NatureWorks Teams With Calysta For Methane Conversion

Ingeo® lactides and biopolymers developer NatureWorks LLC, Minnetonka, Minn., and Calysta Energy
Inc., Menlo Park, Calif. — developer of methane-based biological gas-to-liquids™ (BioGTL™) and
biological gas-to-chemicals™ (BioGTC™) technologies — have announced a collaboration to develop a
process to ferment methane into lactic acid, which is used for the production of Ingeo, lactide
intermediates and biopolymers. The companies believe that commercialization of such a process could
broaden and complement the range of carbon-based feedstocks currently used in Ingeo production and
result in reduced Ingeo production costs.

Ingeo currently is produced from “first-generation” simple plant sugars such as cornstarch or
cane sugar. NatureWorks is also looking into the use of “second-generation” cellulosic sources such
as bagasse, a byproduct of sugarcane processing. Calysta’s BioGTC platform could enable NatureWorks
to utilize methane as a feedstock that is said to be “several generations removed” from the
first-generation feedstocks. According to NatureWorks, diversification of feedstocks would enable
it to produce Ingeo using carbon sources that are most abundant, available and appropriate for the
region in which the production facility is located.

July/August 2013

Allen Gant Receives STA’s Chapman Award

During the joint meeting of the Southern Textile Association (STA) and Fiber Buyers Groups, held
recently at the Wild Dunes Resort, Isle of Palms, S.C., STA presented its Chapman Award to Allen E.
Gant Jr., president, CEO and chairman of the Board of Directors of Glen Raven Inc., Glen Raven,
N.C. The award — named in honor of James A. Chapman Sr., James A. Chapman Jr. and Joseph W. Chapman
of Inman Mills, Inman, S.C. — recognizes individuals who have given exemplary service to the
textile industry.

NewsGant

Allen Gant

Gant attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and received an honorary degree
of Doctor of Humane Letters from Elon University. He has been active in numerous business, civic
and nonprofit organizations and currently serves as chairman of the Institute of Textile
Technology. Among other distinctions, he also is past chairman and current Board member of the
National Council of Textile Organizations and North Carolina Textile Foundation; was a member of
President George W. Bush’s Advisory Committee for Trade Policy and Negotiations; served on the
Board of Directors of the American Manufacturing Trade Action Coalition; was appointed in 2010 to
the U.S. Department of Commerce — Industry Trade Advisory Committee on Textiles and Clothing; and
is a member of the Class of 2010 of the American Textile Hall of Fame.

July/August 2013

Mattex To Establish Operations In Eton, Ga., Add 200 Jobs

Mattex, Dubai — a producer of carpet backings, artificial grass backings and geotextiles — will
invest $60 million to establish a U.S. headquarters and manufacturing operation in Eton, Ga., and
create 200 jobs.

Mattex will build a 275,000- to 375,000-square-foot plant equipped with tape extrusion,
beaming and weaving equipment to produce primary and secondary polyolefin-based carpet backings.
The plant is expected to open in 2014.

The company has production plants in Saudi Arabia and Dubai; and warehouse/distribution
offices in Belgium, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, China and Calhoun, Ga.

“Our mission to be the ‘preferred global partner of choice’ led us to build a
state-of-the-art carpet-backing facility in North Georgia as the next logical step for better
servicing our current customer base,” said Luc Blommaert, CEO, Mattex Group.

July/August 2013

Oerlikon Retains Manmade Fibers, Saurer Reincarnated

OC Oerlikon Corp. AG, Switzerland, has sold the Natural Fibers and Textile Components business
units of its Oerlikon Textile GmbH & Co. KG segment to Jinsheng Group, China. Oerlikon expects
to receive some 470 million Swiss francs in cash after closing and tax costs.

Oerlikon Textile is retaining its Manmade Fibers business unit and has been renamed Oerlikon
Manmade Fibers. The segment includes the Barmag and Neumag brands and serves the man-made-fiber,
nonwovens, carpet yarn and synthetic staple fibers markets.

Stefan Kross, formerly head of the Manmade Fibers business unit, now is CEO of Oerlikon
Manmade Fibers. The company’s European head-quarters are located in Remscheid, Germany; and Asian
headquarters are in Shanghai. Manufacturing facilities are located in Germany and China.

