Santex Group, Solwa Cooperate

Solwa S.r.l., an innovative start-up that marks its third anniversary on January 12th, has opened its company’s capital to Santex Group, a leading company in the textile and composite materials machine manufacturing with operation sites in Italy, Switzerland, India and China.  

Stefano Gallucci, President of Santex Group, said: “Solwa has a large market ahead, because it solves our clients’ environmental problems thanks to a system able to dry waste sludge and reduce greenhouses gas emissions. The innovation of Drywa, one of Solwa’s systems to manage waste and pollutants, integrates Santex Group innovative machineries.” Mr. Gallucci continues: “When this technology was presented to us, the initiative was welcomed by the Group that immediately decided to invest and located it in our Italian site in Trissino (Vicenza), with Isotex Engineering and Sperotto Rimar”. The young start-up is also enthusiastic about the new adventure, as the CEO of Sowla, Dr. Paolo Franceschetti underlines “our technologies, which are based on the optimization of thermodynamic processes, needed a company able to guarantee their industrialization and sales, exporting this green technology all over the world. Santex Group has shown affinity not only with our objectives, but also with our innovation and developing strategies”.  

This synergy of tradition and innovation, experience and vivacity, organization and creativity represents a new forward-looking winning vision that emerges from the Italian territory. 

Solwa is known for its modules to treat polluted and salty water powered by solar energy. Solwa has developed intensive research on evaporation and optimization of fluid and thermodynamic processes, awarded by national and international institutions: the Gaetano Marzotto Prize, the “Innovation for Human Development” recognition of the United Nations, the “Enterprise Europe Award” final and the “Grands Prix de l’Innovation” participation, the MIT Boston Award as “Italian Innovation of the Year” to name a few. Solwa will attend the Expo Milano Universal Exposition at various booths.

Solwa has a rich commercial network in Italy and in developing countries. With Santex Group the next step is to open the Asian markets.

Posted February 10, 2015

Source: Santex Group
 

National Cotton Council: Global Stocks Making For Challenging Year

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – National Cotton Council economists say 2015 will be another challenging year for the U.S. cotton industry – as global cotton stocks remain at very high levels and uncertainties remain regarding global mill cotton use.

Dr. Gary Adams, the NCC’s vice president Economics & Policy Analysis, told delegates at the NCC’s 77th Annual Meeting here today that, “While world mill use in 2015 is expected to exceed world production in 2015, the differential does little to reduce global cotton stocks.”

Regarding domestic cotton mill use, Adams sees ongoing growth in U.S. textile industry consumption in 2015 with the Economic Adjustment Assistance Program continuing to spur investment in U.S. mills. He projects a 100,000-plus bale increase in U.S. mill cotton use bringing total use to 3.7 million bales in 2015.

He said exports continue as the primary outlet for U.S. raw fiber. China is still the leading customer even though that country’s imports have declined over the past year.

Adams said that China has amassed more than 50 million bales in its government reserves, thus leading to less need to import cotton from the world market. For 2015, China’s imports are projected at 6.2 million bales, down from 7.1 million in 2014 and well below levels observed in 2011 through 2013.

China’s mill use, though, is only seen realizing modest growth in 2015, Adams noted. He said that China’s cotton price is almost twice the price of polyester – a relationship that is not allowing cotton mill use in China to recover.

India is projected to continue as the world’s largest cotton producer and seen exporting 5.9 million bales in 2015. Adams said, though, “The potential for greater exports exists if the (Indian) government chooses to be more aggressive in the pricing of cotton from reserves.”

Adams projects U.S. offtake of 14.3 million bales in 2015, leading to a decline of 250,000 bales in ending stocks. A world cotton stocks reduction of 440,000 bales, though, will do little to reduce global inventories that begin the year at 109.8 million bales.

“In addition, stocks outside of China – an important barometer of price conditions – are projected to increase by 900,000 bales,” the economist said. “Record levels of cotton stocks, smaller imports by China, weakness in other commodity markets, and a strengthening dollar have created a bearish climate for U.S. and world cotton prices. The “A” Index and December cotton futures are at levels not seen since 2009.”

