Hohenstein Institute Releases Results Of Long Term Nanoparticle Study

Hohenstein Institute, a leading global provider of technical testing and certification for apparel and textile products, recently publicized results from two three-year nanotoxicity studies conducted in cooperation with multiple organizations and designed to understand and quantify the safety of nanoparticles for people and for the environment. Hohenstein scientists, Dr. Jan Beringer and Dr. Timo Hammer, presented key study findings related to textile products in a webinar entitled “Nanotechnology: Human Health and the Environment.”  Hohenstein’s research concluded that the tested textiles treated with nanoparticles posed little to no risk to human health or ecosystems. The webinar recording is available on the Hohenstein Institute website at http://www.hohenstein.com/en/advanced_training/e_learning/e_learning_2/e_learning.html
 
Hohenstein Institute played a key role in the TechnoTox project to assess risk to human health of nano-functionalized textiles including silver nanoparticle (Ag-NP) enhanced fabrics. For the UMSICHT study, Hohenstein determined how silver nanoparticles leach from fabrics, providing critical data for partners to evaluate the impact of silver nanoparticles on the environment. Hohenstein’s key research conclusions included the following:

  • For the TechnoTox study, Hohenstein conducted a broad scale consumer wear test with Ag-NP enhanced antimicrobial apparel. Hohenstein determined that silver nanoparticles acted effectively upon bacteria introduced via perspiration but had no detrimental impact on the skin’s naturally occurring protective bacteria and caused no skin irritation.  Additionally, the use of Ag-NP treated apparel did not build resistance in the undesirable bacteria.
  • Hohenstein’s proprietary cellular modelling technology also indicated that the inhalation, absorption, and ingestion of any silver nanoparticles released from the tested fabrics had no negative effect on human organ or tissue functions.
  • Hohenstein studied the impact of processing Ag-NP enhanced fabrics on textile mill effluents and also measured the release of nanoparticles in home laundry simulations.  Their data was key input to the larger UMSICHT study which found no significant risk of damage to aquatic ecosystems, sewage treatment plants, or landfill operations.

 
Hohenstein works closely with textile and apparel manufacturers to confirm that their specific nanoparticle enhanced products work as designed and are safe to use. Certificates and Quality Labels are available and include Biological Safety, Antibacterial efficacy, Skin Flora Neutral, and Skin-Friendly. When performed during the product development phase, Hohenstein testing can confirm, correct, or enhance product performance and can provide objective data for fact-based marketing efforts.
 
Dr. Beringer will be attending Outdoor Retailer Winter Market in Salt Lake City January 22-25 and is available to discuss these study findings in the Hohenstein Institute Booth #62024.

Posted January 27, 2014

Source: Hohenstein Institute

Walmart Announces $10 Million Fund To Spur Innovation And Support U.S. Manufacturing

WASHINGTON — Jan. 23, 2014 — Today, Walmart U.S. President and CEO Bill Simon joined 280 of the nation’s mayors in Washington, D.C., at the U.S. Conference of Mayors Meeting to announce a new fund for innovation in American manufacturing and a new supplier commitment to bring production of bikes and jobs to South Carolina.

The $10 million fund for innovation:
Walmart and the Walmart Foundation will fund the five-year program and work in collaboration with the U.S. Conference of Mayors to launch it in March. The fund will provide grants to innovators in the manufacturing sector and seeks to create new processes, ideas, and jobs that support America’s growing manufacturing footprint.

“If we want to grow manufacturing and help rebuild America’s middle class, we need the brightest minds in our universities, in our think tanks, and in our towns to tackle obstacles to U.S. manufacturing,” said Simon. “The $10 million fund will identify and award leaders in manufacturing innovation and help us all work together to create opportunity.”

Last year Walmart announced that it will buy an additional $50 billion in American products. That’s $50 billion more than it does today 10 years from now. Walmart estimates that its $50 billion pledge, in the 10th year, will result in Walmart buying an additional $250 billion cumulatively over the next 10 years. This pledge is in an effort to grow U.S. manufacturing and encourage the creation of U.S. jobs.

The Boston Consulting Group predicts that this $250 billion investment will create one million jobs, when you include the jobs in manufacturing and related services.

Kent Bicycles:
Kent Bicycles announced it is moving production from overseas to Clarendon, S.C. According to Kent, when at full capacity in 2016, they will have added at least 175 jobs and will be assembling 500,000 bikes annually. The company, based in Parsippany, N.J., expects to start production in the fall of 2014.