The divestiture of the natural fibers business is part of the Oerlikon Group’s strategy to
focus on the man-made fiber sector while reducing its overall exposure to the textile industry.
“The closing of this transaction marks an important milestone in the reshaping of our portfolio,
and it further strengthens our financial profile for investments in organic and inorganic growth
opportunities,” said Jürg Fedier, CEO, Oerlikon Group.

Natural Fibers and Textile Components reported some 1 billion Swiss francs in sales in 2012,
and together employ some 3,800 workers. The two businesses have been renamed Saurer Group,
reinstating the name of the former Saurer Group that comprised those two businesses, and which
Oerlikon had acquired in 2006. The new Saurer Group comprises five business units: Spinning,
including the Schlafhorst and Zinser brands; Twisting, including Allma and Volkmann; Pre-Spinning,
including Jinsheng; Embroidery, including Saurer Embroidery; and Components, including Accotex,
Daytex, Fibrevision, Heberlein, Temco and Texparts.

Former Saurer Group CEO Heinrich Fischer is now chairman of Saurer Group’s Board of
Directors, and former Oerlikon Textile Components CEO Daniel Lippuner has been named Saurer Group
CEO. Other board members include Hans-Georg Härter, Rudolf Huber and Guido Spix; and Xueping Pan
and Jesse Guan of Jinsheng Group.

“We are proud to continue the long and successful story of Saurer,” Pan said, referring to
Saurer’s 160-year history. “The brands within the Saurer Group stand for innovation and highest
product quality in the Chinese market,” he added, noting the company plans to invest in R&D in
Germany and Switzerland.

Saurer’s operational headquarters are located in Wattwil, Switzerland; and its financial
headquarters, in Shanghai. Manufacturing facilities are located in Germany, Switzerland and Asia.
The group will retain all employees from all incorporated businesses.

July/August 2013

Lenzing: 75 Years & Growing Ever Stronger

Lenzing AG, based in Lenzing, Austria, serves the global textile and nonwovens industry with
high-quality cellulosic fibers and is the leading manufacturer in many markets. Its product
portfolio is extensive and includes dissolving pulp, standard and specialty cellulosic fibers and
engineering services.

The Lenzing Group has production sites in all major markets and a global network of sales
and marketing offices. It currently is divided into six business units: Textile Fibers, Nonwoven
Fibers, Pulp, Energy, Engineering and Filaments.

The group has been producing cellulosic fibers for 75 years and is the only manufacturer
that has industrial-scale capacities to provide all three man-made cellulosic fiber varieties —
viscose, modal and lyocell.

LenzingEichinger

Dieter Eichinger, Ph.D.


Market Situation


In 2012, Lenzing’s consolidated sales declined by 2.3 percent to 2.09 billion euros compared
to 2.14 billion euros in 2011. While fiber selling prices in 2012 were significantly lower than in
2011, fiber sales volumes rose by close to 14 percent, from 712,000 tons to 810,000 tons.

Consolidated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) totaled
358.7 million euros — down 25.3 percent from 2011’s record 480.3 million euros, but above the 330.6
million euros generated in 2010. The 2012 EBITDA margin totaled 17.2 percent compared to 22.4
percent in 2011. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) totaled 255.0 million euros in 2012, down
29.9 percent from the prior-year level of 364.0 million euros. The EBIT margin totaled 12.2 percent
compared to 17.0 percent in 2011.


Market


Lenzing’s annual global production capacity totals approximately 890,000 metric tons of
fiber. Table 1 shows the applications by fiber type.

In an exclusive interview with

Textile World
 , Dieter Eichinger, Ph.D., vice president and general manager, Textile Fibers, talked about
Lenzing’s market position, success and challenges.


TW: Can one speak of an export share of the group?

Eichinger: Not really. We are a global company with different production and sales
sites, so our export figure is related to Austria, where the export share is around 90 percent.



TW: Where are the main export markets?

Eichinger: The main market, with more than 50 percent, is Asia, with major
countries China, Indonesia, Korea, India and Pakistan. In Europe, Turkey is very important; for
nonwovens, it is the United States.


TW: Are there any top sellers in your range of fibers?

Eichinger: All fiber production capacity is fully utilized. There is a growing
demand for fibers in the nonwovens sector — a new segment has been opened up with baby wipes.
Demand for Tencel® for denim and woven casual as well as knitted activewear has grown massively;
and bed linens, mattresses, quilts and pillows are very successful in the home textiles segment.


