SEAMS to Celebrate Anniversary With Conference Focused On The Next 50 Years

AIKEN, S.C. — February 27, 2017 — SEAMS, the National Association for the U.S. Sewn Products and Textile Industries, will mark its 50th anniversary at the annual Spring Networking Conference entitled “Shaping the Next 50 Years.” Scheduled for May 16-17, 2017, at the OMNI Grove Park Inn in Asheville, N.C., the conference will explore the trends and opportunities that diverse sewn products brands, manufacturers, OEMs, suppliers, and retailers will encounter as they grow into the future.

According to SEAMS and HomTex Inc. President Jeremy Wootten, “While we will pay tribute to the first 50 years of SEAMS members and industry leadership, we are focusing our conference agenda on how our members and guests can best prepare for and embrace the future. We are happy to be returning to the beautiful and historic Grove Park Inn in Asheville with a newly streamlined agenda that will allow more people to attend and enjoy this wonderful venue. We invite all industry professionals and executives to join us in what promises to be a highly productive and enjoyable industry event.”

Speakers and session details will be announced as they are confirmed at www.seams.org. Highlights of the planned conference agenda include:

  • Keynote Presentation: trends and predictions delivered by a noted futurist.
  • Feature Presentations: covering trade, government relations, human resources and more.
  • Breakout Sessions: several relevant industry topics to choose from.
  • Panel Discussion: update on trends in military, automotive, industrial and other segments.

To accommodate even the busiest attendees, a new single-day — Wednesday 17th — conference program will be preceded by an optional plant tour, golf outing, opening reception and dinner on Tuesday 16th. SEAMS Conference attendees will have the opportunity to introduce their company to all attendees, meet industry-focused benefits providers, and visit special products/services displays during the conference.

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: SEAMS

Gildan Activewear Announces Plan To Buy Back Shares Through Private Agreements

MONTREAL — February 28, 2017 — Gildan Activewear Inc. announced today that it intends to purchase for cancellation up to 877,000 of its common shares pursuant to one or more private agreements between Gildan and an arm’s‐length third‐party seller. The purchases will form part of Gildan’s normal course issuer bid for up to 11,512,267 shares announced on February 23, 2017.

Such purchases will be made pursuant and subject to the terms of an issuer bid exemption order issued by the Ontario Securities Commission (Order) and will take place before February 26, 2018. In accordance with the Order, Gildan’s purchases under such private agreements will not exceed, in the aggregate, one‐third of the maximum number of shares that it may purchase under its recently announced share repurchase program, or 3,837,422 common shares. The price that Gildan will pay for any common shares purchased by it under such agreements will be negotiated by Gildan and the third-party seller and will be at a discount to the prevailing market price of Gildan’s common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange at the time of the purchase. Information regarding each purchase, including the number of common shares purchased and aggregate purchase price, will be available on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com following the completion of any such purchase.

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: Gildan Activewear Inc.

Suominen’s Blind Hiring Recruitment Process Nominated For INDEX17 Award

HELSINKI, Finland — February 28, 2017 — Suominen, a global supplier of nonwovens, has been nominated for the INDEX™ 17 Award in Sustainable Process or Management Practice category by EDANA, the international nonwovens association. Suominen earned the nomination with its pioneering Blind Hiring recruitment process that ensures equal opportunities.

Suominen follows the Blind Hiring principle in all new recruits, including top management, to promote diversity and to ensure equal opportunities when applying for a job at the company. As a result, the hiring manager will receive and assess candidates’ applications and resumes without any personal data on them. The masked data includes, for example, the applicant’s full name, gender, ethnicity and age. This minimizes the possibility of unconscious biases affecting the recruitment process.

Suominen successfully piloted Blind Hiring in 2015 and after that it was defined as the default recruitment approach at the company.

INDEX17 Awards are the highest accolade for the best examples of excellence in the nonwovens industry. The Awards ceremony will take place in INDEX17 exhibition, on the EDANA stand at 10 am on Tuesday 4 April 2017.

