The Germany-based Mechanical Engineering Industry Association (VDMA) has announced plans for two B2B Forums and Technology conferences. The first will take place in Charlotte, November 6, 2017; and the second will be held November 8-9, 2017, in Mexico City.
The events will feature experts from VDMA member companies presenting practice-oriented technology talks, B2B meetings, interactive discussions and a conference dinner. The target audience includes technical management, production managers, quality and maintenance managers, and mill owners.
Participants may learn more and register and schedule meetings with VDMA member companies by visiting germantech-ustextile.de and german tech-mexicantextile.de.
Hawthorne, N.J.-based Brawer Brothers Inc. recently named Scott Hartzell sales manager.
Sangeeta Sachdev was named managing director for Charlotte-based SPGPrints America Inc. She is responsible for the Netherlands-based company’s operations in the United States and Canada.
Houston-based Ascend Performance Materials has named Phil McDivitt president, CEO and member of the Board of Directors. McDivitt takes over as CEO from Frederic “Fred” M. Poses who has retired and also stepped down from the company’s board. In addition, G. Peter “Pete” D’Aloia will retire from the company’s Board of Directors.
Nilit America Fibers, Greensboro, N.C., has promoted Robert Ferree to president. Ferree replaces Basil “Sonny” B. Walker who retired in January. In addition, Ed Gaskins joined the company as director of Sales/Technical Support for warp knitting and weaving clients in North America.
Christian Muser was recently promoted to chief technology officer for Switzerland-based SSM Schärer Schweiter Mettler AG.
The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry (INDA) has elected the following six people to its Board of Directors for 2017: Christopher Astley, Glatfelter; Thomas Balkom, Johns Manville; Andreas Dreher, The Procter & Gamble Co.; Tom Peters, Rockline Industries; Jeff Slosman, National Wiper Alliance Inc.; and Scott Tracey, Berry Global Group Inc. The board’s executive committee — empowered to act for the board between meetings — is comprised of the following appointees: Karen Castle, Suominen; Todd L. Bassett, Fi-Tech Inc.; Paul A. Marold Jr., Lydall Performance Materials Inc.; Robert Lovegrove, Milliken & Company; Walter G. Jones, Precision Fabrics Group Inc.; Nick Santoleri, Rockline Industries; and C.K. Wong, U.S. Pacific Nonwovens Industry Ltd.
Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio-based Americhem Inc. has named Matthew Hellstern CEO of the Americhem Group, which comprises Americhem, Infinity LTL Engineered Compounds and Vi-Chem Corp.
Hyperlite Mountain Gear uses Dyneema® composite fabrics to make its ultra-lightweight, ultra-strong tents and backpacks for hikers, mountaineers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Photograph by Brian Threlkeld.
Dyneema® composite fabrics are featured in super-lightweight outdoor gear such as backpacks and tents, and are being promoted for apparel applications as well.
By Janet Bealer Rodie, Contributing Editor
Dyneema® composite fabrics, made with ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber, have been used in applications such as the ultra-lightweight, ultra-strong sails that helped America³ win the 1992 America’s Cup. Over the years, applications have expanded beyond sailcloth to include airships, medical applications, flexible circuitry, hiking gear and now also apparel. The fabrics are manufactured at DSM Dyneema’s Mesa, Ariz., facility, which the Netherlands-based company acquired as part of its 2015 buyout of Cubic Tech Corp., whose product portfolio of ultra-lightweight laminates is the basis for the Dyneema Composite Fabrics segment.
The Dyneema composites range includes nonbreathable and breathable fabrics of varying weight classes and laydowns, noted segment Director Noud Steffens. “There are five or six different films, and different performance/durability ratios and weight classes so we can combine, in the end, probably hundreds of possibilities,” he said.
Nonbreathable fabrics may have a thermoplastic polyurethane or other nonbreathable plastic coating. Breathable fabrics may feature an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene membrane. Composites with 0/90 laydowns offer some diagonal stretch, while those with 0/90/45/135 laydowns are suitable for applications that require more stability.
Through The Dyneema® Project, the company works with brands and designers to develop and market apparel, outdoor gear and other articles using Dyneema composite fabrics “If you have a cool idea, we are prepared to customize and help you out for that specific project,” Steffens explained.