“We look forward to bringing production to South Carolina,” said Arnold Kamler, owner of Kent Bicycles. “Our company moved all manufacturing overseas in 1990 because it was so much more cost effective. When Walmart made its commitment to U.S. manufacturing last year, it opened our eyes to restarting some manufacturing here. We attended Walmart’s August manufacturing summit and were able to focus our efforts quickly and make things happen with South Carolina.”

“Those that have already taken the risk to move or expand manufacturing in the U.S. tell us they are experiencing a first-mover advantage—a significant leg-up in terms of market-share and momentum,” added Simon. “Kent Bicycles is taking the opportunity to become one of those first-movers with its facility in South Carolina.”

“It’s exciting to see a leading manufacturer, like Kent Bicycles, choose South Carolina to manufacture bicycles, a mainstay of an American childhood. We celebrate the company’s decision to create at least 175 new jobs and produce a half a million bicycles annually in Clarendon County, and we are pleased that Walmart’s commitment to domestic manufacturing is accelerating real progress on the issue,” said South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley.

Walmart also announced that it will host its second U.S. manufacturing summit in Denver, Colo., in August 2014. One focus of this year’s summit will be connecting manufacturers in need of component parts to factories with excess capacity.

“Many factories aren’t operating at full capacity. By working together, we have an opportunity to repurpose or help add production to some of these communities,” said Simon. “This will help rebuild the American supply chain to support U.S. manufacturing and create more jobs.”

Walmart’s first summit in August 2013 brought together more than 1,500 attendees, including 500 suppliers, 34 states and government officials to discuss opportunities to create jobs, restore communities and drive economic growth.

Additional supplier information:

  • 72 percent of Walmart suppliers believe that manufacturing in the U.S. will be cost favorable within four years or less.
  • 40 different departments at Walmart are in active discussions with suppliers to manufacture here.

For additional information about Walmart’s commitment to U.S. manufacturing, visit: corporate.walmart.com/us-manufacturing.

Posted January 23, 2014

Source: Walmart

Clariant’s New Cool Black Masterbatches Help Polypropylene Carpet Fibers Beat the Heat

CHARLOTTE — January 22, 2014 – Clariant, a world leader in Specialty Chemicals, today announced the introduction of black masterbatches specially formulated to reflect heat-generating near-infrared light rays so that carpeting stays cooler. Light in the visible spectrum is absorbed so that color development is comparable to that of standard pigments.

Tradenamed REMAFIN® Cool Black, the tailor-made masterbatches are intended to replace more conventional products that use carbon black pigments. Polypropylene (PP) carpet yarns made with new Cool Black masterbatches are ideal for carpeting used outdoors on decks or boats where the heat of the sun can make dark surfaces uncomfortable to walk on. The same technology can be applied in such textile applications as apparel and upholstery and in resins other than PP, including polyester and nylon.

REMAFIN Cool Black was developed at the Clariant facility in Dalton, Georgia, USA, which specializes in production of masterbatches that go into fiber-based end-products such as carpets and various types of textiles. The plant houses an application development lab with a pilot-scale fiber line so yarn samples produced in almost any color and new formulations can be tested. Here, Clariant engineers compared how yarn made with conventional carbon-black pigments performed against Cool Black formulations. Yarns made with Cool Black masterbatches remained about 10°C and about 20°F cooler than the control samples. Acceptable color saturation was achieved at 7% masterbatch loading, which was comparable to the loading used with the carbon black masterbatch. Details about the test results are available to interested customers.

“Black pigments that reflect the sun’s heat have been used in other applications,” says Peter Prusak, Head of Marketing – Clariant Masterbatches North America. “However, carpet fibers are so thin that pigments must be thoroughly dispersed or else agglomerates can create problems in the fiber spinning process. We believe this is the first time Cool Black technology has been available to producers of carpet fiber.”
 
Developed in the United States, REMAFIN Cool Black masterbatches are available globally through regional and local Clariant offices in more than 55 countries. Clariant Masterbatches has outstanding knowledge about adding color and functionality to synthetic fibers and can help create brilliant colorful solutions in carpets, clothing, automotive interiors, non-wovens and artificial turf. Additive masterbatches enhance durability, UV stability, flame retardancy, antibacterial and many other performance properties.

