TAPPI Announces 2015 Process And Product Quality Division Award Recipient

ATLANTA, Ga. — March 23, 2015 — TAPPI is pleased to announce the recipient of the 2015 Process and Product Quality Division Leadership and Service Award is Don Guay, Technical Manager at Verso Corp. This award recognizes Guay’s outstanding leadership and exceptional service to the Process and Product Quality Division, which had resulted in significant and demonstrable benefits to members.

“I am honored to be nominated and selected by my peers in the P&PQ division for this award, said Guay. “I have been an active TAPPI member since 1994 and TAPPI has always added value to my professional career development through both industry connections and technical information. I have met so many wonderful people through TAPPI including members and staff who I truly enjoying working with to ensure the Pulp & Paper Industry continues its tradition of excellence.”

Guay graduated from the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point with a Bachelor’s of Science in Paper Science. He subsequently obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the University of Maine. He began his career as a process engineer at Marathon Engineering and is currently Technical Manager for Verso Corporation at the Wisconsin Rapids Mill.

TAPPI congratulates Mr. Guay and will honor him at the PaperCon Awards Dinner on April 21 in Atlanta.

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: TAPPI
 

Fibertec Introduces FIBERTEC® GreenGuard RT PFC-free Waterproofing Product

MUNCHEN, Germany — March 18, 2015 — Germany-based Fibertec takes another giant leap forward in environmentally friendly DWR products for waterproof, breathable clothing: the new GreenGuard RT does not require heat activation. Selfactivating at room temperature, it therefore saves an energy intensive drying cycle. This is both practical and good for the environment. The unique patented PUR active ingredient is biodegradable (no PFCs).

Fibertec aims to have the most environmentally friendly cleaning, care and waterproofing products possible – including packaging, goods and application. With regard to the latter, Fibertec has achieved a distinct further development with GreenGuard RT. RT stands for “room temperature”, because room temperature is sufficient to activate this new DWR-product. It achieves a spray rating (i.e. how water repellent the material) of 85! It is no longer necessary to use a tumble dryer, hair dryer or iron on the clothing. Simultaneously practical and resource-efficient. Yet, quickly heating the garment in the tumble dryer or using an iron will ensure maximum performance from GreenGuard RT.

The new active ingredient used exclusively by Fibertec is environmentally friendly and not hazardous to health. This water-based, biodegradable product does not use perfluorocarbons (PFCs) but instead uses polyurethane dendrimers. Fibertec managing director Guido Augustiniak explains: “This innovation has given us an excellent alternative to fluorine-based DWR products. In comparison to the currently available GreenGuard, Green Guard RT offers an increased water repellent effect and a higher durability. Regular application greatly prolongs the performance and durability of waterproof, breathable clothing, while the product can be used with a clear conscience.”

GreenGuard RT is bluesign® approved and “Made in Germany” (product and packaging). It is suitable for all waterproof, breathable textiles and is available as Spray-On (500 ml trigger spray bottle without propellant) or Wash-In (250 ml bottle) at a recommended retail price of 14.95 euro. The spray-on is better suited to breathable clothing as the waterproofing is only applied externally. Conversely, the wash-in is easier to apply.

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: Fibertec
 

Chinese Government Reforms Trigger ‘significant Opportunity’ For Brands To Help Build Stronger Supply Chain

LONDON — February 26, 2015 — CottonConnect says the shifting cotton market in China offers a valuable window of opportunity for international companies to invest and build a more resilient cotton supply in one of the world’s fastest growing cotton markets.
 
In a new report from Cotton Connect, ‘China’s Cotton: A Growing Market Opportunity’ the organisation outlines the urgency of taking action at both a strategic and farm level.  It says that by leveraging technical, financial and political support for the industry – as well as providing urgent  support at the farm level – brands and retailers have a chance to show leadership in building sustainable cotton interventions to help build a successful supply chain in China.
 
Chinese government subsidy reforms last January triggered the latest downward shift in prices for cotton, which fell by around 60% to 13,605 yuan (roughly £1,417) per tonne during the last nine months of 2014, according to the latest China Cotton Association’s price index.
 
