RadiciGroup: Offering The Technical Sportswear World Both High Performance And Sustainability

BERGAMO, Italy — May 18, 2017 — RadiciGroup — an Italian multinational engaged in the production and sale of chemicals, plastics and synthetic fibers — has its headquarters in the province of Bergamo, where the cycling tour caravan is going to finish and start a stage. Technical sportswear is one of the applications utilizing RadiciGroup products: the Group’s polyester yarn, for example, is the yarn of choice for many manufacturers of the latest-generation warp-knitted fabrics used to make highly technical, functional garments for a wide range of sports, including cycling, skiing, running, triathlon and swimming, as well as outdoor activities, in general.

Today, thanks to its experience acquired in the field of synthetic fibers and, specifically, its over 40 years of business activity in the polyester market, RadiciGroup is able to manufacture yarns that fuse performance with sustainability. The Group is developing more and more yarns from recycled polymer (r-Radyarn®), featuring reduced environmental impact, but at the same time lightness, comfort and sun protection (Ultraviolet Protection Factor [UPF] +50). r-Radyarn is the trade name of yarn made with PET obtained from recycled PET (ordinary plastic bottles). Recent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) studies have shown that less carbon dioxide is emitted during the production of recycled PET. Indeed, for every kilogram of PET obtained from recycled PET bottles, up to three kilos less carbon dioxide is emitted. Data on energy consumption also show a 45 to 50-percent reduction in energy usage per kilo of product, compared to products obtained from non-renewable raw materials.

r-Radyarn yarns are the result of a multi-stage process — from post-consumer bottle collection to reprocessing and yarn production — all taking place in Europe and monitored at every step. RadiciGroup can provide UNI 11505 certification attesting to the full traceability of the recycled material.

Polyamide, better known as nylon, is yet another type of synthetic fiber manufactured by RadiciGroup, starting from the polymer. Polyamide yarn is very popular for sportswear, as it is soft, has a natural look and endows garments with breatheability. All of these characteristics are of fundamental importance for anyone who plays a sport.

Polyamides can also be produced from renewable source base materials. One example is PA 6,10, (Radilon® 6.10) a polymer obtained from sebacic acid (64-percent by weight), which is extracted from castor oil plant seeds, and hexamethylenediamine (36 percent), a petroleum derivative. The use of these materials allows for noticeably lower consumption of non-renewable source materials compared to other polyamides made entirely of petroleum intermediates.

RadiciGroup is a manufacturer of a wide range of high performance synthetic fibers with limited environmental impact: It is a sole upstream supplier in the sportswear supply chain offering innumerable solutions and opportunities.

And who knows what the future has in store? Perhaps the Giro d’Italia will become a “Ride Green” event which promotes sustainability and raises awareness to separate waste collection by finding a way to gather all the plastic bottles discarded along the entire route of the race and recycle them for recovery and re-use in the production of new sportswear textiles.

Posted May 22, 2017

Source: RadiciGroup

AmeriPride Receives Hygienically Clean Food Safety Certification At Fresno Branch

FRESNO, Calif. — May 22, 2017 — AmeriPride Services Inc. today announced its Fresno branch is one of the first uniform and linen facilities to earn TRSA’s ‘Hygienically Clean Food Safety’ designation. This voluntary industry certification provides third-party verification that products cleaned in the plant meet hygiene standards appropriate for food service companies.

“This achievement shows our ongoing commitment to our food service customers by demonstrating that our production facility meets all industry guidelines for processing garments and other textiles,” said Steve Plescia, general manager of the Fresno branch. “We want our customers to have confidence that our facilities meet and exceed their expectations and adhere to industry standards for hygiene and safety.”

Requirements for certification include on-site inspections and ongoing microbial testing to confirm zero presence of harmful bacteria. Certification verifies textiles cleaned in these facilities meet established industry standards for animal processing, dairies, fruit and vegetable, bakeries, grain and other food and beverage industry segments.

Independent, third-party inspections also confirm employees are properly trained and protected, managers understand legal requirements and the facility is OSHA-compliant. To maintain their certification, a processing plant must pass quarterly testing to ensure product quality is consistently maintained.

Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP) practices are also examined in the Hygienically Clean Food Safety inspection process, as well as adherence to U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) directives.

