The Dixie Group Reports Formation Of Masland Hospitality

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. — November 24, 2014 — The Dixie Group is pleased to announce the formation of Masland Hospitality. The new business will be led by Elizabeth Moore, vice president, Masland Hospitality.

With Dixie’s recent acquisition of the assets of Burtco LLC, a comprehensive offering of products will be available from Masland for the hospitality market. The product portfolio will include large scale public space patterns utilizing CYP technology, a complete guest room offering, modular carpet and the most extensive area rug capabilities in the industry.

In addition, The Dixie Group announces they are proceeding with the termination of its agreements with Desso BV as a result of a change in control of Desso.

Posted November 25, 2014

Source: The Dixie Group
 

Xerium Celebrates 500th Order For Its SMART® Technology Nip Monitoring And Machine Automation System

YOUNGSVILLE, N.C. — Nov. 19, 2014 — Xerium Technologies Inc., a global provider of industrial consumable products and services, recently received its 500th order for its proprietary SMART® Technology system. The patented machine automation system continues rapid growth on traditional paper, paperboard, and tissue machines but also has now been successfully applied on numerous other nipped applications in nonwovens and the building products industries. The latest generation of SMART Technology dynamically measures and displays: machine direction nip width, machine direction pressure profile, and cross machine direction pressure profile. It also includes enhanced connectivity software for mill computer systems and supports multi-nip roll positions for unprecedented simultaneous analysis. SMART Technology has been equally successful across all paper grades, including tissue, and even on the most demanding shoe press applications. In addition, SMART Technology is now being successfully applied on suction roll applications which customers have long been requesting.

“SMART Technology continues to provide our customers with critical information they need to instantly monitor, adjust, and troubleshoot their machines which historically was a static process requiring costly
machine downtime,” said Bill Butterfield, executive vice president and chief technology officer, Xerium. “Xerium has developed SMART technology to benefit its customers by lowering their operational cost while improving operational efficiency. Together we are always discovering more potential for SMART Technology applications and are excited at the way our customers have embraced this innovative approach to machine automation.”

Posted November 24, 2014

Source: Xerium Technologies

The Rupp Report: Is There “Better Cotton”? (ITMF Conference Part 4)

To be green is fashionable. To be sustainable is even more fashionable. In the past few years, new labels that claim to be fair, green, sustainable, and taking care of the farmers mushroomed on the global textile system have blossomed. Today it is impossible to define how many “green” labels are on the market. Using Google to search for news about “green labels” returns 323,000,000 results.
 
As reported over the past month, the International Textile Manufacturers Federation’s (ITMF’s) annual conference was held in Beijing, October 16-18, 2014. The motto of the event was “Shared Opportunity, Shared Responsibility.” Of course, cotton has a great responsibility with respect to the whole production process from seeding and cultivation to harvesting and storing.
 
ITMF Congress 2015 In San Francisco
Awareness of the global cotton industry has changed dramatically over the years. At the ITMF conference, different cotton-related organizations present more data and information about the whole cotton process, to show the world that cotton is still a most desired fiber, in-spite of all rumors around it.
 
The global textile industry certainly will see and hear a lot more about these issues at the ITMF conference in 2015, to be held October 4-6 in San Francisco. Looking at the supporting organizations from the United States, the groundwork certainly is there to make this conference a home run for the U.S. cotton industry.
 
What’s The Problem?
Particularly in the Western world, consciousness about the environment has changed dramatically. Many big brands are trying to create a greener image regarding child labor, pesticide use and soil depletion. All the big cotton organizations are trying to tell the world that the message got through and they definitely care about the environment. Also in question is global fiber consumption. Currently, cotton holds some 28-percent share of global fiber consumption, but has lost some ground to man-made fibers. However, this is not the fault of cotton, but rather because of increasing demand for industrial textiles.
 
