The Netherlands — September 30, 2013 — At METS 2013 (Marine Equipment Trade Show, 19-21 November in
Amsterdam RAI), DSM the producer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), branded as
Dyneema®, will show how the world of yacht racing will be reaching levels of extreme performance
with the introduction of Dyneema® SK99, the strongest fiber ever made by DSM.

Edwin Grootendorst, Global Segment Director at DSM Dyneema said, “Cutting edge performance
in the world of racing yachts demands cutting edge products. Dyneema® SK99 is our latest innovation
for running rigging. Naval architects employ super computers and theoretical fluid dynamic modeling
software to ensure that racing boats can reach their maximum potential speed on all points of the
wind.

As any rigger, skipper or trimmer knows, transferring wind energy from the sails to the hull
is the job of the rigging. Poor performance rigging can make the difference between winning or
losing races and optimum power and acceleration is a matter of millimeters. When it matters,
Dyneema® SK99 will be there pushing boats faster; helping to win races and we are looking forward
to revealing the experience we are building with this exciting product.”

Dyneema® SK99 delivers the highest tenacity available in a light weight, polymer fiber to
date showing a 7% increase over SK90 and 20% over SK75 and SK78. This translates into thinner,
lighter weight lines than traditional ropes, or lines with the same diameter but with significantly
increased strength. The result is better performance from more compact rigging, which is lighter,
takes up less space, lowers resistance and increases speed. The modulus is 10% higher than SK90 and
35% higher than SK75 and SK78. This improvement in modulus translates into lower stretch, better
sail performance and thus faster possible boat response.

Running rigging made with Dyneema® is the product of choice on boats where it matters. Ropes
with Dyneema® are used on boats that range from the fastest, ultimate performance boats and round
the world endurance racers, to recreational yachts. It has proven to deliver results and retain its
properties over an extended lifetime and is not affected by the tough environment that can be found
around the oceans of our world.

The full range of Dyneema® products, including SK99, will be available for the complete
spectrum of yachts and their rigging needs through our licensed partners and can be seen at METS
2013 with the following selected yacht supply partners:

• Gottifredi Maffioli S.p.A
• Liros GmbH
• Marlow Ropes Ltd
• English Braids Ltd
• Geo Gleistein & Sohn GmbH
• New England Ropes Corp.
• Teufelberger
• Hampidjan hf
• Corderie Henri Lancelin

Posted September 30, 2013

Source: DSM Dyneema

Wichita, Kan.-based polymers, fibers and chemical intermediates producer Invista has acquired the
Netherlands-based polyester producer Advansa BV’s assets related to specialty polyester products
for apparel end-uses. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

As part of the acquisition, Advansa’s license from Invista to produce Coolmax® and
Thermolite® branded products for the European, Middle Eastern and African markets has reverted to
Invista; and Invista also has acquired Advansa’s ThermoCool™ brand plus related Duoregulation™
technologies and key staff. Going forward, Invista will market and promote these brands and
technologies globally, and expects to be able to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its
business development activities for its apparel textile clients.

Advansa retains its branded home textiles fiberfill business, specialty fibers businesses for
nonwovens and paper markets, and its manufacturing facility in Germany.

September 24, 2013

DALTON, Ga. and SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — September 23, 2013 — Berkshire Hathaway’s Shaw Industries
Group, Inc. will invest at least $40 million and hire more than 25 new associates in South
Pittsburg, Tenn., to meet the growing demand for its Epic® engineered flooring product.

“Marion County could not be more pleased to see the commitment of additional capital
investment and new jobs being created by Shaw in our county. We greatly appreciate the confidence
the company has shown in our citizens and community by announcing this expansion in South
Pittsburg,” said Marion County Mayor John Graham.

South Pittsburg Mayor Jane Dawkins noted, “We are excited about the growth of Shaw in our
city and look forward to continued involvement with them as a good corporate partner. This
expansion project is a confirmation of the company’s long term commitment to South Pittsburg,
Marion County and the State of Tennessee.”

The expansion will add more than 60 percent capacity to the existing hardwood manufacturing
facility. Construction is set to begin in late 2013 and is the latest in Shaw’s efforts to expand
and enhance its hardwood manufacturing. Plant HW, which currently employees 200 associates, has
already grown by 65 associates this year as a result of Shaw increasing the number of shifts it is
operating at the facility.

