Cotton Outlook’s Latest Supply And Demand Figures Imply Larger Reduction Of World Stocks

BIRKENHEAD, United Kingdom — November 30, 2015 — Cotton Outlook’s November assessment of global supply and demand in the current 2015-16 season implies a reduction of 971,000 tonnes in world stocks, compared with 768,000 indicated a month ago. The downturn is still expected to occur principally in China.

An increase in Australia’s production forecast was more than offset by lower output figures for major producing nations, including China, India and Pakistan. Global production is anticipated to fall by over three million tonnes from last season.

For the first time, consumption is also forecast to decrease, albeit modestly, during the current season.

Posted November 30, 2015

Source: Cotton Outlook
 

IVL Completes Entry Into India With MicroPet Acquisition

BANGKOK, Thailand — November 30, 2015 — Indorama Ventures Public Co. Ltd. (IVL), a world-leading producer of intermediate petrochemicals, today announced the acquisition of Indian polyethylene terephthalate (PET)-manufacturer Micro Polypet Pvt. Ltd. (MicroPet), subject to necessary legal approvals. Situated in Panipat district, Haryana state, India, the plant is 90 kilometers north of Delhi and has a capacity of 216,000 metric tons.

MicroPet is the sole PET manufacturer in Northern India and has virtual integration with the Indian Oil Corporation (IOCL) for its two major feedstocks PTA and MEG. Currently MicroPet has approximately 12 percent of the capacity share in India, a country with a population of 1.25 billion. It utilizes melt-to-resin technology that IVL has experience with at its AlphaPet plant in Alabama.

Aloke Lohia, Group CEO, Indorama Ventures said: “This is a unique opportunity for us to establish a foothold in one of the world’s fastest-growing developing economies. The acquisition strategically extends our footprint and scale and enhances our relationship with the world’s fast moving consumer goods brands, all of who have their eye on this huge consumer market. We are entering at the early stages of PET usage as just 0.6 kg of PET per annum is consumed in India today compared to 2.6 kg per annum in China and 10.9 kg per annum in the USA. Since we are now firmly established in two of Asia’s largest population centers, China and Indonesia, India has been the missing piece of our Asian market access.”
 
Posted November 30, 2015

Source: IVL
 

Cut-Tex PRO Used To Create The World’s First Slash Resistant Combat Shirt

KNARESBOROUGH, United Kingdom — November 27, 2015 — Following a number of well documented edged weapon related assaults on homeland security professionals in many countries around the globe, PPSS Group has now launched the world’s first slash resistant combat shirt made out of 100-percent Cut-Tex® PRO.
 
UBAC (Under Body Armour Combat) shirts are usually being manufactured using a range of specialist materials, including lightweight, moisture wicking and breathable fabric, and are usually worn alongside the very latest in body armour systems, assault clothing and webbing.
 
PPSS Group’s UBAC shirt is different. It is offering comfortable and truly exceptional cut protection around the arm area, side of torso, neck and throat area, protecting four key arteries from laceration, subsequent rapid blood loss and potential subsequent death.
 
Even whilst wearing the most modern type of bullet or stab resistant vests, the areas harbouring the extremely vulnerable radial artery, brachial artery, carotid artery, as well as axillary artery will remain exposed and vulnerable.
 
Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group and the man behind Cut-Tex PRO is keen to make clear why this product has been designed: “We are on the receiving end of several incident reports and rather graphic images, highlighting some of the most severe cut and slash injuries I have seen in my professional career.”
 
“The fact that most of these professionals wear an ultra-modern body armour has not made any difference to the severity of these injuries.”
 
“Body armour can offer effective ballistic or edged weapon protection, but they do not provide any protection to the key arteries, and we know that the cutting or slashing of any of these arteries can lead to rapid blood loss and death within an extremely short period of time. The chance of survival in many cases can be zero.”
 
