The Singapore-based Textile Effects Division of Huntsman Corp. has awarded a sole license to China-based Jihua Group so the company may manufacture, market and sell Huntsman’s patented reactive Super Black dyes in China. Both Huntsman and Jihua will sell the Super Black products under their respective tradenames. In addition, Huntsman granted Jihua the right to sub-license its Super Black dyes in China.
“This partnership will allow Jihua to complement our strengths in manufacturing and backward integration with Huntsman’s extensive global reach and technological innovation,” said Shao Bojin, chairman, Jihua Group.
Singapore-based DyStar has announced plans to open a Global Innovation Center at its China-based DyStar Nanjing Colours Co. Ltd. by the end of March 2017. The 3,000-square-meter center will comprise state-of-the-art laboratories for research and development and process technology development as well as labs for dye and chemical synthesis and a scale-up unit for small production. The company reports the facility will aim to improve dyeing processes in terms of water and energy consumption and lower wastewater and pollution. DyStar will focus on textiles, but will look to grow new markets for its products.
Beaverton, Ore.-based Nike Inc. has entered into a partnership with funds affiliated with New York City-based Apollo Global Management LLC to bolster the apparel supply chain in the Americas by increasing regional manufacturing capabilities, enabling quicker delivery of more customized products to consumers and driving investment in sustainability. The partnership has established an apparel supply chain company, which has acquired two existing companies — apparel manufacturer New Holland; and embellishment, warehousing and logistics operator, ArtFX — through an investment from the Apollo-managed Special Situations I fund. The two companies will be updated and advanced to produce innovative, technical and customized apparel. The new supply chain company also plans acquire additional textile and apparel suppliers in the Americas to broaden its available products and create a vertically integrated apparel ecosystem.
“We are excited to be working with Apollo to rethink a new supply chain model to revolutionize apparel manufacturing in the Americas,” said Eric Sprunk, COO, Nike.
“We intend to work with management to develop a regional supplier capable of servicing the needs of a wide variety of customers, and we are particularly enthusiastic to be working with such an iconic brand as Nike,” said Josh Harris, co-founder and senior managing director, Apollo. “While Nike has not made a capital investment in the company, this strategic partnership is a testament to Nike’s commitment to increasing regional manufacturing capabilities, driving investment in innovation and creating long-term growth.”
Los Angeles-based Tukatech Inc. reports the Ethiopian Institutes of Textile and Fashion Technology at Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, has purchased 50 licenses of the TUKAcad Learning Edition software featuring modules for pattern making, grading, marker making and digitizers.
“Historically, Bahir Dar University has been known for supplying the Ethiopian market with some of the best technicians who are now running most of the local businesses in many different sectors,” said Sonia Chhabra, director, Tukatech.
Austria-based Lenzing Group reports it will expand its capacities for specialty fibers. “We will invest more than 100 million euros over the next 20 months to expand production capacities for our high-quality botanic fibers, 70 percent at the Heiligenkreuz site and 30 percent at Lenzing,” said Stefan Doboczky, CEO. The expansions at sites in Heiligenkreuz, Lenzing and Grimsby, England, will eventually result in an additional 35,000 tons of capacity. Approximately 10,000 tons of additional specialty fiber capacity will be available by the end of 2016, with most of the remaining capacity to be added during 2017.
Lenzing recently launched a sCore TEN strategy for the group, which included growing specialty fiber revenue to 50 percent by the year 2020 from their current proportion of 41.7 percent.
Kingsport, Tenn.-based Eastman Chemical Co. recently launched Avra™ Performance Fibers, which are manufactured using proprietary spinning technology to produce an ultra-thin polyester fiber. The Avra fibers are extruded with a removable binder polymer that can be washed away after the weaving or knitting process. The small, ribbon-like fibers that are left behind result in a silky fabric with soft hand and advanced moisture-management performance, according to the company.
Avra is produced in collaboration with Unifi Inc. in Yadkinville, N.C. The fiber’s development required a plant expansion that created jobs in the region. “Combining the technology and quality-driven expertise of Eastman and Unifi will help provide the industry with the next level of performance-enhancing fibers,” said Mark McNeill, vice president of technology and business development, Unifi.
