helps the people of Ohio County.”

To encourage the investment and job growth in the community, the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority (KEDFA) in August preliminarily approved the company for tax incentives up to $750,000 through the Kentucky Business Investment program. The performance-based incentive allows a company to keep a portion of its investment over the agreement term through corporate income tax credits and wage assessments by meeting job and investment targets.

In addition, WPT can receive resources from the Kentucky Skills Network. Through the Kentucky Skills Network, companies can receive no-cost recruitment and job placement services, reduced-cost customized training and job training incentives. In fiscal year 2016, the Kentucky Skills Network provided training for nearly 95,000 Kentuckians and 5,000 companies from a variety of industry sectors.

Posted September 7, 2017

Source: Kentucky.gov

Cotton-Rich Fashion Goes From Catwalk To Closet With A Click

NEW YORK CITY — September 7, 2017 — Cotton Incorporated and Bloomingdale’s are enabling instant shopping gratification with the launch of the first 60-second, shoppable fashion show bringing cotton apparel from the catwalk to the closet with a click. Hosted by lifestyle celebrity and cotton-enthusiast, Kristin Cavallari, the fully interactive video will be available online at Who What Wear beginning Sept. 7, where shoppers can select outfits, access product information, share via social media platforms and purchase items directly from the runway. Customers will also be able purchase looks from the collection at Bloomingdale’s stores across the U.S.

“Millennials and Generation Z — who we’re calling ‘Generation App’  are seeking style and comfort in their clothing and convenience in their shopping experience  a combination that’s not always easy to find,” said Kim Kitchings, senior vice president of consumer marketing at Cotton Incorporated. “In collaboration with iconic retailer, Bloomingdale’s, we’re making quality fabric and fashion accessible in seconds, and you don’t have to attend Fashion Week to get the look.”

Cotton’s 60 Second Fashion Show merges a runway experience directly to a shopping opportunity where Generation App spends a great deal of time: mobile devices. Seven in 10 Generation Z consumers and eight in 10 Millennial consumers say they browse for clothing on their smartphones, significantly higher than that of consumers overall (58%), according to Cotton Incorporated Lifestyle Monitor™.

The collection is also in line with Generation Z and Millennial apparel preferences. Pieces embody the on-trend streetwear aesthetic of the season with an emphasis on transitional items including denim, outerwear and athleisure – all with the common thread of cotton. Beginning Sept. 7, shoppers can select from more than 80 cotton pieces for both men and women, including items from contemporary brands, such as J. Brand, Adidas, Rag & Bone, Theory, Michael Kors, Burberry, Paige and more. Items are available online and at participating Bloomingdale’s department stores across the country.

“Together with Cotton Incorporated, we’re giving consumers the on-trend looks they want, made with their favorite fabric and available in an instant,” said Susan Marasco, fashion director at Bloomingdale’s. “Shoppers can expect to see stylish ready-to-wear pieces including sweatshirts and shirting with ruffles, off the shoulder details, and mixed fabrics for women – all with the ease of cotton. The men’s collection mixes shirt jackets, outerwear and other transitional items that will be both comfortable and fresh for fall and beyond. Denim is always a huge part of fall fashion and this year is no exception. Distressing, embellishment and hem detail are big denim trends you’ll see at Bloomingdale’s, of course all created with denim’s crucial component, cotton.”

Posted September 7, 2017

Source: Cotton Incorporated

Downlite Announces Executive Succession And New Organizational Structure

MASON, Ohio — September 7, 2017 — After 10 years as chief executive officer of family-owned Downlite, James Lape is retiring and passing his torch to Josh Werthaiser, former Downlite CFO. While this executive shift takes effect immediately, Lape will remain on the board and continue to be a company advocate.

Lape joined Downlite in 2007 after 25 years with Levi Strauss where he held several senior executive positions. Under his leadership at Downlite, the company has achieved consecutive double-digit growth placing it as America’s premiere manufacturer of down and feather, and synthetic bedding products for home and hospitality markets, and a leading supplier of responsibly-sourced fills for the outdoor market. Lape also played a pivotal role as mentor to Downlite’s second generation, guiding them through the ranks of succession.

