RUDOLF Appoints Marcos Furrer CEO, Dr. Gunther Duschek Chief Technology And Operations Officer And Dr. Oliver Kusterle Chief Sustainability Officer; Dr. Wolfgang A. Schumann Becomes Chairman Of The Board Of Directors

GERETSRIED, Germany — December 16, 2024 — RUDOLF, a global medium-sized specialty chemical company, is adopting a new management structure at the beginning of 2025 to accelerate the implementation of its strategic goals.

The aim remains to further strengthen RUDOLF‘s international market position and to sustainably, expand the company‘s innovative strength in an increasingly dynamic competitive environment.

Global strategy – local execution

The reorganization also underlines RUDOLF‘s commitment to remain a leading player in the specialty chemical industry and to make a sustainable contribution to the future of the textile, construction, paper and coating additives industries.

Change in the management structure

At the beginning of 2025, Wolfgang Schumann and Dr. Wolfgang A. Schumann will take over the chairmanship of the newly established Board of Directors as its co-chairs. In his new role, Dr. Schumann will focus specifically on developing strategically important business in Asia in order to further expand the company‘s market position there.

“It is with great pleasure and confidence that I hand over the role of CEO to Marcos Furrer,” said Dr. Schumann. “I am equally pleased that Dr. Gunther Duschek as CTOO and Dr. Oliver Kusterle as CSO, in their existing global responsibilities, will round off the operational management team in terms of continuity and commitment. This new management structure is a decisive step for the future of our company. It will apply from the beginning of 2025.

“In my new role as chairman of the Board of Directors, I will focus specifically on the development of the strategically important business in Asia and continue to be the point of contact for our joint ventures. I am convinced that this realignment will enable us to further expand and strengthen our market position.

“I would like to thank all employees for their commitment and support over the past years and look forward to continuing to advance the vision of RUDOLF together with the new management team and to serve our customers worldwide even better.”

Marcos Furrer has been appointed as the new CEO of the RUDOLF Group and will also take on the role of chief marketing officer (CMO). His many years of experience in the speciality chemical industry and his strategic insight make him the ideal person to drive RUDOLF‘s global vision forward.

“I am very pleased to take on the role of CEO of the Rudolf Group,” Furrer said. “You can literally feel the Group‘s more than 100 years of activity in the textile chemical business. The excellent team and the special customer proximity are the cornerstones of our success, which I would like to build on in order to further develop the successful strategic path. I am convinced that with this new approach we will not only strengthen our international market position but also make our contribution to a sustainable future. Together with our dedicated team, I look forward to advancing the vision of RUDOLF and serving our customers worldwide even better.”

Posted: December 18, 2024

Source: RUDOLF

Project STOP And Accenture Team To Tackle Mismanaged Waste With Innovative Digital App

BANYUWANGI, East Java, Indonesia — December 18, 2024 — Project STOP is delighted to announce a strategic collaboration with Accenture to scale up the ongoing Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau program in East Java, Indonesia. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in the effort to develop and implement effective household waste management and recycling systems in Indonesia.

With the introduction of the Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau App, the project makes an important contribution to transforming waste management in Indonesia by digitizing processes, enhancing accountability and streamlining operations. The app has already reached nearly 30,000 households, with plans to expand to 377,000, and aims to improve customer registration, fee collection and route optimization in low-connectivity rural areas.

The initiative is part of Project STOP’s broader mission to create comprehensive, economically sustainable waste management systems in Southeast Asia at scale. Project STOP was co-founded by Borealis and Systemiq in 2017, and since then has connected more than 450,000 people to a waste management system. Through collaborative efforts with national and local governments in Indonesia, local communities, private sector companies and academia partners, Project STOP aims to reduce plastic leakage into the environment, enhance public health and create green jobs. The app will support Project STOP with rolling out effective household waste management systems to hundreds of thousands of people without access to a formal managed waste system today, stopping the influx of waste into the environment and oceans at source.