Hazardous Pollutants
Cotton is still the most important natural fiber, enjoying great admiration and acceptance around the globe. However, cotton and its trade up to apparel manufacturing, experienced some bad times recently, particularly with the disaster in Bangladesh (See “The Rupp Report: The Hall Of Shame,” February 18, 2014, and “The Rupp Report: Increased Social Consciousness,” April 15, 2014). Many famous global brands manufacture goods in Bangladesh — among them H&M and Inditex (Zara) — as well as U.S.-based companies Walmart and Gap. Extensive Greenpeace studies in 2011 and 2012 showed more than two-thirds of all branded apparel tested and sold worldwide contains hazardous pollutants, including products made by large fashion manufacturers and retailers including Calvin Klein, Levi’s, Zara and Marks & Spencer. These brands and others that have multi-million dollar budgets do virtually everything to win back customer confidence.
 
The Jungle Of Green Labels
To prove “green,” countless labels and standards have appeared on the global stage to verify labor conditions, environmental care and waste treatment. It is rather impossible to count all of the labels and standards. One of the most prominent is the Öeko-Tex Standard 100 label. But who is controlling all of the products that flood the global market tagged with this label? And what about cotton, which is still in the spotlight regarding environment damages? Irrigation, pesticides and genetically modified cotton are just a few of the issues surrounding cotton. At the ITMF conference, participants heard about an initiative in the cotton business known as the Better Cotton Initiative (BCI).
 
Better Cotton Initiative
Patrick Laine is CEO of the Switzerland-based BCI. He gave a presentation at the ITMF annual conference about BCI and the group’s initiatives. BCI’s website reports: “In 2005, a group of visionary organisations came together to figure out what could be done to safeguard the future of cotton. ‘There has to be a better way,’ they said. It turns out there is. It’s called Better Cotton.”
 
BCI states it is “a not-for-profit organisation stewarding the global standards for Better Cotton, and bringing together cotton’s complex supply chain, from the farmers to the retailers. BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future, by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.”
 
“To achieve this mission, BCI works with a range of stakeholders across the cotton supply chain to promote measurable and continuing improvements for the environment, farming communities and the economies of cotton-producing areas. Our four specific aims:
 

  • Reduce the environmental impact of cotton production
  • Improve livelihoods and economic development in cotton producing areas
  • Improve commitment to and flow of Better Cotton throughout supply chain
  • Ensure the credibility and sustainability of the Better Cotton Initiative.” 

A Holistic Approach
The BCI standard system is described as a holistic approach to sustainable cotton production covering environment, social and economic pillars of sustainability. The system claims to be “designed to ensure the exchange of good practices, and to encourage the scaling up of collective action to establish Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.”
 
The Better Cotton Production Principles and Criteria lay out the global definition of Better Cotton, by upholding the following six production principles:

  • Farmers who minimize the harmful impact of crop protection practices.
  • Farmers who use water efficiently and care for the availability of water.
  • Farmers who care for the health of the soil.
  • Farmers who conserve natural habitats.
  • Farmers who care for and preserve the quality of the fiber.
  • Farmers who promote decent work. 

By adhering to these principles, BCI farmers produce cotton in a in a way that is measurably better for the environment and farming communities. “BCI wants to bring together farmers, ginners, traders, spinners, mills, cut and sew, manufacturers, retailers, brands and grassroots organizations in a unique global community committed to developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.”
 
Mainstream (?)
It seems BCI is another attempt to generate attention for and to sell a “green” feeling.
 
“BCI exists to make global cotton production better for the people who produce it, better for the environment it grows in and better for the sector’s future, by developing Better Cotton as a sustainable mainstream commodity.”
 
“Mainstream?” is the thought The Rupp Report had listening to Laine as he explained his high-flying targets, leaving the audience with many unanswered questions. It was not possible to get a firm answer from Laine about the success of BCI. Another question is who gives the BCI the right to act this way and to call it Better Cotton (Initiative)? Don’t get the Rupp Report wrong, every initiative created to improve the whole textile production chain is more than welcomed. Yet, how is it possible that companies such as H&M, Marks & Spencer and others, manufacture in Bangladesh, are also main members and sponsors of BCI? Well, it seems today it is “mainstream” to be called green.

