WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. — January 7, 2014 — SURTEX® announces the judges for the 2014 International Student Design Competition, designext®, that honors outstanding art & design students for exceptional surface design work.

The judges will convene on February 3rd and 4th to view and score more than 100 entries from well-known design schools around the world.  Four winners will be selected and invited to display their work at SURTEX, from May 18-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center, New York City.  Each winner will have his/her portfolio professionally critiqued by the experts, and be invited to participate in show events to round out their educational experience. One Grand Prize Winner will be named and awarded a $1000 cash award.

designext® has a history of judges that are well respected in the art and design community.  This year’s expert judging panel includes:

• Dorothy Cosonas, Creative Director of Knoll Textiles and Knoll Luxe; recipient of the best of NeoCon Gold awards for KnollTextiles upholstery collections in 2006, 2008, 2011 and 2012, as well as for her textile collaborations with fashion designer Rodarte (2010) and SUNO (2013).
• David Laubach, Director of Design, Avanti Press, Inc.; directs New York and Detroit Avanti creative teams for all product development, merchandising, licensing and advertising.
• Bonnie Mackay, Principal at BMackay Consulting, recent Director of Creative & Marketing at MoMA, (Museum of Modern Art); directed and developed the MoMA Retail rebranding of the catalog, website, packaging, advertising, store redesign and in-store renovations.
• Susanne Martinez, VP, Design and Product Development, SFERRA Fine Linens; duties extend beyond product development and offerings – head of the company’s design team, in charge of all product offerings.

“Having your work critiqued by some of the best and top professionals in the industry is a major plus for these students. The experience and feedback they will receive at SURTEX is invaluable,” says Penny Sikalis, GLM Vice President and SURTEX show manager.  

In its 28th edition, this year’s competition theme will be “STREET INSPIRATION”. Participating students are being asked to submit original surface designs inspired by what they think will be “street influences” in the year 2020. Submissions are to include a collection of six surface designs for one of the following categories: WEAR, WORK, LIVE and PLAY.  

For moredesignextcompetition details or information on judges, please visit www.surtex.com or contact Michelle Daniels at mdaniels@glmmarkets.com or 914-421-3216.

Posted January 7, 2014

Source: SURTEX

DALTON, Ga. — January 6, 2014 — Shaw Industries announced today that it is exiting the area rug business and will convert the current Ringgold, Ga. rug facility into a new state-of-the-art luxury vinyl tile (LVT) manufacturing facility.  

“The economics of the rug business today simply do not allow for future growth or encourage further investment,” according to Vance Bell, Chairman and CEO. “We have been intentional about exiting this business at a time when more opportunities exist for our associates.”  

The vast majority of the 400 associates employed by the Shaw Living Rug Division will have opportunities at other locations in the company. Customers will be serviced through a transition period.  

LVT is the fastest growing category in the flooring market today. Shaw has been participating in this market for three years, but up until this point has not manufactured LVT. In repurposing the current facility to a new LVT manufacturing site, Shaw will be able to shorten the timeframe to begin manufacturing the product, utilize an existing facility, and keep jobs in the Ringgold area.  

“We will continue to invest in businesses where we see future growth and opportunities,” continued Bell. “Over the past few years, we have developed a significant business and market-leading position in the LVT flooring category. This new facility will provide domestic manufacturing for a portion of our product line, allowing us to further enhance our product development, service, and overall customer satisfaction.”

Shaw plans to invest over $100 million in its new LVT manufacturing facility and when complete, the investment is expected to generate 200 new jobs in the Ringgold, Ga. area. This investment follows $250 million in other recent expansion announcements by Shaw in carpet tile, hardwood flooring, yarn extrusion, and distribution. 

Posted January 7, 2014

Source: Shaw Industries

National Safety Apparel (NSA) — a Cleveland-based manufacturer of industrial protective apparel — has introduced the TrueComfort™ FR Knit Shirt Collection of lightweight knit shirts offering flash-fire and arc-flash protection.
 
The shirts are made from a 5.5-ounce 100-percent cotton FR fabric and meet National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112: Standard on Flame-resistant Garments for Protection of Industrial Personnel Against Flash Fire and NFPA 70E®: Standard for Electrical Safety in the Workplace® requirements.
 
