The Rupp Report: Dilo ITMA 2015 Preview

The Germany-based DiloGroup reports: “During the year, there has been a great demand for Dilo lines for the production of needle felts. An above-average order intake from the important markets has been registered.”
 
DiloGroup presents its machines and production lines in the field of complete staple fiber nonwoven production lines. This includes fiber preparation — opening and blending — from DiloTemafa, card and card feeding from DiloSpinnbau, and crosslapper and needle looms from DiloMachines.
 
At ITMA, DiloGroup will exhibit two complete lines to show the full extent of its product range.
 
The first is a wide-width staple fiber needling line for technical textiles production, which is especially suitable for producing geotextiles according to Dilo. Fiber preparation begins with the latest-generation BTDL bale opener from DiloTemafa for processing longer fibers. The subsequent carding willow KW combines in the preopening stage “good pre-blending and preopening with highest throughput,” reports Dilo. According to the company, new design elements allow longer cleaning intervals with reduced cleaning times. Dilo’s DON dosing opener feeds the fibers viaits fine opening stage to the newly developed card feeder type VRS-P.
 
New Card Feeder
The new UniFeed VRS-P card feeder “combines the principle of volumetric precisely charged feeding, with the characteristics of a vibration chute feeder and eliminates a conventional large trunk (on the top),” reports Dilo.  This results in a better and more homogeneous distribution of the fiber flocks, according to the company. The lower profile results in reduced costs for the construction of the factory and its operating expenses because the ceiling height can be lowered. The fiber flock matt is condensed by a vacuum delivery apron for a better uniformity of the fiber mass distribution. Additional flaps control the fiber distribution over the working width. VRS series card feeders are used for medium-fine to coarse, and medium to long staple fibers.
 
New Card Series
Dilo reports its new VectorQuadroCard “incorporates a completely new modular transfer group between breast and main section. The flexible and quick change of this transfer group makes possible three different card types:
 
Type VQ-Q with a Quattro group to improve web evenness and fiber blending, arranged as a double transfer between preopener and main cylinder with two doffers and two transfer rollers to the main cylinder. 
Type VQ-V with a top doffer together with a transfer roller and a lower transfer roller to increase the throughput by using the doubling effect between preopener and main cylinder. 
Type VQ-T with only one transfer roller between preopener and main cylinder. 
The model series VQC uses 4 worker/stripper pairs of rollers on the preopener and five worker/stripper pairs on the main cylinder.”
 
According to Dilo, the delivery system is flexible and may be combined in multiple variations including: two doffer rollers and respective parallel delivery system; featuring pairs of doffer rollers and condenser rolls top and bottom; or as random card with random rollers, doffers, condenser rolls and take-off rollers.
 
At ITMA, a VQC with a working width of 3.2 meters designed for the geotextile sector will be on display.
 
New Crosslapper
According to Dilo, the new Super-DLSC 200 crosslapper operates at electro-mechanical speeds of up to 200 meters per minute for web infeed speeds, depending on the fiber used. The machine was developed with the aim of reducing a possible bottleneck for the total throughput of the complete installation. At the crosslapper infeed, Dilo has incorporated the CV1A web regulation system for improved needlefelt evenness with a great potential for fiber savings. “This high web infeed speed has been made possible by a further increase of the drive power within the 3-apron-layering technology,” reports Dilo. “All drives for the aprons and the layering carriages are direct water-cooled torque motors to improve the acceleration with reduced gear wear. In addition, special measures were taken to eliminate and reduce apron vibrations in order to achieve an exact web overlapping (lap joints).” The FLS web guiding system also was installed to help eliminate wrinkles at the speed change of the upper carriage. The reported web infeed width is 320 centimeters (cm) and the layering width is 700 centimeters.
 
DI-LOOM AB
Dilo will exhibit the DI-LOOM OD-II AB with CBF feeding system. Special emphasis was paid to cost effectiveness in this preneedling machine, and Dilo reports DI-LOOM AB has a very favorable price-performance ratio.
 
DCL Dilo-Compact Line
Dilo will exhibit a compact line designed to produce of small amounts of high quality felts suitable for use in the medical sector, and for specialty felts made from fibers such as carbon. The working width of the compact carding machine is 110 cm, the layering width is 220 cm.
 