“Congratulations to AmeriPride and their Fresno management team on the attainment of this industry milestone,” said Joseph Ricci, TRSA president and CEO. “Their customers can rest assured that AmeriPride goes to exceptional lengths to prevent human illness and ensure the cleanliness of its products.”

The Fresno branch was the first AmeriPride facility and one of the first commercial laundries to earn this certification nationwide. AmeriPride is also the largest company to earn Clean Green certification, which ensures products at all of its facilities are processed in an environmentally friendly manner.

Posted May 22, 2017

Source: AmeriPride Services

Hygienically Clean Healthcare Exhibit Educates Surgery Center Professionals

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — May 19, 2017 — An exhibit at the recent Ambulatory Surgery Center Association (ASCA) annual meeting in Washington promoted the value of doing business with a Hygienically Clean Healthcare certified launderer. More than 120 attendees learned how the certification verifies laundries’ best management practices (BMPs) and quantifies laundered product cleanliness.

The display marked the first such promotion of Hygienically Clean Healthcare to an outpatient medical market. Previous exhibits touted the certification to hospital audiences: the Association for the Healthcare Environment (AHE) and Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology (APIC). Like members of those groups, most ASCA participants interviewed were industry customers, but represented a wider variety of professions, including M.D. owners and these job titles:

  • Administrator;
  • Business Manager;
  • CEO, President, CFO, COO;
  • Chief Medical Officer;
  • Clinical Coordinator, Director;
  • Nursing Director; and
  • Regional Director, vice president.

Roughly 10 percent of the visitors to the Hygienically Clean exhibit on May 3-5 expressed concern about the product and service quality of their linen, uniform and facility services providers. Using a Hygienically Clean certified launderer addresses quality concerns, they were told, as inspectors focus on a facility’s quality assurance manual as the hub of control measures (BMPs) that minimize potential for error. In addition, unlike Healthcare Laundry Accreditation Council (HLAC) certification, Hygienically Clean microbial testing measures finished product quality, enforcing a total microbial content ceiling, including yeasts, molds and bacteria.

Visitors received copies of the Hygienically Clean Healthcare standard and the brochure that explains benefits of using such a certified launderer. Also on hand was the new white paper, Environmental Safety in Outpatient Care, which provides hyperlinks to a variety of documents to aid in the prevention of transmission of environmental pathogens. Visitors also were welcome to a copy of The Six C’s: Handling Soiled Linen in a Healthcare Environment, a training video for personnel provided on a flash drive. Both represent Hygienically Clean Healthcare certified laundries’ commitment to sharing textile product management expertise with customers so they make more effective and efficient use of linen and uniform services.

A laundry’s QA documentation is the focal point for Hygienically Clean inspectors’ evaluation of critical control points that minimize risk. The independent, third-party inspection must confirm essential evidence that:

  • Employees are properly trained and protected;
  • Managers understand legal requirements;
  • OSHA-compliant; and
  • Physical plant operates effectively.

The Hygienically Clean standard provides for two inspections every three years. OSHA compliance is closely examined, particularly toxic and hazardous substance handling rules governing textiles containing blood and other potentially infectious materials. Microbial testing ensures that as laundry conditions change, such as water quality, textile fabric composition and wash chemistry, laundered product quality is consistently maintained.

This process eliminates subjectivity by focusing on outcomes and results that verify textiles cleaned in these facilities meet appropriate hygienically clean standards and BMPs for hospitals, surgery centers, medical offices, nursing homes and other medical facilities.

Posted May 19, 2017

Source: TRSA

Hexcel Exhibiting At SAMPE Seattle 2017

STAMFORD, Conn. — May 19, 2017 — Hexcel is exhibiting at the SAMPE 2017 technical conference May 23-24, in booth G11, in Seattle to promote its latest materials for aerospace and industrial applications. Specialists from Hexcel’s carbon fibers, reinforcements, prepregs, honeycomb and engineered core groups will be there to speak with attendees about Hexcel’s wide variety of products and offerings.

This year at SAMPE Seattle Hexcel will be promoting 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-percent fiber volume content, resulting in mechanical properties that are as high as those achieved with primary structure prepregs.

Hexcel will also be exhibiting a display of its 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 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.

