UNIVERSAL FIBERS® Expands Partnership With Forbo Flooring Systems

BRISTOL, Va. — October 7, 2024 — Universal Fibers is excited to announce the launch of Forbo Flooring Systems’ New Tessera Topology, the first collection in their Evolve+ series, using Thrive® matter yarn from Universal Fibers®.

Thrive matter is the lowest carbon footprint yarn in the industry, made from 100-percent solution-dyed nylon 6 with 90-percent recycled content. This innovative yarn, paired with Forbo’s lean production processes, results in carpet tiles with more than 75-percent recycled content and a very low embodied carbon (less than 1.5kg CO2 per square meter). The collection is manufactured in facilities using 100-percent renewable energy, including both electricity and biogas, reinforcing Forbo’s commitment to reducing environmental impact.

Donna Hannaway, head of Marketing UK and Ireland at Forbo Flooring Systems, said: “As a manufacturer, sustainability is extremely important to us at Forbo. Our core values are Renewability, Transparency and Circularity, and as such we’re always looking for ways to adapt and evolve our product portfolios in line with this, as well as to meet modern sustainability requirements. This means we are constantly developing new ways for architects and specifiers to incorporate environmentally friendly finishes into their projects, as with this new collection.”

In addition to its environmental benefits, Tessera Topology offers a sophisticated, contemporary aesthetic. The collection features a geometric pattern that balances linear angles with organic textures, creating a unique and versatile design that brings warmth and character to any interior space. Designed and manufactured in the United Kingdom, Tessera Topology is available ex stock, making it ideal for office refurbishments and other fast-track projects. The collection also meets stringent indoor air quality standards, such as Indoor Air Comfort Gold and GUT certification, ensuring a healthier environment for end users.

Available in collection of beautiful neutral tones and muted accent, such as the subtle beige of Pebble Tangent and the earthy green of Willow Inverse, Tessera Topology provides an ideal solution for a wide range of projects. The tiles come in a standard 50x50cm format, so can be easily integrated with other products from Forbo’s existing Tessera range, offering endless design possibilities.

Forbo’s Tessera carpet tiles can be installed adhesive free using IOBAC MagTabs™, allowing them to be easily removed and reused or recycled, supporting a circular economy. Forbo is also proud to have recently entered into partnership with the Salvation Army Trading Company, supporting it’s Take Back scheme and furniture shops with donations of reusable carpet tiles.

Universal Fibers are delighted that Tessera Topology marks a significant step forward in Forbo’s sustainability journey and is the first in the company’s Evolve+ series, a product line dedicated to enhanced sustainability and innovation in carpet tile manufacturing.

Phil Harmon, president of Universal Fibers, shared his thoughts on the collaboration: “Our work with Forbo has enabled the creation of an industry-leading product that aligns perfectly with the evolving demands of sustainability in the carpet tile industry. We are thrilled to see Thrive matter, our most sustainable fiber yet, contribute to Forbo’s sustainable vision.”

Posted: October 7, 2024

Source: Universal Fibers Inc. — A Bussiness Unit of Universal Fiber Systems LLC

NATIVA™ Begins First Harvest Of Regeneratively Farmed Cotton In Greece On World Cotton Day

HAMBURG, Germany — October 7, 2024 — The harvest of NATIVA™’s first crop of regeneratively farmed cotton begins on World Cotton Day — October 7, 2024. The world!s leading supplier of regeneratively farmed luxury fibers, NATIVA™ announced the introduction of cotton to its offer at the beginning of 2024.

Planted at the beginning of the spring in Messolonghi, Greece, by a collective of NATIVA farmers including a mother and son partnership, NATIVA’s debut crop of cotton has finally ripened and opened thanks to the blazing Mediterranean sun.

Working with regenerative cotton founding partner, Nafpaktos Textile Industry SA, every step from the cultivation to the fiber processing and yarn making takes place in Greece – resulting in a farm to fiber cycle fully accomplished within the EU and complying with EU standards in labor and environmental conservation rights.