“Even after 25 years at Levi Strauss both domestically and internationally, my leadership role at Downlite has been the most rewarding,” said Lape. “Downlite is an incredible family business with great employees, and strength in distribution and product. I am grateful for the opportunity.”

On Werthaiser’s promotion, Lape added, “I’ve worked closely with Josh in his CFO role for eight years and his intellect and energy are contagious. He is fully prepared to lead this company as CEO and I have the utmost confidence that he will bring fresh leadership, continued growth and prosperity for the company.”

Werthaiser joined Downlite in 2001 as the first Gen2 to enter the company. During his tenure, he has worked in nearly every department within the company ranging from sales and marketing, pricing, feather and down sourcing and trend analysis/inventory management. In 2008, Werthaiser transitioned into his role as CFO, overseeing the financial affairs and initiating the sustainability initiatives of the company. He not only has a deep understanding of the innerworkings of Downlite, but also its customers and the complex challenges in the retail marketplace.

“I am honored to be filling Jim’s shoes as Downlite CEO,” said Werthaiser. “He has been a mentor and respected leader to not only me, but also to many in the Downlite family. Jim’s paved an excellent path, and I’m excited about the future of Downlite and the strategic plans we have moving forward.”

Taking a hard look at the retail environment, Downlite has put its first strategic plan in motion under the new leadership.  The company has developed a new organizational structure that better aligns with its customer needs – offering improved communication and customer service for its retail partners.

The following organizational structure takes place immediately:

  • Josh Werthaiser moves to CEO in charge of Downlite business;
  • Marvin Werthaiser remains as an active Owner and COO with focus on Sales/Marketing and Down and Feather strategies and execution;
  • Dave Lueder becomes Chief Revenue Officer (CRO) responsible for all sales reporting to CEO;
  • Stefan Hunter becomes vice president of eCommerce reporting to CRO;
  • Brian Parnes becomes CIO/CMO as leader of all IT and Marketing reporting to CEO;
  • Jyl Davis becomes vice president of Marketing & Product Management reporting to CIO/CMO;
  • Chad Altbaier remains vice president of Outdoor reporting to CEO;
  • Frank Carella becomes vice president of Operations reporting to CEO;
  • Chuck Northcutt remains vice president of QA reporting to vice president of Operations;
  • Zach Zellner remains vice president of Sourcing reporting to CEO;
  • Sandy Coleman remains director of HR reporting to CEO;
  • Jim Donaghy becomes vice president of Finance & Accounting reporting to CEO; and
  • Larry Werthaiser, owner, and Bob Altbaier, owner, remain active and on the Board

“Our organizational change underscores and reflects the changes taking place at retail,” said Werthaiser. “Many of the business realities of yesterday are no longer applicable today, and while we like where we’ve been, we certainly like where we are going.”

Posted September 7, 2017

Source: Downlite

Hexcel Launching New Products At CAMX 2017 Booth F18

STAMFORD, Conn. — September 6, 2017 — Hexcel is exhibiting at CAMX 2017 Composites and Advanced Materials Expo in Orlando from September 12-14 to showcase its latest advanced products and technologies which are redefining structural materials.

New Products

Hexcel is responding to the ongoing need to drive down the cost of manufacturing advanced composite industrial parts and aerospace solutions with two new products that will be launched at CAMX 2017 — HexPly M77HF epoxy prepreg and HexTow® IM5 carbon fiber.

HexPly® M77HF epoxy prepreg, for industrial applications, is a high flow resin system that was developed for a quick three-minute cure cycle using low pressure processing techniques such as cello-wrapping, simple presses, bladder molding and even vacuum-only pressure. Compared to standard epoxy prepregs, cure cycles can be reduced by up to 90%.

HexPly M77HF is an expansion of Hexcel’s range of fast reactivity, low tack, high toughness and long out-life resins, providing a prepreg that is specifically suited for processing parameters that require additional resin flow for surface quality, compaction or low voids. HexPly M77HF also has good resin transparency, provides excellent surface quality (without pinholes), and can be supplied with black pigmented resin. There will be a HED bicycle wheel on display at the show which showcases the HexPly M77HF prepreg in a recreation application.