November 18, 2014

PolyOne Protects Polymer Textiles From The Sun, Lets Colors And Performance Shine Through

SHANGHAI – November 12, 2014 – PolyOne Corp. — a global provider of specialized polymer materials, services and solutions — has announced the launch of OnCap™ UV technology for fiber and textile applications.

Manufacturers of geotextiles and house wraps require fabrics and fibers to stand up to the sun without falling apart. Those who make ultraviolet (UV) resistant apparel, outdoor tents and shades also need the colors in their fabrics and fibers to stay fresh over time to promote brand identification and preserve brand image.  

“Consumers in Asia and across the globe have higher standards for product quality and service life than ever before. We can now provide manufacturers with a single formulation that provides excellent color fastness and prolongs usable life while preserving mechanical properties,” said Say Eng Lee, general manager, Color Asia.

Combining colorants with performance-boosting additives, these formulations help to protect non-woven polymer fabrics, fibers and filaments from UV light-induced degradation without any tradeoffs in performance.

OnCap UV colorant and additive solutions are compatible with PA, PET, PP and a range of other materials. They feature excellent color fastness at low loading levels, and can include flame retardants to meet stringent safety standards. Formulations can pass weathering standard ASTM G154 and AATCC 186, and fire resistance standard FMVSS302.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: PolyOne
 

Outlast Presents New Filling Material

HEIDENHEIM, Germany — November 13, 2014 — Outlast Technologies, market leader for temperature regulating phase change materials (PCMs), enlarges its product range again and presents the new performance filling material “Universe”: Heat and moisture regulating PCM viscose fibers combine perfectly with cozy downs and offer a natural solution for climate comfort in bedding and apparel products.

The heat managing Outlast® PCM viscose fibers form one part of the new filling material “Universe” (30-percent viscose Outlast/70-percent down). They are 10 mm short cut fibers with 7 dtex. Such a thick fiber with a high diameter was deliberately selected. “So we can guarantee a high loading of phase change materials (PCMs),” says Martin Bentz, Managing Director of Outlast Europe GmbH. “The performance compared to a standard PCM viscose fiber here is four times higher.” In combination with the down, Outlast has developed a product offering optimum thermal comfort. The downs display their advantages like lightness, fluffy volume and naturalness, the Outlast PCM viscose fibers regulate and optimize the climate comfort. Overheating and sweating are reduced significantly.

What sounds easy was technically a very big challenge. “In conjunction with our well-known partner Kelheim Fibres, we are happy to have successfully obtained this new process — a homogeneous blend where both wash and care requirements are ensured,” continues Martin Bentz.

Thus, Outlast has further tested on “filling material” and found out that PCM filling materials are ideally suited to provide an optimum heat and moisture management. “The air transports body heat quickly to the performance fibers,” explains Volker Schuster, director, R&D, Outlast Europe. “One important aspect is that all fibers inside a filling altogether build a huge surface. And all fibers are flowed around by air. Therefore every fiber can react very quickly to temperature changes. Since the airflow is increased, this allows the PCMs to be more active in loading and discharging”. As a result, temperature changes are minimized and sweating can be reduced significantly.

And Outlast strengthens: The new PCM filling material optimizes the climate proactively – contrary to other technologies that are merely transporting sweat. Outlast technology is not a wicking technology, which manages moisture by reacting to sweat and pulling it away from the skin. Outlast technology proactively manages your skin temperature while controlling the production of moisture before it begins. That’s the Outlast® difference. And you will feel this difference also in comfort and hygiene. Interesting side effect: By using the new down/PCM viscose fiber blend the material costs of an end product (in comparison to the use of 100% down) can be reduced while also offering an interesting added value and more performance. This offers a benefit to manufacturers as well as to consumers.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: Outlast Europe
 

Shimadzu’s UV-3600 Plus UV-VIS-NIR Spectrophotometer Offers High-Sensitivity, High-Resolution Analyses

COLUMBIA, Md. — November 18, 2014 — Incorporating the latest technology to achieve high sensitivity, high resolution and an ultra-low stray light level, Shimadzu’s new UV-3600 Plus UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer offers scientists an opportunity to provide high-performance analyses in a wealth of applications.