X22 Needle Module Technology
The compact line needleloom is the first Dilo needleloom to use needle modules. The technology was designed for the intense needling of the Hyperpunch and Cyclopunch models in order to allow an economic needle insertion of these boards with more than 20,000 needles/m/board. The compact needle loom shows the module technology in a classical fishbone arrangement, each module comprising 22 needles.  Development work on the needle modules will be completed over the coming months, according to Dilo.
 
Dilo-Variopunch VPX 2020
New Variopunch technology is based on a modified needle module technology that can erase bad spots in the felt using a variable needle arrangement. Dilo will utilize graphic simulations to illustrate the basics of VPX200 needling technology at ITMA. The company reports Variopunch allows homogeneous distribution of stitches for better surface quality for automotive applications. Numerous needlefelt samples for many different applications will be presented at ITMA.
 
The DiloGroup is in Hall 3, Booth C104

September 23, 2015

EDANA, INDA Release 2015 Nonwovens Standard Procedures

CARY, N.C. — September 17, 2015 — EDANA and INDA jointly announced the launch of the 2015 edition of standard procedures for the nonwovens and related industries.

These Nonwovens Standard Procedures help technically define the nonwovens industry, with specifiers for the properties, composition, and specifications of its products. Offering harmonized language for the industry across the USA and Europe, and recognized by many other individual markets, the procedures offer a way for the nonwovens industry to communicate both across the globe, and within the supply chain to ensure that product properties can be consistently described, produced, and tested.
 
The harmonized methods contained in the Nonwovens Standard Procedures (NWSP) edition include 95 individual test procedures and guidance documents to support applications across the nonwovens and related industries, and are available on both www.inda.org and www.edana.org.
 
“Nonwovens Standard Procedures is designed to provide a standard series of test methods of the various properties desired in nonwovens and engineered fabrics. It is an indispensable resource for innovators and product developers to communicate with buying influences and ensure their products meet the exact specifications demanded by markets and customers. Additionally, laboratory personnel will benefit with enhanced accessibility to the most comprehensive body of nonwovens test methods available in the industry,” said Dave Rousse, INDA President.
 
“I am delighted with the complete revision and update to the Nonwovens Standard Procedures,” said Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA. “They undoubtedly constitute the best ever set of globally applicable test methods for the nonwovens and related industries. With this unique tool, together INDA and EDANA again provide our members and the larger nonwovens community with an enriched common language intended to facilitate their business, and ultimately, to help them develop solutions to best fit users’ requirements.”
 
The 2015 edition includes updated or modified procedures with a new numbering structure to make the document more intuitive to search and use. Additionally, each method now also includes a page to summarize and track relevant changes made to the document. In an effort to make all methods more consistent, each one is now presented in a format building on the International Standards Organisation (ISO) template, facilitating any future possible submission to ISO in an effort to become a recognized international standard or technical specification.
 
As in previous editions, the table of contents for the NWSP documents includes references to existing related ISO standards, which makes it easier for technicians to choose the most relevant procedure or methods to apply to their product.
 
Posted September 23, 2015

Source: INDA
 

Americhem Unveils Its 2016-2017 Color Trends

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — Sept. 17, 2015 — Americhem Inc. — a producer of color and additive solutions for polymeric products — has released its 2016–2017 Color Trends comprised of six color palettes including: Rush Hour, Office Diligence, Casual Friday, Night Life, Welcome Distraction and Sunday Brunch. The color families were announced on September 10, at Americhem’s annual color trends course as part of Americhem U, an ongoing educational series for professionals in the synthetic fibers and plastics industries. This is the company’s seventh annual color trends forecast.

The color families, developed by a committee of color trend specialists, are forecasted to be popular in the coming years based on global influences, pop culture, design trends, technology and fashion-forward color predictions. In conjunction with a fashion design house in Milan, Italy, the groups of colors, in addition to textures, finishes and effects, are translated into seasonal design concepts, moods and lifestyles, each with a unique story to convey the emotions and context of the colors.

This year’s color families revolve around a common theme—a week in our everyday life.