The new HexTow IM5 carbon fiber for aerospace is a hybrid of Hexcel IM technology and Hexcel’s classic high strength (AS) carbon fiber processes. This fiber comes close to the properties of a new modern IM carbon fiber but at a more attractive price. It totes a current tensile modulus of 40 Msi (276 GPa), but this can be tailored to customers’ specific application needs, making it a versatile and cost effective option for prepregging, filament winding, braiding and pultrusion within aerospace applications.

Aerospace

Hexcel‘s industry-leading Acousti-Cap® sound reducing honeycomb is a key part of the nacelle of the LEAP-1B engines from CFM International. While Hexcel supplies HexTow IM7 carbon fiber for the engine fan blades and containment cases, the engine nacelles have an acoustic inner barrel that is manufactured from Hexcel’s engineered core and Acousti-Cap technology. Acousti-Cap honeycomb is a major contributing factor in the 40% reduction of the area of acceptable noise contour of the 737 MAX engine over the legacy 737 NG, without any weight penalty. The efficacy of this material comes from the permeable cap material which is individually embedded into each honeycomb cell to create an acoustic septum. A section of the acoustic inner barrel from a Boeing 737 MAX will be on display on Hexcel’s stand.

At the show, Hexcel will also promote its HiTape® dry carbon fiber reinforcements with a C spar panel and co-infused stringer. This display shows the high forming capability of HiTape reinforcements and how the technology can be used to co-infuse stringers and C spar panels. It is also representative of an aircraft wing construction. HiTape dry carbon fiber reinforcements are designed for the automated manufacture of preforms at very high deposition rates. The dry preforms are infused with Hexcel’s HexFlow RTM6 resin for a cost-efficient out-of-autoclave manufacturing process for next generation aircraft structures. Parts produced with HiTape® reinforcements and Hexcel’s HexFlow infusion resins can be up to 30mm thick with a 58 to 60% fiber volume content, resulting in mechanical properties that are as high as those achieved with primary structure prepregs.

Another of Hexcel’s innovative solutions on display is the HexTool® carbon fiber composite tooling material which enables mold tool manufacturers to build lightweight tooling that meets the strict requirements for stability and repeatability of tolerances that had previously only been achieved with machined Invar tools. HexTool material also provides improved thermal performance and is much lighter than metal tooling, allowing for easier handling and maneuverability. Long tool life, ease of use, and the machinability of cured structures are some of the primary reasons HexTool® is being selected to make tooling for aircraft and engine structures worldwide.

Recreation

Hexcel’s HexTow carbon fiber is used in many different recreational applications from skis to surfboards, and now it’s hitting the golf course in Callaway’s new Epic drivers. A&P Technology has developed a quasi-isotropic braided material, known as their QISO® line of materials, made from HexTow AS4C GP 3K and 6K carbon fibers. This braided fabric is then made into a continuous carbon fiber-reinforced hybrid vinyl ester molding compound which offers 2-3X the tensile strength and 30-200% higher flex strength vs. chopped carbon fiber/VE compounds. Callaway’s Epic driver heads combine an inner titanium structure with the carbon fiber crown and sole, allowing improved perimeter weighting for more forgiveness and decreased spin.

Posted September 6, 2017

Source: Hexcel

ZDHC Recognizes ECO PASSPORT By OEKO-TEX® As Indicator Of MRSL Conformance

ZURICH — September 6, 2017 — OEKO-TEX® is pleased to announce that the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Programme will now accept ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certification as an indicator of conformance with the organization’s Manufacturing Restricted Substances List (MRSL) in connection with the ZDHC Gateway– Chemical Module. The ZDHC’s MRSL covers chemical substances that are limited or banned from intentional use in the production of apparel and footwear materials and trim. Controlling or excluding the use of these substances supports the ZDHC’s mission of removing hazardous chemicals from the apparel and footwear value chain so that they do not harm workers, consumers, or the environment.

