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
 

Increasing Amount Of Clothing And Textile Recycling Is The Goal Of The “Clothes The Loop” Campaign

BEL AIR, Md. — November 15, 2014 — “Clothes the Loop” is the theme of the first-ever statewide campaign to promote clothing and textile recycling . The Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) joins The New York State Association of Reduction, Reuse, and Recycling (NYSAR3) and the Council for Textile Recycling (CTR) in announcing the launch of “Clothes the Loop NY” on America Recycles Day, Saturday, November 15th. Throughout New York, municipalities are initiating an outreach campaign that encourages New York State residents to “Clothes the Loop” by recycling their unwanted clothing and household textiles, and not put them into the trash.

“By engaging local municipalities to promote clothing and textile recycling, NYSAR3 is making a great step forward in educating the public about the importance of keeping used clothing out of landfills,” says Jackie King, Executive Director of SMART. “On America Recycles Day it is especially important to educate people that clothing and other household textiles are highly recyclable. 95% of all clothing, even items that are stained, torn, are out-of-date, or seem to be worn out, can be recycled.”

SMART is the international trade association of the for-profit textile and used clothing recycling industry, while the Council for Textile Recycling works to bring together all aspects of clothing recycling including manufacturers, retailers, consumers, academicians, and municipal employees.

According to NYSAR3, each year, New York State residents dispose of some 1.4 billion pounds of recoverable clothes and textiles, with an estimated market value over $200 million.  NYSAR3 estimates that some 9,600 jobs would be created across the state if that material was dropped off for reuse and recycling.  Across the country, only 15% of recyclable clothes and textiles are actually recovered; 85% ends up in the trash.

“As part of this statewide campaign, communities across New York are launching special events and programs to urge residents  to stop putting clothing and other textiles into the waste stream and start sending all unwanted clothing and other textiles into the reuse/recycling stream. Residents can do that by dropping off all textile products at a charitable organization, or by using clothing collection bins—they should NOT be placed in curbside recycling containers,” says David Lupinski, President of NYSAR3.

“Both non-profit charities and for-profit recyclers often work in conjunction to keep this valuable resource out of the waste stream.”  Lupinski added that “More recycling means more jobs.  In this case, we could create more than 9,000 new jobs across the state in the not-for-profit and private sectors through the recovery of clothing and textiles that are currently trashed.

SMART estimates the average person throws away 70-pounds of used clothing annually; of those 70-pounds, 95% could have been reused or recycled. Industry officials say only clothing that is wet (mildewed) or has been contaminated with a solvent such as gasoline, paint, or odorous cleaner cannot be recycled.

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency’s most recent report on municipal solid waste (2012), 14.33 million tons of waste is generated annual that is exclusively clothing and other household textiles.  Of that amount, only 15.7% or 2.25 million tons is recycled.1

In the same study, the EPA calculated the impact the current level of recycling has on reducing greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the United States. The EPA report indicates the 2.25 million tons of textiles are currently recycled annually; is the equivalent of removing 1.2 million cars from America’s highways.  This is more than 5-times the impact of recycled yard trimmings (170 thousand cars removed); is more than 4-times the impact of glass recycling (210 thousand cars removed); more than plastic recycling (670 thousand cars removed); and is nearly equal to the impact of aluminum recycling (1.3 million cars removed).2

SOURCES:
1 Table 1, Page 7. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2011.

2 Table 5, Page 12. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2011.

Posted November 18, 2014

Source: SMART
 

The Rupp Report: The Chinese Cotton Situation (ITMF Conference Part 3)

As reported in the Rupp Report over the past few weeks, the textile industry gathered in Beijing from October 16-18, 2014, at the International Textile Manufacturers Federation’s (ITMF’s) annual conference. Keeping in mind that the event was in China, the attendees expected some clarification about the somewhat strange cotton stock situation in China, and they were not disappointed. As already reported also, the openness and the clear words of the Chinese speakers were remarkable.
 
Cotton Purchase Policy
Gao Fang, head of the China Cotton Association (CCA), presented an accurate China cotton market analysis and outlook of the purchase policy of China for cotton during the 2011-13 seasons. Fact is, China still is holding a stock of more than 10 million metric tons (mt) of cotton. This is equivalent to the total annual Chinese cotton consumption. Gao’s four main targets to change this situation in a foreseeable time are:
 

  • Decreased acreage and smaller production;
  • Enlarged difference between demand and supply;
  • Adjustment of the cotton policy; and
  • Consequent transformation between the old and new system. 