“If you are a homeland security professional wearing a body armour then you have either established a certain risk or you are at least aware of a certain risk.  I don’t believe that risk is limited to the torso only.”
 
This new slash resistant UBAC shirt is ideal for law enforcement professionals, SWAT teams, prison and security officers, as well as civil enforcement officers operating within a higher risk environment.
 
It features include two upper arm pockets (for small notepad and pens) with Velcro for rank patches, blood patches or other attachments, as well as thumb loops to keep the sleeves in place.
 
All slash resistant garments made by PPSS Group are being manufactured in the EU in an ISO 9001:2015 quality controlled environment and are made out of our very own high performance cut resistant fabric Cut-Tex PRO.  This ground-breaking fabric has been tested against all key European, American and International fabric standards.
 
Recent changes within health and safety regulation and the potential legal consequences of not complying with these strict guidelines have recently led to an increasing demand for such type of PPE from homeland security agencies around the world. 
 
November 30, 2015

Source: PPSS Group
 
 

The Rupp Report: ITMA 2015 – A Surprising Success Story

The old saying that a bad last dry run — like a dress rehearsal — is a happy omen for the start of a show was confirmed again at ITMA 2015. The exhibition was held for the first time in its history in November at the new Fiera Milano Rho in Milan where the World Expo took place from May 1 until October 31, 2015.

A Doubtful Preparation Stage

Prior to the show, clouds covered the ITMA skies: With the recent economic problems and the current situation of China in mind, many people in the industry wondered if everything would go well. The Rupp Report voiced its doubts about the event in several reports some months ago.

Many exhibitors questioned by the author at this years’ ITMA confirmed that they had problems during erection of the booth with the providers of the fairground, Fiera Milano, however, only few with MP Planners.

However, despite the very confusing layout in the halls with its areas without naming the alleys with “zones” instead of alleys from A to Z, this event turned out to be enormously successful. Here some overall impressions from various interviews during the last few days of the show.

Happy Exhibitors

The total visitor frequency was more than ok for all people interviewed; some even mentioned that their booth was overrun with visitors, particularly during the first five days. The same can be said about the quality of the visitors. There are no more tourists anymore at the ITMA Europe, “just top people and decision makers” as most of the exhibitors happily mentioned. And, yes, some exhibitors recorded sales during the show. Not only contracts “ready-to-sign,” but true sales on the spot. One exhibitor told us that he has sold all exhibits from the booth. That is not bad if one thinks about shipping costs. And, one wonders, if expectations were more than fulfilled.

Global Visitors

Of outstanding interest was the question “from which countries or regions did the visitors come from to see your products?” The answers were somewhat surprising. India (yes!) was at the top along with Turkey, Bangladesh and Pakistan. But also visitors from Europe — particularly for nonwovens and technical textiles — and Italy for fashion, as well as Iran, Brazil and the United States were mentioned. For obvious reasons, only a few visitors from China were in Milan.

Markets

Despite of the importance of the Asian markets, for most of the exhibitors, Europe is still a very important market, and above all, still the place to develop and test new equipment in the market. “Europeans like to work with their supplier developing a new machine,” said one exhibitor. “Then they feel involved and are the most potential customer for the new product.” On the other side, the Asian markets, and above all, China, are the places where the music is still playing.

Products

Without any doubt, Europe is still the market where new equipment is to be seen for the very first time, despite all rumors and stories about the powerful Asian markets. At last year’s ITMA Asia many European exhibitors told The Rupp Report that they would wait one more year to show their new products in Milan, and that’s exactly what happened.

Of particular interest is sustainability, or more precise water and energy savings. Every supplier that showed new equipment that consumes less power, less water or produces at a faster speed was very happy with the feedback from visitors.

More than ever, so the majority of exhibitors, it is important listening very carefully to the customers’ requirements and one has to focus even more on service and after sales service. “Only if you have the solution for every customer’s requirement, you can survive on a long-term base”, said one manufacturer.