Since 1992, OEKO-TEX has worked to provide safer products by eliminating hazardous substances from the global textile supply chain. In January of this year, OEKO-TEX announced a partnership with ZDHC in order to collaborate with other leading brands and apparel and footwear sustainability advocates. The ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certification program provides a confidential mechanism for chemical suppliers to confirm that their chemical products are safer to use in manufacturing. With ZDHC’s announcement, chemical formulations that are ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certified are recognized as conforming with the ZDHC MRSL.

“We understand that chemical suppliers face challenges. The industry, consumers, governments, and NGOs are asking for safer chemistries to be used in supply chains and that takes a degree of transparency. The ECO PASSPORT program serves as a trusted third party system to review formulations. We help chemical suppliers verify their formulations while safeguarding their intellectual property (recipes),” says John Frazier, Sr. Technical Director for OEKO-TEX in North America.

The ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX program analyzes a broad set of chemicals including colorants, scouring agents, adhesives, inks, pigments, and auxiliaries in a confidential, two-step process that confirms that the formulations and individual ingredients (CAS level chemicals) meet specific criteria for sustainability, safety, and regulatory compliance. Chemical formulations are checked against the comprehensive OEKO-TEX list of substances of concern and then verified by laboratory evaluation to ensure that they do not contain unsafe contaminants. Compounds that pass these two phases are granted the ECO PASSPORT by OEKO-TEX certification.

Posted September 6, 2017

Source: OEKO-TEX

Emerald Announces Realignment Of Polymer Additives (AOA) And Nitriles Businesses, Appoints Herbst As AOA General Manager

VANCOUVER, Wash. — September 6, 2017 — Emerald Performance Materials is separating its Polymer Additives and Nitriles groups, merging the businesses with its Emerald Kalama Chemical and CVC Thermoset Specialties groups, respectively. The Polymer Additives business will now be known as Antioxidants and Accelerators (AOA).

“AOA and Nitriles both have a tenured history in the markets they serve, with well-known legacy brands, extensive technical expertise and North American operations in Akron, Ohio, and Henry, Ill. Separating these businesses will enable us to develop appropriate strategies for each and to support continued growth and better serve our customers,” said Scott Wolff, Emerald Performance Materials chairman and a managing director with American Securities, the private equity firm that owns Emerald.

Emerald appointed Wendy Herbst as general manager to lead the AOA business. In this role, she will be focused on optimizing and expanding the business globally. Herbst has 15 years of experience in strategic, marketing and development roles in the industrial and specialty chemicals industry. She joined Emerald in 2014 as marketing director for the Kalama group’s K-FLEX® plasticizers and coalescents business and has previously held roles with Arizona Chemical, Eastman and The Sherwin-Williams Company. She earned an M.B.A. in marketing from the University of Phoenix and a B.S. in business administration from the University of Wisconsin.

Emerald’s AOA business is a leading North American producer of polymer additives, with operations in Akron and Henry. Its portfolio includes legacy product lines dating back to Emerald predecessor BF Goodrich. Good-Rite® antioxidants, stabilizers and intermediates and Cure-Rite® accelerators stabilize and protect rubber from wear, fading and degradation and also enhance performance for added value in rubber, adhesives, plastics, lubricants, paper, coatings, leather and other applications.

“Wendy’s leadership and execution have made her instrumental in the successful completion of key initiatives for Emerald. Her skillset and experience will be valuable assets for AOA growth. AOA will be an important part of our strategic vision, aligning with Kalama’s other three businesses and extending our offerings and capabilities,” said Edward Gotch, CEO, Emerald Kalama Chemical.

The Nitriles business also has roots within BF Goodrich and is the sole U.S. producer of specialty nitrile latexes. Nychem® latex emulsions are based on butadiene, acrylonitrile and styrene chemistries and are valued for their ability to provide essential characteristics and superior performance benefits for a wide range of applications. Specifically, they are known for their resistance to grease, oils and solvents, abrasion and caustic resistance, elasticity, resilience and more.