“We are so pleased to harvest our first crop of regeneratively grown cotton,” said Maria Estrada, NATIVA Global director. “From planting the seed to picking a bumper crop of the finest quality, our goal of positively impacting the supply chain through regenerative farming is becoming a reality thanks to our wonderful partners. It is kismet for it all to happen on World Cotton Day.”

NATIVA!#s Regenerative Agriculture Program protects the land by bettering soil quality, safeguards crops by ensuring soil health, and supports farmers and local communities by improving their livelihoods. These multidisciplinary efforts further result in greater water quality and increased CO2 capturing levels. Measured over a five-year period, NATIVA aims to achieve a 20-percent increase of organic materials (natural nutrients) in the soil through its regenerative agricultural practices. This is supported by a 25-percent reduction in pesticides, with an eventual goal of zero pesticide use throughout time, and the effective eradication of tillage.

All NATIVA Cotton incorporates NATIVA Blockchain technology, which digitally tracks and logs every step of the fiber’s journey.

NATIVA is honored to introduce its farmers by name and to collaborate with premium partner brands such as Stella McCartney, Gucci, Pangaia and COS as part of their NATIVARegen™ program.

Posted: October 7, 2024

Source: NATIVA

World Cotton Day: Cotton Made In Africa Celebrates World’s Top Natural Textile Fiber On October 7

HAMBURG, Germany — October 7, 2024 — Around 25 million people worldwide are employed in the production of cotton, including four million in Africa South of the Sahara alone. Thirty percent of African cotton is verified by Cotton made in Africa (CmiA). As a sustainability standard under the Aid by Trade Foundation (AbTF), CmiA is committed to improving both the environmental impact of fibre production and the living conditions of almost one million small-scale farmers in Africa; as an organisation, it is representing these interests at this year’s World Cotton Day Conference in Cotonou, Benin.

Cotton made in Africa (CmiA) cotton, Photo — Martin Kielmann for Cotton made in Africa

World Cotton Day was established at the initiative of the four cotton-producing countries collectively known as the C4: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, and Mali. In 2021, the United Nations proclaimed 7 October the annual World Cotton Day. Under the motto “Cotton for Good”, World Cotton Day focusses on the diverse benefits of cotton and its crucial role in the sustainable development of many countries in the Global South. Organised by the World Trade Organization (WTO), the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), and the International Cotton Advisory Committee (ICAC), this year’s conference will be the first to span two days, October 7-8, as well as the first to be held in a cotton-producing country, Benin.

Together with other experts, members of the AbTF team will lend their expertise to three panels at the conference to represent the urgent concerns of small-scale cotton farmers. Particularly noteworthy is that Bagoudou Bougnon Koto, a small-scale farmer who grows CmiA Organic cotton in Benin, will join Alexandra Perschau, the head of standards and outreach at the Aid by Trade Foundation, on a panel called “Women’s Empowerment in the Cotton Value Chain”, thereby bringing a small-scale farmer’s perspective directly to the international stage.

“Women play a crucial role in cotton cultivation, and we have made significant progress in achieving equality between women and men thanks to CmiA and the requirements of our standard,” said Perschau. “Access to training and education is crucial to ensuring equal opportunities for women. It is also important that existing social norms and barriers no longer act as obstacles. CmiA is committed to continue questioning and changing these structures so that every woman can develop her full potential.”

All team members’ panel appearances will reflect at least one shared concern: that small-scale cotton cultivation is under existential threat. As reported in Klimareporter, for instance, people in Africa are responsible for less than ten percent of climate change, but they nonetheless bear the brunt of its effects. These include destroyed crops and devastated livelihoods as well as catastrophic droughts, floods, pest infestations, and the spread of plant diseases.

Together with experts from the spheres of industry, academia, and public interest, AbTF will call for farmers to be offered support with building up a new, more resilient form of cotton cultivation in Africa. Only by alleviating the impact of climate change and ensuring that cotton cultivation remains attractive for future generations of small-scale farmers can the world guarantee the long-term supply of cotton to its markets.