In his analysis of the NCC Annual Planting Intentions survey results, Adams said the NCC projects 2015 U.S. cotton acreage to be 9.4 million acres, about 15 percent less than 2014. Average abandonment and yields in line with recent trends for each state result in 2015 Cotton Belt harvested area of 8.2 million acres and production of 14.0 million bales, with 13.3 million bales of upland and 700,000 bales of extra-long staple fiber.

He said a question mark for 2015, though, is cotton acreage outside the United States – as projections do not see other countries matching U.S. cotton producers’ 15 percent cotton area reduction.
Additional details of the 2015 Cotton Economic Outlook are on the NCC’s website.

Posted February 9, 2015

Source: National Cotton Council
 

The Rupp Report: News From The Cotton Market

The past few weeks were weeks of great shocks on the financial front, which has an impact on the cotton market in general and for the traders in particular. Falling raw metal prices, problems on the U.S. stock market, and especially the now “not protected” Swiss Franc (See “The Rupp Report: You May Call It Faith,” TextileWorld.com, January 20, 2015) are reasons for the situation.
 
According to United Kingdom-based cotton trader Plexus Cotton Ltd., “With all these dislocations it is no wonder that many traders prefer a move to the sidelines, waiting for the fog to clear.”
 
Let’s take a look at the situation a few weeks ago.
 
Plexus Cotton stated in its January 15, 2015, Market Report that: “NY futures were on the defensive this week, as March fell 107 points to close at 59.49 cents. March traded to its lowest level since November 24 yesterday, getting to within 13 points of its 58.53 cents contract low, as negative vibes from outside markets overshadowed otherwise fairly constructive developments on the cotton front.
 
“Speculative selling into scale down trade buying seemed to once again be the main feature this week. This was already the case during the week of December 31 to January 6, according to the latest CFTC report, as speculators sold 8,137 contracts net, while index funds reduced their net long by 1,342 contracts. The trade was the lone buyer, acquiring 9,479 contracts.
 
“Overall speculators moved back to the short side with a 0.7 million bales net short as of January 6, while the trade carried a 4.1 million bales net short position of its own. Index funds had their lowest net long position in exactly three years at just 4.8 million bales, which is a bit surprising considering that there should have been some preemptive buying ahead of this week’s rebalancing. Maybe recent index fund redemptions more than offset any rebalancing efforts.”
 
Tenders Are Waiting
The mid-January Plexus Cotton Market Report noted that U.S. retail sales for December were reported at a negative 0.9 percent. The “USDA supply/demand report contained only minor changes that did not alter the ROW [rest-of-the-world] position by much,” stated Plexus Cotton. “The ROW production surplus is now at 13.43 million bales (vs. 13.38 million in December), while ROW ending stocks increased slightly to 45.48 million bales (vs. 45.42 million in Dec). The biggest change occurred in China, where mill use was lowered by 500,000 bales, contributing to a global drop in mill consumption of 365,000 bales last month. In its last two reports, the USDA has cut mill use by 1.6 million bales, which we feel is a bit too pessimistic.”
 
Upland And Pima
Plexus added that a bright spot mid-January was the U.S. export sales report, “which came in at an unexpectedly high 449,100 running bales of Upland and Pima cotton. China and Vietnam accounted for a combined 315,100 bales, and it was nice to see Turkey back with 54,000 bales. There were a total of 17 markets participating, which emphasizes the strength of this report.
 
“Shipments picked up their pace as well, with a marketing year high of 234,800 running bales leaving the country. Total commitments now amount to 8.4 million statistical bales (84% of the USDA export estimate), whereof 2.8 million bales have so far been shipped.”
 
In its report the following week — the January 22, 2015, Market Report — Plexus noted that NY futures came under additional pressure, “… as March dropped another 173 points to close at 57.76 cents. Speculative selling continued to weigh on the market, as March fell through the 58.50 cents support level, trading to levels last seen in September 2009.
 
Strong U.S. Dollar
Overall open interest jumped by more than 10,000 lots. According to Plexus, a reason for the jump is additional short selling “by speculators into scale down trade buying.”
 