In one project, the company worked with Vancouver-based outdoor fashion designer Conroy Nachtigall to develop fabric for a paper-thin, ultra-lightweight, waterproof, breathable Alpine jacket. Several skiers, snowboarders and other winter sports enthusiasts in Squamish, British Columbia, tried out the jacket and raved about its performance.
Describing his interest in using the Dyneema composite in the jacket, Nachtigall explained: “Beyond the technical characteristics of the fabric — the light weight for its strength — I like that it is essentially an engineered product that is created with an artisanal-like process. The final fabric visual retains some of that process and it becomes part of the aesthetic.”
Hyperlite Mountain Gear, Biddeford, Maine, has been using Dyneema composites in its backpacks, tents and shelters for several years. “Our reason for using Dyneema is its strength and light weight,” said Mike St. Pierre, CEO, Hyperlite. “Really lightweight nonwoven composites work for tents because there’s no way for water to penetrate, and the PE fiber doesn’t absorb moisture. This is a huge advantage. Under tension, a lot of woven fabrics, even if they have DWR finishes on them, can stretch and become saturated with water. For our tents, we’re using Dyneema fiber sandwiched between Mylar sheets. For backpacks, we can use the same kind of material laminate with polyester and Dyneema.”
Hyperlite now is working with Dyneema to develop a jacket using a Dyneema composite. “We are still refining the fabric and material choices in order to optimize performance,” St. Pierre said. “It will be one of the lightest jackets on the market.”
Italy-based menswear brand Stone Island is also working with Dyneema and recently launched a limited-edition series of reversible garment-dyed jackets featuring a flexible Dyneema composite on one side and an ultralight, dyeable nylon fabric on the other.
For more information about Dyneema® Composite Fabrics, contact thedyneema project.com using the form “Work with us.”
ALEXANDRIA, Va. — May 29, 2017 — More than 100 attendees and exhibitors at the recent Food Safety Summit, the largest such U.S. event for this profession, learned how laundries that have earned that the Hygienically Clean Food Safety certification steadily improve laundered product quality.
Visitors to the certification’s Summit exhibit discovered that Hygienically Clean Food Safety-certified laundries go beyond obtaining third-party validation of their Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points plan. HACCP validation is a vital component of the certification, staff explained, but it’s only one element of the Hygienically Clean inspectors’ determination of whether a laundry deploys industry best practices. In addition, using a Hygienically Clean-approved lab, certified laundries test samples of cleaned items quarterly to ensure that they are free of pathogens in sufficient numbers to cause human illness.
Many visitors to the Hygienically Clean display who regularly work with linen, uniform and facility services providers were pleased to hear about the advent of the Food Safety certification, which premiered in 2014. They inquired about whether their current linen and uniform providers had been certified; if not, they indicated they would discuss the matter with them.
Attendees with these job titles were among the individuals who dedicated exhibit hall time to learn about Hygienically Clean:
Certification Specialist
Compliance Manager
Food Safety Director, Manager
General Manager
HACCP Coordinator, Supervisor
Operations Director, Manager
Owner
Process Improvement Manager
Quality Assurance Director, Manager, VP
Quality Control Supervisor
The Summit, May 9-11 in Rosemont, IL, (near O’Hare Airport) drew a reported 1,700 attendees. Food-safety professionals displayed their usual high level of interest in certification; Summit classes related to various designations were sold out. The Hygienically Clean display distributed Food Safety Transparency across Your Supply Chain, an interactive reference containing hyperlinks to certification resources for food manufacturers and processors. This text urges these businesses to ensure that their suppliers in all industries are certified for their role in ensuring food safety, not just ingredient suppliers. Hygienically Clean laundries were presented as an example of a supplier industry that food manufacturers and processors should hold to the highest standards of safety and cleanliness.
THE WOODLANDS, Texas — May 22, 2017 — Huntsman Corporation and Clariant today announced that their Boards of Directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine in a merger of equals through an all-stock transaction.
The merged company will be named HuntsmanClariant. On a pro forma 2016 basis , the combination of both companies will create a leading global specialty chemical company with sales of approximately $13.2 billion, an adjusted EBITDA of $2.3 billion and a combined enterprise value of approximately $20 billion at announcement.