Posted January 23, 2014

Source: Clariant

Polartec Introduces Polartec® PowerWool™

LAWRENCE, Mass.— January 21, 2014 – Polartec, the premium provider of innovative textile solutions, introduces Polartec® Power Wool™, a new fabric collection that optimizes the natural performance of wool with synthetic fibers in patented constructions that only Polartec can deliver.Designed as a next-to-skin fabric to keep you dry and comfortable, Polartec® Power Wool™ delivers an engineered mix of fibers precisely placing wool and synthetic yarns to achieve fabric performance much greater than the sum of the parts, while solving some of the problems of pure wool garments.
Highly breathable Polartec Power Wool harnesses the power of naturally wicking, odor resistant, temperature-regulating high quality merino wool with hydrophobic synthetic fibers for shape retention, durability and improved dry-times. The resulting product more reliably manages the often-divergent demands of many environments – hot or cold, wet or dry – for superior comfort and durability.

Constructed as a bi-component knit with a polyester exterior and an itch-free merino wool interior, Polartec Power Wool keeps the skin dry through three complimentary mechanisms: higher breathability via wool’s movement of moisture in a vapor state, designed touch points on the interior to draw sweat away, and a broad surface area on the exterior for rapid drying. Polartec Power Wool is available in primary next-to-skin styles, form-fitting stretch styles, and patented High Efficiency grid styles which offer maximum breathability, compressibility and the highest warmth per fabric weight.

“Alone, wool and synthetics each have their own advantages and disadvantages, but together, with the right mix and construction, Polartec Power Wool maximizes the performance benefits of each,” says Allon Cohne, Polartec global marketing director.

Polartec® Power Wool™ will become available to consumers in the collections of some of the world’s leading apparel brands.

Posted January 23, 2014

Source: Polartec

 

Statement By U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman On The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act Of 2014

WASHINGTON — January 9, 2014 — U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman issued the following statement today regarding the introduction in Congress of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act of 2014: 

“I welcome the introduction of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act.  We expect to have a robust conversation on the Hill about how trade agreements should be negotiated and the role of Congress in that process.  We’re eager to engage directly with Members of the Finance and Ways and Means Committees and with all of Congress to pass Trade Promotion Authority legislation that has broad, bipartisan support. 

“We need to open markets, support U.S. jobs, increase exports of products Made in America and ensure a level playing field for Americans to compete in the global economy.  Trade Promotion Authority will help us accomplish that goal.

 “The United States cannot afford to stand on the sidelines.  We need to lead and compete.  USTR is negotiating agreements in new ways that not will only open markets, but will do a better job of supporting American jobs and reflecting our values around the world – on labor, the environment, access to medicines and other issues.  

“The passage of broadly supported, bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority legislation can ensure that Americans reap the benefits of new, high-standard trade agreements.”

Posted January 21, 2014

Source: USTR

T-ChIP™ Teams With SciVera, Program Available January 22

Elon, N.C.-based T-ChIP™ [Textile Chemical Information Profile] is a new chemical hazard and risk assessment program designed to assist textile and textile chemical manufacturers by providing the latest human and environmental toxicological data on commercial textile chemicals. T-ChIP also conducts verifiable hazard and risk assessments and provides manufacturers a hazard and risk profile for a product’s individual ingredients beyond information provided in a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS). The program is set to launch on January 22.
 
To provide clients with the most complete and reliable data, T-ChIP has partnered with Charlottesville, Va.-based SciVera LLC, creator of an extensive chemical toxicology database. SciVera will provide T-ChIP with the hazard assessment data for ingredients used in commercial textile chemicals.
 
“SciVera has created one of the most extensive and well respected chemical toxicology databases in the world,” said Dina Dunn, cofounder, T-ChIP. “Through our partnership with SciVera, we provide clients with cost-effective, reliable and thorough analyses using the very best and very latest information available. T-ChIP and SciVera do this work within a confidential framework that protects proprietary formulas and trade secrets, a service never before available in the textile industry.”
 
In order to protect intellectual property, chemical manufacturers can disclose a detailed list of ingredients found in their products using T-ChIP’s secure portal. T-ChIP then conducts a detailed analysis of those ingredients and generates a hazard/risk assessment report on a product for a client without revealing any proprietary formulation trade secrets.
 
“The launch of T-ChIP greatly simplifies the product chemical assessment process for the textile industry,” said Joseph Rinkevich, founder, SciVera. “In addition to providing an effective analytical and reporting function, T-ChIP is also a powerful chemical management tool. Each T-ChIP report provides textile manufacturers with a detailed understanding of the hazards and risks associated with their chemical compounds down to the component level, leading to safer processes at the facility and safer products for the market.”
 