Accenture is supporting this effort primarily through Accenture Song, Accenture’s tech-powered creative group. Leveraging a team of digital innovators and technology experts, Accenture Song co-developed the app, applying human-centered design principles to address key challenges in waste management. This collaboration reflects Accenture’s ongoing commitment to combining creativity, technology, and sustainability to tackle complex social and environmental challenges. Through this innovative work, both organizations aim to create a blueprint for future waste management programs across Indonesia and beyond.

“At Accenture, we believe technology can be a powerful catalyst for solving the world’s most pressing challenges,” said Ronny Laudien, Experience Architect at Accenture Song. “By working closely with Project STOP and applying our expertise in digital innovation, we’re creating scalable, sustainable solutions that address both environmental concerns and improve the quality of life for communities. This project is a testament to the impact that can be achieved when technology, creativity, and purpose come together.”

Optimizing waste management with digital solutions

The Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau App provides practical solutions for rural areas where waste management systems are now being developed. Its key features include:

  • Real-time registration: Residents can easily sign up for waste collection services digitally.
  • Fee collection system: Digital payments make it easy for users to pay for services, improving efficiency and transparency.
  • Route optimization: Waste collectors can plan the most efficient routes, reducing time and operational costs.
  • Designed for low-connectivity areas: The app is tailored for use in regions of Indonesia with limited internet access, ensuring inclusivity.
  • Fit-for-purpose devices: Built for smaller screen sizes and cost-effective devices, making it accessible to waste management workers and communities in rural areas.
  • Map views: Helps identify households not yet participating in the program, allowing targeted outreach and better service coverage.

Beyond improving waste collection with the new App, Accenture and Project STOP will explore new ways to enhance transparency in the recycling process. Through materials tracking and tracing technology, plastics collected in ocean-bound areas will be monitored through the recycling chain, thus minimizing social and environmental risks and promoting greater accountability and efficiency.

“We are grateful to have Accenture as a partner in Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau,” said Markus Horcher, director, Sustainability & Public Affairs at Borealis. “This collaboration is a great example of how working together across sectors fosters the development of innovative solutions that create sustainable and long-lasting impact.”

Steven Sujoto, program director, Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau at Systemiq, said: “As co-founders of Project STOP, we believe that addressing the root causes of plastic pollution requires bold partnerships and innovative solutions. Our collaboration with Accenture in Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau is a powerful example of how technology and systems thinking can drive transformational change. With this app and Project STOP’s system enabler approach, we are creating a replicable model for sustainable waste management that not only protects the environment but also benefits communities across Indonesia.”

Since its introduction, the Project STOP Banyuwangi Hijau App has received external recognition, receiving prestigious awards from the Art Directors Club (ADC), earning one bronze and two other awards, recognizing it as an exemplary Native Android App promoting sustainable waste disposal in Indonesia. The ADC awards brings together approximately 800 leading figures in creative communication annually, honoring outstanding achievements in communication and design.

Posted: December 18, 2024

Source: Borealis

Toray Reaffirms Its Support Of The Composite Core Conductor Market As DOE Awards GRIP Projects

TACOMA, Wash. — December 17, 2024 — Toray Composite Materials America Inc., a manufacturer and supplier of carbon fiber and prepreg materials, congratulates the project awardees of Round II of the Department of Energy (DOE) Grid Resilience and Innovation Partnerships (GRIP) program. The GRIP program aims to ensure all American communities have consistent access to affordable, reliable, and clean electricity.

On October 18, the DOE awarded $2 billion to 38 projects in the second round of the GRIP awards. The projects, spanning 42 states and the District of Columbia, will safeguard the U.S. power grid from extreme weather, reduce community costs, and increase grid capacity to accommodate load growth from electrification, manufacturing, and data centers.

In light of the recent government initiative, Toray Composite Materials America reaffirms its commitment to providing high-quality standard modulus carbon fiber to support the expanded transmission capacity of the U.S. power grid and adding grid-enhancing technologies.