The Future

The forecast for 2015 is deliberately positive, if one takes the positive ITMA into consideration. Some markets are still very volatile with strong political turmoil and influences from local governments. However, most of the companies see a promising future for their products. Some suppliers have already delivery times in the second half of 2016.

“For sure”, said one exhibitor, “the TTIP will strongly influence future markets, particularly the one with China.” The Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) is a free trade agreement (FTA) in negotiation between the United States and the European Union. It should promote multilateral economic growth. From the U.S. side, this agreement is considered to be an amendment to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), and the United States is pushing to get to the final conclusion with the Europeans. Though, a European initiative called “European Citizens’ Initiative” against TTIP and the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) has been established. CETA is a FTA between the European Union and Canada. This story isn’t yet written to its end.

Some exhibitors think these agreements are good for Asia, but not so good for China. Nevertheless, all questioned exhibitors will participate at the ITMA Asia next year.

Barcelona Again

Prior to ITMA 2015, the curtain was lifted about the venue for the next ITMA Europe in June 2019. The event will be held in Barcelona again after that country hosted in 2011 — for some people quite a surprise. Munich was very much the frontrunner before the announcement. However, everybody likes the Catalan capital and will participate in 2019. Rumors say that Munich even didn’t join the race for the next ITMA Europe because of the costs.

Costs and service were other hot issues at the event. But that’s another story to be discussed in the near future, along with the fact that none of the questioned exhibitors support the fact that ITMA Asia is organized every two years instead of the same rhythm like Europe. We’ll see.

November 24, 2015

People

Brookfield, Wis.-based Colordyne Technologies has named Brian Connolly vice president, sales and marketing.

Connolly

Ali Akdag has been named head of the Technical and Environmental Department at CIRFS — the European Man-Made Fibres Association.

Spain-based Nylstar has appointed Ivan Lago to the newly created position of Meryl® Yarns Business Unit manager.

Gene Denny-Lybbert has joined Simparel Inc., New York City, as strategic account manager. Denny-Lybbert will operate out of his home in Atlanta.

New York City-based Alvanon Inc. has named fashion designer Rosie Assoulin to its Mentorship Program.

Switzerland-based Sukano AG has named Thomas Bernhardt CEO and chairman of the management.

Bernhardt

Switzerland-based Sanitized AG has named Stefan Müller global head of sales for the Polymers and Textiles division.

Müller

Steven Falloon has joined Omnova Solutions, Beachwood, Ohio, as general manager, Performance Materials.

Finland-based Suominen has added three new product development engineers to its team — Johanna Siren, Avinav Nandgaonkar and Nasim Farahbakhsh. In addition, the company appointed Ernesto Levy senior vice president, Convenience business area.

Simon Dakin has joined United Kingdom-based Advanced Dyeing Solutions/Roaches International as sales manager for quality control, dyeing equipment and autoclave thermosetting products and services.

Trion, Ga.-based Mount Vernon FR has appointed Peggy Holcomb director of protective fabric sales and support; and Cameron Hood protective fabric sales representative.

November/December 2015

Milliken Increases Total Recycled Content Across Standard Modular Carpet Collections

SPARTANBURG, S.C. — November 19, 2015 — Today, Milliken is proud to announce the integration of an average of 8 to 10 percent additional recycled content in all standard modular carpets in the Americas. This raises the range of total recycled content in U.S.-manufactured floor coverings to between 28 percent and 58 percent.
 
Notably, the recycled content is “clean” — eliminating eco-toxicity concerns and ensuring that the material has not been contaminated during previous manufacturing or exposed to potentially hazardous or toxic materials. Locally sourced from Sylacauga, Ala., the recycled content is third-party certified by UL.    
 