“The cotton market continues to be dominated by negative vibes on the macro front, as deflation fears are spreading and the money crowd is scrambling for safe havens,” Plexus Cotton continued in the report dated January 22. “With the U.S. economy currently performing better than its counterparts across the two oceans, the U.S. has seen a large influx of capital, which has boosted the U.S. dollar and put a strong bid under the U.S. bond and stock markets.” According to Plexus Cotton, the announcement by the European Central Bank to print 60 billion Euros per month starting in March “has only exacerbated the move into the dollar.”
 
A U.S. Cotton Shortage (?)
Plexus stated that statistical position of the U.S. currently is a “supply at 18.5 million bales, whereof 12.2 million bales have so far been committed between the 8.4 million bales in export commitments and the 3.8 million bales that go to the domestic industry. This leaves theoretically 6.3 million bales for sale, of which around 5.8 million bales are Upland and 0.5 million are Pima. However, of the 5.8 million bales Upland we need to reserve at least 2.5 million bales to cover domestic and foreign mills between August and October, which brings availability between now and the end of the marketing year down to just around 3.3 million bales.
 
“That’s not a lot of cotton,” reported Plexus, “considering that most mills are still wide open for the second and third quarter. With Brazil and Australia producing a combined 2.9 million fewer bales than a year ago, supply for machine-picked cotton could therefore get quite tight this spring and summer. Furthermore, U.S. plantings are expected to drop by about 11-12% next season ….”
 
Continuing into the Plexus Cotton Market Report from January 29, 2015, NY futures regained ground, “as March soared 181 points to close at 59.57 cents. Continued strong demand for U.S. cotton has lifted the futures market to a two-week high, with March closing in on the 60 cents level. From a technical perspective, the market has maneuvered itself into an interesting position, with the 40- and 50-day moving averages looming less than half a cent above today’s close and with the weekly continuation chart about to break out of a downtrend channel dating back to last summer. Given the large outright spec short position it may therefore only be a matter of time until some major buy stops get triggered.”
 
The Global Situation
“… China holds around 58 percent of the massive global stockpile of 108.6 million bales, but the price plateau in China is some 35 cents higher than in the rest of the world,” explained Plexus Cotton. “Given this large price differential, China is not likely to offer any of its cotton to the ROW — quite to the contrary! China is expected to remain a net importer in the foreseeable future, though at a slower pace than in recent years.”
 
The final Market Report for January continued: “… the stock-to-use ratio of 60 percent is still well within its 5-year range of between 52.2 and 64.7 percent. Considering how tight stocks were at the end of the last two seasons, the extra 6.5 million bales in ROW inventory was a welcome addition that should theoretically prevent another price squeeze going into this spring and summer.
 
“Mills have shown a strong preference for machine-picked high grades this season, which is why the U.S. has been able to capture so much more business than its competitors. The fact that other machine-picked origins like Brazil and Australia are looking at much smaller crops has also contributed to the strong showing of U.S. exports.”
 
Upland And Pima Again
According to Plexus Cotton, “… U.S. export sales report topped all expectations with 571,900 running bales for Upland and Pima combined. China and Vietnam were once again the top buyers with a combined 352,500 running bales. Total commitments for the season have now risen to 9.4 million statistical bales, of which 3.4 million bales have so far been shipped.” Plexus is certain that “… the USDA will have to make an adjustment to its current export estimate of 10.0 million bales, possibly by as much as a million bales.
 
“By selling over 1.5 million bales over the last three weeks, the U.S. has tightened its statistical position to a point at which rationing via higher prices becomes likely. Export and domestic commitments already amount to around 13.2 million bales, which leaves only some 4.8 million bales of Upland and 0.5 million bales of Pima available until new crop arrives eight months from now. Of that, domestic mills will need at least 1.0 million bales between August and October to tie them over to new crop.”
 
Penalty For The Futures Market?
In closing, the January 29 Market Report, Plexus predicted “… the U.S. market could take on a life of its own and this in turn would have bullish implications for the NY futures market. According to the latest classing report, the amount of tenderable qualities reached 69.1 percent this season. Total supply of Upland cotton, including beginning stocks, amounts to roughly 18.0 million statistical bales, which would give us around 12.4 million bales of tenderable qualities.
 