“When Emerald was formed, the Nitriles business and Reactive Liquid Polymers business that is now part of CVC were one entity, so bringing them together again as part of the CVC portfolio was a logical step. These businesses benefit from a shared manufacturing site in Akron and overlapping technologies and resources, making them a natural and synergistic fit poised for parallel growth,” said Thomas Holleran, president, CVC Thermoset Specialties.

Emerald previously announced it was exploring the sale of the former Polymer Additives and Nitriles groups.  Emerald’s Board of Directors ultimately determined that retaining the businesses and aligning them with Emerald’s other groups provided the highest value for the organization.

Posted September 6, 2017

Source: Emerald Performance Materials

Complete Design & Packaging Becomes First U.S. Business To Purchase The EFI Nozomi Single-Pass Inkjet Corrugated Press

FREMONT, Calif. — September 05, 2017 — Electronics For Imaging announced that Complete Design & Packaging (CDP), an independent corrugated packaging provider based in Concord, N.C., will be the first business in the U.S. to install EFI’s breakthrough, ultra-high-speed production printing technology, the EFI™ Nozomi C18000 single-pass LED corrugated packaging press. CDP will use the six-color press for cost-effective, high-quality, direct-to-board digital printing that extends client brand presence in retail corrugated packaging.

Installation of the press is scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2017, with production operations going live by the end of the year.

CDP’s founder, Howard Bertram, started the business in 2002. Today, the company offers high-end analog flexo and litho lamination corrugated printing for retail packaging applications. CDP currently does some prototyping and very short-run digital work on a multi-pass flatbed inkjet printer, but after spending the past year examining emerging trends among clients and prospects, Bertram and his business partner, Scott Sumner, sought ways to help customers capture a broader range of brand-building opportunities with high-end, regionalized/localized and customized packaging.

Higher-value marketing options for CDP customers with digital print

“There are a lot of flexo and litho lamination options out there today, but customers face limitations in their marketing without digital printing, and as a young, independent company, we want to be on the leading edge of that offering,” said Bertram, who is the president and co-owner of CDP. The quality CDP saw touring the world’s first EFI Nozomi C18000 corrugated package converting installation in Spain gives Bertram and Sumner confidence in the press’s ability to deliver higher-throughput, single-pass productivity to clients requiring exceptional printing for greater shelf appeal.

“We chose EFI because of their strengths in R&D and their commitment to make things happen in the industry,” added Sumner, who is CDP’s vice president and co-owner. “In addition to the productivity that comes with single-pass printing on the Nozomi press, Fiery technology was definitely a selling point for us. We could see how EFI’s legacy with digital print color management will be a big plus for us developing our digital packaging business.”

They found that the 71-inch wide EFI Nozomi C18000 single-pass press has the technology to deliver on that opportunity with its exceptional speed: up to

246 linear feet per minute with throughput up to 6,600 2.6×3.3-foot boards per hour. The EFI Fiery® NZ-1000 high-performance digital front end (DFE) for the press, based on new, scalable Fiery XB bladed architecture, will provide fast, efficient job processing to eliminate downtime spent waiting for jobs. Plus, the new DFE platform offers advanced EFI Fiery job preparation and color management tools needed for superior quality.

CDP’s customers include food and consumer product manufacturers in a wide range of industries, including the home improvement and home electronics fields. The packages the company produces can be found at The Home Depot, Sam’s Club and other warehouse clubs and big box stores throughout the Southeast. Over time, CDP will have the opportunity to help its customers drive greater sell-through and higher revenues using the Nozomi press to create high-impact, short- and medium-run regional- and demographic-focused designs that are not cost-effective to produce using analog processes.

Accuracy, versatility and recyclability

The brands CDP serves will benefit from the press’s capabilities to produce a wide color gamut with its six-color inkset, plus a white ink scheduled to be released shortly after the press is installed. The press’s LED imaging capabilities provide brilliant, accurate color imaging on just about any board substrate, including traditional Kemi, mottled, bleached and kraft materials. Packaging produced with the press is fully recyclable, with printed output meeting a leading industry standard — certification for OCC recyclability and repulpability from the Western Michigan University Recycling, Paper and Coating Pilot Plant.