The UV-3600 Plus UV-VIS-NIR spectrophotometer is equipped with three detectors — PMT (photomultiplier tube) for ultraviolet and visible regions, and InGaAs and cooled PbS detectors for the near-infrared region — to ensure high sensitivity across the entire measured wavelength range. Compared to spectrophotometers with only PMT and PbS detectors, the UV-3600 Plus significantly reduces noise level to assure high-accuracy measurements across the entire wavelength range.

The instrument’s high-performance double monochromator makes it possible to attain an ultra-low stray light level (0.00005% max at 340 nm) with high resolution. The wide wavelength range of 185 to 3,300 nm enables measurement across the ultraviolet, visible and near-infrared regions.

Additionally, the UV-3600 offers a three-detector, multi-purpose, large-sample compartment and integrating sphere options, which enable high-sensitivity measurement of solid samples. A large number of absolute specular reflectance accessories are available to perform high-accuracy absolute reflectance measurements. Temperature-controlled cell holders and micro cell holders are also available to handle a wide range of measurement applications.

The UV-3600 Plus offers high-resolution analysis in the following application areas: materials science, including photovoltaics, electronics, optical coatings, and textiles; food science; pharmaceuticals, cosmetics and life sciences; and chemicals.

The all-in-one UVProbe software is equipped with four measurement modes to handle a wide variety of data processing needs for the UV-3600 Plus, such as peak detection and area calculations in addition to transformations such as derivative spectra and Kubelka-Munk transforms for reflectance measurements. These modes include a spectrum module, a photometric module (quantitation), a kinetics module (time course management), and a report generator. Optional software is also available for users who wish to perform measurements such as color analysis, solar transmittance, band gap, and film thickness.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: Shimadzu

Easiway Systems Introduces Affordable, High-Performing Washout Booth

DELANO, Minn. — November 14, 2014 — Easiway Systems Inc. — manufacturer of the EasiSolv, PlastiSolv and VersaSolv line of environmentally approved chemicals for the screen printing and graphic arts industry — has announced the addition of a new, affordable, ground shippable, washout booth, which ships without a crate charge.

“Easiway’s E-3224 Polypropylene Washout Booth is a game changer” says John Schluter.   This piece of equipment is an ideal example of low cost meeting high performance.

The E-3224 is manufactured of white, welded, corrosion resistant polypropylene which insures a long life. The inside dimensions are 32” wide, 24” deep and 38” high. This booth has an overall total height of 64” including legs. This accommodates manual screens as well as small, automatic frames. The E-3224 is easy to assemble, comes professionally packed and boxed for inexpensive UPS or FedEx ground shipping. This washout booth does not require a crate, which provides an additional distinct cost advantage. All E-3224s come with a unique, polypropylene, free floating, screen rack designed to accommodate odd and standard screen frames. Also, includes a 2” female center location drain for easy plumbing installation.
 
The E-3224 is in stock and ready to ship. 

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: Easiway Systems
 

NCTO Calls On Congress To Move Quickly On Critical MTB Legislation

WASHINGTON — November 12, 2014 — The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) calls on  Congress to move quickly to pass the long unresolved Miscellaneous Tariff Bill (MTB) to boost U.S. manufacturing, exports, and employment.

Passage of the MTB will help U.S. manufacturers compete on the global stage by temporarily suspending or reducing duties on manufacturing inputs or materials that are not made domestically. Such reductions or suspensions decrease costs for U.S. businesses and ultimately increase the competitiveness of their products. Unfortunately, Congress has failed to pass an MTB since the bill’s expiration at the end of 2012.