“Considering that total commitments are already at 13.2 million statistical bales, it doesn’t take a lot of imagination to conclude that tenderable grades might soon be in short supply, if they aren’t already.
 
“Furthermore, with the AWP [average wholesale price] set at 44.99 cents for the coming week (vs. 45.59 cents this week), there is little incentive to redeem or ‘pop’ the six million bales that remain in the subsidy program, which only prolongs the existing tightness in the cash market.”

February 3, 2015

SDL Atlas Develops Second-Generation MMT®

Rock Hill, S.C.-based SDL Atlas Ltd. has engineered a second-generation model of its MMT® moisture management tester. The new model was designed with an open test area, which allows larger samples to be tested including portions of complete garments; as well as facilitates cleaning the test sensors. Other improvements include a motorized upper sensor and sample positioning light for simplified testing, and a more robust metal housing.

“While the MMT has been around for a number of years, it is still considered an innovative test instrument,” said Chuck Lane, president, SDL Atlas. “We feel the improvements in this second generation model will make the MMT a feature instrument in any laboratory.”

January/February 2015

Epson Hosts Digital Couture Event At NY Fashion Week

Long Beach, Calif.-based Epson will partner with 11 fashion designers from North and South America during New York Fashion Week for the Digital Couture project. The event will feature collections from each designer created using fabrics printed on the Epson® SureColor® F-Series dye sublimation printing machine. The fashion show aims to illustrate the capabilities and design possibilities offered by the technology.

“We’re excited for today’s fashion designers to bring their creative visions to fabric in new and versatile ways with advanced digital technologies during New York Fashion Week,” said Agustin Chacon, vice president, subsidiary sales and operations, Epson America. “Epson’s dye sublimation printing technology provides another level of creativity and functionality for young fashion entrepreneurs and well established fashion brands looking to produce their art in a more efficient and affordable manner.”

January/February 2015

Yarn Market: Spinners Have High Hopes For 2015

By Jim Phillips, Yarn Market Editor

As 2015 begins, the U.S. textile industry and its yarn spinners find themselves in a highly competitive global marketplace — one in which quality, customization and supply chain optimization are likely to play ever-more important roles.

Even though 2014 had more bumps in the road for some spinners than much of the previous two years, yarn manufacturers, overall, reported solid results.

“The first half of the year was super-solid,” commented one spinner. “The last half was a bit spottier — but it still wasn’t bad.” Added another spinner: “If 2013 was, say, an A, I would put 2014 at an A-. The order pipeline became shorter, but we still managed to stay busy.”

One spinner noted that the continuing decrease in cotton prices played a large part in the shorter order pipeline the last part of the year. “As cotton prices began dropping, I think a number of companies began aggressively moving any inventory that had been built up, temporarily saturating the market in some instances. At the same time, customers were acutely aware of falling prices and placed shorter orders.”

As has been the case for much of the past four or five years — mainly due to capacity — ring-spun yarns were in very high demand, and there were times, especially earlier in the year, where positions were hard to come by.

As one yarn broker commented earlier this year, “I’ve lost a number of contracts simply because I could not find the yarn. I have even had a lot of inquiries about OE yarn, and that usually doesn’t happen in my business. When customers are asking if I can find OE for them, I know that the market is very tight.”

Spinners Optimistic About 2015
Looking ahead, spinners say the conditions are conducive — barring unforeseen economic issues — for a very good 2015. “It looks like it could be a very solid year,” quipped one industry observer. “The economy is continuing to shake off the hangover from the 2007 recession, raw material prices are falling for many industry segments, and energy prices are decreasing.”

Another spinner said, “Cotton prices are falling to the point where we believe that some customers that moved to blends a few years ago might come back. Additionally, reduced fuel costs make it more efficient to get yarn to customers in both a timely and cost-efficient manner.”

Added one industry executive: “We see no reason for the momentum we have established over the past several years to slow. Our industry is in the midst of one of its most stable periods in recent memory. If this continues, it will provide only the opportunity to build profitability, but will also enable us to continue to invest in the most modern equipment. This, in turn, will further increase productivity and reduce costs for the manufacturer, its customers and the end-consumer.”