“Tennessee has the best balance sheet in the country and the kind of business friendly
environment where incumbent companies like Shaw Industries Group, Inc. can feel confident to
reinvest and further their growth,” Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “I want to thank Shaw Industries Group, Inc. for being a valued
corporate citizen and appreciate these new jobs they will create for Tennesseans.”

The announcement represents the company’s continuous efforts to adapt to market demands and
preferences. Shaw transformed this former yarn plant into one of the most sophisticated and
technologically advanced hardwood flooring manufacturing facilities across Shaw’s entire portfolio
– and the largest engineered flooring facility of its kind in the world. Additionally, in recent
months, the company implemented $26 million in technology and automation to improve efficiency,
cost, safety, material yield and waste reduction improvements at its hardwood facilities in
Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“The expansion of the South Pittsburg hardwood operation is an important component in our
overall hardwood strategy. By investing in this plant and our other hardwood facilities, we are
enhancing our ability to offer the widest product mix, the most innovative design, and the greatest
quality and service to our customers,” said Shaw Chairman and CEO Vance Bell.

Since entering the hardwood flooring business in 2006, Shaw has become the second largest and
fastest growing hardwood manufacturer in the market. Producing hardwood flooring under the Shaw,
AndersonTM and Zickgraf brands, the company operates nine hardwood facilities, including Plant HW,
where it manufactures its Shaw Epic engineered hardwood.

This is the latest in a series of expansion announcements from Shaw, which recently unveiled
plans for a new carpet tile plant in Adairsville, Ga., opened a carpet tile plant in China to serve
the Asian market, and announced the expansion of its distribution and extrusion operations in
northwest Georgia.

Posted September 24, 2013

Source: Shaw Industries

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. —September 20, 2013 — AATCC has developed a new digitally-printed
Stain Release Replica for use with AATCC Test Method (TM) 130, Soil Release: Oily Stain Release
Method. The new Stain Release Replica was developed by the Association’s RA56 Stain Release
Committee Task Force, which conducted testing of the replica across six different labs.

 

The study demonstrates that the new replica provides results comparable to those obtained
using the previous AATCC Stain Release Replica scale.  The overall standard deviation for the
new replica was lower than that for the previous replica, suggesting less variability and more
discrete determinations. Similarly, the range of individual values for the new replica (minimum to
maximum) was narrower than the range from the previous replica, suggesting better precision or less
scatter.

 

Labs using this test method should remember that it is important to replace the stain
release replica every 12 months and to store the replica in the dark to prevent fading, as
recommended in TM 130.

 

AATCC sends a grateful thank you to the following laboratories that participated in the
development of the new Stain Release Replica:  SGS Consumer Testing Services, Manufacturing
Solutions Center, Hanesbrands Inc., Cintas Corporation, Cotton Incorporated, and 3M.



Posted September 24, 2013

Source: AATCC

DALTON, Ga. — Sept 24, 2013 — After a four year hiatus, FloorTek Expo came roaring back to the
delight of show organizer American Floorcovering Alliance, exhibitors and attendees — many from
overseas. The three day event serving the floor covering industry professionals netted
approximately 75 exhibitors and 2,000 attendees checking out the latest in machinery and
technology.

 

“I’ve had exhibitors ask me when we were having the show again,” reported Wanda Ellis,
executive director of the AFA. “They were pleased with the steady flow of quality, decision makers
to meet with.”

 

World famous HGTV designer celebrity Vern Yip kicked-off the FloorTek Expo with a
presentation and photo-op at the VIP Breakfast. Winners of his highly coveted lacquer ware were Ann
Harrell of Propex, Brian Gracon of BRIAN GRACON & ASSOCIATES INC., and Kemp Harr of Floor
Focus.

Winners of the 2014 Daytona 500 race package getaways were Mike Robinson of Bayer Material,
Steve Charron of Lang Ligon & Company, Inc., and Terrance Redington of Practix MFG.-U.S.A.