Following the recent mid-term elections, congressional leaders and President Obama indicated that trade related issues would be a likely area of cooperation for early action in the next Congress. NCTO believes that the MTB should be a top priority as key congressional committees and the White House map out a legislative trade agenda in the 114th Congress.

“We must invest in our manufacturing sector and domestic economy by creating an environment which encourages U.S. businesses to grow and compete on a global scale,” stated NCTO president and CEO, Augustine Tantillo. “By suspending duties on inputs and component materials which are not produced in the United States, American businesses will be able to cut costs and better compete with offshore producers for markets both at home and abroad.”

“Frankly, the failure to approve a miscellaneous tariff bill is a classic example of the legislative dysfunction that has gripped Washington in recent years.  For decades the MTB was a non-controversial, bipartisan initiative. There is no good reason that this critical issue should remain unresolved,” said Tantillo.

Tantillo concluded by stating that “The National Council of Textile Organizations looks forward to working with members of the House and Senate, as well as congressional leaders, to gain approval of this critically important legislation to the U.S. textile and apparel industry.”

The U.S. textile and apparel industry is a significant contributor to the overall U.S. economy, producing over $70 billion in annual output.  In addition, the U.S. textile and apparel sector exported nearly $24 billion in goods in 2013. Importantly, this industry is a major employer in the in United States, providing jobs for nearly 500,000 workers from fiber production to finished product in 2013. Additionally, for every one direct textile or apparel job, there are three additional jobs supported within the U.S. economy.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: NCTO
 

Lenzing: Persistently Difficult Market Environment, Cost Savings Measures Positively Impact Results

LENZING, Austria, — November 13, 2014 — The Lenzing Group is working to counteract the ongoing difficult market environment prevailing in the fiber industry. Sales and earnings declined in the first nine months of 2014 compared to the prior-year performance, but cost savings are having a positive impact. This led to a slight earnings improvement in the third quarter of 2014, the first time in about two years. Further cost reductions are planned in light of the fact that no significant impetus is expected from the market.

Ongoing weak fiber prices burden Q1-3 sales and earnings
The decline in the average fiber selling prices and the high volatility on the fiber market continue to negatively impact the company’s business operations. Consolidated sales decreased by 6.2% to EUR 1,357.7 mn in the first three quarters of 2014, down from EUR 1,447.0 mn in the previous year. More than half of the sales drop is due to the non-recurring effects relating to the disposal of the Business Unit Plastics in 2013. Consolidated sales were down by 2.8% in a like-for-like comparison. Average fiber selling prices of the Lenzing Group fell to 1.55 EUR/kg compared to 1.73 EUR/kg in the first three quarters of 2013. The price decline could not be fully offset by increasing fiber production and sales volumes, in part as a result of the successful start-up of the new TENCEL® fiber manufacturing facility at the Lenzing site. Fiber sales volumes rose by 7% year-on-year to 706,900 tons in the first nine months of 2014.

In a like-for-like comparison of continuing operations, consolidated EBITDA1 in the first nine months of the year amounted to EUR 159.8 mn, a 16.0% decrease compared to EUR 190.2 mn for Q1-3 2013. This corresponded to an EBITDA margin of 11.8% (Q1-3 2013: 13.6%). Consolidated nine-month earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR 69.5 mn, a drop of 34.8% from EUR 106.6 mn in the previous year. This comprised an EBIT margin of 5.1% (Q1-3 2013: 7.6%). As a consequence of the excelLENZ program, the number of employees working for the Lenzing Group fell to 6,352 people as at September 30, 2014 (December 31, 2013: 6,675) despite the full operation of the new TENCEL® fiber production plant in Lenzing.