The combined entity will benefit from each other’s strengths. It will have a significantly improved growth profile in highly attractive end markets and geographies. HuntsmanClariant will leverage shared knowledge in sustainability and boast a much stronger joint innovation platform. This will enable the development of new products in order to deliver superior returns and drive shareholder value.
“This is the perfect deal at the right time. Clariant and Huntsman are joining forces to gain much broader global reach, create more sustained innovation power and achieve new growth opportunities,” said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant. “This is in the best interest of all of our stakeholders. Peter Huntsman and I share the same strategic vision and I look forward to working with him.”
Peter R. Huntsman, President and CEO of Huntsman, commented: “I could not be more enthusiastic about this merger and look forward to working closely with Hariolf Kottmann, a man I have admired and trusted for the past decade. We also look forward to a close association with his immensely talented colleagues around the world. Together, we will create a global leader in specialty chemicals with a combined balance sheet providing substantial financial strength and flexibility.”
Huntsman shareholders receive 1.2196 shares in HuntsmanClariant for each Huntsman share (each existing Clariant share will remain outstanding as a share in HuntsmanClariant);
Board of Directors with equal representation from Clariant and Huntsman;
Global Headquarters in Pratteln, Switzerland, Operational Headquarters in The Woodlands, Texas; and
Dual stock exchange direct listing on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange.
Value Creation
The new company will accelerate value creation for shareholders through a more robust combination of technology, products and talent. The combined company expects to realize more than $3.5 billion of value creation from approximately $400 million in annual cost synergies. The full synergy run-rate will be achieved within two years of closing. These synergies will be realized by reducing operational costs and improving procurement. The targeted synergies represent roughly 3 percent of total combined 2016 revenue with one-time costs up to $500 million. There will also be additional cash-tax savings.
Corporate Governance
The combined company, incorporated in Switzerland, will be governed by a Board of Directors with equal representation from Clariant and Huntsman and will follow Swiss Corporate Governance standards. Hariolf Kottmann, current Clariant CEO, shall become Chairman of the Board of HuntsmanClariant. Peter Huntsman, current Huntsman President and CEO, will become CEO of HuntsmanClariant. Jon Huntsman, founder and Chairman of Huntsman, shall become Chairman Emeritus and board member of HuntsmanClariant. The merger enjoys strong commitment from both Clariant and Huntsman family shareholders. The company will be listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and the New York Stock Exchange. HuntsmanClariant will use IFRS, and beginning in Q1 2018 will report in USD and will start filing 10Qs and 10Ks consistent with SEC requirements.
Timing
The transaction is targeted to close by year end 2017, subject to Clariant and Huntsman shareholder approvals, regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. Clariant and Huntsman are confident that the required regulatory approvals can be obtained in a timely manner.
This presentation contains financial measures that are not in accordance with generally accepted accountin g principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”). For reconciliation of Huntsman’s non-GAAP measures please refer the related presentation posted on our website, www.huntsman.com.
Advisors
Citi and UBS AG are serving as Clariant’s financial advisors for the transaction, with Homburger and Cleary Gottlieb Steen and Hamilton serving as its legal advisors.
BofA, Merrill Lynch and Moelis & Company LLC are serving as Huntsman’s financial advisors for the transaction, with Kirkland & Ellis, Bär & Karrer and Vinson & Elkins acting as its legal advisors.
EUGENE, Ore. — May 24, 2017 — Today, scientists from Defunkify, a technology spinout of the University of Oregon, announced the release of the company’s Active Wash detergent, the first detergent designed specifically to remove odor from modern fabrics.
“You wouldn’t wear your grandmother’s yoga pants, so why are you still using her detergent?” said Richard Geiger, CEO of Defunkify. “As modern fabrics have advanced, laundry detergent hasn’t kept up. Consumers used to have a choice: a green detergent that didn’t remove stains and odor or a traditional detergent that isn’t green. With Active Wash, consumers now have both in a single product.”
Defunkify Active Wash penetrates deep between fibers to remove dirt, oils and soap-scum that build up over time. By removing the source of the odor, Active Wash restores garments to their original condition. Active Wash can be used in warm or cold water and on synthetics or natural fibers including wool and cotton.
“Active Wash washes the funk out of clothes better than anything else, using environmentally-friendly, sustainable ingredients,” said Geiger.