 

“We are certainly planning to have FloorTek Expo again,” commented Ms. Ellis. “Next up is our
annual AFA members meeting and then off to Europe and China to support our AFA member manufacturers
as they exhibit at Domotex.”

One of the many floor covering machines on display at FloorTek Expo

A demonstration by Henderson at FloorTek Expo

Braxton Vick’s seminar at FloorTek Expo

Vern Yip with the Card Monroe Group at FloorTek Expo

Ann Harrell of Propex won lacquerware designed by Vern Yip

Vern Yip presents Brian Gracon with his lacquerware at the VIP Breakfast

Posted September 24, 2013

Source: American Floorcovering Alliance

Shaw Industries Group Inc. — a Dalton, Ga.-based floor covering provider and a subsidiary of
Berkshire Hathaway Inc. — will invest $100 million to streamline its distribution network and
expand its fiber extrusion facility in Dalton, adding 175 jobs in the process.

In an effort to streamline and improve the efficiency of its distribution centers — many of
which currently ship both carpet and hard surface flooring — Shaw will realign the centers to be
specific to carpet or hard surface flooring distribution. This fall, the company will begin
construction to add 535,000 square feet of warehouse space at Shaw Plant 34 in Dalton, which will
become a carpet distribution center; and will consolidate most of its hard surface distribution to
Shaw Plant DL in Calhoun, Ga., expanding hard surface capacity by 70 percent. The realignment of
all distribution centers is expected to be completed by the end of 2015. Shaw will add 110
employees at its carpet distribution centers in Dalton over the next five years.

In addition, the company will expand fiber extrusion capacity at Shaw Plant WM in Dalton by
adding state-of-the-art, high-speed extrusion equipment. Shaw reports the new equipment will be
able to process all resin types currently used in the industry, and will offer improved
manufacturing efficiency as well as increase the plant’s output by more than 30 percent. Over the
coming months, the company will add 65 jobs at the site as equipment comes online starting in
October. Shaw also is purchasing land adjacent to the facility for future expansion.

The news comes on the heels of Shaw’s announcement that it will invest $85 million to open a
carpet tile manufacturing plant in Adairsville, Ga. (See ”
Shaw
To Build Carpet Tile Facility In Adairsville, Ga., Add 500 Jobs,”
TextileWorld.com, Sept. 3, 2013). The company also recently opened a carpet
tile manufacturing plant in China to serve its customers in Asia (See ”
Shaw
Opens Carpet Tile Manufacturing Plant In China,”
TextileWorld.com, Sept. 17, 2013).

“As our end-use markets recover, we are accelerating our investments in our business,” said
Vance Bell, chairman and CEO, Shaw Industries. “This will benefit not only our customers, but our
associates and the communities where we operate.”

September 24, 2013

NEENAH, Wis. — September 12, 2013 — Appleton Mfg. Division’s Automated Core Cutting Systems are
available for retrofit onto your existing core cutting equipment. Developed with a modular design
approach, the basic system features two components: the parent core feeding system and the v-tray
for loading cores onto the core cutter. The modular design of Appleton’s Automated Core Cutting
Systems allow it to accommodate a variety of needs and situations. From low-volume, single-level
delivery to high-volume requirements which incorporate hoppers, elevators, diverting, positioning
and finishing systems.

“Our Automated Core Cutting Systems components retrofit onto most pre-existing core cutting
machines, making it a cost effective improvement during tough economic times. Installation is
straightforward so owners can experience increased productivity in no time,” commented Mark Rasper,
Engineering Manager.

Automation Retrofit Components:

•     Stand Alone V-tray – Loads Parent Cores onto the Core Cutter from
  Tables
•     AutoLoader™ – Loads Parent Cores onto the Core Cutter from Hoppers or
  Delivery Tables
•     Parent Core Tables and Bins
•     Cut Core Tables and Bins
•     Controls Package Upgrades
•     Parent and Cut Core Conveyor Systems

Once installed, Appleton Mfg. Division’s Automated Core Cutting Systems provides lower labor
costs along with increased productivity. In addition, it also provides increased flexibility in
controlling production, ease of handling complex production runs and can be interfaced directly
into the user’s production reporting system.

Posted September 17, 2013

Source: Appleton Mfg. Division