Styles in the TrueComfort™ FR Knit Shirt Collection include Henleys, polos, mock turtlenecks, long turtlenecks, and long-sleeve T-shirts, as well as custom options; and colors include navy, grey, khaki and orange.
 
January 7, 2014

MEDELLIN, Colombia — December 13, 2013 — From January 21 to 23, 2014, the twenty-sixth edition of Colombiatex of the Americas will be held in Plaza Mayor Medellín.  It is expected to generate business opportunities for more than USD 150 million, thanks to the consolidation of the Fair as the starting point of the businesses for the year and the support of the Office of the Mayor of Medellín, Proexport and important allies, who — each year — are committed to this comercial space.

This time, we will have 9,600 m²of comercial exhibitions, where nearly 1,750 international buyers from 28 countries, 8,400 national buyers and more than 500 exhibitors from countries, such as Colombia, India, Spain, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, Ecuador, Peru, Singapore, Italy, the United States, Turkey, and Portugal, among others, will gather.

“This year in Inexmoda, we are inviting entrepreneurs to go Beyond Limits, as we are aware that it is time to act, to seek alternatives to reach consumers in surprising ways.  We must understand that the shopping experience goes beyond choosing and paying; now there are more benefits and added values involved to maximize their initiatives.  It is giving users a voice, listening to them and allowing them to participate in the construction of the brand to meet the objectives proposed,” stated Carlos Eduardo Botero Hoyos, Executive President of Inexmoda, in referring to the call Inexmoda is making to the industry in 2014.

This Fair, organized by Inexmoda, is the leading textile, supply, machinery and chemical sample for clothing and home in Latin America, characterized by opening the business agenda on the continent and being the place where supply and demand meet in all the segments of the business and for all the universe of cloth.

One of the guests at Colombiatex de las Américas 2014 will be the Pacific Alliance (Alianza del Pacífico).  “Together with Mexico, Peru and Chile, Colombia is working on an agreement that positions these countries as a block in the global market, leveraging the competitive advantages that each one of the members offers and approaching the markets with which free-trade agreements exist.  These allies aim to have a greater connection to negotiate among themselves and unite to develop projects to other countries,” added Carlos Eduardo Botero Hoyos, Executive President of Inexmoda.

Likewise, to encourage the business in the Fair, the National Business Encounter will be held, in which nearly 15 domestic buyers, invited by the Medellín City Cluster — a project led by the Office of the Mayor of Medellín in partnership with the Chamber of Commerce of Medellín for Antioquia — will have the opportunity to boost domestic consumption through previously scheduled appointments with Fair exhibitors.  This is a dynamic stage to boost businesses of the sector companies to a national scale.

The Fair will once again honor the relevant role of Jeans for the industry, making it the undisputed protagonist with Denim Review, the space that brings together the national and international companies that are innovation leaders in this category.  In its fourth edition, it will be located in the Plaza Cultural and present unique experiences around the world of Denim.  One of the most outstanding speakers is “Denim Lovers,” an association of companies that share their love for indigo, presenting elements under one roof that print a particular language on a garment.

For the second year in a row, Inexmoda is inviting participants to celebrate Denim Day on January 22, by wearing their best denim clothes.  At night, a blue atmosphere will cloak the closing of Colombiatex with Blue Night, where, together with Don Juan, Fábrica de Licores de Antioquia, Diegeo and Campari, attendees will enjoy an atmosphere of fashion and creativity.

The academic quota will be provided by the Inexmoda — UPB Knowledge Pavilion, a no — cost space where more than 15,000 attending participants and those who wish to do so online, via streaming, are updated on topics from the textile industry, experiences in diverse markets and technological innovation.  The ingredient of trends will be in the Textile and Raw Material Forum, the arrival point at the Fair, located in the Green Pavilion Entrance Hall.  This is a space to get close to the color harmonies of the Spring-Summer 2014 season and see the fashion concepts.

The important novelty this year is Fash.Mob — Industry for Creativity, which will be found in the Plazoleta of the Fair.  It is a social, outdoor space that associates the industry and creativity.  In this urban plaza, fashion in an unstructured form will show the many uses of textiles and how they transcend to the final product, through stagings held throughout the day.Under the concept Beyond Limits, Inexmoda is inviting Fashion System entrepreneurs who participate in Colombiatex of the Americas 2014 to share their knowledge, to join forces, to be amazed and to act.  The date is January 21, 22 and 23, 2014, in Plaza Mayor Medellín.