China is now the world’s largest producer, importer and consumer of cotton, holding around 58% of the world’s total stockpile of the raw material (International Cotton Advisory Committee).  Since China’s accession to the World Trade Organization in 2001, its textile and apparel exports have grown by 50% and the nation has doubled its share of global exports in less than a decade, to around 25% (Global Trade Analysis Project).
 
However, at farm level, cotton is fast-becoming a less appealing crop for farmers, plantings are predicted to fall 6% to 31.6 million hectares across China by 2015-16, according to ICAC, if intervention does not happen.
 
CottonConnect warns that more support is needed for smallholder cotton farmers across the country as they continue to grapple with environmental, economic and social challenges. On top of falling prices, growers are also struggling with changing rural demographics, an emerging water crisis, rising labour costs and a lack of access to credit and financial literacy.
 
Alison Ward, CEO, CottonConnect, said:
“As the biggest market for cotton in the world, international brands have a vested interested in ensuring that the market and supply chain is thriving.  The Chinese cotton industry has reached a pivotal point.  
 
“There is a growing need – and a huge opportunity – for international and leading Chinese brands to support the cotton sector in this time of transition by showing leadership, collaborating with others and investing to help build a more sustainable cotton industry for the future.”
 
Thanks to falling cotton prices, brands and retailers have a significant and strategic opportunity to show leadership by improving relationships with cotton farmers on the ground and sharing best practice in basic agricultural techniques and technologies in China’s key cotton-growing regions.
 
REPORT HIGHLIGHTS
 
Strategic and Practical Opportunities for Brands.  The key opportunities outlined in the report are:
 
At a strategic level:
 
More competitive cotton prices in China, with the change in government subsidy leading to Chinese cotton prices falling in line with international prices, after sustaining a 30% premium for many years, markets are opening for international brands.
High quality cotton with strong downstream infrastructure, means China still retains an edge on quality and efficiency. A cheaper, better quality cotton both sourced and processed in China could create greater efficiencies for global brands sourcing from, and selling to, the China market.
Greater sustainability becoming a licence to operate, with China’s 12th Five Year Plan setting out clear expectations for cleaner, greener growth in the textile sector, greener and more productive agriculture, better water protection and rural regeneration. Opportunities for brands to demonstrate leadership and safeguard your licence to operate in China. 
At a farm level
 
Support for farmer finance and literacy. Brands and their suppliers should conduct a needs-assessment of priority cotton communities that can inform the subsequent development of financial interventions. For example, modules for financial training or micro-finance tools, such as loans or crop insurance protection.
Support for effective water management. Brands should be seeking to understand and address water issues at a farming-community level as a priority. This might include mapping water footprints at farm level or developing training focused on behaviour change.
Encouraging rural entrepreneurship in cotton communities. An opportunity exists to support ‘left behind’ children and young adults affected by cotton migration. 
CottonConnect – which connects retailers to suppliers and cotton farmers on the ground by building transparency, sharing best practice and improving farmer livelihoods – believes that now is the time for international and Chinese brands to step up to help secure a sustainable future for the industry in China.
 
CottonConnect has worked with 130,000 cotton farmers and their families in China, India and Pakistan, proving that basic interventions can make a huge difference to the livelihoods of cotton growers.  The organisation has collaborated with major brands, including Primark, John Lewis and C&A Foundation, to help improve the resilience of cotton supply chains in cotton-growing regions across the developing world.

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: CottonConnect

Alexium Negotiates Exclusive Agreement With Leading U.S. Outdoor Fabric Manufacturer

COTTESLOE, Australia — March 23, 2015 — Alexium is pleased to announce an exclusive agreement to supply Alexiflam-SYN to a leading outdoor fabric manufacturer to treat tenting fabric. Tents sold in the U.S. must pass NFPA 701 flammability, and several states have added additional requirements and have mandated that the treatment be environmentally-friendly. Alexium’s Alexiflam-SYN FR treatment for synthetic fabric is a durable and eco-friendly solution that is also compatible with high performance water repellency treatments commonly used in the tenting industry. This combination of water repellency and flame retardancy is not something currently offered in the market, and Alexium is in a unique position to provide an effective FR treatment that is also eco-friendly, a quality that will resonate with customers and end-users. The outdoor fabric market values durability and environmental responsibility, and Alexiflam-SYN can also be used in other end-uses such as marine fabrics and outdoor upholstery. Alexium is currently negotiating the joint pricing and marketing strategy to include a co-branding campaign which would increase Alexium’s brand awareness as well as exposure and product validation, and we will keep the market updated as the agreement is finalized.