According to T-ChIP, knowing more about the hazards and risks associated with using various textile chemicals can help a manufacturer manage chemicals responsibility, and in turn become a greener manufacturer that produces in a more sustainable manner. In addition, a detailed T-ChIP report allows manufacturers to share information with brands and retailers that are more commonly requiring chemical information from their suppliers.
 
January 21, 2014

The Rupp Report: The Missed First Impression

Heimtextil, the International Trade Fair for Home and Contract Textiles, took place Jan. 8-11, 2014. The organizers said that this year’s show saw a significant increase in both visitors and exhibitors: nearly 67,000 visitors from 133 countries — compared to 65,835 visitors in 2013 — came to see the latest products and innovations from 2,718 international exhibitors — compared to 2,616 in 2013. The next Heimtextil in Frankfurt am Main will be held Jan. 14-17, 2015.
 
Positive Feedback …
The organizers claim that the show was a big success in spite of all recent troubles around the globe, “sending out a positive signal to the sector.” Of great importance is the fact that many leading European companies came back to Frankfurt as exhibitors. The numbers are quite impressive: according to a survey, 94 percent of visitors said they had achieved their target at the exhibition. On the other hand — and this seems to be more important — the exhibitors were pleased with the quality of the visitors. Seventy-nine percent of the exhibitors declared their satisfaction with the outcome of the fair.
 
… With A High Level Of Internationality
One of the main reasons for the ongoing success of Heimtextil is the still high level of internationality: more than 66 percent of visitors and 88 percent of exhibitors came from outside Germany. Growth was noted particularly from Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, South America and South Korea. Some halls were full of exhibitors from Asian countries including India and China, giving the feeling of being at an Asian show rather than at Heimtextil in Germany. It will be interesting to see if this last big textile show in Frankfurt — apart from Techtextil — will remain or go the same way as Interstoff did some years ago. Interstoff disappeared, and most of the important product shows moved to Asia.
 
Growing Market For Digital Textile Printing
One of the outstanding trends at this year’s Heimtextil was the shift toward digital textile printing. This was obvious by the increased number of exhibitors and innovations in that sector. Some producers of inkjet printers made presentations at Heimtextil for the first time, while some increased the size of their exhibition booths.
 
Hardly any other area of the finishing/printing sector has made such a giant leap in development in the last 10 years. From a very slow beginning, taking hours to produce a few square meters, the production speed has gone up dramatically. The advantages of new printing technology are more than obvious: Mainly, it reduces the massive costs of producing samples or even complete ranges of printed fabrics. In the 1970s, a full range of printed fabrics including some color samples was produced at costs of double-digit millions of dollars, not including all the greige fabrics that had to be used for the sampling material. If one added the costs of design, screens and roller engraving, it was virtually a dance on the wire to produce successful collections. By applying inkjet technology, most of these costs are eliminated, even the costs of greige fabrics. Modern design programs can even imitate the surface of the chosen fabric structure. Inkjet or digital printing is definitely a technology that will further grow, and the Rupp Report will certainly have an eye on that in the near future.
 
The Missed Opportunity
However, there is another thing that is hard to understand at an exhibition — and which was apparent at Heimtextil too, and not only at booths of exhibitors from outside Europe. Basically the target of a booth at an exhibition is to present the products of the exhibitor and eventually to sell something. Keeping in mind that another maybe 100 competitors are there too to sell comparable products, every bit of a chance should be taken to attract visitors to come into the booth, ask them questions and possibly sell them something. Wherever it is — at machinery shows like ITMA Asia + CITME, or at fabric-oriented shows like Heimtextil — one can see that very often the personnel in the booth don’t seem to be very keen to visit with people. Some are eating, some are chatting with their booth mates, some are playing with their cell phones, and some are not even there when they should be. The list could be extended with many more examples of how to prevent possible customers from entering the booth.
 
Handle With Care
How do these people handle their customers? Is it the same as if one is calling a company and has to wait for minutes just to get somebody on the phone? In every low-level management course, customer relations are at the top of the list. Companies are spending a lot of money to install smooth customer and after-sales service and to have an attractive website. But it seems that companies often forget that successful sales are all about people. And topping off an incomplete list of how to discourage customers is the language barrier. Asian companies especially have this problem. How on earth can they be successful if nobody in the booth speaks a word of a language other than Chinese, Urdu, Hindi or Japanese?
 