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: Suominen

Alexium International Group Promotes Dirk Van Hyning To Chief Executive Officer — Nicholas Clark Becomes Executive Director Of Strategy

PERTH, Australia/GREER, S.C. — February 28, 2017 —  Alexium International Group Ltd. has appointed Dr. Dirk Van Hyning CEO effective June 30, 2017, replacing Nicholas Clark, who remains on the board and assumes the new role of executive director strategy reporting to the chairman. Clark also will work closely with Van Hyning during this transition period.

Dr. Van Hyning joined the Company in 2013 as senior research scientist and earned subsequent promotions to head of Product Development and Commercial Transition and then was appointed president in October 2014. As president, reporting to Clark, Van Hyning was responsible for leading Alexium’s research and development, sales and business development, applications and corporate services to meet the company’s financial growth targets.

Before joining Alexium, Dr. Van Hyning was with Milliken Research Corp., a global innovation company, where he began as a research engineer in 1999 and earned subsequent promotions to project management leader and senior development engineer-Military and Protective Business. Dr. Van Hyning received his Ph.D. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and his B.S. in Chemical Engineering from North Carolina State University. Dr. Van Hyning has received several honors and awards, including the Hans Kuhn Award for Outstanding Technology Commercialization and also holds four patents.

Announcing the appointment, Gavin Rezos, chairman, said: “I have had the pleasure of working with Dirk and watching him progress in his roles that took him from our senior research scientist to his most recent role as president and Deputy CEO. His technological expertise, insight, leadership and problem-solving skills have all been important factors to our company’s growth.”

Dr. Van Hyning said, “Working in different roles at Alexium has helped me understand our technologies and market potential, providing me with the understanding and insight to capitalize on opportunities to drive shareholder value. I am excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead of us. Having been mentored by Nick has been one of the great experiences of my career, and I look forward to working with him in his new role of executive director of Strategy and with the Board of Alexium as we move the company ahead to achieve many more milestones.”

As executive cirector Strategy, Clark will continue to provide strategic advice to the board, build upon the U.S. Government relationships that Clark has established, while fostering important additional relationships in Washington.

This is key to Alexium’s growth, as our product portfolio expands into new sectors such as electronics and building sectors in the world’s largest and most valuable market. Clark also will continue completing the work on the NASDAQ listing.

Rezos added: “When Nick Clark joined Alexium in 2010, it was still very much a developmental company, and we are very grateful for Nick’s invaluable business acumen and drive to evolve Alexium into a successful revenue-producing enterprise with a range of specialty products. Nick has a valued presence on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and has also recently been appointed an Adjunct Professor in International Business and Organisational Management at Marymount University, Arlington, Virginia. We are well placed to expand our market opportunities through Nick’s continued efforts to drive awareness of our award winning, performance enhancing and environmentally friendly products with legislators, regulators, thought leaders and industry strategists.

“Succession planning is key to any companies success,” Clark said. “Good leadership is about cultivating new leaders, and I look forward to my continued involvement with the company, and in working with Dirk during this transition. I am confident that Dirk, with his technological expertise, leadership, and depth of experience at Alexium, will catapult the company to its next levels of growth. I am excited to be able to dedicate more time to work for Alexium on Capitol Hill driving awareness of Alexium’s products and helping to shape industry responses to the environment, the defense sector and technology trends in the light of Alexium’s growing capabilities.”

Planned Board Changes

Craig Smith Gander recently retired from the Board after seven years to focus on his Perth-based business. As a result of Gander’s departure, Alexium’s strong U.S. growth profile, and the subsequent move towards a NASDAQ listing,  Alexium is appointing additional U.S. based Non-Executive Directors who have diverse skills that will complement the current board membership.

The board is currently interviewing U.S. based female potential non-executive directors to align the company towards best practice on diversity.