Despite the optimistic stance of many in the industry, several potential issues could create significant challenges by the end of the year. As advantageous as low cotton prices are for manufacturers and their customers, they can be devastating for cotton farmers. “The past year has not been a good one for cotton farmers,” commented one expert. “In fact, it was a bad year for many row crops. The likely outcome is less acreage planted in the next few years, which could eventually lead to a raw material shortage and sharply escalating prices.”

Additionally, the U.S. dollar has increased in value versus other currencies. Since June 30, the dollar has jumped 16 percent against the Japanese yen, 18 percent against the euro and nearly 20 percent against the Brazilian real. “This is a causing a significant hit in profit to those companies with substantial overseas business,” said one observer. “Additionally, it means imported goods can be bought even more cheaply in the United States, compared to domestically produced products.”

As a result, spinners agree that maintaining the competitive advantage of yarn produced in the western hemisphere will be contingent upon maintaining superior quality, creating innovative new products and maximizing the inherent advantages of the domestic supply chain. “Going forward, quick-turnaround and delivery of superior products will be our best weapon in an environment in which pricing could be a major issue.”

January/February 2015

DOE Announces $2.5 Million Grant For NatureWorks

The U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, Bioenergy Technologies has awarded a grant to Minnetonka, Minn.-based NatureWorks LLC. Worth up to $2.5 million, the grant will be used to support an ongoing joint development program between NatureWorks and Calysta that aims to sequester and utilize the problematic greenhouse gas methane as feedstock for NatureWorks’ Ingeo™ biopolymer and its intermediates. The collaboration is researching how to transform renewable biomethane into lactic acid — the building block for Ingeo — through a fermentation process, leveraging Calysta’s Biological Gas-to-Chemicals® platform for biological conversion of methane to high-value chemicals.

Calysta has already demonstrated lab-scale production of lactic acid from methane, and the companies are hoping to reach pilot-scale production in the next three to five years.

“If proven through this collaboration, methane to lactic acid conversion technology could be revolutionary, providing sustainable alternative feedstocks for Ingeo,” said Ken Williams, NatureWorks, and program leader for the Calysta-NatureWorks collaboration. “When coupled with NatureWorks’ proven commercial process for lactic acid to Ingeo, the methane to lactic acid process would transform a harmful greenhouse gas into useful and in-demand consumer and industrial products. This disruptive platform could support high-value chemicals and liquid fuels.”

January/February 2015

Pharr Yarns Invests In Space-Dyeing Technology

McAdenville, N.C.-based Pharr Yarns LLC reports it has purchased space-dyeing technology for its carpet division from Mount Holly, N.C.-based Belmont Textile Machinery. The machinery gives Pharr the ability to offer its customers improved styling, versatility and color clarity.

“Pharr’s new technology will allow us to provide a broader range of color and patterns to create distinctive atmospheres for residential and commercial spaces,” said Joe Rankin, vice president, Pharr’s Carpet Yarn division. “Just like a new spice can improve an old recipe in the kitchen, colors and patterns created with space dye technology enhance carpeting’s aesthetics in ways consumers have never imagined.”

“The new technology will maximize production flexibility resulting in more rapid product launches, improved manufacturing efficiencies and superior quality,” said Rich Pattinson, business director. “This important investment is yet another demonstration of Pharr’s continuing commitment to our associates, communities and customers …”

January/February 2015

Innovations In Textile Machinery: Wet Processing

As the 2015 ITMA in Milan approaches, a review of the current offerings in textile wet processing machinery is in order. A representative group of manufacturers of preparation, dyeing, printing, and finishing equipment provided current innovations on offer from their companies. As might be expected, most of the machinery changes are incremental and evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but a few manufacturers have come forth with truly new ideas.

Preparation Machinery
Switzerland-based Benninger AG has redesigned its Fortracta prewasher to maximize removal of surface contaminants. A novel vertical counterflow arrangement optimizes use of water and energy. Trikoflex, Benninger’s low-tension washer, is intended for elastic knits and crease prone wovens. Improved washing efficiency is provided by the unique grooved drum surface.

Dyeing Machinery
The new Pulsar package-dyeing machine from Italy-based Loris Bellini S.r.l. comes with a circulation pump and hydraulic circuit that can provide 70-percent energy savings with 30-percent fewer chemicals and water while operating at a liquor to goods ratio of 3.8:1.