TW: What are the biggest differences in the markets if you compare those of today
with those of years ago?

Eichinger: The requirements for the fibers are getting more complex than ever. It
is more and more the duty of the fiber manufacturer to consider where its products are applied in
the best way. This evolution has led to an ever-increasing differentiation among the fiber
producers who are willing to offer not only fibers but also expertise and service.


TW: How do you judge Lenzing’s market position?

Eichinger: Lenzing proved over a long time to be sort of a pulse generator. We see
ourselves as a world leader, but not just from a quantity standpoint. What is even more important
to us is that we provide innovation, interact with the customers intensively and manufacture the
product under sustainable business practices. In addition, our global presence is second to none.


TW: Are you satisfied with this?

Eichinger: I believe our teams have done a fantastic job so far. However, we
always see room for further improvement. We want to grow and expand our presence in key markets in
Asia. On top of that, we have a lot of ideas for new fiber applications, which you will see in the
coming years.


TW: Lenzing is the leader in man-made cellulosic fiber. Where do you see the
company today?

Eichinger: With the soft fiber Lenzing Modal®, we opened a new segment for
lingerie, underwear and knitwear. We have set a new standard for flame-retardant fibers with
Lenzing FR® for the protective apparel industry. Especially with the new technology of Tencel, we
have 20 years of production and 30 years of R&D experience, and we consider ourselves to be the
pioneer in the man-made cellulosic fiber category.

In the technical application field, it was announced in January 2013 that Lenzing AG and
NanoCarbons LLC, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., agreed to a future collaboration in the development and
exploration of a new activated carbon powder in electrode technology. The technology is based on a
combination of Tencel fibers and the technology of NanoCarbons LLC. After intense research, Lenzing
has constructed a new pilot production facility to accelerate the development of this technology
even further. This move shows that technical applications have become an important business area
for Lenzing.

LenzingTable 


R&D



TW: In such a big company, R&D seems to be inevitable; is that so?

Eichinger: By all means. Our slogan is Lenzing Fiber Innovation. If I may say so,
innovation is our DNA. We employ some 160 people in R&D and invest annually some US$30 million.


TW: Do you have patents for products or processes?

Eichinger: We own approximately 1,300 patents in 57 countries for 218 so-called
patent families. Most of our patents relate to the lyocell (Tencel) process.


Outlook



TW: What do you expect from 2013?

Eichinger: In spite of difficult market conditions in our core fiber business, in
the 2012 financial year, we achieved the second-best business result in our history. This can be
attributed to new record fiber sales volumes and the good performance of Tencel.

Although visibility is generally low, based on the prevailing market situation, we consider
a lateral trend on the fiber market to be the most likely scenario.


TW: Is it possible that the export share will continue to rise?

Eichinger: For Lenzing, it is most essential to be close to its customers.
Likewise, a higher export trade will be the consequence.


TW: What are the promising markets? Where do you see the group’s future?

Eichinger: In the coming years, China will be in the fast lane. There is little
doubt that the world’s largest market for fibers will continue to grow. Furthermore, we see that
growth-oriented Asian countries such as Indonesia, India, Korea and Taiwan, as well as emerging
markets such as Pakistan, will become more important. Next to our traditional customers in Western
Europe, our sales focus will be closer to Turkey. On the other side of the Atlantic, the United
States continues to be important in the nonwovens market.


TW: Where are the biggest problems?

Eichinger: There is this tendency in some countries to build trade barriers, like
in Brazil and India, where antidumping duties are easily established. In spite of slow positive
development, the situation in some African countries remains difficult for political-economic
reasons.


TW: What are the company’s development priorities for the future?

Eichinger: Tencel will be an even bigger innovation platform; there will be new
technical applications such as Tencel carbon fibers, reinforcements, and the further development of
nonwovens. After the recent launch of Lenzing Modal Color and environmentally friendly Edelweiss
technology, further developments will be presented. We also see a close collaboration with the
textile machinery industry to be essential. In air-jet spinning, we are setting new standards for
specific yarns.


TW: In some areas, you are considered to be a leader. What do you intend to do to
keep that image?