Pending the appointment of the new Non-Executive Director, the composition of Board Committees will be as follows:

  1. Nomination Committee: All Board Directors;
  2. Audit Committee: Chair: C. Metz. Members: Brigadier General S. Cheney, N. Clark
  3. Remuneration Committee: Chair: Brigadier General S. Cheney. Members C. Metz, G. Rezos

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: Alexium International

Techtextil 2017 Exhibitor Preview: Stäubli

PFÄFFIKON, Switzerland — March 1, 2017 — Stäubli has been one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-speed textile machinery since more than a century. After decades of experience as a supplier of shedding solutions for weaving machines, weaving preparation systems, and carpet weaving systems in the traditional textile industry, Stäubli continued its efforts in research and development to extend its product range. For several years already the company is in a position to offer textile machinery dedicated to the production of technical textiles. Weavers who count on Stäubli high-performance machinery benefit from features like high reliability and flexibility will be able to take the lead on the market of technical textiles with innovative and creative products for countless applications.

Machinery and innovative textile samples on exhibit

Stäubli will showcase two machines that fit especially well in the production process of technical textiles and inform about . Furthermore a selection of technical fabrics including spacers and multilayers with variable thickness that have been produced in conjunction with Stäubli products such as TF weaving systems, dobbies, Jacquard machines, warp drawing-in, or tying equipment.

  • Magma T12 warp tying machine

For technical yarn ties monofilaments, coarse multi-filaments, PP ribbons, bast fibres, coarse staple fibres, and many other fibre types. It has been developed for universal application ranging from coarse technical yarns to medium yarn-count range. Its rigid design includes an optical double-end detection system.

MAGMA is demonstrated at the booth tying monofilament, diameter 0.40mm, density 7 threads/cm, 4 canister, 140 threads each.

  • UNIVAL 100

This single-end control Jacquard machine offers more benefits for sophisticated technical textiles such as automotive and aeronautic textiles, technical textiles in the sports, industrial, medical sectors, and new fabric constructions, even with glass fibre, carbon, and Kevlar.

Information will be provided about new TF weaving system providing individual system configuration and maximum flexibility. This system offers virtually unlimited weaving possibilities, whether for flat, spacer, or complex multi-layer fabrics and 3D fabrics. Featuring latest shedding machines in combination with the double-rapier weft insertion system and a special slaying motion this system allows high-volume production of up to very thick and/or dense fabrics and efficient processing of a wide variety of technical and highly sensitive yarns. This weaving system is available featuring various machinery combinations and set-ups for weaving any application and desired technical fabric.

With its Schönherr carpet systems branch, Stäubli will inform visitors about the ALPHA 500 LEANTEC weaving system allowing the production of superior high-quality synthetic grass and greige material for printing.

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: Stäubli

Techtextil 2017 Exhibitor Preview: The Hohenstein Group

BÖNNIGHEIM, Germany — February 27, 2017 — The Hohenstein Group is bringing its newly designed booth to this year’s Techtextil/Texprocess trade show in Frankfurt at hall 3.1, B21 from 9 to 12 May 2017. Exhibits on the subject of the biodegradation of textiles will be one of the key focuses of our presentation. Experts from our Development and Services departments will be available for personal discussions with trade show visitors, both at our booth and then at a total of five specialist presentations as part of the Techtextil symposium and Texprocess forum. The cutting-edge booth design and selection of featured trade show highlights demonstrate the unique intertwining of practice-based research and tailor-made services derived from it for the textile industry and other business sectors that the Hohenstein Group has offered from one single source for more than 70 years now. The experts at Hohenstein have a passion for textiles, accompanying their customers from the product concept stage to achieving success on the market — through commissioned research, laboratory testing, certifications, product labels and even providing expert consulting and training.

Biodegradation Of Textiles

The biodegradability of textile products is becoming an increasingly important
factor in assessing their sustainability, focusing not just on manufacturing and product safety, but on what happens to a product once it reaches the end of its useful life cycle. At the trade show booth and at the Texprocess forum organized by the Dialog Textil- Bekleidung (DTB), a team of Hohenstein experts will present an internally developed test procedure for assessing the biodegradation of textiles and demonstrating the marketing opportunities provided by certification and product labels.