Posted January 6, 2014

Source: Colombiatex de las Americas 2014

BÖNNIGHEIM, Germany — December 11, 2014 — As part of an AiF research project, scientists from the Hohenstein Institute in Bönnigheim have, for the first time, developed a textile finishing with both an antiviral and an antibacterial function. This technology can be used for products in nurseries, child day care centres and hospitals to interrupt chains of infection. 
Most infection-induced respiratory problems are caused by viruses. For example, the respiratory syncytial virus, a pathogen belonging to the family of paramyxoviruses, can cause infections of the upper respiratory tract in the form of colds, coughs, acute bronchitis or even pneumonia, particularly in small children. At the start of winter, the rate of infections in child day care centres and nurseries regularly increases. Diarrhoea caused by noroviruses and rotaviruses as well as bacterial infections of the respiratory tract and the alimentary tract, on the other hand, are “in season” all year round.

To avoid droplet and smear infections as far as possible, hygienic hands, textiles and surfaces are of paramount importance. 

The essential factor in avoiding or limiting the spread of disease in childcare facilities is regular and thorough handwashing, by children and their carers. 

However, textiles can also play a part in spreading pathogens. Viruses do not have their own metabolism and can therefore only survive for a limited time outside a host, and unlike bacteria, do not multiply there. However, as studies have impressively documented, textiles that are in regular contact with hands have been proven to contribute to the spread of viruses (Sauver et al., 1998). In a scientific examination, clothes as well as domestic and hospital textiles in the form of bed linen, towels, kitchen towels and so on are, alongside hands, an important potential transmission route for viruses (See Figure 1).

Figure 1: Schema of transmission routes of germs via hands and textiles (following Bloomfield, 2011) © Hohenstein Institute

Surfaces of all kinds, which can also be contaminated by viruses and bacteria via the hands or air, are the third key transmission route for viruses. One important element in preventing infection is therefore the cleaning of surfaces. The Hohenstein scientists are investigating these factors in their current research project. 

The test design included cleaning cloths in which, for the first time, antiviral and antibacterial effectiveness were combined with each other in one functional textile finishing. “Over the long term, we are interested in finding out whether the risk of infection, that is to say the spread of germs from person to person, can be reduced by using biofunctional textiles in the future,” says Prof. Höfer, head of the hygiene, environment and medicine department. 

To achieve this goal, various organic and inorganic colloidal or nanoparticle copper compounds and copper complexes were first applied in a sol-gel process. The effectiveness of the textile microfibre substrate was optimised using various application techniques such as foulard or spray methods. The inactivation of the test viruses was significant, was retained over 15 washing cycles and was at the same time abrasion-resistant. 

A second alternative antiviral finish of microfibre cloths was achieved by finishing with copper pigments in a high-temperature exhaust process. In a similar way to dying with dispersion dyes, the dispersed copper pigments were incorporated in the fibres in a slightly acid environment. In a second step, fixing was carried out using a polymer binding agent in a cold padding process to protect the copper particles against mechanical abrasion. These copper finishes also produced good evenness, but there was a slight green tone compared to the originally lighter fabric colour (See Figure 2).  All samples passed the laboratory tests on skin-friendliness. 

Figure 2: Color differences in cleaning cloths made of microfibers before and after finishing with copper pigments. ©Hohenstein Institute

The effectiveness tests under realistic conditions were carried out on different surfaces, such as glass, stainless steel or wood, which were contaminated with viruses and wiped with the finished cleaning cloths (See Figure 3). The bacterial virus MS2, a non-pathogenic surrogate virus, which due to its structure and environmental stability is comparable to clinically relevant viruses such as novovirus, poliovirus, hepatitis A or enteroviruses, was used as the test virus. The finished microfibre cloths absorbed 91% of the applied viruses. At the same time, the virus concentration in the cloth was reduced by approximately 90%. Effectiveness tests against bacteria and mould were also carried out in accordance with standards (DIN EN ISO 20743 and EN 14119). With this test set-up, the finishes were optimised in a targeted manner. 

