W. L. Gore & Associates is the OEKO-TEX® Company of the Month for January

ZURICH, Switzerland — January 23, 2015 —The US family business W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc. has made a significant name for itself in the textile sector, primarily through its textile laminates based on the patented membrane technology GORE-TEX®. A large number of renowned outdoor brands are now using this laminate in the manufacture of clothing and waterproof footwear. Whether in cycling gear, ski pants, mountaineering boots or professional protective clothing – GORE-TEX function textiles remain durably waterproof, wind proof and breathable. The company provides its “GUARANTEED TO KEEP YOU DRY™“ guarantee for all GORETEX products in its recreation and fashion range. In the area of product safety, Gore has implemented the OEKO-TEX® Standard 100 worldwide for over 20 years now, receiving its first certifications in 1996. The requirements of the OEKO-TEX Standard 100 are met not only by its functional fabrics for occupational and recreational clothing, but also by its seam tapes and semi-finished products (its glove inserts, for instance).

Today, Gore has firmly established itself as one of the leading manufacturers in the functional textiles sector. As a company with a technologically-orientated tradition, Gore places premium value on research and product innovation. The company has a wide range of products that includes the textile material GORE-TEX, cables for telecommunications, medical implants, filter tubes for power plants and highly-specialised products for use in industry and aeronautics and aerospace electronics. Based in Newark (Delaware) in the USA, Gore employs over 10,000 staff worldwide and has an annual turnover of more than USD 3 billion. The company is a global player with production operations in the USA, Germany, Great Britain, Japan and China. Gore commenced its business operations in Europe a number of years after the company was founded in 1958.

The company now has sales offices and production sites in a large number of European countries and provides a wide variety of products for all kinds of use in local markets. Gore is one of the few companies to have repeatedly been chosen as one of the 100 best employers in the USA since 1984. The company has also been considered as one of the most attractive employers in Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy and Sweden for some time now. Gore was also recently chosen as one of the best employers in China.

Bernhard Kiehl, Head of the Sustainability Program in the Gore Fabrics Division, sees this as the affirmation of the core values of a unique company philosophy: “We have created a corporate culture based on personal responsibility and fun at work. This is augmented by our conviction that people are self-motivated to work and be successful.” Bernhard Kiehl explains: “From the outset, the company founders Bill and Vieve Gore were of the belief that a person was at their most creative when working within a team of equals – within a network based around a level and closely linked grid structure. At its core is anetwork of manageable units with direct communication channels. The employees act based on their own personal understanding of “commitment”. They are therefore not asked to do something, but commit to doing it voluntarily.” In this sense, employees are also considered “associates”, and they devote themselves to projects that suit their capabilities. At Gore, a leadership role has to be acquired based on specialist knowledge, social competency and other factors. This also reflects the fact that the team respects the role of leadership.

Gore has always followed the principle of basing its actions around established scientific knowledge. The company thus complies with all legal environmental regulations and health and safety provisions and – wherever possible – surpasses them through furtherreaching self-imposed standards. Furthermore, all of its production sites have for some time now been certified in accordance with the specifications of the quality management system ISO 9001-9008. An environmental management system has been introduced at all of its production sites and Gore has started the process of receiving certification for them in accordance with ISO 14001. At the core of the environmental approach adopted by Gore is its ecological evaluation tool, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), sometimes referred to as eco balance. It is a standardised, scientifically approved method that fully assesses the environmental impact created by an end product, from the acquisition of the raw materials, through manufacturing and distribution, up to disposal. Bernhard Kiehl has utmost confidence in this method: “The results of the LCA assessments really show that the most effective means of reducing the environmental impact of functional outdoor clothing is through increasing its functional durability, and thus increasing the product’s lifecycle.

That’s why durability is a real cornerstone of our environmental strategy. Together with our high standards in operational environmental protection and occupational health and safety, the careful handling of resources and an employee-orientated corporate culture, this allows us to fulfil our corporate responsibilities in relation to society and the environment.”