She mentioned that the reserve cotton purchase transaction volume has reached nearly 16 million tons, with around 16.5 million tons of actual warehouse delivery during the 2011-13 seasons. From November 2013 until August 2014, the reserve cotton release target has reached 13.11 million mt, with an actual transaction of 2.645 million mt, 20.2 percent by transaction rate, comprised of 2.491 million mt of domestic cotton and 0.163 million mt of imported cotton. This is approximately 80 percent of national cotton production. In contrary to the turbulent and volatile situation on the global cotton markets, the China National Bureau of Statistics says that the price difference in the domestic cotton market was less than 10 percent during the time period.
 
Reduced Acreage
Acreage will be reduced by some 9.34 percent down to 4.23 million hectares, according to Gao. The consequence of this action is India could become the largest cotton grower in the world. Gao estimated the domestic cotton consumption for the next season at some 8.5 million mt.
 
However, a stock of 10 million mt is normal for China, and the stock’s only purpose is to stabilize the market so recent past volatilities with cotton prices will not occur again. Up-to-now, every cotton fiber farmed in China was sold to the government. Gao gave an interesting explanation why there are two different cotton prices: There are 40 million cotton farmers in China and the government bought their crops at above market prices to help stabilize the market. The price was determined in 2011 at 19,800 renminbi (RMB) (US$3,236). Then the financial crisis occurred, and the global price of cotton fell. The price set by the government — which is much higher than the current global cotton price — is not good for Chinese spinners, Gao said, and it will be changed in the future.
 
Extensive Imports
The enlarged price difference between domestic and global cotton was distorted by the gap between the domestic prices being supported by reserve purchase, and consequently the international price was falling largely.
 
It goes without saying that the 2012 and 2013 seasons cotton import volumes were among the highest in history resulting in negative consequences — decreased cotton consumption and increased imports of cotton yarn. The high domestic cotton yarn price brought up by a high cotton price, encouraged extensive cotton yarn imports, which peaked in these seasons.
 
Another factor of the reduced cotton consumption regarding the overall fiber consumption, is the fact that also in China man-made fibers are gaining ground in many applications, existing as well as new ones. It is a fact that China is responsible for more that 50 percent of the global man-made fiber production. The man-made fiber production increased steadily.
 
Revised Cotton Policy For 2014 Season
Interesting to hear was the fact that the temporary cotton reserve purchase was closed and a “Xinjiang cotton target price reform trial” was launched. There will be no subsidy when the average price is higher than 19,800 RMB/mt during the price collection period. On the other side, subsidies will be triggered when the average price is lower than 19,800 RMB/mt during the price collection period. Gao is convinced that “the market will dominate the domestic cotton prices and the price gap home and abroad will narrow down, and a cotton demand recovering increase is expected.
 
Another measure taken was to suspend reserve cotton releases from September 2014 until March 2015. The only exception, Gao mentioned, “is when the demand could not be met on a large scale.”
 
According to the CCA statistics, the acreage for the 2014 season will be 4.23 million hectares. This is a decrease of 9.35 percent. On a year-to-year change the different regions are planned to produce the following acreage:
 

Region Million hectares %        
National 666 -5
Xinjiang 459 +7
Yellow River 97 -26
Yangtze 95 -23

 
Throughout the 2011 to 2013 seasons, the maximum price was 20,010 RMB/mt (US$3,270), the minimum price 16,992 RMB/mt (US$2,777). During the same time, she explained, the international market price change was 1/3 more than the domestic one. In 2011 the seasonal average price was 19,113 RMB/mt (US$3,123); in 2012 season 19,136 RMB/mt (US$3,127) and in 2013 18,625 RMB/mt (US$3,044).
 
The supported Chinese cotton reserve purchase cotton yarn price with some 32 yarn counts cotton yarn prices during 2011 to 2013 seasons was at an average price of 25,800 RMB/mt (US$4,216), then 25,914 RMB (US$4,231), and finally 26,034 RMB/mt (US$4,247). Gao mentioned that from June 2012 until the closure of the reserve purchase, the international cotton price changed between 80-100 cents per pound.
 