Kind Regards,

Nicholas Clark
Chief Executive Office & Executive Director
Alexium International Group Limited
(US Cell)  +1 864 991 6687
(AUS Mobile)  +61 432 412 663

Corporate Headquarters
PO Box 512, Cottesloe
WESTERN AUSTRALIA, AUSTRALIA 6911
 

Xennia Launches Advanced Digital Textile Ink For Polyamide Printing

LETCHWORTH, United Kingdom — March 18, 2015 — Xennia Technology today launches a full range of digital textile inks for production printing of silk and polyamide fabrics including nylon and lycra/elastane/spandex. Xennia Agate™ offers excellent colour and fastness performance combined with production reliability.
 
The Xennia Agate range of digital textile inkjet inks is designed for high quality polyamide fabric printing, aimed at sports, swimwear and intimate apparel applications. Xennia Agate is available for high speed production digital textile printing systems based on Kyocera KJ4B printheads.
 
“Xennia Agate is a high performance ink designed for polyamide textile decoration,” comments Dr Olivier Morel, Xennia’s Chief Technology Officer, “which uses specifically tailored dye chemistry to give customers excellent colour vibrancy and fastness performance, while maintaining the high production reliability that customers expect from a Xennia product. After testing in their mill, one customer in South America described the results as ‘absurdly better’ than those from their previous ink supplier, showing the real benefits from choosing Xennia ink.”
 
Dr Tim Phillips, Marketing Manager, adds: “While smaller than the cellulosics market, the silk and polyamide markets are important ones with stringent quality requirements, which makes them ideal for Xennia. Adding Xennia Agate to our expanding range allows us to help a wider audience of customers looking for high quality digital textile ink products.”
 
Xennia is a leading supplier to the digital textiles industry and its high quality ink products have been deployed in major textile mills worldwide for several years. Xennia digital textile inks enable printers to add value for their customers by creating high colour fabric prints with minimised materials, energy and water usage. Xennia’s digital textile ink range includes Xennia Amethyst™ reactive dye ink for printing cotton and cellulosics, Xennia Corundum™ sublimation ink for polyester and Xennia Moissanite™ UV curable ink for outdoor textile printing.
 
Posted March 24, 2015

Source: Xennia
 

Rockline Industries Wins Manufacturer Of The Year Award

SHEBOYGAN, Wis. — March 24, 2015 — Rockline Industries, a private-label manufacturer of consumer wet wipes and coffee filters, was recently awarded Manufacturer of the Year by the Sheboygan County Chamber for job creation, community investment and growth.
 
From 2013 to 2014, Rockline executed the two biggest capital projects in the company’s history, which were completed on time and fostered production growth.
 
Rockline has increased its revenues in the past two years and has added nearly 250 jobs in the past three years in Sheboygan County. Rockline continues to invest in new community assets, and it volunteers for an extensive list of community non-profits.

“We believe our company’s dedication to employees and community are what sets us apart,” said Randy Rudolph, president of Rockline Industries. “We are grateful for this award and the recognition of those values.”
 
Rockline participated in a Sheboygan County awards ceremony last month.

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: Rockline Industries
 

attune Launches Portfolio Of Solutions To Sense, Predict And Synchronize Response To Consumer Demand

BURLINGTON, Mass. — March 24, 2015 — attune Consulting today announced its Fashion Innovation Portfolio, a set of business solutions that help fashion companies better align resources and global supply chain partners to predict and dynamically respond to changes in consumer demand. Led by fashion industry veteran Marshall Gordon, attune’s chief innovation officer, the team will combine its years of fashion industry expertise to help retailers and fashion brands improve their ability to fulfill omnichannel consumer demand by leveraging the latest advances and combinations of cloud, mobile, big data analytics and multi-tier supply chain collaboration technologies.
 