GORE functional textiles now made only with PFOA-free raw materials
At the end of 2013, GORE completed its project to eliminate perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) from all of the raw materials used in the manufacture of its weather-resistant functional textiles. This covers membranes and DWR (Durable Water Repellency) across its entire range of applications, from mountaineering, running, cycling, fashion and lifestyle and outdoor and recreational footwear to work clothing for the fire service and police. PFOA was recently added to the list of “substances of very high concern” under the terms of the European regulation REACH, and regulation of the substance is currently under preparation. With preventive consumer protection in mind, the use of perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) is severely regulated in the OEKO-TEX product certification process regardless.

Posted January 27, 2007

Source: Oeko-Tex Association
 

TRESU Introduces Customised Printing Unit For Integration Into Converting Machines For Sanitary Products

KOLDING, Denmark — January 22, 2015 — Danish flexo technology provider TRESU Group has introduced a flexo printing solution to be integrated inline with converting machines for disposable sanitary napkins.  The unit, custom-developed following long-term collaboration with leading global sanitary napkin brand owners, applies patterns on the inside of the napkin.
 
Allan Sander, Sales Director MBA, Tresu Solutions commented: “Demand for an efficient means of applying patterns has arisen following research that shows increased consumer loyalty to brands featuring printed designs. The customised printing integration   system enables the personal hygiene industry to achieve this, while maintaining a cost-controlled, flexible, single-pass operation.”     
 
Built to accommodate different web-fed materials, the unit comprises up to four water-based colours, a hot air dryer and, at the embossing point, a register guidance camera. The printing solution formation contained within a module offers both a compact footprint and an operator-friendly design.
 
Located at point of embossing, the register guidance system ensures synchronisation of the printed pattern with the crease in the centre of the napkin, at speeds of up to 400 metres per minute (approximately 2,000 pieces per minute). Using the converting machine interface signals as point of reference, the control module influences the servo motors to ensure accuracy is maintained on-the-fly throughout the production run.   Servo drives ensure automatically controlled, precise print speed and ink flow, so that operation without in-house flexo experience or handling is possible.
 
The integration unit includes Tresu’s F10 iCon ink supply system with automatic cleaning, to constantly feed the printing units and maintain optimum viscosity, temperature and pressure. Sealed, pressure-controlled chambered doctor blade systems enable direct, foam-free transfer of ink or coating to the anilox rollers, ensuring a consistently clean printed image.  
 
The system is optimised for fast job changes. A control system stores and, in the case of repeat jobs, instantly recalls job recipes, so no re-entry of ink and calibration data is needed.  At the installation stage, the Tresu technical team works with the customer to build a unique database of recipe settings for each job, including, among others, impression settings, print levels, flow rate, air velocity, temperature and register coordinates.
 
The ability to seamlessly integrate the printing operation into the existing converting and assembly line means that customers can avoid the costs and lengthy lead times associated with outsourcing.
 
‘Tresu collaborated closely with the customer’s research and development division at every step from the concept stage, to customise the machine to suit production requirements and skills levels,’ stated Mr. Sander.
 
‘The projects have been a large success for the customers, with integrations of our high level printing technology into a two-digit number of hygiene converting lines at locations in Europe, USA and Mexico. From Tresu’s perspective, we are proud to have developed the requested solution on time despite demands on safety, process technology and a tight time frame.’

Posted January 27, 2015

Source: Tresu
 

Open House Event At BB Engineering Showcased World’s First Bottle-to-POY Spinning Line VarioFil R+

REMSCHEID, Germany — January 21, 2015 — More than 120 customers from all around the world followed BB Engineering GmbH’s (BBE) invitation to join the unveiling of its new machine during an Open House Event at its facilities in Remscheid, Germany, on January 21, 2015. Visitors saw the world’s first “VarioFil R+” bottle-to-POY line in operation, producing 150f48 dope-dyed black yarn.