Posted May 19, 2017

Source: Hexcel

SPGPrints’ JAVELIN® Digital Textile Printer Wins EDP Award 2017 For “Best Textile Solution”

BOXMEER, Netherlands — May 19, 2017 — SPGPrints announces that its JAVELIN® digital textile printer has won the European Digital Press Association (EDP) Award for “Best Textile Solution” in the Print and Finishing Category.

The award was presented by the Association at a ceremony during the FESPA 2017 exhibition in Hamburg, Germany on 10 May, 2017. This achievement follows the same award being presented last year to the SPGPrints’ PIKE® digital textile printer.

The Javelin digital textile printer was launched at ITM 2016, and installations have been taking place around the world.

The EDP Association comprises 20 printing trade press magazines in 27 countries, representing more than half a million readers. This year’s entries were judged by the EDP technical committee that comprised Herman Hartman (Chairman), editor, signPro (Benelux); Rob Haak. President, SPIKIX; Klaus-Peter Nicolay, editor, Druckmarkt, (Germany) and Igor Terentyev, editor, Publish, (Russia).

In making the award, the judging panel commented: “The printer offers quality and value to textile printers who are taking the first step into digital production. The Javelin has several multiple-pass scanning printing modes that can print high-resolution images up to 1,200 dpi on a variety of substrates. Possibly a breakthrough in textile at high resolution and small droplets with special inks for textile.”

The JAVELIN uses 36 Fujifilm Dimatix Samba print heads and SPGPrints’ unique Archer® technology to produce variable drops for optimal control of detail and saturation.

The printer offers flexibility in configuration for use with acid, reactive and disperse Pike Inks from SPGPrints. Its capability of printing up to 2 million linear meters annually on a wide range of substrates makes it an ideal solution for printers taking their first steps into digital production, and those wishing to supplement an existing digital capability.

The award was accepted by Jos Notermans, commercial manager Digital Textiles at SPGPrints, who said: “The recognition of the Javelin printer’s capabilities, productivity and place in the global textile printing industry is extremely gratifying. It demonstrates the power of the Archer technology that means printers can use the Javelin with a wide range of substrates and achieve high levels of print quality.

“Modern retailing demands shorter runs, faster turnarounds and shortened supply chains with no compromises on color or print quality,” he continued. “The  Javelin and Pike printers offer this capability to different ends of the volume spectrum. To have this acknowledged by the EDP Award judges is a great endorsement of SPGPrints’ technology and leadership position in the textiles market.”

Posted May 19, 2017

Source: SPGPrints

Web Industries Names Jason Surman Vice President Of Sales

MARLBOROUGH, Mass. — May 18, 2017 — Web Industries Inc., a  provider of engineered solutions for manufacturing and converting services, has appointed Jason Surman to the position of vice president of sales. In his new role, he will lead Web’s sales organization with the objective of generating profitable and sustainable growth. Surman is based in Web’s Atlanta sales office and reports to Mark Pihl, president and COO.

“Jason takes on his vice president of sales responsibilities at an exciting time for Web as we capitalize on recent investments in people, technology and infrastructure,” says Pihl. “He will focus on new business opportunities in all our major market sectors, including advanced composites, medical, health and hygiene, multi-layer insulation and wire & cable. He will also provide guidance to Web’s market teams, ensuring that our value proposition continues to meet customer expectations.”

Surman has nearly 25 years’ experience in sales, operations and business development. He joined Web Industries in 2012 and most recently was director of sales for its health and hygiene division. Previously, he was sales manager and business development manager for Kraton Polymers and held a variety of positions, including sales manager, at National Starch & Chemical Co. Surman holds a master’s degree in business administration from Georgia State University and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from Penn State.

Posted May 18, 2017

Source: Web Industries

Mimaki Dye Sublimation Inks Achieve ECO PASSPORT Certification

SUWANNE, Ga. — May 9, 2017 — Mimaki Engineering Co. Ltd. recently announced that its original Sb54/310/410 and Sb320/420 sublimation inks have achieved the ECO PASSPORT certification from OEKO-TEX®.

Eco Passport is a mechanism by which textile chemical suppliers demonstrate that their products can be used in sustainable textile production. It authenticates the safety of chemicals used during the production of textile dyes, pigments and finishing agents. Oeko-Tex is the first system proving the safety of textiles in Europe, and Nissenken is the exclusive certification authority in Japan. Certifications cover each stage of raw materials, product and company environment. The STANDARD 100 by Oeko-Tex product certification history spans more than 20 years, and boasts more than 150,000 recipients in the world. The Eco Passport mechanism was established in 1992 by the Oeko-Tex international association headquartered in Switzerland and was the first certification process to validate the safety of textiles.