“The demands of today’s digital consumers are accelerating beyond the ability of fashion brands to effectively respond with aging technology,” said Vajira De Silva, CEO of attune. “Brands are eager to use the latest technology tools to close the gap, but they’re often deployed in silos, providing only incremental improvements. We see a critical need for expertise that can create more holistic and responsive global supply chains. attune’s Fashion Innovation Portfolio combines this expertise with a set of highly integrated solutions that are targeted to the needs of fashion.”
 
attune’s Fashion Innovation Portfolio focuses specifically on synchronizing supply with demand to deliver responsive fashion – or real-time “sense and response” networks that capitalize on fast-moving fashion markets and consumers. Through these solutions, retailers and fashion brands can gain deep insight into consumer behavior and extend that knowledge across their supply chains in real time to fulfill demand exactly when and where it’s needed, and significantly reduce out-of-stocks and markdowns. The portfolio includes integrated solutions for:
 

  • Operations: Providing a consolidated infrastructure that unites wholesale, manufacturing and retail businesses on a single platform to create cross-channel, integrated operations.
  • Customer Intimacy: Combines real-time analysis of structured and unstructured customer data to deliver insights that provide a platform for high-touch, personalized “clienteling” to fashion consumers.
  • Value Chain Synchronization: Providing end-to-end visibility from consumer demand to planning and sourcing to facilitate response to current and future demand.

 
“The fashion industry has been built on a global network of independently operating businesses and processes,” said Gordon. “Fashion brands and retailers know there is value in synchronizing them, but technologies are only now beginning to mature to a point where they can be combined in real time to respond to consumer demand. We see a significant opportunity for brands and retailers to be more responsive while also improving their financial performance with end-to-end solutions that sense consumer behavior and incorporate that intelligence into planning and extended supply chain operations. In essence, this enables companies to respond to demand as it is happening.”
 
With more than two decades of fashion and lifestyle technology leadership, Gordon oversees attune’s solution strategy, roadmap and technology portfolio. Prior to attune, he was the senior vice president of worldwide sales, marketing and product strategy at Tradecard (now GT Nexus), a global supply chain specialist. He also served as SAP’s industry executive for the apparel and footwear industry, helping to launch and grow the SAP Apparel & Footwear (AFS) business.
 
“Marshall offers a lifetime of fashion solution expertise across all aspects of the business,” added De Silva. “His experience with the enterprise technologies and processes relevant to fashion will be invaluable as we continue to roll out initiatives for the Fashion Innovation Portfolio.”

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: attune
 

Freudenberg Performance Materials Invests In New Production Line In China

WEINHEIM, Germany/SUZHOU, China — March 24, 2015 — Freudenberg & Vilene Nonwovens is investing in a new state-of-the-art production line for automotive headliners as its Suzhou facility in Eastern China. Start of production is scheduled for summer 2016. Freudenberg Performance Materials is the nonwovens specialist in the Freudenberg Group. The Business Group has a presence in China through Freudenberg & Vilene Nonwovens, a joint venture with Japan Vilene Company, Tokyo, Japan.
 
The automotive market in Asia is growing, and is particularly dynamic in China. According to figures published by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA), some 1.9 million vehicles were sold in China in January 2015 alone, around 13 percent up on the same month last year. Demand for high-quality products is rising steadily, with automotive headliners enjoying a particularly strong trend. Asian OEMs prefer printed headliners that meet the high design standards of Japanese and Korean car manufacturers.

Freudenberg & Vilene Company introduced printed headliners in 2010 and is currently the only manufacturer with in-house printing capabilities. As a result, Freudenberg is able to offer customers innovative, individualized products with the most up-to-date designs while at the same time delivering on consistently high quality.
 
Freudenberg headliners are based on nonwovens and can be finished in various ways to provide additional functions. Apart from excellent abrasion resistance, outstanding acoustic properties and improved stain resistance, these products in combination with other vehicle components contribute to a marked reduction in vehicle weight. “Our commitment in China underscores the fact that we are a leading reliable partner for our customers worldwide and at the same time reaffirms our headliner expertise,” Bruce Olson, President and CEO of Freudenberg Performance Materials, commented.
 