Specialist Presentations at the Techtextil Symposium

Hohenstein scientists are currently involved in a collaborative project to develop protein-based water and dirt-repellent finishing agent to provide an alternative to hydrophobic processes using fluorocarbon chemicals (PFC), which are still in common use. The aim is to functionalise textiles in a stable, economical and sustainable way using fungal proteins produced with biotechnology as a replacement for per- and polyfluorinated hydrocarbons that are potentially dangerous to humans and the environment.

As part of a ZIM research project, the researchers at Hohenstein are currently developing a thermoelectric cooling bandage for mobile cold therapy for acute injuries and post-operation treatment. The difference from conventional cooling systems such as cool packs or compressors is the controlled, constant and moderate cooling involved, which prevents cold injuries up to and including frostbite. An important key focus of the project is the composition of layers of flexible textile and polymer materials with high thermal conductivity with the integration of electronic components in mind.

Specialist Presentations at the Texprocess Forum organized by the Dialog Textil- Bekleidung (DTB)

Following on from the Greenpeace Detox Campaign and the Roadmap for the Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals (ZDHC) Initiative, the subject of responsible chemicals management in companies along the textile chain has recently been growing in importance and priority as a means of excluding identified harmful chemicals from production by 2020. Using the OEKO-TEX® modular system of certifications and tools for increased sustainability as a basis, Hohenstein provides companies with solutions for incrementally optimising their chemicals management systems to meet these market requirements successfully.

Hohenstein is providing its expertise in the area of pattern making techniques and fitting tests as a contribution to the lecture on “Issues with Fitting in Online Trade”. Nowadays, experienced clothing technicians provide individual support for many renowned companies in developing clothing with the optimum fit. The latest findings from research projects and serial measurements performed by the Hohenstein Institute are constantly being incorporated into the wide range of services on offer. Some of the most recent findings, for instance, include the latest data on breast volumes for women, enabling further improvements to be made to bra cup sizes.

Biodegradation of textiles The start, the third excavation after seven weeks and the last digging after 14 weeks in an earth burial test in which the degradability of the materials is assessed. The textiles are put on a grid and placed in the burial position. The left side of the t-shirt is 100-percent polyester and the right side is 100-percent cotton. The jeans are 99-percent cotton and 1-percent elastane. They are buried in microbiologically standardized earth.

© Hohenstein Institute

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: The Hohenstein Group

TMI Introduces Enhanced Thickness Testers

NEWCASTLE, Del. — February 27, 2017 — Testing Machines Inc. (TMI), an industrial physics company, has just released new versions of its affordable digital micrometer series for accurately testing thickness of very thin materials such as plastic films, paper, non-woven, textiles, board and battery separators. TMI’s thickness tester line have long been acknowledged as the industry leading instruments for measuring the thickness or caliper of a variety of sheet-like materials. Almost any material including paper, natural or synthetic fabrics, leathers, metals, plastics and rubber can be measured with precision and ease.

The new enhancements apply to two TMI models, the 49-86 and 49-87, and include advanced diagnostics and reporting functions, including:

  • Capability of measuring and storing multiple readings, providing a cross machine profile
  • Ability to save up to 100 readings during a continuous measurement
  • Test summary screen displays high, low, average and standard deviation for every series
  • The 49-86 and 49-87 have the following specifications
  • Range: Model 49-86: 0-0.050 in. (0-1.27 mm); Model 49-87: 0-0.50 in. (0-12.7 mm)
  • Resolution (both units): 0.5 micron (0.02 mil)
  • Accuracy: Model 49-86: 1.0 micron (0.039 mil); Model 49-87: 5.0 micron (.197 mil)
  • GRAPHMASTER™ Option
  • Integrating GraphMaster PC-based software provides data collection, plotting and analysis with export capabilities for our 49-85, 49-86 and 49-87 series of Digital Micrometers. GraphMaster can profile a series of measurements creating a real-time plot of thickness versus interval, or distance.

