BOULDER, Colo. — June 6, 2016 — Cocona Inc. has announced the public release of results from a blind university study that show wearing 37.5 technology can improve thermoregulation during exercise, which impacts performance. By reducing the increase in core temperature during exercise, similar to wearing a cooling vest circulating cold water, the added cooling from 37.5 technology increases energy efficiency and output. No other passive cooling fabric technology has been shown to increase human performance or increase the body’s ability to manage core temperature.

Physiologists Eric P. Homestead, Benjamin J. Ryan, Jesse A. Goodrich, and Professor William C. Byrnes authored the study, titled “Beneficial Effects of Cooling during Constant Power Non-steady State Cycling” at the University of Colorado at Boulder. First author Homestead presented the results at the American College of Sports Medicine’s 63rd Annual Meeting in Boston yesterday.

“Now that the study is public we’re excited to be able to talk about the results,” said Dr. Gregory Haggquist, Founder/CTO of Cocona and inventor of patented 37.5 technology. “When we see data that shows you can improve an athlete’s performance by 26 percent at their lactate threshold, it’s pretty remarkable. To get that kind of increase in efficiency just by changing your shirt fabric is unprecedented.”

This study scientifically shows that 37.5 technology:

• Extends an athlete’s performance at their lactate threshold;
• Lowers core temperature during exercise;
• Increases efficiency so an athlete uses less energy to do the same amount of work;
• Decreases the rate of core temperature build up.

“We know the results of this study will be of great interest to athletes, trainers, coaches, soldiers and anyone looking to increase their performance by just changing what they wear,” said Jeff Bowman, CEO of Cocona.

Why Core Temperature Is Important

Managing core temperature is a key factor in determining performance and efficiency. It is critical to maximize the body’s built-in cooling mechanisms (evaporation of sweat) to help reduce the buildup of core temperature. 37.5 works to keep the core body temperature lower in athletes working at their lactate threshold, which means that when wearing 37.5 apparel, athletes can go longer at the same level of output.

Study Protocol

The study used three different cases to determine effects of cooling on physiological indicators for human subjects. The cases were a typical wicking t-shirt available from the major athletic brands, an otherwise identical 37.5 t-shirt, and an ice vest and sleeves. The two shirts were blinded to both the investigators and the participants. Each case delivered a different level of cooling to athletes that were requested to maintain an exercise intensity on a stationary bicycle that resulted in an increasing heat stress. The athletes were tested for a wide range of physiological parameters before, during and after the requested activity. Core temperature, skin temperature, sweat rate, oxygen intake, carbon dioxide output, and blood levels were closely monitored and measured.

Posted June 6, 2016

Source: Cocona

BRUSSELS, Belgium/CARY, N.C. — May 19, 2016 — OUTLOOK™ Plus Latin America will return to Brazil for the second edition March 7-9, with a focus on hygiene, personal care and medical nonwovens.

Organized by INDA and EDANA, a tabletop exhibition will also be offered for local and international companies to showcase their products and services.

The three-day conference will examine economic and market statistics, products, and technology intelligence for the hygiene, personal care, and medical market segments. The event will be held at the Grand Hyatt São Paulo, and hotel reservations are now open at https://aws.passkey.com/event/15067572/owner/5135548/home.

March 7 and 8 will focus on the latest developments in nonwovens for the Latin American and global absorbent hygiene and personal care products markets, and presenters will analyze trends in components and raw materials for those products. On March 9, additional highlights on medical nonwovens and their role in a healthy society will be addressed. Simultaneous translation in English, Portuguese, and Spanish will be provided during the conference.

“While economic forecasts for Latin America predict contracted growth in 2016, economists and business alike agree on the wealth of natural resources across the region, and a local population whose demand for, and ability to produce hygiene products, makes Latin America a key region for future growth and investment of the broader nonwovens industry.” said Pierre Wiertz, General Manager of EDANA. “With the national economies of countries like Chile, and Mexico predicted to gain momentum in 2016, the region’s diversity offers both local and international businesses opportunities for development.”

“OUTLOOK™ Plus Latin America provides the opportunities for members from both of our associations to better understand Latin American market needs, make valuable connections with senior leaders, showcase their products, and increase their business opportunities in this important and growing region of the world for hygiene and medical nonwovens,” said Dave Rousse, President of INDA.

Tabletop exhibitions will be held on March 7-8, and opportunities for participants to meet and network will be offered during the conference, and to registered delegates with evening cocktail events.

The inaugural event was held in São Paulo in March 2015, and attracted more than 250 attendees with participants declaring the first-ever Latin American event a success for their businesses.

Additional information on the 2017 programme and registration will be announced shortly, and updated on the INDA and EDANA websites. ABINT, the Brazilian Technical Textiles and Nonwovens Association, is also supporting the event.

Posted June 3, 2016

Source: INDA 

HIGH POINT, N.C. — June 2, 2016 — Morbern has announced a $9-million-expansion at its Cornwall, Ontario, manufacturing facility. The project creates 20,000 square feet of additional manufacturing space and includes the installation of a new, state-of-the-art, high-speed coating line which incorporates the latest technology.

“This will allow us to continue to expand and better compete in international markets, as our current facilities are operating at capacity,” said Mark Bloomfield, CEO, Morbern. “This is a big step forward for Morbern and for Cornwall.”

The project has been in development for nine months, with construction starting in earnest in April. The new building will be erected over the summer by local construction business Perras-Distefano. New equipment will arrive by fall, and will be fully implemented by the new year.

The equipment was sourced through a comprehensive purchasing review, with seven international bidders in the process. Highly specialized, the equipment has a 55-week lead time from initial purchase order to delivery.

This addition was done with help of the Canadian government, through financing from the Business Development Bank of Canada. “More than 75 percent of the financing requirements will be through a new term debt loan from BDC,” said Bloomfield. The Ontario government also contributed with a grant from the Eastern Ontario Development Fund.

Posted June 2, 2016

Source: Morbern