Today, quality is not an attribute of being successful but rather a prerequisite. And you never get a second chance for a first impression. So, if you, as a potential customer, are standing in front of a row of booths that are all selling more or less the same stuff, where would you go to buy something? In the booth where somebody’s eating, drinking or having fun with his cell phone? Or would you prefer to go to the booth where someone is looking at you with a smile and welcoming you to come in? There are a few important exhibitions that will take place in the near future; ITMA Asia + CITME is just one mentioned. The Rupp Report is curious to know how you, dear reader, handle this issue with your people and how you prepare your team for an important event. If you have something to say, or something to share with the community of the readers, please write to jrupp@textileworld.com.
 
January 21, 2014
 
 

Cotton Incorporated’s TransDRY® Features Polygiene Antimicrobial Finish

Cary, N.C.-based Cotton Incorporated is now incorporating Sweden-based Polygiene AB’s Polygiene® antimicrobial fabric finish into its TransDRY® moisture-management technology for cotton, which provides moisture-transferring and quick-drying properties while maintaining a garment’s comfort and softness and keeping the wearer cool.
 
Polygiene technology is based on silver salt derived from recycled silver and offers permanent odor control, according to the company. The bluesign®-approved treatment can be applied at any stage of production to a variety of textiles and surfaces, and can reduce the need for frequent laundering, Polygiene reports.
 
“Polygiene is a natural complement to our TransDry moisture management technology for cotton fibers,” said David Earley, senior director, supply chain marketing, Cotton Incorporated. “Its performance in both field and lab tests is exceptional and only enhances the inherent benefits of cotton. We believe clothing designers and consumers alike will see the benefits for everything from sports apparel to travel wear to daily items like button down shirts or even denim.”
 
January 21, 2014
 

Chomarat To Expand Anderson, S.C., Facility, Add 20 Jobs

Anderson, S.C.-based Chomarat North America — the regional division of France-based textiles and composites manufacturer Chomarat Group — is investing $10 million to expand its Anderson operations and add 20 jobs. The investment includes the addition of manufacturing space and new equipment.
 
Chomarat reports the expansion will entail both physical and technical changes into advanced composite reinforcements, and that it will enable the company to expand its business into new markets including industrial, automotive and aerospace, among other markets.
 
“It is an exciting time for Chomarat as we grow our legacy business and expand operations to support new markets,” said Brian Laufenberg, president, Chomarat North America. “The advanced composites business is quite healthy in this country, and particularly strong in South Carolina, where there is a long history of textile and reinforcements manufacturing. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to operate and grow our business in Anderson County.” 
 
January 21, 2014
 

USAID, AAFA and ACTIF MOU Will Boost U.S.-Africa Apparel Trade

WASHINGTON — January 17, 2014 — The United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the American Apparel & Footwear Association (AAFA), and the African Cotton & Textile Industries Federation (ACTIF) have entered into a memorandum of understanding to expand trade and investment linkages between the United States and sub-Saharan Africa in the cotton textile and apparel sectors.

Building on the momentum of President Obama’s Trade Africa initiative, this new alliance will promote Africa as a reliable sourcing destination for international buyers and explore opportunities to promote U.S. trade and investment in Africa.  As ACTIF’s Chairman Jaswinder Bedi noted, “Africa is poised to make great strides in economic development in this decade with our combined GDP growing by 60 percent by 2020. This partnership with USAID and AAFA will ensure that both the United States and Africa participate in this growth story.”

With support from USAID, AAFA and ACTIF plan to expand and facilitate U.S.-Africa cooperation through the exchange of market and import/export policy information, guidance on requirements and best practices, and the promotion of joint solutions to address market constraints.  “Sub-Saharan Africa is a growing player in the global apparel and footwear marketplace,” said AAFA Executive Vice President Steve Lamar. “Through this memorandum of understanding, AAFA is excited to work with USAID and ACTIF to facilitate increased trade and market access opportunities between the United States and Africa.”

President Obama has renewed the United States’ emphasis on spurring economic growth, trade, and investment in Africa, including promoting an enabling environment for trade and investment, regional integration, improved economic governance and expanded African capacity to trade.  As America supports the development of Africa’s economic growth, it can generate new export markets and tap into a common market that could one day outpace India or China.  USAID Principal Advisor for Africa Oren Whyche-Shaw remarked that the new USAID-AAFA-ACTIF partnership will “take advantage of growing opportunities in the global marketplace and create jobs and income on both continents.”

Posted January 21, 2014

Source: AAFA

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