Figure 3: Laboratory tests under realistic conditions with cleaning cloths for the inactivation of viruses, bacteria and molds on surfaces. ©Hohenstein Institute

The research project reveals that antiviral cleaning cloths provide an efficient hygienic effect and can help to reduce the germ transfer rate e.g. of pathogens in nurseries and child day care centres. However, this new functionalisation could be of interest in the domestic environment, in hospitals, old people’s homes, care homes and in communal facilities (e.g. canteens) and in protective clothing for the fire brigade, emergency services and military. 

Posted January 6, 2014

Source: The Hohenstein Institute

EGELSBACH, Germany — December 19, 2013 — Trützschler Switzerland AG is the youngest member of the Trützschler Group, adding the business unit of filament spinning lines to the product portfolio. The first Trützschler BCF lines will start production soon.

Meantime, the first steps have been taken: The reorganisation in Winterthur under new technical and commercial management is largely completed; during integration into the Trützschler Group, important milestones have been reached, and the first new system orders are en route to the customer.

Thanks to the great trust placed in the new company by existing customers and new investors, the first Trützschler filament lines start production now. The relaunch at the end of last year coincided with a dynamic carpet yarn / BCF market, which showed a high level of interest in the reliable technologies offered and the attractive delivery times. In addition to various 2 and 4 end BCF machines, update packages for existing lines could be finalised in the most important markets.

Sales arguments are the high flexibility of the BCF systems, which process polyamide 6 as well as polyester and polypropylene without major design changes, and the Swiss texturing technology HPc. Thus, Trützschler Switzerland remains a significant provider within the rapidly growing Chinese investment market for high-quality PA6 yarns for sophisticated contract and automotive carpets.

The fact that the current products are successful and the order books are filled is an incentive for the Management in Winterthur to steadily press ahead with product development. New developments in the BCF and industrial yarn segment are reaching market maturity.

Posted January 6, 2014

Source: Trutzschler Nonwovens

GREENVILLE, S.C. — December 19, 2013 — Advanced Composite Materials, LLC , a global leader in the development and manufacturing of specialty silicon carbide products and composites containing silicon carbide, announced today that it will expand operations at its existing facility in Greenville County, investing $3 million and creating 6-10 new jobs.
 
Advanced Composite Materials (ACM) established its headquarters, research and development lab, and state-of-the art manufacturing facility in Greer in 2007 to manufacture silicon carbide microfibers, also called “whiskers,” for industrial ceramic applications, including microwaveable ceramic composites for the restaurant and food industry.  With the expansion of its operations, ACM now intends to introduce a new class of silicon carbide fibers.  
 
“These silicon carbide fibers are larger in size than our microfibers, and suitable for ceramic matrix composites, metal matrix composites, and high performance polymer coatings.  These products will have the new brand name of SI-TUFF™ performance silicon carbide. Primary target markets are the energy sector, aerospace, and coated metals for a wide range of applications,” said Dr. Tom Quantrille, President and CEO.
 
“Our move into Greenville County was a success.  We introduced Silar® silicon carbide microfiber technology, and it is now fully embraced by our target markets.  We knew the company must expand our production to address new market opportunities essential to achieving our long-term vision for growth,” said Dr. Quantrille.  
 
“The proprietary technology in our SI-TUFF™ product line will have extensive application in the oil and gas industries and in industrial equipment like high temperature engines and turbines, where we can enhance run efficiency, protect from corrosion and abrasion, and extend the lifetime of valuable components,” added Dr. Quantrille.  “In addition, our technology enables a whole new class of high performance composites for aerospace applications, such as SI-TUFF™ silicon carbide fiber reinforced titanium composites.”
 
The company, which is located at 1446 South Buncombe Road in Greer, will reconfigure and upfit a portion of its manufacturing space to accommodate the new equipment necessitated by the market expansion.
 
“We are pleased to expand our operations right here in Greer and  Greenville County, and appreciate the support and leadership of the Greenville Area Development Corporation <http://www.gogadc.com/> , the South Carolina Department of Commerce and all who assisted in making this growth a reality,” added Dr. Quantrille.
 
“It’s exciting to see existing, innovative companies continue to expand in our state,” said Gov. Nikki Haley. “We commend ACM for growing their presence in the Upstate through this $3 million investment that will create up to 10 new jobs in their facility.”
 