“The increase in recycled content across our standard floor covering collections represents the next step in our sustainability journey,” noted Philip Ivey, global sustainability leader for the Milliken floor covering division. “We’re dedicated to continuously improving the sustainability of our products from a holistic perspective — including the manufacturing process, material components, longevity and end-of-life management. We’re doing this without compromising the integrity of our products.”
 
This update to Milliken’s product portfolio is in line with the industry’s movement toward products that utilize more recycled materials. It also extends Milliken’s commitment to reducing its carbon footprint, supporting the company’s holistic approach to sustainability, both for the environment and for the well-being of end users.
 
Increasing recycled content across all modular carpets produced in North America is the first of several updates to Milliken’s sustainability program following the October release of the Milliken Floor Covering Division Global Sustainability Report.

Posted November 24, 2015

Source: Milliken & Company
 

Sustainability Agenda Drives Attendance At ITMA 2015

MILAN, Italy — November 20, 2015 – The global textile and garment manufacturing industry converged at ITMA 2015 in Milan to source innovative solutions to enhance their business sustainability. Their commitment to sustainability is evident from the strong industry turnout. At the end of eight days, the 17th edition of the world’s most established textile and garment technology exhibition attracted visitorship of almost 123,000 from 147 economies.

CEMATEX, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers, and owner of ITMA and ITMA ASIA, is pleased with the overwhelming response from the industry, both from exhibitors and visitors. Charles Beauduin, president of CEMATEX enthused: “We registered a 20-percent jump in visitor numbers compared with ITMA 2011. More importantly, from participants’ feedback, we can confidently say that this is one of the best ITMA exhibitions! Our message on sustainability has resonated greatly with buyers.”

He praised the industry’s resilience and forward-looking agenda, adding that global industry players have understood the importance of investing in innovations that are planet-friendly and which can also help improve their business bottomline. “Our exhibitors have discovered that the visitors — whether they are seasoned ITMA visitors or attending the exhibition for the first time — are serious about checking out new innovative solutions to improve their competitive edge.”

Concurring with him,Regina Brückner, CEO of Brückner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co KG, Germany, said: “We felt for the first time there’s a real understanding and interest in energy efficiency and green technology. There’s a trend among our customers to want to upgrade their very old equipment because they understand the necessity of a highly productive and efficient production over the entire textile production process.”

Overall, exhibitors felt that the quality of visitors was high and there was strong buyer interest. Visitors from Italy formed the biggest contingent, accounting for 18 percent of the visitors.

Outside Italy, the top visiting countries were India, with 9 percent; Turkey, with 8 percent; and Germany, with 7 percent. Other countries that made the top 10 list were France, United States, Iran, Brazil, Pakistan and Spain. The lifting of sanctions on Iran in the near future has buoyed the country’s textile and garment sector, resulting in more visitors.

ITMA 2015 welcomed many groups from the Indian sub-continent. There were also delegations from Central Asia — a region where the textile and clothing industry is slated for development as the sector has the potential to create jobs. A 140-strong Uzbekistan textile and garment industry delegation spent three days at the exhibition. The visit was coordinated by the Textile and Garment Ministry of Uzbekistan.

“ITMA 2015 is really the world’s largest textile and garment manufacturing technologies platform which also introduces innovative and eco-friendly machinery. The Ministry aims to modernize the industry with innovative technologies which can create additional value and eco-friendly solutions which will help our manufacturers to compete in the textile world market. Our government programme for 2015-2019 is to renew and modernise the industry and we have set aside a budget of around US$2 billion to implement it. We have signed contracts with a number of ITMA exhibitors in the weaving, printing, dyeing and finishing sectors and we will start installation from early 2016 up to 2019,” said Mr Khaydarov Ilkhom Utkirovich, Minister of textile and garment industry UZBEKYENGILSANOAT.

In addition, there was a delegation of 48 representatives from small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) from the textile and clothing sectors in Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan. The group was coordinated by Geneva-based International Trade Centre (ITC), a joint agency of the World Trade Organisation and the United Nations.