Charlotte-based DAK Americas reports it has completed the acquisition of a controlling interest in Selenis Canada Inc. The transaction was recently completed with Portugal-based IMG Group, and was approved by the Canadian Competition Bureau. Selenis Canada operates a 144-kiloton-capacity polyethylene terephthalate resin plant in Montreal. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
Stanley Shi, general manager, Dongheng, with the SPGPrints PIKE® digital printer
The Netherlands-based SPGPrints reports it has sold a six-color PIKE® digital textile printer to China-based Dongheng Group, a commission printing and dyeing company that supplies customers in the fashion industry. According to SPGPrints, Dongheng wanted to expand its digital capabilities to offer greater flexibility to meet customer demands for high-quality, short run and faster lead times. In addition, SPGPrints cited minimal substrate waste, lower water and energy usage and no need for screen preparation as factors that influenced Dongheng’s choice of printer.
In other company news, SPGPrints has increased manufacturing capacity at its Austria-based facility to meet demand for the JAVELIN® printer, which has received significant interest since its official introduction at ITM 2016. “With the latest production expansion, the Kufstein facility is the ideal choice for the machine’s production and assembly,” said Rieks Reyers, marketing and sales director, SPGPrints.
Germany-based A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG has installed a complete coating line at its Advanced Technology Center (ATC) located at its headquarters. Customers now can participate in training as well as trials using Monforts’ complete range of coating heads under production conditions. Coating application options include knife over air, knife over roller, magnetic roller and printing head coating options such as magnetic roller coating. The line is designed for coating applications up to 1.8 meters wide, printing up to 1.6 meters wide and magnetic systems up to 2 meters wide. In addition, the fully enclosed production line can process solvent-based flammable materials.
Los Angeles-based Tukatech Inc. has named Marta Maiandi director of Tukatech Europe. Based in Italy, she will be responsible for engineering, sales and support for Tukatech users throughout Europe.
New Brunswick, N.J.-based Greenville Colorants has appointed Blake Webb warehouse and inventory manager for its Global Textile Group’s new facility in Dalton, Ga.
The Crypton Companies, Bloomfield Hills, Mich., has hired Janna Sendra as director for Fabric Design and Merchandising for Crypton. In addition, Paul Vuocolo has joined the company as website administrator and digital manager.
Madeira USA has named Stephen Sacco to the new position of director of finance.
David Ludd has joined Portsmouth, N.H.-based Coolcore as vice president of global marketing.
Frazier
Elon, N.C.-based Hohenstein Institute America has named John Frazier senior technical director. Frazier is based in Oregon and will support footwear and apparel clients across North America.
Malcolm
Scott A. Malcolm was named to the newly created position of senior vice president of operations at Valdese, N.C.-based Valdese Weavers. In addition, Janet S. Kuck was named CFO and will succeed Snyder Garrison who is retiring as CFO, but will continue as chairman of the board of Valdese Weavers’ parent company CV Industries. In other Valdese Weavers people news, Steve Lindsay has retired after a 30-year career with the company.
Germany-based Sympatex Technologies GmbH has hired Dr. Rüdiger Fox as CEO and management spokesman. Haiko Stüting will continue as commercial manager.
Harlow Frederick Dodge was named COO of Wellford, S.C.-based Leigh Fibers Inc. and ICE Recycling.
Fenno
Alan Fenno has joined Rubberlite Inc., Huntington, W.Va., as marketing development manager-coatings. He will help promote and grow the company’s rotary screen coating, printing and lamination capabilities.
High Point, N.C.-based Culp Home Fashions has appointed Jeff Tsacoumangos director of Quality Assurance and Continuous Improvement. He will report directly to President Iv Culp.
Cary, N.C.-based Cotton Incorporated has announced the following four honorees will be inducted into the 2016 Cotton Research and Promotion Hall of Fame: William A. “Bill” Baxter; the late Jack S. Hamilton; Kent Nix; and J. Nicholas “Nick” Hahn.
The Washington-based Organic Trade Association has selected the farmers of the Texas Organic Cotton Marketing Cooperative (TOCMC) to receive the Organic Farmer of the Year Leadership Award. Jimmy Wedel, TOCMC president and member of OTA’s Farmer’s Advisory Council, will be among the farmers present at an upcoming ceremony to accept the award.