Posted: October 7, 2024

Source: The Cotton made in Africa initiative (CmiA)

RISE® 2024 Showcases Cutting-Edge Technologies and Sustainability Insights in Nonwovens Manufacturing: Hempitecture, Inc. Wins RISE® Innovation Award for PlantPanel™

CARY, N.C. — October 7, 2024 — Industry innovators, technology scouts, and business leaders in nonwovens and engineered materials came together for the RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Conference, held October 1-2 in Raleigh, N.C.

Co-hosted by INDA and The Nonwovens Institute at North Carolina State University, the event delivered cutting-edge insights into sustainability, focusing on advanced recycling methods, bio-based materials, circular economy strategies, potential plastics regulations, and packaging solutions. Attendees explored a comprehensive range of technologies aimed at recapturing the inherent value of fibers, nonwovens, and textiles. Breakthroughs in process technology and product design were showcased, emphasizing how manufacturers and consumers can achieve more with fewer resources. The event also spotlighted alternative, carbon-negative raw materials as a key innovation.

2024 RISE® Innovation Award Winner

Hempitecture Inc. won the RISE Innovation Award for its PlantPanel™ material. PlantPanel is a rigid continuous insulation material used in exterior above-ground applications. With an R Value of R3.25 per inch, PlantPanel adds to thermal and acoustic comfort and performance. Engineered with a density to resist compression and deflection, PlantPanel is used in split-insulation wall and roof assemblies with either a rain screen cladding or roofing material, depending on the application. With 100-percent biobased and recycled content, PlantPanel is a sustainable, low carbon continuous insulation solution that’s easy to install and safe to handle.

The RISE Innovation Award finalists included Ahlstrom for the Dual-Layer Filtration Media and Berry Global for their ENDURA™ rPP Spunbond & SMS.

TiHive won the 2023 RISE Innovation Award for their SAPMonit technology. TiHive’s innovation, SAPMonit — a technology breakthrough, inspects millions of diapers weekly. SAPMonit delivers lightning-speed inline inspection of superabsorbents’ weight and distribution, optimizes resources, detects flaws, and accelerates R&D. SAPMonit utilizes advanced see-through cameras, high-speed vision algorithms, and secure cloud integration, revolutionizing industry norms. SAPMonit has great potential for sustainability, cost reduction, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

INDA Lifetime Technical Achievement Award

Arnold Wilkie, president and owner, Hills Inc. has a distinguished career in advancing yarn, fiber, and nonwoven technologies since 1970. Since 1988, he has been president and owner of Hills Inc. where he has sustained its innovative culture. Wilkie has more than 40 patents and applications covering yarns, bicomponent fibers, ultra-fine fibers, nanofibers, dissolvable filaments, meltblown nonwovens, and polymer processing innovations. He established Hills as a leading innovator in bicomponent fiber nonwovens and in the equipment to produce these materials. During Wilkie’s time leading Hills, its pilot capabilities have become well-known and highly regarded for enabling material innovations.

“I am extremely honored to receive this award, and to contribute to the nonwovens industry,” Wilkie said upon receiving the award. “Today’s nonwovens processes produce defect free fabrics at more than 5,000 square meters per minute. Multicomponent fibers produced from spin-packs with more than 35,000 holes and having more than 1 Million individually metered polymer streams have contributed to advanced commercial capabilities. Speaking with our neighbors in the high-tech Space Coast of Florida, I am proud to realize that the nonwovens industry has created a comparatively advanced technology.”

Graduate Student & Corporate Posters

During Tuesday evening’s reception, posters from 30 graduate students representing top nonwoven, textile, and fiber programs, along with corporate presenters, were displayed —significantly more than in previous years. Students, their faculty advisors, and industry professionals shared their latest research, engaging with attendees to discuss key findings and future goals. “Many of the posters showcase technologies that are immediately ready for market implementation,” noted one attendee.