Safety certification of raw materials for the Mimaki original dye sublimation inks was achieved through the Nissenken Quality Evaluation Centre. The certification validates Oeko-Tex Standard 100 compliance, a worldwide consistent, independent testing and certification system for raw, semi-finished, and finished textile products at all processing levels, as well as accessory materials used. This authentication is very strict and only applies to products that meet more than 300 requirements of relevant harmful substances.

This certification reinforces Mimaki’s market-leading approach to developing ink, inkjet systems and reducing overall environmental impact. This is especially the case with sublimation printing, as this environmentally conscious print system does not use chemicals such as emulsion and does not require steaming and washing processes after printing, further adding to reduced environmental footprint as compared to other textile printing systems such as screen printing.

Eco Passport by Oeko-Tex Certification

The Certificate numbers for the inks are as follows:

  • Sublimation ink “Sb54/310/410” (Certificate No. NEP 1605)
  • Sublimation ink “Sb320/420” (Certificate No. NEP 1606)

For use in Mimaki digital textile printers

Mimaki sublimation inks Sb54/310/410 are available for use in TS Series transfer sublimation printers.  Sublimation inks Sb320/420 are available for use in TX Series direct-to-fabric printers.

Posted May 18, 2017

Source: Mimaki Engineering

 

NCTO Welcomes Trump Decision To Renegotiate NAFTA

WASHINGTON — May 18, 2017 — Today, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer formally notified Congress that President Trump intends to renegotiate the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), a trilateral free trade agreement between the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

“The U.S. textile industry welcomes President Trump’s decision to renegotiate NAFTA,” said National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) President and CEO Auggie Tantillo.

“It is in America’s national interest to modernize the agreement,” Tantillo continued.

“Let me be clear: NAFTA is vital to the prosperity of the U.S. textile industry, and NCTO steadfastly supports continuing the agreement. With that said, NAFTA can be improved to incentivize more textile and apparel jobs and production in the United States, Canada, and Mexico,” Tantillo added.

“Eliminating loopholes that shift production to third-party countries like China and devoting more customs enforcement resources to stop illegal third-country transshipments are two changes that would make the agreement better,” Tantillo said.

“We look forward to working with our industry partners throughout the NAFTA region to improve this agreement for all,” Tantillo finished.

NCTO is a Washington, DC-based trade association that represents domestic textile manufacturers.

  • U.S. employment in the textile supply chain was 565,000 in 2016.
  • The value of shipments for U.S. textiles and apparel was $74.4 billion last year, a nearly 11% increase since 2009.
  • U.S. exports of fiber, textiles and apparel were $26.3 billion in 2016.
  • Capital expenditures for textile and apparel production totaled $2 billion in 2015, the last year for which data is available.

NAFTA Textile and Apparel Trade Flows

 

U.S. Textile and Apparel Exports – In Thousand Dollars
2014 2015 2016
To Mexico $6,208,045 $6,510,071 $5,936,873
To Canada $5,595,784 $5,246,776 $5,160,422
NAFTA Total $11,803,828 $11,756,847 $11,097,296

 


U.S. Imports of Textiles and Apparel – In Thousand Dollars
2014 2015 2016
From Mexico $5,875,311 $5,776,274 $5,656,997
From Canada $2,103,254 $2,041,965 $1,991,173
NAFTA Total $7,978,565 $7,818,239 $7,648,170

 

U.S. Textiles and Apparel Trade Balance – In Thousand Dollars
2014 2015 2016
With Mexico $332,734 $733,797 $279,876
With Canada $3,492,530 $3,204,811 $3,169,249
NAFTA Total $3,825,263 $3,938,608 $3,449,126

Source for data in table: U.S. Department of Commerce, Office of Textiles and Apparel

Posted May 18, 2017

Source: NCTO — National Council of Textile Organizations

Merrow’s Activeseam Improves Products In The Medical Textile Sector With New Comfort Technology And The Merrow MB-4DFO-2.5 Sewing Machine

FALL RIVER, Mass. — May 17, 2017 — ActiveSeam, Merrow’s newest technology, is poised to revolutionize medical and compression garment manufacturing by replacing the traditional flatlock seam with a flatter, stronger stitch.