The new VarioFil R+ is the world’s first POY spinning line which uses recycled bottle flakes as feedstock for dope-dyed textile POY. The line — developed by the subsidiary company of Oerlikon Barmag — provides several technological features such as a special extrusion system for bottle flake materials, the latest metering and blending technology for dope-dyeing and an advanced 2-step melt filtration. The result is a high quality dope-dyed POY. The turnkey machine comprises 4 spinning positions, each equipped with an Oerlikon Barmag 10-end WINGS® POY winder.

Bottle flakes instead of rPET chips: VarioFil R+ reduces spinning process for one step
PET has become the primary material for beverage packaging, billions of PET bottles are used worldwide each year. This huge quantity of PET bottles, usually disposed as waste after initial use, is a perfect source of raw material for the sustainable production of synthetic fibers. Furthermore, the reutilization of resources and raw materials, along with energy saving production processes, are becoming increasingly popular. The VarioFil R+ concept combines all these trends. It uses PET bottle flakes as a raw material, which avoids the additional pelletizing of bottle flakes into rPET chips. This leads to a significant advantage in terms of investment and energy costs. It also provides the latest technology for dope-dyeing, which is the most resource-saving dyeing process. Hence, the development of VarioFil R+ underlines the trend of increasing demand for textiles made from yarns which have a ‘sustainable background’. It also provides the possibility for recycling companies to sell high-quality yarns instead of bottle flakes, therefore generating added value.

Downstream with Oerlikon Barmag’s eAFK texturing machine proves yarn quality
Further Open House attractions were the live presentation of the texturizing process, converting the manufactured rPOY into DTY on Oerlikon Barmag’s eAFK texturizing machine, as well as BBE’s brand-new cleaning system for melt filters, known as White Filter Cleaning WFC. WFC allows the cleaning of melt filters, but also of other melt-contaminated parts without any chemical solvents and is a good complementary system for the VarioFil R+ line to clean its filtration equipment.

A virtual tour through the new VarioFil® R+ line as well as an impressive insight into the winder assembly department of Oerlikon Barmag, the origin of the famous WINGS POY winder, and several technical presentations covering the fields of recycling, yarn production from recycled feedstock and dope-dyeing all made the Open House an informative day for all participants.
 

Posted January 27, 2007

Source: BB Engineering
 

Lectra And Aubade Working Together To Prepare Future Designers And Pattern Makers

PARIS — January 22, 2015 — Lectra, a leader in integrated technology solutions dedicated to industries using soft materials—fabrics, leather, technical textiles and composite materials—and Aubade, the renowned French lingerie brand have announced the results of the Lectra/Aubade 2014 competition. The award shines the spotlight on design and pattern making students from De Monfort University (DMU), UK by tasking students with designing a small lingerie collection that reflects the Aubade brand. Students were required to both design and develop their collections with Lectra’s product development solution, Modaris®.

The inaugural edition of this was open to final-year DMU students. The aim is to get students to develop a 6-piece collection using Lectra’s pattern making solution Modaris, underlining the famous lingerie brand’s DNA, and within the theme of English handwriting. The jury decided to award two students instead of just the one as initially planned because of the exceptional creativity and execution of design. Aubade is pleased to welcome both Ellie Balwako and Hannah Jones, from beginning summer 2015, for 6 month internships in Paris. The first student won for product development and the second one won for design and their internships will reflect this.

“The competition is a reflection of Lectra’s commitment to education, Aubade’s involvement in transmitting the brand’s DNA and DMU’s efforts to favor their students’ employability,” explains Anastasia Charbin, Fashion and Apparel Marketing Director, Lectra.

“This contest with one of Lectra’s education partners represents a great opportunity to meet promising talent, who are immediately operational,” underlines Annie Bureau, Operations Director at Aubade. “De Monfort University has a lingerie program which is specifically adapted to industry needs; students are trained on Lectra’s pattern-making solution, which we’ve used for years,” says Marie-Béatrice Pereira, Development office Manager at Aubade.