FAIRFAX, Va. — May 25, 2017 — The call is out for SGIA Golden Image award entries. Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA) members are invited to submit their best work in this global contest of excellence in printing.
“With over 50 categories, there are opportunities for every printer to enter — no matter what or where they print,” said Johnny Shell, Vice President, Technical Services, SGIA.
Golden Image entries will be displayed in the Golden Image Gallery at the 2017 SGIA Expo (New Orleans, October 10–12). Judging takes place Monday, October 9, with winners posted on SGIA.org and notified by email Tuesday, October 10.
Contest entries come from around the world, and winners can receive gold, silver, bronze or honorable mention recognition. Gold winners are considered for the Best in Show designation, and all entries are eligible for the People’s Choice award.
“Winning a Golden Image Award puts you among the best in the world,” Shell said. “Think of the boost to morale in your shop that comes from that!”
The contest is open to SGIA members, and a printer’s first entry is free. Subsequent submissions incur a $35 entry fee. Entrants do not have to attend the Expo.
Posted May 25, 2017
Source: Specialty Graphic Imaging Association (SGIA)
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — May 25, 2017 — BMW, the National Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS), and the University of Delaware-Center for Composite Materials (UD-CCM) has completed research proving the accuracy of high speed computing for modeling and simulation, to predict the quality and effectiveness of a material that is both lightweight and safety-tested. This effort has demonstrated design, materials, manufacturing, and joining methods for continuous carbon fiber thermoplastics, to meet automotive, industry, and government safety specifications.
This two-year program is a successful government-industry-university partnership that involved regulatory agencies, original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), and materials suppliers from the composite industry.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) funded this effort and provided input and guidance throughout the program. NCMS managed the program and ensured target objectives were achieved in a timely manner. Close collaboration with BMW was instrumental in establishing B-pillar performance metrics derived from full-vehicle crash simulations and other design and integrations requirements. UD-CCM provided full range of capabilities in materials selection and evaluation, composite design, analysis and crash simulations, process development and manufacturing, full-scale pillar assembly, and high energy impact testing.
The objective of this study was to investigate the computational tools for the design, optimization, and manufacture of carbon fiber materials for vehicle side frame structures (in this case, B-pillar) subjected to high-velocity side-impact crash loading, and to investigate and demonstrate the appropriateness of simulative methods and tools to adequately predict behavior relevant for the assessment of vehicle safety.
“Using the latest, state-of-the-art tools of high speed computing and data analytics, we have proven the qualities and characteristics of a new lightweight material while maintaining safety requirements in vehicles. In this case, BMW and other automotive companies will benefit but ultimately all industry sectors can use these light, strong, crash-resistant materials for their own manufacturing. And the biggest winner will be the safety of the driving public” NCMS President and CEO Rick Jarman.
“A specific continuous fiber thermoplastic material, Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) is a preferred solution for reducing weight while maintaining safety requirements for vehicles. The team used this material to successfully design and impact test a lightweight, all-thermoplastic, continuous carbon fiber composite B-Pillar for automotive applications.” UD-CCM Director Jack Gillespie.
The B-pillar design was spatially optimized for energy absorption, stiffness, and strength while maintaining part producibility and vehicle integration. The resulting B-pillar is 60% lighter than the existing metallic design while meeting BMW safety requirements for the NHTSA FMVSS214 side impact crash.
Benefits discovered include:
Validation of state-of-the-art Computer Aided Engineering (CAE) simulation tools for full vehicle to component impact data. CAE simulations mirrored practical test scenarios.
Development and demonstration of innovative production methods for multi-material parts including infusion and thermoforming tailored blanks with 3 min cycle times.
Development and automation of adhesive bonding methods for dissimilar thermoplastic and steel interfaces.
Achievement of energy savings through a 100% recyclable infusion system with full recovery of the resin and continuous carbon fiber preform possible.
Five (5) full-scale B-pillar assemblies were successfully impact tested under 100% equivalent energy of the side impact crash test scenario at the University of Delaware – Center for Composite Materials demonstrating composite behavior. All B-pillar test subject performance metrics met or exceeded BMW safety requirements for NHTSA FMVSS214 side impact crash.
Results of this program will be disseminated widely to the automotive industry and the technologies are being evaluated by BMW for future platforms.