Eichinger: We are programmed to grow on a long-term basis with a clear focus on
man-made cellulosic fibers. We will continue to focus on our core business — in the meantime, the
Plastics business unit has been sold — and we do not waste time and money on areas where we are not
first-class. To maintain our place in the top league and carry on with our dynamic growth, we will
keep our R&D investment at 1.5 percent of our turnover.

July/August 2013

From The Editor: TPP Effect Hinges On Yarn-Forward Rule

By Jim Borneman, Editor In Chief

If you are in the textile business and you haven’t paid much attention to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations, it might be worth a moment of your time to get familiar with what could be a serious blow to U.S. textiles. The pact includes the U.S. and 10 trading partners — Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam — and grants  duty-free access to the U.S. economy.

The major sticking point for U.S. textiles is a move by Vietnam to insert new rules of origin and abandon the historic use of the yarn-forward rule, a basic policy that has been part of every
U.S. textile trade agreement. The Vietnamese rules would allow Vietnam to buy Chinese fabrics, transform them into garments and ship them into the U.S. duty-free. This isn’t allowed in any
current U.S. free trade agreement. CAFTA-DR members who are buying U.S.-made yarn to comply with CAFTA-DR yarn-forward rules should be outraged.

A recent article in The Hill reports that 167 House lawmakers recently signed a letter that “expresses concerns about positions taken by the Vietnamese government in the textile negotiations that could have significant negative effects on the textile industry here and its export partners.” The article goes on to say, “Vietnam predicts that under the new rule, its market share in the U.S. would rapidly increase from 7 to nearly 30 percent.”

Another concern is the level of secrecy under which the negotiations have taken place. There is much more concern reported in the foreign press than has been reported in the U.S. — but maybe that is the intent. Rumor has it that there is much more to the agreement than duty-free access,
but time will tell. The National Council of Textile Organizations (NCTO) has been very vocal in support of the yarn-forward rule. Recently, Smyth McKissick, CEO of Alice Manufacturing Co. Inc., testified on behalf of NCTO in front of the U.S. House Committee on Small Business’s Economic
Growth, Tax and Capital Access Subcommittee. His testimony paints a clear picture of the state of the industry and potential damage that changing the rules would cause.

One has to wonder how a capital-intensive business like textiles is so easily bandied about. Walmart has come out with a commitment to buy more U.S.-made textiles. There has been significant investment and modernization in the U.S. industry.  Trading partners like TexOps in El Salvador and the other investors in that country’s “Environmental Valley” are investing in a very special supply chain with solutions for synthetic-yarn-based high-end performance apparel. This takes courage when, in a far-flung country, behind closed doors, the rules may change and have a negative impact on those investments.

You don’t need a master’s degree in economics to understand the primary drivers of business and jobs. It’s simple: Promote an environment of fair competition and provide a level of certainty for investors, focus on innovation, and bring quality products to market. If  Vietnamese goods surge from 7 to 30 percent — who really wins, and who really loses? U.S. textiles?

July/August 2013

Cotton Trends

At Cotton Incorporated, Cary, N.C., color and fabric trends for Autumn/Winter 2014-15 fashion and
home textiles are divided into five groups. There are seven shades for apparel plus four for
interior fabrics in each range. Most of the fabric ideas are inspiration for future fashion
fabrics, although several might turn up covering a sofa or softly framing a window.

The first group, Sacred Spaces, is described thus: “Execution, Confidence and Innovation are
emboldened as we are nurtured by the craft instead of the exploits of tradition.”Apparel colors are
offbeat, combining Bird’s Nest (yellowed olive), Peacock, Coffee Bean, Evergreen, Magnetic (very
dark gray), Rose (browned coral) and Zest (daffodil yellow). The first home shade is a very soft,
pale coral called Delicate. It is followed by three blackened shades — Emerald, Brun (dark grayed
brown) and Licorice.

Fabrics shown in Sacred Spaces include knitted stripes using a silver yarn. They could be
used in a dress or top. There are a heavily brushed and slubbed pinstripe, and a knit in a luxury
blend of cotton/cashmere.

Apparel colors in the Share group are bright oranges and reds combined with deeps and soft
neutrals. Orange Peel, Plummy, Blackened Blue, Hearty (bright red), Sunset, Safari (sand) and
Tempered Silver are the colors. For the home, it’s Silver Fog, Pink Peppercorn, Cinnabar (red plum)
and Limbo (very dark brown).