“This contest is a true opportunity for our final-year students who were really motivated. They’ve demonstrated great creativity, drawing from Aubade’s brand spirit and concentrating on technical aspects to obtain a perfect fit. They used Lectra solutions, which are at the core of our program and which are an undeniable advantage when looking for a job,” explains Gillian Proctor, Principal Lecturer & Programme and Leader for Contour Fashion.

“This is the story of a wonderful project between Lectra, De Monfort University and Aubade. It is a true exchange between professionals and students. We are very pleased to welcome and to work with young talent who bring a fresh eye and their unique personalities to the Aubade team,” concludes Claire Masson, global brand Director at Aubade.

Founded in 1947, De Monfort University’s 3-year curriculum called “Contour Fashion” is the oldest lingerie diploma in the world. Students are trained on Lectra’s Modaris it is extremely powerful for lingerie, corsetry, activewear, swimwear and underwear.

Posted January 27, 2007

Source: Lectra
 

Brückner Names Fi-Tech Representative For Its Textile Machinery Range

LEONBERG, Germany/ RICHMOND, Va. — January 23, 2015 — Brückner Textile Technologies GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, has named Fi-Tech Inc. of Richmond, Va., its representative for sales, parts and service in the United States and Canada for their textile machinery product range. Fi-Tech has represented Brückner since 2011 in the field of nonwovens machinery and products. In 2013, the coating sector was added to Fi-Tech’s responsibility and now from January 2015, Fi-Tech will additionally represent Brückner in the field of textile machinery.
 
For more than 65 years, Brückner is the worldwide leading manufacturer of complete coating and finishing lines for woven and knitted fabrics, technical textiles, nonwovens and other coated products. The product range comprises of stenters, relaxation dryers, compactors, sanforizing machines, coating and laminating lines, nonwovens bonding ovens, through flow dryers and others.
 
In their own technology center in Leonberg, Germany, Brückner conducts tests and fabric trials together with their customers in order to find the best solution and machine configuration for each application. Lowest energy consumption, easy maintenance and high production output are the main targets of the research and development work at Brückner. 
 
“We are very proud to be represented by Fi-Tech, an absolutely professional team of specialists. Both companies, Brückner and Fi-Tech, are focused on the customer’s request and provide intelligent solutions for their optimum production results. We are looking forward to a long-lasting and successful partnership,” says Gerd Kolmer, Sales Director of Brückner Textile Technologies.
 
“We are honored that Brückner has extended their cooperation with Fi-Tech to include their product range for the Textile Industry. We are looking forward to a successful partnership with Brückner in the North American Textile Industry,” adds Todd Bassett, Managing Director of Fi-Tech Inc.
 
For over 40 years, Fi-Tech has represented European-based companies in North America, providing technologically advanced equipment to manufacturers in the nonwoven and textile industries. Brückner had a great benefit from the Fi-Tech experience and could increase their sales figures in the United States thanks to the big efforts of the Fi-Tech team. Fi-Tech is also handling the complete Brückner spare parts service for the North American market through their dedicated team in Richmond.

Posted January 27, 2007

Source: Brückner
 

The Rupp Report: You May Call It Faith

Every mutual agreement is based on confidence, trust or faith in your partner. This is the case for business deals as well as for deals in the private sector. Even if your are sure you will buy model X as your next car, if you don’t trust the salesman you will not buy anything and will walk out of the shop. This is even more the case in the modern money world. Since it became common sense to gamble on stock exchanges, some more serious people are looking for a safe haven for their money.
 
