PFÄFFIKON, Switzerland — April 18, 2016 — Oerlikon announced today that it has signed an agreement to acquire the entire staple fibers technology portfolio of Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH, Germany. This company is part of the Germany-based Trützschler Group, which is a specialist in fiber preparation for the yarn spinning and nonwovens industries. The acquisition expands the Manmade Fibers Segment’s technology portfolio and opens up access to new customers in the market for synthetic staple fibers.

Oerlikon is strengthening its technology and market position in its core business areas by taking advantage of the ongoing consolidation in the chemical fibers market, which was triggered by the market downturn in China. With the acquisition of the former Fleissner staple fibers technology portfolio and the intellectual property (IP) of Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH, the Segment becomes the leading technology and equipment provider in the global staple fibers market. The acquisition expands the Manmade Fibers Segment’s staple fibers technology expertise and broadens the Segment’s customer base and service business in the respective areas. As staple fibers projects are increasingly tied to continuous polycondensation facilities, already now the Manmade Fibers Segment is well positioned to operate as a provider of complete solutions. Both parties have agreed not to disclose details of the transaction. Truetzschler Group is discontinuing its staple fiber business as it has decided to focus on its core business activities.

Dr. Roland Fischer, CEO of the Oerlikon Group, said: “The acquisition of the staple fibers technology portfolio of Truetzschler is another important step in line with our strategy to strengthen our position outside the filament business, where we occupy a leading technology and market position. The ongoing consolidation in the chemical fibers market presents interesting opportunities and we are taking this step to ensure that the Manmade Fibers Segment will merge stronger from the current market weakness and profit from the positive long-term market perspectives.”

Staple fibers technology is one of the core technologies within the manmade fibers industry. In 2015, the produced staple fibers amounted to 18.5 million tons, or some 33 percent of the total synthetic fibers capacity. Synthetic staple fibers are produced by the main conversion steps: polymer production, spinning further down to baling. The liquid polymer is either produced in a polycondensation plant or polymer chips are melted in an extrusion line. Staple fibers are made from different polymers, including: polyester, polypropylene, polyamide, recycled materials (rPET) or renewable polymers (such as polylactic acid, PLA). Those fibers are used in various applications such as apparels, nonwoven fabric production, reinforcement, filling, insulation and further special applications.

Georg Stausberg, CEO of Oerlikon’s Manmade Fibers Segment commented: “The former Fleissner staple fibers technology portfolio of Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH is an ideal fit for our business. It enhances our existing technology offering and broadens our service business. Furthermore, it opens up attractive business opportunities with key customers in that field. Combining the staple fibers process solutions and key components of both companies will enable us to increase customer value through developing further innovations. In addition, we will be able to offer the entire range of customer services for all installed machines and plants of the former Fleissner staple fibers technologies.”

Posted April 18, 2016

Source: Oerlikon

DULUTH, Ga. — April 15, 2016 — Make no mistake, performance textiles are here to stay. From millennial urbanites to boomer retirees, the performance benefits beloved by athletes and outdoor enthusiasts have become part and parcel of lifestyle apparel reinterpreted with smart, sophisticated styling to meet the demands of fast-paced urban living.

Today’s urbanite seeks apparel that balances form and function with fabrics that move moisture, provide year-round comfort, are light weight and packable, and have a sustainable profile. Textile mills and product developers are increasingly finding these characteristics in the 21st century polypropylene fiber, CoolVisions® dyeable polypropylene.

Unlike earlier versions of polypropylene fiber, which were limited by the necessity to solution dye at the spinning source; CoolVisions works well with complementary fibers and dyes easily in fabric form, in the latest colors and patterns.

CoolVisions dyeable polypropylene fibers are inherently soft, and among the lightest of all commercial fibers; yet provide excellent insulation. CoolVisions outperforms all other fibers when it comes to moisture management, moving moisture and drying quickly, to keep the wearer dry and comfortable. In addition, CoolVisions polypropylene is durable, abrasion resistant, and resists stains and bleach.

As a result, apparel made with CoolVisions has the potential for a longer life, and an excellent sustainability profile. The cradle-to-factory gate carbon footprint of the CoolVisions polymer is the lowest of all synthetic fibers.

Leading the way in today’s urban apparel is performance denim; recent NPD data shows denim jeans with performance attributes winning back dollars that have been lost to athletic apparel. CoolVisions dyeable polypropylene staple fiber has been chosen by Taiwan-based weaver Da Kong for its line of cotton-blend denims, including a Shanghai Innovation Award-winning 3.5 oz shirting weight.

“Most CoolVisions denims use the polypropylene fiber in the fill, so while the denims look like regular denim, you get the same coverage at a lighter weight. Typically you end up with 30 to 35-percent polypropylene, enough to add a lot of performance attributes such as moisture management, thermal regulation, and abrasion resistance,” explained Susan Lynn, CoolVisions global marketing manager.

Taiwan-based weaver HerMin selected CoolVisions dyeable polypropylene staple fiber for its colorful spring patterns with a decidedly urban appeal. “The key trend we are highlighting is urban fashion, merging fashion and light function with the newest yarn and finishing applications,” said HerMin marketing manager Courtney Cruzan.

“CoolVisions polypropylene is ideal for sustainable, light weight fabrics and blends beautifully with various yarns,” she added. “We blend CoolVisions with cotton, TransDRY® cotton and nylon.”

CoolVisions’ latest innovation is dyeable filament polypropylene with a cool, silky hand, under development at parent company Thailand-based Indorama Ventures Ltd. in its Rayong, Thailand, facility. Mill partner Da Fon International has created a line of functional knits using 70/72 CoolVisions dyeable polypropylene in combination with polyester and spandex.

Engineered with the quick-drying, highly breathable polypropylene fiber against the skin, the Da Fon fabrics will appear in Santo’s Win-Fit 2016 performance line.

“We’re seeing significant interest in CoolVisions dyeable polypropylene fiber for year-round, lifestyle apparel,” commented Lynn. “With its inherent softness, easy dyeability, and performance attributes, it engenders the perfect fusion of smart fashion and function for urban dwellers, commuters, business travelers, and outdoor enthusiasts.”

Posted April 15, 2016

Source: CoolVisions

VALDESE, N.C. — Tuesday April 12, 2016 — Meridian Specialty Yarn Group Inc., (MSYG) officially broke ground on a new, multimillion dollar textile plant in Valdese, N.C. When done, the new production facility will expand Meridian’s current operations in Valdese by 113,000 square feet. Meridian is the leading specialty yarn manufacturer in North America and specializes in package dyeing, space dyeing and top dyeing. The new facility will also produce Tow dyed acrylic for vertical integration with the company’s Ranlo, N.C., plant.

Posted April 15, 2016

Source: Meridian Specialty Yarn Group, Inc., (MSYG)