Source: CTC Global, ACCC® Conductor

Toray, with its TORAYCA™ carbon fiber, has a long history of providing quality material for composite core conductor manufacturers such as CTC Global, the manufacturer of the most stringently tested and widely deployed composite core conductor in the world. The company uses high-strength carbon fiber in its ACCC® Conductor, which doubles the conductor’s current capacity and reduces line loss by up to 30 percent compared to conventional steel cable core conductors. Anne McDowell, vice president of commercial operations at CTC Global, stated: “We’re helping utilities across the country deliver the greatest amount of electricity at the lowest capital cost, and are proud of the progress we have made in improving U.S. grid capacity and reliability.”

“As the world’s leading manufacturer of carbon fiber, we are well-positioned to support CTC Global and other conductor manufacturers looking to provide enhanced conductor solutions to the power grid,” said Tim Kirk, vice president of marketing and strategy of Toray.

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Toray Composite Materials America, Inc.

Piana Technology Achieve’s Net-Zero Energy Consumption At Nonwovens Facility, Fulfilling Brand Promise

CARTERSVILLE, Ga. — December 17, 2024 — Piana Technology, the 442-year-old Italian-made textile company renowned for its innovations in the fiber and nonwovens markets, proudly announces it has offset its energy consumption at its Nonwovens facility in Cartersville, Ga., by 100 percent. Piana Technology’s expanded solar panel system has made it possible for its Nonwovens facility to operate at net zero energy.

“This is an exciting milestone for our ongoing sustainability goals, and it will set a new high bar for all of our manufacturing facilities,” said Andrea Piana, CEO of Piana Technology. “At Piana, we always consider the environment and our impact in everything we do. We know we’re creating a blueprint for other companies and manufacturers to follow. This is the future. You can do it better and do it greener.”

The expanded photovoltaic (PV) system became operational this month. With two additional upgrades, Piana Technology’s grid electricity consumption is now offset by 100 percent. Any solar overproduction is fed back into the city’s grid, contributing to the local energy supply. The two expanded systems add an extra 1,244,564 kWh per year to the facility’s production capability. This will enable the company to avoid an additional 920 tons of CO2 emissions per year, equivalent to the carbon sequestration of 250 acres of trees.

Piana Technology collaborated with Southern View Energy, a local solar electrical design and installation company, to bring this project to fruition. Their careful design and construction of this project was a massive boon towards the company’s sustainability initiatives.

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Piana Technology

Acme Mills Unveils Natura Bio-Based PLA Fabrics, Redefining The Future Of Petroleum-Free Textiles

DETROIT — December 17, 2024 — Acme Mills Co., proudly introduces Natura, its groundbreaking line of bio-based polylactic acid (PLA) fabrics. Designed to replace petroleum-based nonwovens such as PET, PP, and Nylon, Natura represents a revolutionary step toward reducing environmental impact without compromising performance or quality.

The Natura product line includes a diverse range of PLA fabric types, such as spunbond nonwovens, needled felts, hydroentangled, and melt-blown textiles. These innovative materials are tailored to meet the demands of industries including food and beverage, packaging, automotive, furniture, healthcare, and filtration.

200gsm PLA Felt

“Natura is more than just a product line; it’s a testament to our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” said Matt Utley, chief of Strategy. “By offering a bio-based alternative to petroleum-based textiles, we are empowering industries to make environmentally responsible choices without sacrificing performance.”

Sustainability as a Core Principle

Natura fabrics are crafted from renewable resources such as corn starch and sugarcane, and they are biodegradable under industrial composting conditions. Drawing from sustainability insights by industry leaders like NatureWorks, Natura fabrics significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel consumption compared to traditional plastics.

“Using PLA reduces greenhouse gas emissions by up to 75 percent compared to petroleum-based plastics, helping organizations meet critical sustainability targets.”

A Global Supply Chain for a Sustainable Future

Acme Mills supports Natura’s production with a robust global manufacturing and supply chain network spanning Europe and North America. This infrastructure ensures efficient production and distribution of Natura fabrics to meet the growing demand for eco-friendly materials worldwide.

Expanded Applications: From Packaging to Composite Materials

Natura’s innovations include FDA GRAS-compliant (Generally Recognized As Safe) fabrics, enabling their use in food-safe applications such as beverage filters, food packaging, and disposable cutlery. Additionally, Acme Mills is exploring advanced composite materials by combining Natura PLA fabrics with other bio-based fibers, offering enhanced strength, durability, and versatility for high-performance applications.