The World Is Upside Down
In times of modern and globally connected communication, information on everything is available on the Internet or elsewhere. Institutions, banks, and people with a lot of money, are carefully watching exchange rates for the most important currencies in order of the importance of the markets — the US Dollar, the Euro, maybe the Chinese Renminbi and the Japanese Yen. These countries, except China, are partners in the G8 group. So, if one lives in one of these countries, and has trust in his own financial system, he will leave his money in the banks of his own country.
 
Investors are carefully watching the whole economical and political situation in a country — the list of things to take into consideration is rather long — but stability is probably one of the most important issues. But if one has concerns about stability, he wants to find a more secure place and starts looking for a safe (money) haven. There are a lot of other countries besides the G8 members that have not the same sometimes questionable economical situations and governments.
 
Typically, Switzerland has fulfilled all the desired banking requirements and the old fairy tale says that every Swiss citizen is a rich citizen. And, dear reader, as a Swiss, the author of this report can assure you the fairy tale is not true at all. But since the Euro was introduced in Europe, a lot of money came into the Swiss banks, which led the US Dollar and particularly the Euro to weaken. In 2011, the Euro was under so much pressure that it lost 25 percent of its value compared to the Swiss Franc, and the Swiss National Bank (SNB) was forced to support the currency with a fixed exchange rate at CHF 1.20 to 1.00 Euro over an undefined period of time. And now the surprise after three years …
 
The SNB cancelled the Euro minimum exchange rate of CHF 1.20. With the abolition of the minimum price, the SNB has changed its monetary policy because of an increasing divergence of the major currency blocs. SNB President Thomas Jordan said that he could only announce the end of the minimum rate policy at once. Otherwise this would have been an invitation to insider trading.
 
The abolition of the minimum exchange rate is for some sectors a terrible shock. However, as Jordan said, the overvaluation of the Swiss Franc has decreased since the introduction of the minimum exchange rate in September 2011. On the other hand, the domestic economy was able to use the three and a half years of a planning security to take measures for a time after this period. Jordan said that it was clear from the beginning that the minimum rate was a temporary measure that would not continue endlessly.
 
The Message
There are some more facts involved, however, this is not the basic message of this Rupp Report. The message is that faith and confidence are still the essence of every prosperous industry. And despite troubles and losses of an estimated 500 billion Swiss Francs for the domestic industry, the SNB president is convinced that the domestic industry will face these severe problems and find solutions for a positive future. “Switzerland is now in a much better shape; the export figures, economic growth and an employment rate of some 3 percent are positive,” said Jordan. “The economy had its time to adapt to these conditions and the minimum rate has stabilized the economy. But now we are in a different situation and the SNB cannot meet all requested conditions at any time. It is better to realize that at the right time as to generate a much bigger shock later.” Strong words.
 
But it means he has faith and confidence in the domestic industry. Sometimes people from outside Switzerland are wondering about the ongoing success of such a small country with such an expensive cost of living and high wages. The reasons are no secret, here’s just a few hints: mind your own business; be a reliable partner to all your business partners; don’t accept second best, whatever that may be; use your brain and hands and don’t talk, do it.
 
See For Yourself
Jordan said that “Postponing the decision into the future would not have been less uncomfortable; it would even generate more severe side effects. Finally, Switzerland is not a monetary paradise where high interest rates for savers, a low Swiss Franc for the export sector and the absence of risks can be brought together at the same time forever.”
 
Conclusion? Help yourself, and don’t rely on other people. As the late U.S. president John F. Kennedy once said: “Ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country.”
 
Let’s hope that all exhibitors at the forthcoming textile machinery events will go there with such a spirit of honesty and confidence. Because despite all positive thinking, the job must be done first. To be continued …
 
January 20, 2015

Polartec Launches Power Wool With Partner Brands

LAWRENCE, Mass. — January 19, 2015 — Polartec, announced the launch of Polartec® Power Wool™, the new fabric collection that optimizes the natural performance of wool with synthetic fibers in patented, plated bicomponent knit constructions for superior comfort that only Polartec can deliver. The Polartec Power Wool launch partners include 66º North, Athleta, Beretta, Brooks-Range, Cabela’s, Crazy Idea, Eider, Gornik, Ibex, Kitsbow, Mammut, Millet, Mission Workshop, Mountain Force, QOR, Roeckl, Ternua, Teton Bros, Trangoworld, Under Armour and Westcomb.