Italy-based Brazzoli S.p.A. offers Innowash, an enhanced washing process for its 3.8:1 liquor to goods ratio Ecologic translational flow piece-dyeing machine. The amount of washing required is determined automatically to minimize water usage.

Dyeing polyester in supercritical carbon dioxide has been commercialized by The Netherlands-based DyeCoo Textile Systems BV. Both Nike and adidas have developed programs using fabric dyed in the DyeCoo process with dye press cakes from Singapore-based Huntsman Textile Effects. Significant savings in energy and process time have been realized by both companies — 60 percent and 40 percent respectively.

Germany-based Erbatech GmbH has optimized its Scout Color® cold pad batch dyeing system for low utilities use. Additional improvements include adjustable nip pressure to insure uniform wet pickup.

Italy-based Flainox S.r.l. has declared a focus on sustainability with its NRG-DL garment dyeing machine. The NRG-DL processes garments at a low 5:1 liquor to goods ratio and can measure energy, water, and chemical usage in real time, allowing for process optimization with minimal utility and chemical use. Flainox has introduced a novel dyeing system designed for use with natural dyes. The AOM/C-WOOL, is actually an extraction-dyeing-dyebath recycle system where the chosen plant material is extracted just prior to application. After the textile has been dyed, the dyebath is recovered for further use, a typical practice with natural dyes. Flainox has demonstrated a further commitment to sustainability by reducing the carbon footprint in its manufacturing plant by 50 percent.
 


NRG-DL garment dyeing machine from Flainox S.r.l. dyes at a low 5:1 liquor ratio.

Fong’s National Engineering Co. Ltd., Hong Kong, offers the Allwin, a package-dyeing machine with a very low 4:1 liquor to goods ratio and expected savings of 50 percent in process time and water usage. The Jumboflow piece dyeing machine from Fong’s claims 40-percent savings in water and steam, 50-percent less energy requirements, and a 33-percent process time savings while dyeing in a 5:1 liquor to goods ratio.


Fong’s National Engineering Co.’s Jumboflow piece-dyeing machine was designed with water, energy and time savings in mind.

The use of air to dilute dyes and chemicals prior to application has been championed by Gaston Systems Inc., Stanley, N.C. Its CFS® Chemical Foam System enables denim to be dyed with indigo and sulfur dyes at 8- to 15-percent wet pickup while cotton can be continuously dyed with fiber reactive dyes at 10- to 40-percent wet pickup without tailing.

Germany-based Then Maschinen GmbH, a Fong’s Europe GmbH company, has improved upon the Then-Airflow Synergy® system with two machines, the DSYN G2 for dyeing under pressure and the SYN A G1 for atmospheric pressure dyeings. Both machines provide significant savings in water, energy, steam and salt.

The iMaster series from Thies GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, includes the iMaster H2O designed to dye elastic containing cotton and cotton blends at a 3.7:1 liquor ratio at temperatures of up to 140°C. An improved internal support reduces fabric tensions during processing and a combined cooling and rinsing system significantly reduces process time. The iMaster F was specifically designed to dye terry cloth at a 4.5:1 liquor to goods ratio with vat dyes using the proVAT system. Thies’ soft-TRD SIII is said to be a universal dyeing machine with flexible liquor to goods ratios from 10:1 to 4.5:1. For package dyeing, the iCone was redesigned to minimize floor space requirements while operating at a 3.6:1 liquor to goods ratio. Optimized circulation, rinsing, and heating systems were incorporated into the redesign.

Printing Machinery
Switzerland-based Jakob Müller AG offers the MÜPRINT MDP2 E, an ink-jet printer designed for elastic and non-elastic narrow polyester woven, knit, and nonwoven fabrics. The machine prints with disperse inks and heat sets the printed fabric in one continuous operation.
 


Jakob Müller’s MÜPRINT MDP2 E is an ink-jet printer for narrow fabrics.

An ink-jet printer from Reggiani Macchine S.p.A., Italy, the ReNOIR-Compact, was designed to print paper for transfer printing. The ReNOIR-Compact is capable of printing paper at a production speed of 4,000 square feet per hour.
 