Key Benefits of Natura Fabrics:

  • Eco-Friendly: Biodegradable and derived from renewable, plant-based sources.
  • Performance-Driven: Comparable durability and versatility to petroleum-based alternatives.
  • Application Diversity: Ideal for food and beverage, packaging, filtration, automotive, and more.
  • Global Reach: Supported by manufacturing in Europe and North America for seamless supply.

The launch of Natura reflects Acme Mills’ unwavering commitment to integrating sustainability into its core operations while providing innovative, high-performance textile solutions to customers worldwide.

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Acme Mills Company

Supreme Nonwoven Launches Circuline Innovation Lab: Pioneering In Sustainable Material Solutions

MUMBAI — December 17, 2024 — Supreme Nonwoven, a global supplier of  nonwoven material innovations, is proud to announce the launch of the Circuline Innovation Lab, a groundbreaking initiative that promises to transform sustainable material design and production.

The Circuline Innovation Lab represents a significant leap forward in Supreme’s commitment to environmental sustainability. Engineered to redefine material development, the Circuline range is built on a revolutionary approach that embraces renewable, recycled, and reclaimable materials. Every aspect of these innovative materials is designed to minimize waste and maximize utility, creating a closed-loop system that harmonizes with the natural environment.

At the core of the Circuline Innovation Lab, is a bold vision of regenerative design. The initiative goes beyond traditional sustainability models, offering a comprehensive approach that challenges manufacturers, designers, and innovators to reimagine material use. By integrating cutting-edge nonwoven technologies with sustainable design principles, Supreme is creating materials that are not just environmentally friendly, but actively contribute to ecological restoration.

Developed in collaboration with visionary designer Aditi Kedia, the Circuline range was showcased during Raw Collaborative 2024, where it garnered significant attention from industry leaders. However, the true impact of the Circuline Innovation Lab extends far beyond a single event, positioning Supreme as a global leader in sustainable material solutions.

The launch marks a critical milestone in Supreme Nonwoven’s journey towards comprehensive environmental responsibility, offering a tangible solution for industries seeking to reduce their ecological footprint.

Highlighting this vision is Supreme’s collaboration with Aditi Kedia, Principal Designer at Thought C Found Studio, known for her innovative approach to sustainable product design. Together, Supreme and Aditi have transformed Circuline materials into inspiring applications, including:

UniLoop™ Lamp: made with 80% recycled mono-polymer material, showcasing versatility and durability.

BioCell™ Stool: A structural masterpiece made from cellulosic fibers and recycled paper, offering strength and elegance.

Topnat™ Climate Clock: A design that enhances the aesthetic of natural fibres, reflecting the beauty of sustainability.

This collaboration bridges material science with artistic ingenuity, reinforcing Supreme’s commitment to advancing a circular design process.

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Supreme Nonwoven

Serge Ferrari Group Unveils Winner Of Anniversary Contest

DEERFIELD BEACH, Fla. — December 16, 2024 — Serge Ferrari Group — a designer, developer, and manufacturer of composite fabrics — proudly announces the winner of the company’s international contest, celebrating the 25th anniversary of Soltis 502 Proof, the company’s flagship waterproof membrane fabric. To commemorate this milestone, Serge Ferrari introduced a custom color, Revival Blue, and invited fabricators to showcase the best application of the material.

Photo Courtesy of Hoover Architectural Products

The winning project comes from Hoover Architectural Products, led by Owner Matt Carroll, for its outstanding work on the Broward College Shade Sails in Davie, Fla. This 1,400-square-foot installation features tensioned shade sails that enhance the aesthetic appeal of the campus and provide effective sun protection, offering a comfortable outdoor space for students and visitors. The innovative use of Revival Blue in this architectural solution exemplifies the fabric’s versatility and high-performance qualities. The company receives an all-expenses-paid trip to France for two people, including an exclusive visit to Serge Ferrari’s corporate offices in La Tour-du-Pin.