Unlike other wool/synthetic blends on the market, Polartec Power Wool is a highly engineered plated construction which precisely places wool and synthetic yarns to achieve performance much greater than the sum of the parts, effectively creating a layering system within a single textile. Highly breathable Polartec Power Wool fabrics optimally place naturally wicking, odor resistant, temperature-regulating high quality merino wool next to skin with hydrophobic synthetic fibers on the outside for shape retention, durability, and improved dry-times. The resulting products more reliably manage the often-divergent demands of many environments – hot or cold, wet or dry – for superior comfort and durability.

Polartec Power Wool fabrics are currently available in multiple styles, including primary next-to-skin, form-fitting stretch, and patented grid construction based on Polartec’s original synthetic grid fleece technology, Polartec Power Dry® High Efficiency, which is now called Polartec Power Grid®.

The launch of Polartec Power Wool follows the introduction of Polartec’s latest innovations, Polartec Alpha, the first-ever breathable puffy insulation, and Polartec NeoShell, the most breathable waterproof fabric on the market.

Posted January 20, 2015

Source: Polartec
 

Techtextil Innovation Award 2015: Call For Entries

FRANKFURT — January 20, 2015 — Entries are invited for the Techtextil Innovation Award. On the occasion of Techtextil, Leading International Trade Show for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens — to be held May 4-7, 2015 — Messe Frankfurt will give awards for innovative ideas and future-oriented developments in the field of technical textiles, nonwovens and functional apparel textiles. The previous competitions for the Techtextil Innovation Award and the Avantex Innovation Award are being continued together under the new name. The Techtextil Innovation Award is also open to non-exhibitors.

The deadline for receipt of entries for the Techtextil Innovation Award is February 20, 2015. The jury will accept all developments that have neither been on the market for more than two years nor chosen for any other award. The competition is open to exhibitors of Techtextil 2015, as well all other companies, institutes, universities and individuals. All award-winning projects will be on show at a special exhibition during Techtextil. Entries can be made online at www.techtextil-award.com.

The projects entered must be in relation to the production or use of technical textiles, nonwovens or textile-reinforced materials. The Techtextil Innovation Award will be given in the following categories:

  • Research;
  • New materials, products, means of production, manufacturing and finishing technologies for use in one of the 12 Techtextil areas of application, i.e., Agrotech, Buildtech, Clothtech, Geotech, Hometech, Indutech, Medtech, Mobiltech, Ökotech, Packtech, Protech and Sporttech;
  • New materials and products for technical applications based on / in combination with natural fibers;
  • New material, technological, processing and finishing developments, e.g., new fibers and years, new finishes, nano-technology, electronic systems in garments;
  • Fashion aspects combined with new technologies and new materials, design concepts and aesthetic considerations;
  • Potential medical applications with textiles and apparel;
  • Combination of comfort and functionality in sportswear and activewear;
  • Innovations for safety and protection at work; and
  • Smart textiles, intelligent textiles.

The awards in the various categories will be presented during the opening ceremony of Techtextil in Room Dimension, Hall 4.2, on May 4, 2015. All award-winning products will also be on show throughout the show at a special exhibition in Hall 6.1.

Details of the various award categories and the full rules can be found on the internet at www.techtextil.com.
Parallel to this, the Texprocess Innovation Award for new technological developments will be presented at the concurrent Texprocess, Leading International Trade Show for Processing Textile and Flexible Materials.