New Pricing System
Gao explained that in the future the cotton prices should be based on the markets and that spinners should be the buyers and not the government. From September 2014 until March 2015, the Chinese government will not influence the cotton prices Gao assured the breathless listening audience. However, she added with a smile, if the cotton prices climb too high, the government probably will release some raw material from the existing 10 million mt to balance the prices.
 
Gao is convinced that the market will dominate the domestic cotton price, and the price gap between the domestic and international markets will narrow, and the cotton demand increase is expected to reach 8.5 million mt. Already by October 15, the CC Index 3128B declined to 14,797 RMB/mt (US$2,418), this is a 23.8 percent decrease since the end of March. On the other hand, Zhengzhou cotton futures major contract settlement price was at 13,620 RMB/mt (US$2,226), this is another decrease of 14.72 percent for the same time period.
 
And Now?
There probably is only one thing to bear in mind: What happens if the Chinese government starts to release some cotton that is up to three years old? Will the color and the quality still be comparable and the same as the newly harvested cotton?
 
November 11, 2014
 

Top Value Fabrics Introduces Dye Sub Performance Textiles For Brilliant Printing

CARMEL, Ind. —November 5, 2014 — Dye Sub Performance Textiles from Top Value Fabrics provide a brilliant printing platform for superior banners, exhibit graphics, theatrical displays, banner stands, lightbox frame systems and advertising displays.

TVF’s Dye Sub Performance Textile line includes the following fabrics: Tri Poly, Triple White, Display Fabric, Heavy Knit and Ultra White Blockout. The fabrics are available in widths from 60 to 126 inches, and meet NFPA 701 FR specifications. After imaging, the media provides outstanding color consistency, excellent image sharpness and a wide color range.

“Our Dye Sub Performance Textile line debuted at the SGIA Expo in Las Vegas and was met with tremendous interest,” said Jeff Nonte, Print Media Program Manager. “The media in this line is uncoated, and is constructed specifically for printers who require a high-end look and feel with dye sub transfer-only ink compatibility and pricepoint. These fabrics are an excellent fit for printers who use transfer technology for upscale applications.”

Posted November 11, 2014

Source: Top Value Fabrics
 

ASTM International Announces Leadership Succession Plan

WEST CONSHOHOCKEN, Pa. — November 5, 2014 — The future leadership of ASTM International was decided recently at the October meetings of the ASTM board of directors in Seoul, South Korea. A unanimous decision was enthusiastically announced to have Katharine E. Morgan, current ASTM vice president of technical committee operations, succeed ASTM president James A. Thomas.
 
“Having been informed by Jim Thomas of his intention to retire, the executive committee of the board set out on a search for candidates whose passion for ASTM would again result in excellent stewardship of the Society,” says Thomas A. Schwartz, 2014 chairman of the ASTM board of directors. “Kathie is precisely that individual, with her instinctual knowledge of the workings of ASTM technical committees, the industry sectors they represent, as well as the global standardization landscape.”
 
Morgan came to ASTM in 1984 as a staff manager and soon assumed roles of increasing responsibility in standards development at ASTM, rising to her current post in 2007. She holds a Bachelor of Science in chemical engineering and a Master of Business Administration. Outside ASTM, Morgan is a member of the American National Standards Institute’s Organizational Member Forum; the Council of Engineering and Scientific Society Executives; the International Consumer Product Health and Safety Organization; the Society for Standards Professionals; and the Standards Council of Canada’s Standards Development Organization Advisory Committee.
 
To ensure a smooth transition for ASTM’s members and customers, Morgan will assume the position of ASTM executive vice president on March 1, 2015. She will work closely with Jim Thomas during a time of transition up to his retirement on Feb. 1, 2017.
 
“Since assuming the presidency in 1992, Jim Thomas’ leadership has had an enormous positive impact on ASTM and its stakeholders. Jim is a respected ambassador, advocate and a voice not only for ASTM, but also for strategic standardization as a whole. We wish Jim and Kathie well, and appreciate their deep dedication to the future of ASTM,” says Schwartz.
 
Posted November 11, 2014

Source: ASTM International
 

C&A Foundation Calls For Greater Collaboration For A Fair And Sustainable Apparel Industry

ZUG, Switzerland & PORTLAND, Ore. — November 11, 2014 — “Let’s work together to find innovative solutions to the deeply-rooted problems of the apparel industry,” said Leslie Johnston, Executive Director of C&A Foundation, addressing the participants of the Textile Exchange Conference in Portland.  The call was made during an event to launch the new global strategy of C&A Foundation, a private foundation affiliated with the global clothing retailer C&A.