Event Highlights

RISE® 2024 offered attendees a variety of networking experiences, including:

  • A Golf Tournament on Monday, September 30;
  • A tour of The Nonwovens Institute’s $65+ million pilot lines and analytical labs;
  • The Reception at Lonnie Poole Golf Course; and
  • 30 Graduate Student posters showcasing their latest research.

RISE 2025 Announcement

Mark your calendars for RISE® 2025, returning to Raleigh, NC, on October 14-15, 2025.

Posted: October 7, 2024

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

EDANA’s Response to the European Commission’s Proposal for a 12-Month Delay in the Implementation of the EUDR

BRUSSELS — October 4, 2024 — EDANA, the European Disposables and Nonwovens Association, welcomes the European Commission’s proposed one-year delay in the implementation of the Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), as outlined in their recent press release. This amendment, while still needing approval from both the Council and the European Parliament, marks a significant step toward ensuring that our industry has the necessary time to effectively comply with the terms of this important regulation, while also continuing to meet their sustainability goals.

While the long-awaited guidelines for implementing the EUDR have now been released alongside the announcement, the EU’s information system, designed to track materials and commodities, is still under development. As a key representative of the nonwovens sector, EDANA supports the regulation’s objectives and remains a constructive partner, actively contributing to discussions with policymakers and industry stakeholders.

This additional phase-in time will enable further collaboration with the authorities and our coalition partners, ensuring a smooth transition for all affected industries. EDANA remains committed to promoting sustainable supply chains and responsible practices, while helping ensure compliance across the sector. Our ongoing work aims to foster long-term, sustainable growth for the industry.

Posted: October 7, 2024

Source: EDANA — European Disposables and Nonwovens Association

Carrington Textiles Aligns All Cotton Fabrics With Better Cotton

ADLINGTON, United Kingdom  — October 7, 2024 — Carrington Textiles — a global supplier in the manufacture of workwear, flame retardant and defence and security fabrics — has made a significant announcement underlining its commitment to sustainability by pledging exclusive support for the Better Cotton initiative with all the company’s products containing cotton.

The announcement was made on the occasion of World Cotton Day on 7th October 2024, an ideal opportunity for Carrington Textiles to highlight its commitment to developing workwear fabrics that not only offer high levels of quality and performance, but also support the production of responsibly sourced cotton globally.

What is Better Cotton?

It’s an initiative that promotes sustainable cotton farming practices to improve the environment and the livelihoods of farmers while ensuring high-quality cotton for consumers.

In 2019-2020, Better Cotton licensed over 2.4 million farmers from 23 countries across five continents. Together, these farmers produced 23 percent of the world’s cotton.

Better Cotton is sourced via a chain of custody model called mass balance. This means that Better Cotton is not physically traceable to end products, however, Better Cotton Farmers benefit from the demand for Better Cotton in equivalent volumes to those sourced.

How can this benefit customers?

When customers buy any of Carrington Textiles fabrics containing cotton, Better Cotton Credits or BCCUs are generated. These BCCUs can be claimed by a registered company directly on the Better Cotton Platform and used to communicate the responsibly source nature of the fabric’s cotton by using hang tags, labels and other marketing materials.

Neil Davey, Carrington Textiles’ managing director, announced this pivotal commitment to sustainability reflecting the company’s dedication to reducing its environmental footprint and providing customers with responsibly sourced materials.

Neil stated, “With 99 percent of fabrics from our FR, workwear and defense ranges containing cotton, this is a huge step towards our sustainability efforts, all of which we are proud to cover in our latest Sustainability Report. This initiative is expected to have a lasting positive impact on our products and the planet.”

Posted: October 7, 2024

Source: Carrington Textiles

 

SAVIO’S Next Destination: ITMA ASIA+CITME 2024  

PORDENONE, Italy  — October 4, 2024 — Savio will be participating to ITMA ASIA 2024 exhibition, which will take place in Shanghai October 14-18, 2024. Industry leaders and key players will have the opportunity to get together in Shanghai, the earth of Chinese business hub, to explore new business opportunities, forge worldwide connections, and showcase the latest products, services, and technologies in the textile industry.