Posted January 20, 2015

Source: Techtextil
 

Enhanced Filter Performance Thanks To Viscose Speciality Fibers From Kelheim

KELHEIM, Germany — January 20, 2015 — At the world’s biggest filtration event, the FILTECH conference and exhibition, Dr. Philipp Wimmer from the R&D team of the German viscose speciality fibre manufacturer Kelheim Fibres will present a paper on how beer can be filtered in an environmentally friendly manner by using sustainable viscose speciality fibres and avoiding the use of potentially hazardous diatomite.

Unlike other cellulosic fibres such as cotton or wood pulp, viscose fibres are distinguished by their well-defined and reproducible properties that allow them to be designed to meet the needs of processing steps and adapted to each application. For example, the porosity and surface of a filter can be precisely controlled by adding viscose fibres with different cross-sections. The incorporation of functional additives into viscose fibres allows the optimization of the fibres in respect of the intended application, for example for the removal of tannins from beer.

The advantage of functional viscose fibres: as the additives are incorporated in the fibres they do not impact the physical properties of the filter and can not migrate into the filtered product but can still function effectively.

The use of viscose speciality fibres from Kelheim is completely safe both for people and for the environment, and this is one of the reasons why the fibres have been used for decades in medical products. The fibres are certified for food contact by ISEGA and the absence of harmful substances in the products is confirmed by their certification to the OEKO-TEX® 100 standard in the most demanding product class. Viscose fibres are taste neutral and are currently used in food and beverage applications, for example in coffee pads and tea bag papers.

Kelheim Fibres’ research team is working on many other possible filtration applications for the use of viscose fibres. As a result of the wide product range Kelheim Fibres offers – from extra high absorbent to water repellent, from flame retardant to ion exchange fibres – there are almost no limits to the imagination. As viscose fibres are manufactured from renewable raw materials incineration at the end of filter life is CO2 neutral, or – if the residue in the filter allows – they can be composted, an ideal disposal route for precoat filter cakes in the beverage industry.

Posted January 20, 2015

Source: Kelheim Fibres

Akcros Chemicals Invests In Bringing Customers High Quality, Safe And Reliable Biocide Product Line

NEW BRUNSWICK, N.J. — January 8, 2015 —  Akcros Chemicals Inc. today announced the successful startup of isothiazolone-based biocide solid carriers manufacturing for the global market at its New Brunswick facility, capping off a more than $1 million dollar investment designed to bring customers enhanced quality control, regulatory approvals and reliability of supply for INTERCIDE™ biocides in pellet form.

Last year, Akcros Chemicals and Dow Microbial Control, a business of The Dow Chemical Co., extended their strategic relationship for biocides for plastics applications on a global basis. Under this agreement, Dow Microbial Control transferred manufacturing equipment and provided Akcros with additional expertise to manufacture an enhanced line of Isothiazolone based solid carriers for protection of polymers. These products, previously under the Dow VINYZENE™  Biocide tradename now will be manufactured in New Brunswick as part of the Intercide biocide product line for polymers and brought to market by Akcros Chemicals. Intercide customers now are offered a continuing, high quality, reliable source of supply and a supply partner dedicated to bringing effective biocide technology to the plastics market in an easy to use solid pellet form.

According to Vini Shah, Biocide Product Manager, the Intercide isothiazolone product line manufactured at the New Jersey site consists of OIT and DCOIT active biocide in both liquid and now solid polymer carriers.  The products are typically used in the construction & home goods markets to inhibit the growth of harmful micro-organisms on flexible PVC products. Production of the solid biocides at the New Brunswick, NJ plant will enhance control over quality of the product, ease of EPA/ BPR/ Canadian approvals & consistent supply.

“The installation and startup of the in-house production of solid biocide shows our commitment to the New Brunswick plant and employees as well as our push for more sustainable, environmentally friendly biocide products” said George Turk, New Brunswick Plant Manager.  “With our New Brunswick based Supply Chain and Customer Service, and comprehensive Distribution Channels, we will be able to service the global market efficiently.”

Posted January 16, 2015

Source: Akcros Chemicals
 

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