“The apparel sector touches over 150 million people every day in some of the poorest countries in the world.  It provides men and women with formal employment and has tremendous potential to be a force for good,” Johnston said.  “Yet the industry has developed in a way that is no longer sustainable and the challenges are great.  Together, we can change the way the industry works, but it won’t happen overnight.  C&A Foundation is committed to fostering change in the long-term.”

In order to better leverage its experience, networks and long-time partnerships C&A Foundation –– which builds on a long history of private and corporate philanthropy –– recently consolidated its efforts under one global strategy.  This new strategy, which Johnston outlined in her presentation, rests on three pillars:

Product, by helping smallholder farmers transition to more sustainable fibre;

Supply, by supporting factory owners to improve the environmental impact of their operations; and

Lives, by working to improve livelihoods across the apparel supply chain.

“We are one of many committed organisations working in this field, but we are working to empower other stakeholders to better address challenges so that, collectively, we can have more meaningful results,” explains Johnston.  “Specifically, we are focusing our initial efforts on two areas: sustainable cotton and improved working conditions.”

Sustainable Cotton – In 2009, C&A co-founded CottonConnect, a social enterprise working to help smallholder farmers transition to more sustainable cotton farming.  Since its creation, CottonConnect has expanded its activities to support more than 20 retailers to source cotton from over 130,000 farmers across India, China and Pakistan, who have since reduced their chemical input and water use.  As a shareholder and donor to the organisation, C&A Foundation supports CottonConnect in transitioning conventional farmers to certified organic cotton, ultimately improving their incomes and livelihoods.

Improved working conditions – C&A Foundation designed and piloted the Sustainable Supplier Programme (SSP), an initiative aimed at improving productivity in garment factories, deepening worker dialogue and ultimately channelling some of the ensuing value back to workers.  In the spirit of its open source approach, the foundation is currently sharing the results of the programme – both positive and negative – with other stakeholders.

“We are inspired by the number of platforms and actors working for a fair and sustainable apparel industry.  We hope to use our resources and convening power to help our partners to do even more,” says Johnston.  “For me, this is about human dignity and what we can do together to improve livelihoods across the supply chain.”

Posted November 11, 2014

Source: C&A Foundation
 

Call For Papers For 13th International Wool Research Conference And AATCC Sustainability Symposium

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — November 6, 2014 — AATCC will partner with Zhejiang Sci-Tech University (ZSTU) in Hangzhou, China in conducting the 13th International Wool Research Conference (IWRC 13th) and AATCC’s Sustainability Symposium, to be held June 10-12, 2015 in Hangzhou.
 
Based on the theme of “Innovation, Ecology and Quality: The Pathway to the Wool Future,” the three-day IWRC conference will cover invited keynotes, oral, and poster presentations. Individuals are invited to submit original papers related to the science and engineering of wool fibers. Topics of interest include:

  • Wool structure and analysis techniques
  • Raw wool processing technology
  • Wool spinning and weaving science and technology
  • Dyeing and finishing for wool fibers, textiles, and apparel
  • Design and manufacturing technology for wool apparel
  • Fabric care technology for wool apparel
  • Eco-textile chemicals
  • Environmental treatment and waste reclamation
  • Science and engineering related to wool (hair cosmetic chemistry and leather)

 
AATCC’s Sustainability Symposium, also hosted by ZSTU, will be held in parallel with the IWRC. With the theme of “Innovation, Sustainability, and Quality: The Pathway to the Future,” individuals are invited from industry, academia, and research institutes around the globe to submit original papers related to:

  • Novel eco-textile materials
  • Eco-friendly textile composites and industrial textiles
  • Green dyeing and finishing chemicals and processes
  • Pollutions control and waste treatment
  • Non-water medium dyeing and finishing
  • Smart textiles
  • Digital printing and 3D printing
  • Fundamental research and characterization techniques
  • Textile recycling technology

 
Abstract submissions should be submitted no later than February 1, 2015. 