Reggiani’ Macchine’s ReNOIR-Compact ink-jet printer prints paper for transfer printing.

The Netherlands-based SPGPrints BV has announced an as yet unnamed digital printer that was shown to select customers in December 2014 and displayed at ITMA 2015. The six- to nine-color high-speed single-pass printer is predicted to provide the lowest cost ink-jet printing cost per linear meter.

Digital ink supplier Xennia Technology Ltd., England, has announced two new lines of inks — the Agate® line of acid dye inks for nylon, wool, and silk; and the Corundum® line of disperse dye inks for transfer printing paper. These inks join the fiber reactive Amethyst® and ultraviolet curable Moissante® inks in Xennia’s product line.

Austria-based J. Zimmer Maschinenbau GmbH has expanded its Colaris digital printing system to tufted carpet — up to a 4.2 meter width at 5 meters per minute (m/min) — terry towels — a 2.2 meter width with up to 16 colors at 72 dpi and 120 square meters per hour (m2/hr) — and needlepunch polyester nonwovens — up to a 4.2 meter width at 1,000 m2/hr. The Zimmer Chromojet provides 10-color digital printing of blankets at 6.3 m/min. Zimmer reports it soon will introduce a digital printer for yarns.


Zimmer recently extended its Colaris digital printing system to tufted carpet.

Finishing Machinery
Italy-based Biancalani S.r.l. offers the Airo®24, a tumble dryer with processing speeds to 2,500 m/min with evaporation rates of 750 kilograms per hour. The Brio® from Biancalani, a relaxation dryer for knits, sports high-capacity drying without causing pilling.

Germany-based Brückner Trockentechnik GmbH & Co. KG is promoting the Power-Frame, a tenter frame that claims 33-percent energy savings with redesigned nozzles, automatic lint screen cleaning, and independent upper and lower air flow controls. Brückner’s Leonberg, Germany, location houses production scale machinery for customer evaluation of finishing, coating, heat setting, and laminating processes.

The Allround® Coating Head from A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, provides multiple coating options on full-width fabrics. The Thermex Econtrol T-CA process for dyeing polyester/cotton blends reduces the number of processing steps while providing high quality dyeings with significant cost saving. The Matex ECO applicator allows for precision low wet pickup application of chemical finishes with the potential of producing dual sided treatments. The Montex 8000 tenter frame incorporates the Eco Booster HRC heat recovery system and a split thermal system to allow different upper and lower fabric temperatures. Production trials can be run at the Monforts Advanced Technology Center in Mönchengladbach, Germany.


Monforts’ Allround® coating technology offers multiple options for full-width fabrics.

Morrison Textile Machinery Co., Fort Lawn, S.C., has announced Morrison On Call, a web based remote access system to allow software and firmware downloads and remote diagnostics and machine monitoring.

Textile processing from liquid carbon dioxide is available from Tersus Solutions from CO2Nexus Inc., Littleton, Colo. Textiles can be cleaned and treated with high value chemical finishes with using less water and energy.

From a sampling of the current textile wet processing machinery, ITMA 2015 should be a very interesting and exciting event. The textile machinery industry is sure to continue to introduce textile wet processing equipment that will reduce the industry’s use of water and energy while providing high quality textiles.
 

Dr. Peter J. Hauser is a professor and Interim Head at North Carolina State University’s College Of Textiles, Department of Textile Engineering, Chemistry and Science. This article is based on Hauser’s presentation given at the 2014 Textile World Innovation Forum.

January/February 2015

Atlas Copco Compressors Save Energy

Rock Hill, S.C.-based Atlas Copco Compressors LLC estimates its variable speed drive (VSD) technology has saved customers $300 million in energy costs since 1994.

“According to greenhouse gas calculations by the Environmental Protection Agency, the amount of kilowatt-hours saved annually by our VSD compressors is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide emissions of 51,029 homes’ electricity use, or removing 78,101 passenger vehicles from the road,” said Robert Eshelman, vice president, Atlas Copco’s Industrial Air division.

According to the company, based on the number of VSD compressors operating in the U.S., approximately 538 million kilowatt-hours and $53 million in energy savings are realized annually.

January/February 2015

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