  • Rush Hour — a bold palette highlighting abrupt chaotic reds with deep dark browns representing the hustle and bustle of a city going to work.
  • Office Diligence — neutral and dark, warm and traditional tones mixed with teals and bursts of color to represent an office environment that is making its way into the world around us.
  • Casual Friday — bright colors and achromatic hues remind us of the relaxed atmosphere that comes with the end of the work week.
  • Night Life — the dark, romantic accents of a candlelight dinner are blended with brushes of the night sky to symbolize the excitement of the week’s end.
  • Welcome Distraction — the freedom of the weekend is represented with bright colors that can be seen in street fairs, carnivals or a soothing afternoon in your garden.
  • Sunday Brunch — calming pastels represent the beginning of a relaxing day featuring softening “under the radar” colors that conclude the weekend.

“These colors will be at the forefront of product design and, therefore, at the leading edge of consumer preferences in the years to come,” stated Aubrey Barto, lead color trends specialist for Americhem. “They are appropriate for any industry interested in accenting their products with innovative and modern colors.”

Posted September 23, 2015

Source: Americhem
 

Global Textile Industry Gearing Up For ITMA

Will Chinese currency devaluation influence the success of the upcoming ITMA 2015?

By Jurg Rupp, Executive Editor

ITMA 2015 will be held November 12-19 at the Fiera Milano Rho fairgrounds in Milan, Italy. Milan hosts ITMA for the fifth time since its inception at the now 17th edition of the show. ITMA is owned by CEMATEX, and is organized in 2015 by Singapore-based MP Expositions Pte. Ltd.

For the first time in its history, ITMA will take place in November, because from May 1-October 31, 2015, the 2015 Milan Universal Exposition, or World’s Fair, takes place at the same newly built fairground.

Fiera Milano Rho is one of the largest fairgrounds in the world, spanning 345,000 square meters (m2) of covered gross exhibition space. The venue is well equipped with 10 conference rooms and a host of restaurants, bars and coffee houses. Fiera Milano Rho is located in the west of Milan and connected to the city centre via a metro station, Rho Fiera. It is also served by railway and there are 14,000 parking spaces for visitors.

Show organizers announced back in 2014 that more than 95 percent of the 200,000 m2 of floor space already was booked by exhibitors. “Global textile and garment technology suppliers have snapped up space at next year’s ITMA exhibition in Milan,” reported CEMATEX. “ITMA 2015 … has attracted over 1,300 applicants from 43 countries by the application deadline of July 4.” Since then, the remaining exhibit space has been booked, and ITMA 2015 is presumed to be sold out despite rumblings from the industry that an ITMA in Europe doesn’t make sense anymore. This viewpoint springs from growing importance of the Asian textile market. But things are changing.

Economic Uncertainties
As of Textile World’s press time, bad news about the economy in China and the growth rate of its gross domestic product is a hot topic of conversation around the world. Will China’s economic woes influence the show in Milan? Of course, nobody knows yet.

Some governments estimated the growth of the Chinese economy in the first quarter of 2015 to be “only” 7 percent; indeed proof of a solid economy. In this figure, the growth of energy intensive and polluting products decreased, while services increased and are today the driving force of the Chinese economy. Also, the domestic market is growing. Domestic retail trade grew over the past year by 10.8 percent, not forgetting Internet sales — this sector increased by more than 40 percent in China.

Labor and energy costs influence the Chinese market heavily. However, thanks to its sheer size, China is still the most important global market. Some Chinese manufacturers already have reacted to changing conditions, and now invest heavily in foreign countries to get cheaper labor costs and stay competitive on the global markets. It is well known that China is by far the largest man-made fiber producer in the world, and there are plans to add capacity. Also, there are still many million tons of cotton in stock.

Italy The Biggest Exhibitor Country
Some 30 percent of the total exhibition space at this year’s ITMA has been reserved by machinery manufacturers from Italy. In numbers, 430 companies will occupy 31,000 m2 of space. According to the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), textile machinery sales in 2014 were totalled 2.3 billion euros ($2.7 billion), with exports accounting for around 1.94 million euros ($2.1 million). Exports to Asia amounted to 41 percent in 2014 and those to Europe totaled 40 percent, with a further 16 percent sold within Italy itself. In the first three months of 2015, sales of Italian machinery within Europe increased by 9 percent, with those to France up 29 percent, those to Germany up 23 percent and those to Portugal up by 100 percent.