Posted February 28, 2017

Source: Testing Machines Inc. 

New OEM Focused PumpSense™ Predictive Monitoring And Analytics System Diagnoses Pump Operating Problems And Prescribes Actionable Solutions

BALTIMORE, Md. — The new PumpSense™ sensor-based system from Prophecy Sensorlytics™ introduces uniquely “smart” and cost effective predictive diagnostics technology to alert pump/blower users to developing problems and prescribe timely fixes without any need for outside support, expertise, or data analysis.  Designed for integration by OEM pump manufacturers, PumpSense generates easy-to-understand graphics and text-based actionable maintenance advice before issues can escalate.  The system ultimately provides pump OEMs with a competitive marketplace edge, adding value for end users by virtually eliminating untimely reactive maintenance attention, unplanned production downtime and rushed service parts.

The PumpSense system ideally suits pump/blower applications across industries, including agriculture, electronics, environmental, food and beverage, medical, mining, paper and printing, pharmaceuticals, plastics, and textiles, among many others.

OEMs easily attach PumpSense sensors to a pump or blower housing at the factory. When the system is delivered and on-line with the end user, the sensors automatically and continuously monitor and measure filter status, oil status, pump utilization, and vacuum or pressure level trends — all in 24/7/365 real time. Patent-pending, powerful analytic software collects the sensor data, compares the data against pre-determined baselines, and pushes the data into an easy to understand dashboard displaying machine, component, or condition information. The system then delivers meaningful maintenance recommendations, based on the actionable intelligence, heading off potential problems that otherwise could impact productivity and profitability.

An easy-to-navigate mobile app enables end-users to graphically view conditions by showing green, yellow, or red backgrounds. If a pump or component reaches a yellow warning level, then the actionable maintenance advice for the fix is delivered to assigned technicians via email or text message.

OEM pump manufacturers can further apply the PumpSense solution to their internal quality-control processes, creating a virtual fingerprint identity before shipping a pump to customers.

Posted February 27, 2017

Source: Prophecy Sensorlytics

Collaborative Research Shows Finer Raw Cotton Best For Oil Spill Remediation

LUBBOCK, Texas — February 27, 2017 — The Institute of Environmental and Human Health (TIEHH) at Texas Tech University has found that finer raw cotton in loose form performs best for absorbing oil, according to a study in the March/April 2017 issue of the AATCC Journal of Research published by the American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC).

“The oil spill issue has become a global issue, as it affects human health and environment,” said Seshadri Ramkumar, lead author of the study and a professor in the institute’s Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory, where the research was conducted. “So far, most oil sorbents are synthetic-based, which also leads to problems in marine environments. Our goal is to enable a biodegradable and natural product to be an efficient and cost-effective oil sorbent.”

The study compared the oil absorption characteristics of finer and coarser cotton in loose, needlepunched nonwoven and hydroentangled nonwoven forms. Finer cotton in loose forms was proven superior for oil absorbency. The study showed the importance of cotton micronaire for oleophilic applications such as spill remediation. Among the important characteristics of cotton, micronaire — a measure based on cotton’s air permeability — is an indicator of its fineness and maturity.

The project was a collaborative effort between faculty in TIEHH and the Texas Tech Department of Mechanical Engineering, the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory and the Southern Regional Research Center of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service in New Orleans, where samples were prepared. It also involved a future generation of scientists in the research process with the addition of Ronald Kendall Jr. and Luke Kitten. The two were seniors at Coronado High School and Lubbock’s Trinity Christian High School, respectively, during the study.

“We believe in preparing high school students to go into STEM fields,” Ramkumar said. “More importantly, we would like to work with the young generation from the producer community. That is the reason Luke Kitten, whose family owns Kitten Land Company, was involved. The work trained both high school and graduate-level students.”