The company partly uses recycled materials in the manufacture of its products. Special innovative surface treatment processes create sustainable products that meet all the demands of sophisticated vehicle design.
 
Freudenberg Performance Materials is an established reliable partner for the global automotive industry, particularly in the market for headliners. Freudenberg & Vilene Company maintains long-standing relations with Asian OEMs and holds a leading position on the market in Asia and China. Success is founded on a wide range of headliner innovations.
 
With this latest investment in a new production line – and thus in state-of-the-art technology and new products – the nonwovens specialist is reaffirming the significance of collaboration with the automotive industry.
 
Apart from products used in automotive interiors, the modern product range of Freudenberg & Vilene Company’s Chinese facility also included industrial nonwovens for the apparel and electronics industries as well as the energy and construction sectors.

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: Freudenberg Nonwovens
 

Winners Announced For Surtex Annual International Design Competition

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — March 17, 2015 — SURTEX® exposition and conference, North America’s premier event for the selling and licensing of original art and design, today announces four up-and-coming designers from Canada, England and Mexico that have been selected as the 2015 winners of designext®, an annual international design competition honoring art and design students for exceptional surface design work. The four winning designs will be on view at SURTEX for the duration of the show slated to run May 17-19, 2015, at New York City’s Jacob K. Javits Convention Center. On Monday, May 18, one of the students will be designated by designext judges as the “grand-prize winner,” and awarded a $1,000 prize.

The 2015 challenge themed “The New Urban Grunge,” required entrants to create six original surface designs, and translate their application to a product collection. Students could choose one of four categories: WEAR (apparel, personal accessories), WORK (office furniture and upholstery, wall coverings, desk accessories etc.), LIVE (sheets, comforters, tablecloths, dinnerware) and PLAY (gift bags, wrapping paper, journals etc.). A pool of 76 submissions from 17 schools around the world, were judged by a panel of distinguished industry professionals on factors such as originality and marketplace viability.

The winners of the 2015 designext awards are: Lucy Harris, a senior working toward a BA in Fashion and Textile Design at the Winchester School of Art, University of Southampton, UK, for her project “Side Streets” in the WEAR category, inspired by the New York youth culture of the early ‘90s; Daniela Ruiz working toward a degree in Textile Design from the Universidad Iberoamericana de Puebla in Puebla, Mexico, for “Vintage Grunge” in the LIVE category, an amalgamation of popular trends showcasing a simple color palette and a mix of textures; Hannah Wilkinson, a senior at the Leeds College of Art in the UK, in her final year of studies for a BA in Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design, for “The New Urban Grunge” in the WORK category, which updates grunge for a modern-day corporate look while drawing on influences from the industrial landscapes of Northern England; and Lucas Woolley, a junior at the New Brunswick College of Craft and Design, for his “Cement Garden” in the WEAR category, a mix of static and organic shapes that stay true to the neutrals found in urban areas while delivering a pop of color.

According to Liz Crawford, Vice President and Group Show Director, “SURTEX is proud to recognize the creative concepts, as well as vast potential, of these talented young designers through our designext awards. The competition’s exceptional global talent pool offers an exciting preview of the future of surface design.”

Judges for the 2015 edition of designext® are: David Laubach, design director, Avanti Press Inc.; Ronnie Gold, vice president of design, Home Accent Fabrics; Bryan Parker, vice president of design, CHF Industries; Nancy Fire, founder and creative director of Design Works International and Diane Piemonte, vice president of creative services for Revman International.

Posted March 24, 2015

Source: Surtex
 

Governor McAuliffe Announces McAllister Mills Inc. Expansion In Grayson County, Va.

INDEPENDENCE, Va. — March 18, 2015 — Governor Terry McAuliffe announced today that McAllister Mills Inc., a manufacturer of safe heat-resistant materials for the textile industry, will invest $1.05 million to expand and significantly increase its textile manufacturing operations in Grayson County. The company will purchase and renovate a vacant 33,000-square-foot facility that will house new automation and equipment. Virginia successfully competed against North Carolina for the project, which will retain 43 existing jobs and create 16 new jobs. 