Posted May 25, 2017
Source: National Center for Manufacturing Sciences
SUNBURY, Pa./BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. — May 24, 2017 — Fresh from launching its new brand identity and moving into their expanded new design studio in the Chelsea section of New York City, Sunbury Textiles introduces its new indoor performance brand Nanotex® aSure geared towards the residential furniture market – both furniture manufacturers and jobbers. Nanotex® aSure will be available by early June and seen at the upcoming ITMA Showtime, one of the largest decorative items-related trade shows, on June 4-7th.
All Nanotex® aSure products will feature Nanotex® Resists Spills performance technology with exceptional clean-abilty. Nanotex® Resists Spills provides the fluid barrier technology, causing many liquids to bead up and roll off the fabric. The new aSure fabric line is created with technology by which molecules permanently attach to every fiber without clogging the fabric weave or compromising the look, feel or comfort of the fabric. With a minimum of 30,000 double rubs to ensure durability and its GREENGUARD Gold certification, the new collections will offer a complete performance story. Sunbury is the exclusive weaver for Nanotex® aSure.
“Sunbury teamed up with Nanotex to develop this exclusive line of fabrics that showcases each company’s strengths of proven design and aesthetics with the expertise of finishing fabrics at the highest industry standards to provide a care-free solution for creating a beautiful living space,” said Hank Truslow Jr., CEO of Sunbury Textile.
Nanotex® aSure was specifically developed to include a host of constructions and decorative yarns in an array of colors, textures, patterns, stripes and statement designs to compliment any room or lifestyle.
“In recent years, Nanotex has expanded exponentially, especially in the area of apparel and bedding,” explains Lance Keziah, CEO of Nanotex. “Also during that time, the joint technical teams at Sunbury and Nanotex worked together to bring this new performance textile, Nanotex® aSure, created just for Sunbury, to the residential upholstery textile market. It provides consistent performance across multiple fiber types – it really is an ideal home textile. The beauty that Sunbury brings to the Nanotex performance technology system is a perfect match.”
DETROIT, Mich. — May 24, 2017 — Iconic American denim brand Wrangler® today announced the launch of a pilot program to help U.S. cotton farmers reach the next level in sustainable growing practices. The announcement took place at the Sustainable Brands conference in Detroit, where Wrangler co-hosted the Good Apparel pavilion.
Wrangler purchases roughly half of the cotton for its products from U.S. growers. The U.S. cotton industry outperforms most other cotton-growing regions of the world on environmental metrics. However, Wrangler wants to determine how even greater environmental and economic benefits can be achieved through a programmatic focus on soil health in the U.S.
“Scientific research shows greater attention to soil health can further reduce the water and energy inputs required to grow cotton and other crops,” explained Wrangler sustainability director, Roian Atwood. “We’re working with a cotton grower in Alabama to explore the best way to implement and measure the effects of robust soil practices like no-till, crop rotation and cover cropping. We hope to have dozens of growers in the program within a few years.”
The Newby family—seventh-generation farmers from Athens, Alabama—will work with Wrangler and advisors from the Soil Health Institute (SHI) to unlock further improvements in cotton yield, irrigation water, energy inputs, greenhouse gas emissions and soil conservation. Forty thousand pounds of the Newby’s cotton will be used to make a special collection of Wrangler denim jeans that will be sold in 2018.
“Our family has always looked for new ways to make farming more economical, while taking better care of the land,” said Jerry Allen Newby. “There’s been a learning curve, but we’re beginning to see good results with things like cover crops and soil grid mapping. We’re happy to work with Wrangler, share what we’ve learned, and maybe make it easier for other growers to transition to these practices.”
The pilot program builds on Wrangler’s long-standing commitment to supporting U.S. farming communities. Wrangler has been a corporate sponsor of Future Farmers of America for more than 50 years, and recently hosted a conference at Wrangler headquarters in Greensboro, North Carolina, to educate FFA youth on the science of soil health. A short video overview of that event is available here.
Wrangler’s sustainability work is focused on three areas: land, people and industry. In addition to the cotton pilot project and soil health education, other programs include a commitment to 100% renewable electricity by 2025, zero waste facilities, and manufacturing and technology improvements that have saved 3 billion liters of water over the last decade.