Posted November 11, 2014

Source: AATCC

 

VDMA: Garment And Leather Technology Association On Course For Success

MUNICH, Germany — November 4, 2014 — German garment and leather technology manufacturers are enjoying continued success, increasing year-on-year sales by 22.5 per cent in real terms in the period January to September 2014. In real terms, orders received in the first nine months of 2014 were 13.1 per cent up on the previous year, with domestic business recording a 4.7 per cent year-on-year increase in real terms and foreign business a 15.4 per cent increase in real terms. “In the current turbulent international climate, these excellent results confirm the global success achieved by the German garment and leather technology industry”, explained Elgar Straub, Managing Director of the Garment and Leather Technology Association within the VDMA at the General Assembly of the VDMA Garment and Leather Technology Association in Düsseldorf on 15 October.

Within the VDMA, the Garment and Leather Technology Association encompasses sewing and garment machinery, shoe and leather technology, laundry and textile cleaning machinery and machinery for processing technical textiles. Exports by the German garment and leather technology industry rose 5.8 per cent in 2013, from Euro 839 million in 2012 to Euro 888 million in 2013. Of particular note are exports in the sewing and garment technology sector, which grew by 14.7 per cent from Euro 406 million in 2012 to Euro 466 million in 2013.

The main buyers of German garment and leather technology in 2013 were the USA, India and Turkey.

Industry 4.0
In the garment industry and also other textile-processing sectors, factors such as flexibility in production and optimising costs and speed play a key role. These are just some of the factors that drive Industry 4.0. For example, IT solutions are already being increasingly used throughout the entire garment production value chain. They are an important driver of innovation as they continuously optimise the value creation process.

Texprocess 2015
The extremely favourable trends within the sector are creating high expectations for the third Texprocess in 2015. The leading international trade fair for the processing of textile and other flexible materials will be held in Frankfurt from 4 to 7 May 2015. A key focus at Texprocess will be IT and its significance for the garment industry. Topics such as Industry 4.0, 3D virtualization and RFID are of interest to the entire value chain and are assuming great significance, not least because of the flexibility and speed within this industry.

Posted November 11, 2014

Source: VDMA
 

Kelheim Fibres Introduces First Viscose Fibre With Permanently Incorporated Infrared-heat Reflection

KELHEIM, Germany — November 5, 2014 — Kelheim Fibres GmbH is extending its range of speciality products by a newly developed viscose fiber that reflects infrared (IR) radiation.

The human body — like any other matter with comparable temperature — releases a large part of its energy via thermal radiation. This radiation is mainly composed of infrared light. It leads to a loss of energy and therefore to a cooling of the human body. The newly developed viscose fiber with incorporated IR-reflecting particles can significantly reduce this process: Thermal radiation emanating from a body is reflected by the particles incorporated in the viscose fiber and sent back to the body, so reducing the cooling of the person.

In addition to this thermal retention function, the wearer of such a textile also benefits from the typical properties of a viscose fiber such as wearer comfort, softness and skin friendliness. This is achieved by the intrinsic quality of the treatment: in contrast to a subsequent finish with additives based on titanium oxide, the mineral IR-reflecting particles are incorporated into the fiber’s core, preserving the typical fiber properties. The effect is permanent as the additive cannot be washed out.

First test results of the new fibers that have already been successfully manufactured on a pilot scale, show significant temperature effects in comparison to a standard viscose fiber. This opens up a multitude of possible fields of applications: Used in functional underwear, the thermal effect can increase the well-being of the wearer even at low temperatures. In functional sportswear, the new fiber can lead to improved performance and a faster regeneration of the athlete, thanks to improved blood circulation. Along with textiles, different nonwoven applications could benefit from the IR-reflecting fiber, as for example warming shoe inserts.

“Comfortable feel-good clothes and functional special clothing are just two obvious applications for our new IR fiber,” said Dr. Nina Köhne from Kelheim Fibres’ R&D team. Dr. Daniela Bauer, added: “We would be happy to adapt the fiber exactly to the demands of other applications depending on our customer’s specific needs. In the past, individual development partnerships often have proven very fruitful and we are glad when our customers reach out to us with their new ideas.”

For the next step, the Bavarian fiber specialists are planning physical and physiological textile tests.

Posted November 11, 2014

Source: Kelheim Fibres
 

1...1,7581,7591,760...2,507Page 1,759 of 2,507

Sponsors

Breaking News

Load more

Digital Issue

2025 Quarterly Issue Number I

View Latest Digital Issue

FEATURED ARTICLES

© Copyright 2017 Textile Industries Media Group, LLC.