The award-winning press provides high-quality output with resolutions up to 360×720 dots per inch with four-level grayscale imaging. A 100% in-line inspection system on the press is tied to robust print optimization technologies, including inkjet nozzle, alignment and uniformity correction for the highest possible imaging quality. Plus, the Nozomi press’s permanent head architecture eliminates the downtime associated with replacing consumable printheads.

EFI is the only manufacturer to offer fully integrated top- and bottom-feed options for a digital corrugated packaging press. CDP’s Nozomi press will feature this patented system, which handles media separation, lift, transport and alignment at full press speeds with programmable features for faster, automatic feeding configurations on repeat jobs.

The EFI Nozomi C18000 single-pass LED inkjet press is part of a complete ecosystem for corrugated production available from EFI with leading edge inks, the Fiery DFE and an EFI Corrugated Packaging Suite manufacturing execution system workflow.

Posted September 5, 2017

Source: EFI

Twin Dragon Debuts New SORBTEK® REPREVE® Denim With Superior Moisture-Wicking Capabilities

GARDENA, Calif. — September 5, 2017 — Twin Dragon (TD) just made a significant investment in SORBTEK®, a wicking performance fiber from Unifi. TD believes wicking performance is the succeeding industry innovation in denim comfort and will integrate it into its women’s and men’s collections, available at their mills in Asia and Mexico. In addition, there will be Sorbtek blended with REPREVE®, a fiber from Unifi that is made from recycled plastic bottles.

With every new technical innovation in its denim, Twin Dragon aims to curb global warming. The same powerful Sorbtek technology that keeps the yarn cool also protects against soiling such as sweat and grass, allowing consumers to wash the garment less, saving water. Because Sorbtek is made using recycled plastic bottles, it uses less energy and water, and produces fewer greenhouse gas emissions, compared to making virgin fibers. Some denim in the collection will also be made with TD’s pre-reduced Liquid Indigo and Eco-Finishing.

“Wicking performance capabilities in the athletic wear market have experienced a 70 to 80 percent growth over the past decade. Yet, the denim industry has not caught up or implemented the same capabilities in the jeans category! Now, TD is offering Wicking Performance Denim, which provides cooling properties to the wearer by pulling moisture away from the body. What’s better than a woman being able to wear slimming, skinny high-rise jeans while having the same performance as her yoga pants? Also, men can now wear their comfort stretch in either slim or straight fit and swap them out for sweatpants,” said Dominic Poon, CEO of Twin Dragon Marketing.

In addition, Twin Dragon’s latest Wicking Performance Denim Collection surpassed previous denim in the “As Received” fabric testing by third party labs.

“Twin Dragon Marketing has created a high-tech Sorbtek Repreve denim that provides superior moisture-management properties,” said Jay Hertwig, vice president of global brand/premium value-added (PVA) sales for Unifi. “We are proud to work with Twin Dragon Marketing to develop a product that features the performance attributes demanded by today’s consumers, in addition to being environmentally responsible.”

TD’s high-tech Sorbtek Repreve denim is a testament to the company’s steadfast commitment and development fervor to pioneer innovative fashion fabric trends and incorporate eco-awareness.  The company has successfully created everlasting color, Forever Black® and Forever White® denim. Also, TD is one of the largest producers of Lycra® dualfx® denim, an innovative shape retention super stretch denim.  In March of this year, TD launched Liquid Indigo and Eco-Finishing that broke industry standards in water, chemical and energy conservation.

Next on the horizon is the Ultimate Performance Denim that cools in the summer and also insulates in the winter, giving the wearer year-round comfort.

Posted September 5, 2017

Sourve: Unifi

DB Tex Boosts Rotary Screen Throughput With Two More SPGPrints bestLEN Laser Engraving Systems

BOXMEER, the Netherlands — September 5, 2017 — DB Tex Ltd. of Dhaka, Bangladesh, is adding two more SPGPrints bestLEN direct laser engraving systems to maintain a productive, sustainable and high-quality nickel rotary screen imaging operation as it ramps up garment and textile printing output at its Gazipur facility.