A Russian delegation of 60 members was led by Evgeny Ryzhov, deputy director of the Russian Ministry of Industry and Trade. “ITMA 2015 allowed our domestic companies to learn about the latest technologies for the light and textile industry, enabling them to consider implementing them in their own production, purchase production equipment and to exchange experience with foreign colleagues,” he pointed out.

Printing A New Chapter
Launched as a dedicated sector at ITMA 2015, the printing chapter featured many established and new exhibitors. First-timer Fujifilm showcased its capabilities as a complete solution provider in digital textile printing.

Terry O’Keeffe, strategic customer support manager, Fujifilm, said: “ITMA has been an excellent platform for us to feature many exciting new developments in the digital sphere to a targeted audience. Our technology was very well received with good customer feedback that our technologies significantly contribute to the current and future digital textile market needs.”

“ITMA continues to be the world’s showcase for textile printing, and provides the ideal platform for presenting our latest technologies,” says Dick Joustra, CEO, SPGPrints. “The show’s organizers have kept the ITMA fresh with new programmes so that visitors can see the latest in textile printing equipment while also learning about the urgency of issues like sustainability. The volume and quality of those coming to ITMA make it a dynamic and exciting marketplace.”

Exhibitors from other sectors were also impressed with the quality of the visitors. One happy exhibitor is Etienne Leroi, General Manager of NSC Fibre to Yarn. He said, “This year’s ITMA has entirely met our expectations. We have received numerous customers from all over the world, who have shown great interest in our latest developments. This confirms once more the importance of such an international event.”

At the close of the exhibition on November 19, Carlo Rogora, CEO of ITEMA Group, concluded: “Considering the current situation in the textile industry in some markets, we are pleasantly surprised with these results. ITMA 2015 has been especially satisfactory, both in terms of the organisation and logistics of the show and the significant level of attendance of customers. The contacts and orders we established, above all from India and Turkey markets, largely exceeded our expectations.”

Themed “Master the Art of Sustainable Innovation,” ITMA 2015 featured exhibits from the entire textile and garment making value-chain spread over 108,268 square metres of net  exhibition space at Fiera Milano Rho. Organised by MP Expositions, it also featured several conferences with the sustainable agenda, as well as the first ITMA Sustainable Innovation Award.

ITMA 2019 will be held from June 20-26, 2019, at Fira de Barcelona Gran Via fairground.

Posted November 24, 2015

Source: CEMATEX/MP Expositions

Quality Fabric Of The Month: Cool To The Core

By Janet Bealer Rodie, Contributing Editor

Coolcore LLC, Portsmouth, N.H., now offers 30 to 35 fabric styles featuring Coolcore® evaporative cooling, moisture-management technology for sports and outdoor applications. The chemical-free technology uses no phase-change materials, gels, polymers or crystals to realize its performance, which is permanent and based solely on the fabric construction. The evaporative cooling, wicking and moisture transportation combined have been shown to help lower the fabric’s surface temperature by up to 30 percent compared to the wearer’s skin temperature, and also to significantly reduce cling. The Germany-based Hohenstein Institute has awarded the technology its Hohenstein Quality Label “Innovative Technology – Cooling Power.”

In 2009, Coolcore predecessor Cool Comfort Technologies Inc. introduced this technology in cooling towels and bandannas (See “Quality Fabric Of The Month: Chilling Out With A Cool Cloth,” TextileWorld.com, August 2009). Technology inventor Dennis D. Ackroyd, now Coolcore’s chief technology officer, continues to develop the technology, which features hollow polyester fibers to channel moisture. The product range now includes ice and compression wraps, headwear, shirts, and other products. Fabrics include knits and wovens in polyester or blends with spandex, nylon or other fibers. There are spacer fabrics for ice wraps. Blends with cotton, wool or bamboo viscose currently are in development.