Since January 2011, South Carolina has recruited more than $10 billion in capital investment and more than 28,000 jobs in the manufacturing sector.
 
“South Carolina has emerged as a leader in advanced materials manufacturing,” said Secretary of Commerce Bobby Hitt. “Expansions like this one by ACM underscore the state’s business-friendly environment for innovative companies.”
 
ACM began as a start-up within Exxon Enterprises, which located the company in Spartanburg County in 1979.   In 1987 the company was sold to Tateho Chemical Industries Company, Ltd. of Japan. ACM remained a Japanese-owned company for almost 20 years until July 2006, when the management team of ACM executed a management buyout from Tateho Chemical.
 
At that time, ACM became the standalone, privately-held company it is today, continuously enhancing and refining its capability to develop and manufacture the finest products utilizing silicon carbide and ceramic composite technologies.
 
“Advanced materials and specialty composites are a key business cluster for the Upstate, and we are always pleased to see a locally-based organization like Advanced Composite Materials grow and succeed here,” said Dr. Bob Taylor, Board Member of the Greenville Area Development Corporation and Chairman of Greenville County Council. “ACM is research-based and technology driven, and a leader in our growing advanced materials community.”
 
 ACM exports its materials around the world, including Europe and Asia.  ACM’s global headquarters is in Greer, SC.  The Greer facility houses operations and research & development, and employs manufacturing specialists, advanced materials engineers, project managers, quality assurance personnel, sales, research, and administrative personnel.  
 
Hiring information for the 6-10 new manufacturing specialists will occur in 2014 after capital equipment is installed and ready for start-up, with details to be announced later.

Posted January 5, 2014

Source: Advanced Composite Materials
 

BEL AIR, Maryland — December 18, 2013 — As gifts are exchanged this holiday season, the Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) encourages the public to “donate, recycle, don’t throw away” their old clothing. Too often, when holiday gifts of clothing, or new sheets and towels, are given older items are simply thrown away.  According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, more than 13 million tons of solid municipal waste is generated annual that is exclusively clothing and other household textiles; of this amount 2 million tons, only 15.3%, is recycled.¹

“Unfortunately, clothing and textiles are not considered by the general public, to be recyclable products like plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and paper. Even though according to the EPA clothing and textile recycling has a greater impact on reducing greenhouse gas emissions than those other recyclables,” says SMART Executive Director, Jackie King. “SMART is working to make textile recycling as familiar to people as other regularly recycled items are today.”

In its 2011 study of Municipal Solid Waste, the U.S. EPA has calculated the impact the current level of recycling has Greenhouse Gases in the United States. The EPA report indicates the 2 million tons of textiles are currently recycled annually; is the equivalent of removing 1 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 (640 thousand cars removed); and is nearly equal to the impact of aluminum recycling (1.3 million cars removed).²

SMART estimates that ninety-five percent of all clothing and household textiles can be recycled or repurposed. The repurposing of textile products includes converting them into wiping cloths or remanufacturing them into products such as home insulation, carpet padding, or sound proofing material. “Only 5 percent of all textile materials are ultimately disposed of as trash because they are either wet or are contaminated with oil, paint, or some other hazardous material,” says SMART President Lou Buty. “As long as the items are clean, even if they are stained or damaged, there is a recycling use for the material.”

Buty says industrial wiping cloths made from recycled textiles also have a significantly smaller carbon footprint than newly manufactured wiping clothes or laundered rags. Estimates are that more than five million pounds of untreated contaminates flow into the nation’s waterways annually from laundered wiping cloths. When manufacturing a new cotton shop towel an estimated 17 gallons of water and more than 66 BTU’s of energy are required during the entire process. Conversely, the creation of a wiping cloth from a recycled textile uses no water and virtually no energy.

Earlier this year the EPA published new regulations governing the storage, handling, and disposal of solvent-soiled industrial wiping cloths. In its preamble to the regulation, the EPA explicitly encourages all states to implement the rule in its entirety as quickly as possible to enhance regulatory uniformity for businesses that use industrial wipes.

¹Table 1, Page 7. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2011.
²Table 5, Page 12. Municipal Solid Waste Generation, Recycling, and Disposal in the United States: Facts and Figures for 2011.

Posted January 5, 2013

Source: Secondary Materials and Recycled Textiles Association