Scheduled for 2017, the double installation will bring the number of bestLEN engravers operating at DB Tex to six.

Part of the DBL Group, an industrial concern with an annual turnover of $365 million, DB Tex is a major supplier to a number of leading global high-street fashion retailers, with major markets in Europe and North America. The company is also doubling its rotary screen printing capacity with the addition of two new 16-colour printing machines in the second quarter of 2017. These will complement a 20-colour and a 12-colour rotary screen printer, along with a 20-colour flatbed printer. Four existing bestLEN direct digital engraving systems prepare screens for the rotary printers.

To optimize quality, DB Tex also invested in SPGPrints’ screen preparation systems, including a coater to achieve a homogenous and precise emulsion coating for optimum results, a polymizer conditioning unit for perfect cylinder roundness, a climatizer that dries the coating evenly, and a gluer to fix the endrings solidly for stable, high-speed use.   This gives DB Tex complete control of the preproduction workflow under one roof.

“The new printers will take the capacity of our factory from 20 tons per day to 40 tons per day,” said Shah Imtiaz Ahsan, assistant general manager, DB Tex Ltd. “That represents about 200,000 garments per day, and to meet that level of production and maintain the highest standards of quality possible, we are adding the two bestLEN engravers.”

DB Tex installed its first two bestLEN engravers in 2010 after visiting SPGPrints’ facility in Austria, and invested in two more in 2016.

“We had heard about the systems from one of our customers, and went to see it at the SPGPrints factory,” he explained. “We had a full tour and saw all the SPGPrints machines, and were impressed with the speed and detail achieved by bestLEN.”

bestLEN engravers use a CO2 single-beam laser to image screens at maximum resolutions of 2540dpi in as little as 29 minutes.

“The laser engraver has proven to deliver outstanding photographic reproduction and fine line detail, to a much higher standard than exposure methods, and this gives us perfect results on the fabric,” Ahsan said.

It employs eight people for each of the three shifts in the screen-making department.

“Reliability is a prime consideration. We operate 24/7, 354 days a year,” Ahsan said. “That means we use up to 120 screens per day in our production. With each bestLEN producing 10 to 12 screens per shift, we can keep up, but the addition of the new printer means we needed the extra screen engraving capacity.”

DB Tex primarily prints on cotton and polyester fabrics, and needs to print a wide range of designs and special effects. To do that, it uses a variety of screens.

“We use NovaScreen® screens from SPGPrints, and use the full range of mesh sizes from 30 to 245. We also use Random Mesh 125 screens to avoid moiré in certain types of designs,” he explained.

“Recently, there has been increased demand for glitter and shiny effects which need the coarser mesh screens to allow the larger particles through. By using direct laser engraving and selecting the right screens we can reproduce designs more accurately than can be done by any other means.”

DBL Group has a strong sustainability ethos, and direct digital engraving with bestLEN requires no chemicals or water to engrave the screens, once they have been coated.

The strength of the electroformed mesh enables screens to be used multiple times, providing a valuable cost-advantage for textile printers that image screens in-house. Water is also all that is needed to clean imaged screens to enable re-use.

“Being able to mount a screen straight from the engraver is a huge advantage in terms of workflow and productivity,” Ahsan said. “The bestLEN engravers combined with the NovaScreen technology have meant that SPGPrints has become one of our strong partners, and the support we receive from them is very good.

“The installation of the two bestLEN systems along with the additional printing line will open a new chapter for DB Tex, and significantly increase our ability to meet global production demands,” Ahsan concluded.

“Reliable screen production for companies like DB Tex is essential,” said Heinz Endres, marketing and sales manager (engraving systems), SPGPrints. “bestLEN direct digital engravers offer that reliability, and in conjunction with SPGPrints screens, offer the best solution for productivity in the industry.”

Posted September 5, 2017

Source: SPGPrints

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