The contest, which launched in October 2023 at the ATA Exposition in Orlando, Fla., challenged participants to showcase their creativity through the most innovative use of Revival Blue in any project, without specific guidelines. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Soltis 502 Proof, Serge Ferrari collaborated with the design team at Trivantage to create Revival Blue, a color that reflects the urban renewal trend in modern architecture. Revival Blue has now been integrated into the 502 color range, offering an exciting new option for designers and fabricators.

“The introduction of Revival Blue celebrates both our anniversary and the evolving design trends shaping the future of architecture,” said Ilse Beterams, managing director of Serge Ferrari North America. “With support from Trivantage, we carefully selected a color that embodies the essence of urban renewal, and we’re proud to offer it as part of the new 502 color range.”

Made from high-tenacity, 100% recycled polyester yarns, Soltis 502 Proof combines outstanding quality with a reduced carbon footprint. Known for its durability, lightweight construction, and superior waterproofing, this specialty fabric features an advanced surface treatment for easier cleaning and optimized printability. Leveraging Serge Ferrari’s patented Précontraint® technology, Soltis 502 Proof delivers exceptional resistance to tearing and stretching, ensuring long-lasting structural integrity, while precise pigment selection and a thicker yarn crest coating provide enhanced UV protection. It is GREENGUARD Gold certified and backed by a 10-year warranty for guaranteed quality and durability.

Ideal for a wide range of outdoor applications, from awnings and pergolas to shade sails and fixed shading systems, the Soltis 502 Proof fabric is offered in 33 vibrant colors, which include champagne, peach, lemon, and hemp, in addition to classic neutrals such as pearl white, boulder, and anthracite. Each color features a sophisticated satin finish that enhances its premium appearance, making it ideal for both commercial and residential applications. For more information, please visit www.sergeferrarigroup.com/us.

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Serge Ferrari Group

Birla Cellulose Achieves Top Ranking In Canopy’s 2024 Hot Button Report

MUMBAI — December 17, 2024 — Canopy, an environment focused not-for-profit entity, has released their annual Hot Button Report, which enables fashion brands and retailers to independently assess suppliers of Man-Made Cellulosic Fibers (MMCF) for their forest fibre sourcing.

Commenting on the ranking, H.K. Agarwal, managing director, Grasim Industries Ltd., and Business Director Birla Cellulose, said: “Birla Cellulose is proud to be leading the collaborative effort for scaling up Next Gen solutions. This prestigious recognition affirms Birla Cellulose’s unwavering dedication to enhancing sustainable wood sourcing practices, forest conservation, and maintaining transparency in the value chain.”

Birla Cellulose continues to invest in R&D in developing Next Gen Solutions and conduct lab and pilot-scale trials with a wide variety of feedstocks. The company will further develop and significantly scale up the use of Next Gen Solutions to reduce impact on forests.

“Hearty congratulations to Aditya Birla Group for once again securing the top spot in Canopy’s 2024 Hot Button Report,” said Nicole Rycroft, Canopy’s Executive Director. “We commend their hard work to remove Ancient and Endangered Forests from the MMCF supply chain and are encouraged by their consistent progress in brining Next Gen fibres to market at scale. We look forward to their continued leadership in 2025 in driving the sector’s transition to low-carbon Next Gen production.”

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Birla Cellulose, the cellulosic fibers business of the Aditya Birla Group

Mimaki To Spotlight Latest Sustainable Solution At Heimtextil 2025

AMSTERDAM — December 17, 2024 — Mimaki Europe, a provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announces its attendance at global textile tradeshow, Heimtextil 2025 — Frankfurt, January 14-17. The show, as the world’s largest trade fair for home and contract textiles, will give Mimaki the opportunity to demonstrate its latest sustainable innovation, TRAPIS, at its booth in Hall 3.0 Stand B96.