Savio will display its latest product range solutions which testify Savio’s dedication to innovation technology and strong partnerships across the industry. We look forward to welcome you at Savio booth in Hall 8 booth C38 for discovering more about our winding, twisting and air jet spinning innovations.

Savio PROXIMA Smartconer®

NEXT DESTINATION: PROXIMA Smartconer®

The new winding machine Proxima Smartconer® is setting the benchmark in Savio automatic winding. We have combined the name Proxima with Smartconer: it stands for a high-tech winding machine, capable of perfectly adapting to demands of Connectivity, Industry 4.0 and Industrial Internet of Things. Thanks to the innovations, spinners will get a machine featuring high-tech capabilities, thanks to a design with a strong focus on the main benefits for customer’s competitive advantage: high productivity, low energy consumption, premium yarn quality, automation, and data connectivity.

Proxima Smartconer has been designed with the foremost attention to the customer’s needs in the optimal utilization of a winding machine.Investing in equipment that enables to work faster and reduces manual and repetitive tasks, can increase both efficiencies and overall productivity. The same applies to a new equipment that does more of what is needed, faster, safer, with better quality but with less waste, less maintenance, and less resource usage.

SAVIO’S LYBRA Smartspinner®: WE SPIN DIFFERENT

Savio LYBRA Smartspinner®

With Lybra Smartspinner®, we spin different with a versatile and smart machine. Savio’s air-jet spinning machine has been developed with an original spinning technology to serve our customers in specific applications of textile production: knitting, home textiles, sunshades. Air-jet spun yarn has a soft and smooth character, perfectly adapting to creating functional & fashionable fabrics.

With LYBRA Smartspinner, we want to offer our customer a versatile, flexible, cost saving and easy-to-use machine. Air-jet spinning offers to yarn manufacturers the opportunity to produce yarn at high production rates and low processing costs. The air-jet spinning technology use the same preparation of the conventional ring spinning. This processing works directly with slivers instead of roving, integrating three textile processes: roving, spinning & winding.

Space needs for air-jet spinning is 25- to 30-percent less than for ring-spinning equipment producing the same capacity, thereby reducing building costs. Also, a smaller area requires less climate control and reduced operating personnel. This results in further substantial savings, maximizing the return on investment.

Posted: October 4, 2024

Source: Savio Macchine Tessili S.p.A.

ExxonMobil Announces Launch Of Signature Polymers

SPRING, Texas  — October 1, 2024 — ExxonMobil today announces the introduction of Signature Polymers, a new approach to service and partnership with customers and the broader value chain. The stated brand ambition of Signature Polymers is to become the industry’s most valued global partner through improved service and partnership. ExxonMobil will introduce new programs that inspire and inform the way it positions products and provides support to help customers innovate, strategize, and grow. This approach will enable customers to be more confident in meeting the value chain’s complex challenges by removing complexity and inspiring enhanced collaboration.

Key Points:

  • Polyolefin products are now combined under a single portfolio brand, Signature Polymers.
  • Several new initiatives and strengthened programs to demonstrate this commitment to customers, some examples include:
    • Established customer commitments to underpin the enhanced approach to serving customers and the broader value chain.
    • New “PolyView” events to facilitate industry dialogue through sharing market insights and bring together the broader value chain.
    • Signature polymers product architecture standardization and naming simplified to improve portfolio navigation and product selection.
    • A new Signature Polymers Academy focused on delivering training and workshops for our customers in key markets.

“We are proud of the long history we have with our customers in markets around the world,” said Juhan Robberts, senior vice president, ExxonMobil. “As our industry faces increasing challenges, we believe our position as a leading global polyolefins supplier puts us in a unique position to deliver a new level of service and partnership to our customers. We are elevating our customer experience and launching our new brand structure as a commitment to this promise to deliver enhanced service and partnership.”

To better equip team members to serve as partners, all Signature Polymers employees are enrolled in comprehensive training to recognize methods and opportunities to listen, learn, and collaborate to ultimately meet customer needs and enhance customer experience.