Coolcore® arm sleeves move sweat from the wearer’s arms into the fabric’s hollow fibers, and air circulation around the fiber core activates the cooling technology.

In towels and bandannas, cooling is activated by wetting the item, wringing it out and snapping it to kick off the evaporative regulation. In items such as arm sleeves and shirts, activation is based on the wearer’s sweat and body movement, said Nicholas Skally, Coolcore’s vice-president of branding and marketing.

“A little air flow is key — that is similar to what snapping does,” Skally explained. “The fabric keeps you cool as long as there’s moisture present. It’s a smart textile that is responsive to the environment and performs its different functions depending on what’s going on with your body.”

Coolcore markets its own product line under the Dr. Cool® brand and also offers the technology through other apparel brands. Bourbon, Mo.-based Imperial Headwear supplies golf caps and gloves “powered by Coolcore” to golf shops nationwide. Seattle-based Brooks Sports Inc.; L.L. Bean Inc., Freeport, Maine; and Cabela’s Inc., Sydney, Neb., will launch apparel and accessory collections in Spring 2016.

Coolcore has partnered with development and sourcing services provider Concept III Textiles International, Red Bank, N.J., to expand its market reach. “This product is well-designed, and the technology is very environmentally friendly,” said Concept III Founder and CEO David Parkes. “We’re introducing it sensibly and working at the top of the market.” Parkes anticipates more product launches to come in the future.

For more information about Coolcore®, contact Scott McQuade +603-319-1038; smcquade@coolcore.com; coolcore.com.

November/December 2015

Ahlstrom Further Simplifies Its Business Structure To Increase Market And Customer Focus And Announces Changes In The Executive Management Team

HELSINKI — November 19, 2015 — Ahlstrom will further simplify its business structure for faster execution and leaner alignment of operations. The new structure will be effective as of January 1, 2016.

Ahlstrom’s business structure will be organized into two business areas: Filtration & Performance and Specialties. The Filtration & Performance business area will include the engine and industrial filtration, industrial nonwovens, wallcoverings, building and wind businesses. The Specialties business area will consist of food packaging, masking tape, medical and advanced filtration businesses. The business areas will have responsibility for sales and market development, technical and customer service, product development and operations.

“The changes in operational and management structure will bring further focus in serving our customers and markets. I am confident that the streamlined business model will bring further efficiency and clarity to all of our operations”, states Marco Levi, President & CEO.

Composition Of The Executive Management Team
As a result of the new business structure the following appointments have been made: Fulvio Capussotti has been appointed EVP, Filtration & Performance, Omar Hoek EVP, Specialties and Jari Koikkalainen EVP, Procurement & Commercial Excellence.

The executive management team members Sakari Ahdekivi, CFO, Ulla Bono, EVP, Legal and General Counsel and Päivi Leskinen EVP, Human Resources, will continue in their current positions.

The appointments will be effective as of January 1, 2016. All EMT members will report to Marco Levi, President & CEO.

Changes In Segment Reporting
Ahlstrom’s two business areas Filtration & Performance and Specialties will form the new financial reporting segments of the company. The changes are effective as of January 1, 2016. The company plans to publish restated financial segment information before publishing its January-March 2016 interim report on April 28, 2016.

November 24, 2015

Source: Ahlstrom
 

Picanol Hosts OptiMax-i Open House

Belgium-based Picanol NV recently hosted an open house at its headquarters in Ieper to introduce the OptiMax-i rapier weaving machine and offer a sneak peek at the TerryMax-i rapier weaving machine for terry cloth, which is available for the first time in a rapier format. Both technologies will officially debut at ITMA 2015 in Milan, Italy.

“It has been a pleasure to be able to demonstrate … our new rapier technologies to our many European customers,” said Johan Verstraete, vice president, sales and marketing services, Picanol. “With the new OptiMax-i we have set a new benchmark in the rapier industry because this is the fastest industrial rapier weaving machine in the world.”

November/December 2015

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