The new Activeseam for Compression is set to be introduced in new product by a global medical device company in late 2017 or early 2018, leveraging Merrow’s new MB-4DFO 2.5 series industrial sewing machine — now available through regional distribution in 87 countries.

Additionally, ActiveSeam is the world’s first branded stitch, bringing a distinctive value to retail products.

Why is ActiveSeam great for medical and compression garments?

  • With a flat profile and twice the stretch built into the seam, ActiveSeam garments are extraordinarily comfortable and do not restrict movement;
  • ActiveSeam replaces Flatlock with a stronger, more elastic, and infinitely more attractive seam construction that is ideal for specialized applications like Medical Compression garments;
  • When compared to a 6-thread flatlock seam with identical thread, fabric, and SPI, Merrow ActiveSeam 2 & 3-thread seams proved to be more than 30-percent stronger and had the ability to stretch (linear travel) 100-percent further;
  • ActiveSeam is almost undetectable when applied next to skin; and
  • With more stretch built into the seam, the garment can be designed to fit the human body better without restricting athletic movement.

ActiveSeam is uniquely suited for any application that entails a garment’s seams be pressed against skin because of its extremely flat profile, flexibility, and unparalleled comfort. This is great news for anyone who utilizes compression wear, particularly compression garments or athletic apparel, as ActiveSeam substantially increases pliability and improves overall fit.

Posted May 17, 2017

Source: Merrow

New Hires At American Textile Co. Signal Innovation For Sleep Industry

DUQUESNE, Pa. – May 16, 2017 – Bedding manufacturer American Textile Co. today announced a series of new hires and promotions to support its growing operations and expanding brand portfolio. The personnel moves include the appointment of Mark Milani to vice president of Manufacturing and Distribution, the promotion of Chris Donelan to AmeriFill Division director and the additions of Harrison King as vice president of Quality Control, and Todd Rankin as director of Marketing for the AllerEase brand.

“In concert with significant investment in our manufacturing operations, we’re investing in our people and our commitment as an employer in the Pittsburgh community,” said Lance Ruttenberg, president and CEO of American Textile Co.

In his new role, Milani will oversee a new facility in Tifton, Ga. along with four other American Textile Co. locations across North America. He joined American Textile Co. in 2012 and previously held the role of vice president of Quality and Engineering. Milani has more than 25 years of experience in leadership, direction, and management of industrial engineering, quality systems, and manufacturing operations. He earned a Lean Systems Certification from the University of Kentucky and is an alumni of the University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Industrial Engineering.

Donelan takes on the role of director for American Textile Co.’s AmeriFill Division, which produces white label and licensed pillows and bedding in the home textile, pet, and healthcare markets. Donelan has been with American Textile Co. since 2009, and with the AmeriFill Division from its inception in 2012. Previously, he held roles in pricing, sales forecasting, and product commercialization. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Economics from Carnegie Mellon University.

Harrison King, who joins American Textile Co. from Hollander Sleep Products, takes on the role of vice president of Quality Control. He previously held the role of vice president of Manufacturing at Hollander Sleep Products where he was responsible for five manufacturing facilities. Prior to Hollander, he worked in a variety of operations management roles with Blistex, Avon, and Proctor and Gamble.  Harrison earned a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from Tuskegee University and a Masters of Business Administration from the Keller Graduate School of Management.

Todd Rankin joins American Textile Co. to lead marketing for the powerhouse brand AllerEase. Prior to this role, Rankin spent over 20 years with GlaxoSmithKline in various leadership roles within sales, marketing, business development, and category management. Todd earned his Bachelor of Business Administration in Accounting from Ohio University.

“The pace of innovation around textiles and sleep is accelerating, and we want to lead the industry, both in product and talent development,” added Ruttenberg. “Milani, Donelan, King, and Rankin are integral to that vision.”

These additions come on the heels of continuous growth for American Textile Co. In March, the company announced a licensing deal that will allow it to develop and distribute Tempur-Pedic branded sleep products featuring Tempur-Pedic’s signature adaptive features. The product line will include sheets, mattress pads and protectors, blankets, and comforters manufactured by American Textile Co. The company now employs more than 1,100 people worldwide including more than 300 in the Pittsburgh region.

Posted May 16, 2017

Source: American Textile Co.

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