Ramkumar has worked to introduce cotton to the field of technical textiles for more than a decade. He is the creator of FiberTect™, a nonwoven decontamination wipe capable of cleaning toxic chemical agents.

“The work done by Dr. Ramkumar and his team is to be commended,” said Steve Verett, executive vice president of Plains Cotton Growers Inc., which supports research in the Nonwovens & Advanced Materials Laboratory. “It is vital that we continue to explore new markets for cotton, and Dr. Ramkumar’s research has contributed greatly to the advancement of cotton, especially in the nonwovens sector.”

Ramkumar said the goal is to find industrial applications as well as new and value-added technical applications for cotton.

“One of the strengths of cotton research at Texas Tech is the connection with the local economic engine that cotton provides,” said Kater Hake, vice president of agricultural research at Cotton Incorporated, which funded the research. “Not only do researchers address local challenges and opportunities, but some such as Dr. Ramkumar, take this connection to the next level by engaging local students and communities in the research.”

Posted February 27, 2017

Source: The Institute of Environmental and Human Health, Texas Tech University

Porcher Industries Writes Next Chapter In History With Massive Growth And Investment Plans Worth More Than 50 Million Euros For 2017

BADINIÈRES, France — February 27, 2017 — Porcher Industries will implement a multi-million euro growth and restructuring phase as the company moves into 2017. Porcher, founded more than 100 years ago and recently acquired by Warwick Capital, has appointed André Genton as chairman of the Executive Management Board, to provide the expertise for this exciting new phase in Porcher’s history.

André Genton joined Porcher Industries in 2016, bringing more than 20 years’ experience in the composites and polymer industries and a passion for the innovative chemistry that makes up the DNA of the Porcher Group.  He has held senior positions with Ciba-Geigy, Vantico and Huntsman, as President of Huntsman Advanced Materials, overseeing a $1.5 billion global business operating in many of the same markets supplied by Porcher Industries. André has already been instrumental in accelerating the pace of Porcher’s development and is committed to increasing the group turnover from approximately 300 million euros to 500 million within the next five years by improving quality, driving innovation and adding capacity and resources.

Porcher Industries’ products deliver exceptional performance, quality and safety across a massive range of industries and applications including aerospace interiors, F1 clutches, industrial floor coverings and paragliding canopies.  As technical textile specialists, Porcher’s innate understanding of fibre and yarn surface treatments, 2-D and 3-D weaving, cabling, nonwoven scrim and impregnation processes is backed up by an exceptionally strong technology development team.

The recent integration of Cordtech International into the group illustrates Porcher Industries’ commitment to development in existing market sectors, strengthening both the R&D expertise and the automotive product range. Whilst the company is also planning further acquisitions in the near future, significant investments in existing operations are key to much of the forecast growth.

€50+M of new investments, beginning in 2017, will be used to add new weaving capacity and develop quality control technology at sites in the US, Europe and China; significantly increasing output in Porcher’s key automotive airbag and aerospace interiors markets.  Thermoplastic prepreg solutions, such as the pioneering Spheriflex CFRP rotor hub developed with Airbus Helicopters for the H160 — which will be on display on the Porcher stand at JEC World – are also targets for growth in the automotive sector.

With more than 2000 employees and 14 manufacturing sites on four continents, Porcher Industries has the tools to supply customers globally, with the restructuring focus being to optimize efficiency and improve resources throughout the group.  Five business units — Aerospace & Defense, Automotive, Building, Industrial and Sport & Leisure will be unified across a single business ERP system and targeted recruitment is underway for management, operational and technology roles identified as critical to successful sustainable growth.

“With fibres and chemistry you can create magic. That is exactly what Porcher Industries will do as we expand our unique chemistry and technology capability to consistently offer our customers better solutions”, said André Genton, chairman of the Executive Management Board – Porcher Industries.

Posted February 27, 2017

Source: Porcher Industries

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