Exports of textile machinery represent 84 percent, going to some 130 countries. In the first quarter of 2015, Italian exports of textile machines was divided as follows: Asia, with 42 percent; Europe, with 41 percent; Latin America, with 7 percent; North America, with 5 percent; and Africa, with 5 percent. During the same period, the biggest contribution to Italian exports of textile machinery came from China, valued at 58 million euros ($65 million). China is followed by Turkey with 47 million euros ($53 million), Bangladesh with 31 million euros ($35 million) and India with 25 million euros ($28 million).

While China remains the biggest destination for Italian machines, exports to the country fell by 25 percent in 2014, and dropped by a further 14 percent in the first three months of 2015. A full recovery in exports to China, however, is anticipated for the remainder of 2015.

Associated, Collocated Events
In more recent editions, ITMA has hosted collocated events including seminars and conferences. The list of events includes the Textile Colourant & Chemical Leaders Forum and the Nonwovens Forum at ITMA (See Table 1).


Table 1

According to the organizers, the Textile Colourant & Chemical Leaders Forum will help attendees “learn about sustainability in dyeing and finishing processes from international experts.” A wide range of topics and issues will be covered in three sessions:

  • The Issues: Chemical pollution and environmental concerns and the impact on the marketplace.
  • The Solutions: How does the supply chain respond?
  • The Future: What are the trends and game changers?

Specific presentations will cover the chemical and colorant suppliers’ response to current environmental issues, updates on REACH regulation, and new dyeing and printing technologies and their impact on a more sustainable supply chain. The event will be held on November 14 at the Stella Polare Convention Centre, Fiera Milano Rho in the Sagittarius Room.

Nonwovens more and more form an important part of global textile production. Recognizing that, ITMA organizers have added a Nonwovens Forum to the ITMA conference schedule. The event will be co-organized by The International Association for the Nonwovens and Related Industries, Belgium, and MP Expositions. The forum will be held all day November 16 at the Stella Polare Convention Centre, Fiera Milano Rho, Sagittarius Room.

The program will benefit ITMA visitors who are involved in, or have the intention to move into nonwovens manufacturing. The theme for the forum is, “Nonwovens: A World of Growth and Opportunities.” Interested parties can find out directly from industry leaders in nonwoven manufacturing how one can grab opportunities in the rapidly evolving world of nonwovens. The forum will be broken into two main sessions.

  • Session 1: Applications and Technologies for Nonwovens — Lecturers include speakers from Andritz Nonwoven, DiloGroup and Oerlikon Neumag.
  • Session 2: Added Value Ingredients and Finishing for Nonwovens — Lecturers include speakers from CHT R. Beitlich and Pulcra Chemicals.

In addition, Jacques Prigneaux, market analysis and economic affairs director, EDANA, will give a lecture entitled, “The Nonwovens Industry and Markets in Numbers.”

It will be interesting to see if the blend of Italianità, approximately 1,400 exhibitors, news from the Chinese economy and the collection of events will be a successful mix for the global textile machinery industry.
Textile Industries Media Group will be at the show and is more than happy to welcome readers of Textile World, Textiles Panamericanos and Textile World Asia to its booth in Hall 7, Booth F-109. Ci vediamo in Milano!

September/October 2015

Huntsman, Pantone Collaborate On Dye Palette

Singapore-based Huntsman Textile Effects has released 210 new dye formulations that were developed with input from Carlstadt, N.J.-based Pantone Inc. The new colors are based on Huntsman’s Avitera® SE reactive dyes, and extend the Pantone Fashion, Home + Interiors Color System®. According to Huntsman, the new formulations help designers and brands choose on-trend colors that also meet performance requirements and address environmental concerns. The 210 colors include pale, medium, dark, intense dark and brilliant shades, as well as deep black.