Third-quarter Earnings Reflect Cost Reductions
The third-quarter 2014 performance of the Lenzing Group was marked by a slight year-on-year earnings improvement as well as in comparison to the second quarter of 2014. “The measures are succeeding. The earnings improvement is mainly attributable to the excelLENZ cost-cutting drive but also from the first fiber sales volumes produced by the new TENCEL® fiber plant in Lenzing”, says Lenzing CEO Peter Untersperger.

In spite of higher sales volumes, consolidated sales in the third quarter of 2014 stagnated at EUR 457.7 mn compared to the prior-year level of EUR 457.1 mn, which is due to the lower average fiber selling prices. Nevertheless, third-quarter EBITDA rose to EUR 68.0 mn (Q3 2013: EUR 61.8 mn), and EBIT in the third quarter of 2014 totaled EUR 37.1 mn (Q3 2013: EUR 33.4 mn), whereas EBT improved to EUR 33.3 mn from the figure of EUR 28.2 mn in the prior-year quarter.

Implementation Of Further Cost Savings
“We expect cost savings exceeding EUR 90 mn for the entire year 2014, of which about one quarter involves personnel expenses. The remaining cost decreases equally relate to reduction in material costs and savings derived from efficiency projects to cut general and administrative expenses”, adds CEO Untersperger. “Planning work has begun to enable a further improvement of the Lenzing Group’s cost structure to be achieved in 2015. Starting in 2016 we will achieve sustainable cost reductions of over EUR 160 mn p.a. These measures are designed to safeguard the long-term competitive strength of the company and its self-financing capacity for future investments.”

Outlook Lenzing Group
The global market for man-made cellulose fibers will continue to be impacted in the upcoming months by low pulp prices and surplus fiber production capacities against the backdrop of good volume demand.

The successful ramp-up of the TENCEL® fiber plant in Lenzing, the initiated improvements in the product mix, and the strong expansion of marketing and sales activities along the entire value chain will improve the company’s market position and its relative competitive strength. In addition to an intensification of the excelLENZ cost reduction program, the realignment initiative in the fields of Lenzing Technik, site maintenance and repair services will make an important contribution towards achieving operational improvements at Lenzing.

1 Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation on property, plant and equipment and amortization of intangible assets and before income from the release of investment grants.

Key Group Indicators (IFRS) in EUR mn
                                                               1-9/2014                          1-9/20131

Consolidated Sales 1,357.7          1,447.0        
EBITDA2 159.8 190.2
EBITDA margin2 in % 11.8 13.6
EBIT2 69.5 106.6
EBIT margin2 in % 5.1 7.6
Profit for the period2 44.3 65.7
CAPEX3 84.8 180.6

                                                                               Sep. 30, 2014         Dec. 31, 2013

Adjusted equity ratio4 in % 46.9                 45.5             
Number of employees at period-end 6,352 6,675

1 The prior year figures were restated due to changes in presentatio (see Note 2 to the interim consolidated financial statements).
2 From continued operations
3 Compromising investments in intangible assets, property, plant and equipment. 01-09/2013 incl. BU Plastics
4 Equity incl. government grants less prop. deferred taxes.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: Lenzing

Yazoo Mills Adds Equipment To Production Lines; Focuses On The Future

NEW OXFORD, Pa. — November 11, 2014 — Yazoo Mills has purchased a new high-speed, multi-knife paper tube recutting line that will assist the company’s focus on the increasing demand for their products such as paper cores for the converting industry as well as other specialty items. Paco Winders Manufacturing Co., based in Philadelphia, Pa., will supply the complete line equipped with custom built knife bars. The custom knife bars will integrate into Yazoo’s tooling intersystem, enabling its machine operators to rapidly complete equipment change overs.

The new Paco recutting line will compliment Yazoo’s existing 25 recutting lines by reducing labor, expanding production capacity, and improving its ability to expedite custom orders. Additionally, Yazoo recently added two high-speed paper tube winding lines in the spring of 2014 and the company plans on further expansion in 2015.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: Yazoo Mills
 

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