The Signature Polymers group is providing platforms to facilitate collaboration and exchange of ideas. New, exclusive PolyView industry events are designed to increase dialogue between industry leaders and bring together experts from across the value chain to address the challenges and opportunities in the plastics industry.

As a result of industry feedback, the ExxonMobil polyolefins portfolio is now organized according to a benefit-led customer mindset.

“Our products are now positioned under a single brand, Signature Polymers,” said Alechia Crown, Global Brand manager, ExxonMobil. “Over the next year we will transition some of our brands and grade names to better reflect the attributes and benefits they provide. We’ll have fewer, more significant brands. Our high-quality polymers aren’t changing, just the names.”

A new Signature Polymers Academy aims to provide training and workshop opportunities for customers and their employees. These forums are intended to serve as enablers for partners to build key relationships and capabilities to further their business.

Posted: October 4, 2024

Source: ExxonMobil Signature Polymers

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) Recognizes Manufacturing Day

WASHINGTON D.C. — October 4, 2024 — The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) proudly recognizes and celebrates Manufacturing Day, the largest annual event to promote manufacturing in the United States. Manufacturing Day works to show the reality of modern manufacturing careers by encouraging thousands of companies and educational institutions around the nation to open their doors to students, parents, teachers and community leaders.

The plastics industry is the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, employs over one million workers and generates $519 billion.

“Manufacturing Day is an excellent platform to highlight the exciting career opportunities and innovations throughout the plastics industry,” said PLASTICS’ President and CEO, Matt Seaholm. “Our manufacturing members are continually investing in new technologies and processes to make products more lightweight, durable, and sustainable and those innovations call for a skilled and forward-thinking workforce. Plastics play a vital role in almost every aspect of daily life, and I encourage job seekers and students to consider the rewarding career paths in this essential industry.”

The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS) is the only organization that supports the entire plastics supply chain, including Equipment Suppliers, Material Suppliers, Processors, and Recyclers, representing over one million workers in our $519 billion U.S. industry. PLASTICS advances the priorities of our members who are dedicated to investing in technologies that improve capabilities and advances in recycling and sustainability and providing essential products that allow for the protection and safety of our lives. Since 1937, PLASTICS has been working to make its members, and the eighth largest U.S. manufacturing industry, more globally competitive while supporting circularity through educational initiatives, industry-leading insights and events, convening opportunities and policy advocacy, including the largest plastics trade show in the Americas, NPE: The Plastics Show.

Posted: October 4, 2024

Source: The Plastics Industry Association (PLASTICS)

International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF): Results Of The 28th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey

Source: 8th-27th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (27th: 15-30.07.2024)

ZÜRICH, Switzerland — October 4, 2024 — The ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (GTIS) for September indicates an improved business situation, marking the best conditions since September 2022, with progress largely driven by recoveries in South America and Africa. Despite this, other regions showed no significant advancements. Business expectations remain positive, with optimism stable around +25pp since November 2023, although the overall business situation has yet to catch up. Order intake remains negative but has been steadily improving for 10 months, particularly in South America and Africa.

Source: 8th-27th ITMF Global Textile Industry Survey (27th: 15-30.07.2024)

Order backlogs show a slight positive trend, with an average global backlog of 2.2 months in September 2024, up from 1.9 months in March 2024. Capacity utilization reached 75% in September, rising since July and recovering from a low of 68% in November 2023. Weak demand has been the primary concern since 2022, affecting 66% of survey participants in September 2024. However, order cancellations have dropped to their lowest recorded level, with 63% reporting no cancellations, especially in South America.

Inventory levels remain average along the textile value chain, with 55% of companies reporting average levels in September. In the USA, apparel inventories at retail and wholesale level have been rising, suggesting that the bottom may have been reached.

Posted: October 4, 2024

Source: International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF)

1...159160161...2,563Page 160 of 2,563

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2025 Quarterly Issue Number III

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.