September/October 2015

Shaw Invests In Polyester, Nylon Production

Dalton, Ga.-based Shaw Industries Group Inc. reports it will invest a minimum of $45 million in its Lexington County, S.C., carpet fiber plant to add capacity for both polyester and nylon fiber. Shaw acquired the facility, which employs 290 people, from Honeywell International Inc. in 2005. The capacity increase will add 50 jobs.

The new polyester extrusion equipment to be installed during the fourth quarter of 2015 in Lexington County will process recycled plastic beverage bottles. Shaw currently recycles some 3 billion bottles annually at its joint-venture Clear Path Recycling facility in Fayetteville, N.C., and looks to expand its use of recycled materials, which are used in Shaw’s ClearTouch® residential carpet products.

“By continuing to invest in our people, processes and products, Shaw is able to provide a diverse  product mix, innovative design, and the greatest quality and service to our customers,” said Vance Bell, chairman and CEO, Shaw.

“This $45 million investment and plans to create more than 50 new jobs is terrific news for our manufacturing industry, Lexington County and our state as a whole,“ said South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley. “We look forward to watching Shaw continue to grow here in South Carolina and around the world for many years to come.”

September/October 2015

Epson Launches New SureColor® F-Series Models

Long Beach, Calif.-based Epson America Inc. has introduced the next-generation SureColor® F-Series dye-sublimation transfer printers. There are three new models in the series — the 44-inch-wide Epson® SureColor F6200, and the 64-inch-wide F7200 and F9200 models.

All three printers utilize Epson UltraChrome® DS ink including the new high-density black ink for improved black density and ink efficiency.

The F9200 model also features dual Epson PrecisionCore® TFP® printheads, which offer high-speed, superior dot control and repeatable performance, among other features, according to the company.

September/October 2015

Invista, Aurizon Collaborate; NSA Acquires Tecgen® Brand

Invista, Wichita, Kan., will work with Aurizon Ultrasonics, Kimberly, Wis., to develop unique ultrasonic bonding equipment and novel stretch fibers for stretch laminates used in hygiene applications. The goal of the joint project is to improve the fit and comfort of hygiene products such as diapers by producing laminates without using hot melt elastic adhesives.

“Invista is excited to explore the combination of Aurizon’s cutting edge capabilities in ultrasonic bonding with our market leading research and development team that has delivered continuous innovations to our Lycra HyFit® offering,” said Scott Blackadar, global vice president, Invista.

In other company news, Invista Ashburn Hill LLC sold its Tecgen® brand of safety apparel to Cleveland-based National Safety Apparel (NSA). “The timing was good for National Safety Apparel to acquire the Tecgen brand assets,” said Anthony Green, global business director of FR Apparel, Invista. “Invista will continue to focus our capabilities on developing innovative technology based solutions for workwear, military and consumer applications where performance and protection create value for our customers.”

September/October 2015

Sawgrass Industrial Joins JK Group

Charleston, S.C.-based Sawgrass Group has sold Sawgrass Industrial — its industrial application sublimation and pigment inks division — to the Italy-based JK Group, which comprises Kiian Digital and J-Teck3. Sawgrass Industrial offers its portfolio of products, including SubliM and M-inks, mainly to customers in Europe and the Americas.

“Following the combination of Kiian Digital and J-Teck3 last year, the addition of Sawgrass Industrial takes the JK Group into a global leadership position in the digital sublimation sector and at the forefront of the textile pigment inks market development,” said Dennis Wilby, president, JK Group.

“Now that digital mass production is a reality for printing onto textiles, this is a perfect time to form a strong alliance to deliver on what was just a dream,” said Nathan Hale, CEO and founder, Sawgrass.

September/October 2015

Alexium Reports Sales

Australia-based Alexium International Group Ltd. reports Greenwood Mills Inc., Greenwood, S.C. — a manufacturer of woven goods including flame retardant (FR) finished fabrics — has selected its Alexiflam™ halogen-free FR treatment. Alexium anticipates an initial delivery in the third quarter of 2015 will be followed by ongoing deliveries of the FR treatment.

Alexium also will provide FR chemistry to Central Falls, R.I.-based Murdock Webbing Co., which will initially use the formulations for its FR stretch-webbing products. Alexium hopes Murdock also will extend use of the treatment into its rigid webbing products line.

September/October 2015

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