Speaking about today’s announcement, Governor McAuliffe said, “Grayson County continues its economic transformation with the expansion of McAllister Mills’ advanced textile manufacturing operation. The region has built a niche of businesses that are thriving in this sector, and this Virginia-grown company’s continued growth and success is great evidence of the Commonwealth’s top-rate business climate. New jobs in the manufacturing sector help us diversify and build the new Virginia economy, and we thank McAllister Mills for its investment.” 

“McAllister Mills’ expansion furthers Grayson County’s rich tradition in the textile industry,” said Maurice Jones, Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade. “The success of Virginia’s existing businesses is a key driver of economic growth, and Grayson County’s superior workforce and great quality of life make it an attractive place for businesses to locate and expand.  We are grateful to the County for its efforts.” 

Headquartered in Independence, Va., McAllister Mills utilizes the most advanced fibers from alumina, silica, basalt, glass, aramids and biosoluble fibers, manufacturing textile products for almost any application. Its thermal solutions cover a full service temperature range from 0°F to 2500°F. Insulation blankets, fabrics, tapes, ropes, and custom fabricated parts are engineered for the most demanding thermal environment. 

“Thirty-five years in Grayson County, McAllister Mills has successfully grown to be a world leader in thermal insulating and fire protection technologies and systems. This growth has been enabled by the strong work ethic and commitment of the employees of McAllister Mills, and we are poised to bring new technologies to the market with our upcoming expansion,” shared Alec McAllister, President and Owner, McAllister Mills, Inc. “We would like to thank the Grayson County EDA, Governor McAuliffe, the VSBFA, the Town of Independence, as well as the Tobacco Commission, Virginia’s aCorridor and the Virginia Port Authority for their support.” 

The Virginia Economic Development Partnership worked with Grayson County and Virginia’s aCorridor to secure the project for the Commonwealth. The Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission approved $110,000 in Tobacco Region Opportunity Funds for the project. The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority also provided valuable assistance. The company is eligible to receive state benefits from the Virginia Enterprise Zone Program, administered by the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development. Additional funding and services to support the company’s employee training activities will be provided through the Virginia Jobs Investment Program. 

“The county feels blessed to have our second new jobs announcement of 2015 and about what this expansion opportunity is going to mean for both the company and the county,” stated David Sexton, Chairman of the Grayson County Board of Supervisors. “McAllister Mills is one of several thriving businesses that have called our county home for more than 30 years, and we are so pleased that they chose to stay and grow their operations here in our community.”

“The Virginia Tobacco Commission is delighted to be a part of Grayson County’s fifth qualified announcement in just nine months, and to work with one of the state’s most resourceful economic development teams,” said Senator Bill Carrico, member of the Virginia Tobacco Indemnification and Community Revitalization Commission. “McAllister Mills is an innovative company with an exciting growth opportunity, and we enthusiastically look forward to their continued contributions to Grayson County and the region.”

“The Virginia Small Business Financing Authority (VSBFA) is proud to have been a key member of the Grayson County Economic Development team on this exciting project,” stated Scott Parson, Executive Director of the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. “Thanks to the creative, forward thinking of Grayson County and its County Administrator, Mr. Jonathan Sweet, the VSBFA was brought in to provide strategic debt financing to help McAllister Mills remain in Grayson, and preserve and create new jobs important to the continued vitality of this region.” 

“I’m very excited about the investment to be made by McAllister Mills in Grayson County,” said Delegate Israel O’Quinn. “The company produces very innovative products, and it’s great to have them bringing new jobs to our region. It is an honor to work with county and state leaders to make this project a reality.”

Since the beginning of the McAuliffe administration, 337 economic development deals have been closed in Virginia with more than $6.19 billion in capital investment, more than twice the amount of capital investment brought to the Commonwealth in any Governor’s first 14 months in office.

Posted March 23, 2015

Source: Virginia Office of the Governor
 

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