Following the system’s commercial launch earlier this year, TRAPIS is set to revolutionise the home textile industry with its environmentally friendly two-step textile pigment transfer printing process. By eliminating the need for pre-treatment and washing stages, TRAPIS reduces water usage by up to 90 percent, saving approximately 14.5 litres per square meter compared to traditional methods. This nearly waterless solution is ideal for diverse applications, such as home textiles, as it enables vibrant printing on a diverse range of materials — including natural fibers, blends, and synthetics — with a single ink type. Certified by ZDHC MRSL Lv.3 and carrying the bluesign® APPROVED label, the ink ensures both environmental and user safety, making TRAPIS a safe, eco-friendly solution for textile applications in sectors such as home décor, activewear, and fashion.

TRAPIS also streamlines production with its simplicity, requiring only an inkjet printer and a high-pressure calender, making high-quality, sustainable textile printing more accessible to print service providers worldwide. ​Its compact size allows for installation in limited spaces, such as the front of a print shop, and eliminates the need for costly wastewater treatment facilities. Additionally, the solution is easy to operate, requiring no specialised skills or complex maintenance and adapts to customer demands, even for short multi-material runs, while maintaining high standards for safety, colourfastness, stretchability, and breathability.

Taking TRAPIS on the Road

Following the system’s announcement earlier this year, Heimtextil will serve as a stop on Mimaki’s global TRAPIS Roadshow, launched in Amsterdam with the Mimaki’s Textile Day Open House on 27th November. Each stop will demonstrate TRAPIS to a different regional market, offering hands-on experience with the new solution and showcasing Mimaki’s innovation in the textile sector. The roadshow will continue into 2025, stopping in countries such as Poland and Spain, with more to be announced in the coming year.

Marc Verbeem, Product Management Supervisor, Mimaki Europe, comments, “As a global hub for innovation and creativity in the home textile industry, Heimtextil presents us with an opportunity to showcase TRAPIS. This technology not only simplifies production but also significantly reduces environmental impact, addressing the evolving demands of the industry. We look forward to engaging with the textile sector and demonstrating how TRAPIS can achieve vibrant, high-quality prints on a wide range of materials while prioritizing sustainability.”

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: Mimaki Europe

INDA Unveils The 2025 FiltXPO™ Innovation Awards — Nomination Deadline: January 20, 2025

CARY, N.C. — December 17, 2024 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, in collaboration with International Filtration News, proudly announces the launch of the inaugural FiltXPO™ Innovation Awards. Filtration professionals are encouraged to submit their groundbreaking products — or those of their customers — for industry-wide recognition.

The 2025 FiltXPO Innovation Awards celebrate excellence in filtration by recognizing innovations introduced since FiltXPO 2022. Submissions are now open for three award categories.

Awards Categories:

  • Air Filtration Innovation;
  • Liquid Filtration Innovation; and
  • Equipment Innovation.

Nominations must be submitted by January 20, 2025. Finalists in each category will be selected by INDA’s Technical Advisory Board, with the top three from each category advancing to the final round. Industry professionals will then cast their votes on the International Filtration News website to determine the winners.

The winners will be revealed at IDEA®25 and FiltXPO 2025, held April 29-May 1, 2025, at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami Beach, Florida.

To nominate a product, visit: https://www.filtnews.com/filtxpo-awards/

For detailed award criteria and eligibility guidelines, visit: https://www.inda.org/awards/filtexpo-innovation-award.html

For questions, please contact Dr. Matt O’Sickey, director of Education & Technical Affairs, at mosickey@inda.org.

About FiltXPO 2025

FiltXPO 2025 is the event for filtration technology, featuring exhibitors showcasing cutting-edge advancements in filtration solutions. This year’s event will include the highly anticipated 2-day Advances in Filtration Conference, bringing together industry leaders to explore emerging trends, technologies, and market opportunities. The 2025 Advances in Filtration Conference is being jointly organized by AFS, the American Filtration and Separations Society, and INDA.

Additionally, attendees can participate in the Filter Media Training Course, co-located with FiltXPO and IDEA25, from April 28-29, 2025. Led by Dr. Behnam Pourdeyhimi, executive director of The Nonwovens Institute, this course offers a comprehensive overview of nonwoven applications in air and liquid filtration, technology options, and future trends shaping the industry.

For more details or to register for FiltXPO and the training course, visit www.filtxpo.com.

Posted: December 17, 2024

Source: INDA, The Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

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