CottonTrendsA
CottonTrendsB
CottonTrendsC
CottonTrendsD

Top to bottom: Cotton Incorporated’s 2014-15 trend groups include


Sacred Spaces,


Share


, Improv and


Underworld


; as well as Extreme (not shown).

Share fabrics include a chambray shirting that has a rainbow yarn peeking through it, a
cotton double knit with a spongy hand, and a black lattice pattern over a tan lattice pattern that
is described as a modernized snakeskin.

Underworld is described as “private, futuristic and in the shadows.” Apparel shades are
browned neutrals enlivened with blue. Russet is followed by Crushed Pearl (browned off-white),
Ecru, Thicket (olive that is slightly darker and browner than Bird’s Nest), Buried Treasure
(gray-brown), Delft Blue and Trap Door (dark red-brown). Home colors are Duckling (yellowed
off-white); Auburn, Dimmed (pale coral) and Sand Dune (olive gray).

Underworld fabrics are dark and mysterious. There are raised stripes on textured knits,
woodgrained prints on felted canvas and sweater knits that have a pilled appearance through the use
of slubbed yarns.

Improv is spontaneous and unregimented. Colors for apparel include two blackened darks —
Arctic Night (teal) and Bittersweet (plum); three very pale shades — Unbleached, Violet Candy
(off-white) and Icicle (aqua); plus two brights — Ginger and Purple Sapphire. For the home, there
is a pale gray, Breeze, which is followed by Teal, Herbal (flax), and Background (navy).

Fabric suggestions include mini geometric printed shirtings with the look of texture and
dimension created by using speckled yarns and high/low woven stripes that create a feeling of
movement.

The last group, called Extreme, is “a study in contrasts.” There are “exuberant brights” plus
classics and gray and white shades. Apparel colors are Stormy Grey, Deep Navy, Magenta, Muted
(white), Scream (neon green), Smirk (hot pink) and Cerise (bright red). Home colors combine four
brights — Glistening Sage, Amethyst, Fervid Coral and Infernal (orangy yellow).

Small geometric patterned men’s shirtings, textured knits and coated denims in burnished
tones are Extreme fabric suggestions.

July/August 2013

Carpet Capital Hosts Floortek

FloorTek Expo, the trade show dedicated to the floor covering industry and organized by the Dalton,
Ga.-based American Floorcovering Alliance (AFA), will be held this fall after a four-year hiatus.
The last show was held in 2009, and the previously biennial show suffered several cancellations and
date changes as the organizers sought the most appropriate time to attract participation from an
industry hit hard by the economic downturn and global decline in new building projects.

The show again will be held in the “Carpet Capital of the World,” at the NorthWest Georgia
Trade & Convention Center in Dalton Sept. 10-12, 2013. FloorTek will maintain its focus on
highlighting innovative machinery, technology and services for the floor covering industry, as well
as showcasing technologies for product design, recycling and sustainability.

Floortek

FloorTek organizer, the American Floorcovering Alliance, reports that exhibition space for the
2013 expo is quickly filling up.


Exhibitor Participation


In addition to domestic exhibitors, FloorTek has attracted new international exhibitors from
China, Turkey and Austria, and the alliance is looking forward to hosting a truly international
show. AFA also notes that many exhibitors have applied for larger booth spaces than in past years.

Newly reincarnated Saurer Group, Switzerland (see “Textile World News: Oerlikon Retains
Manmade Fibers, Saurer Reincarnated,” this issue) and Oerlikon Neumag, Germany, will return as
exhibitors after a hiatus of several years. NV Michel Van de Wiele, Belgium, which recently
acquired Dalton-based Cobble Tufting, also will exhibit at this year’s expo.

New products and updated machinery will be introduced on FloorTek’s show floor, including
the U.S. debut of an Atexco carpet printing machine. The expo also will offer several
demonstrations of machinery, such as a sample yarn twister.

AFA Executive Director Wanda Ellis reports that as of TW’s press time, floor space already
is more than 70-percent sold out, and additional companies are applying for booth space daily. “We
got a late start in preparing the show this year, but it’s amazing how fast we’re filling up,”
Ellis said. “We’re getting commitments practically every day. There’s definitely a real pent-up
demand for this show.”


Business Focus


This year, FloorTek aims to educate and bring business solutions to expo attendees through a
series of seminars on select topics of interest to the industry. The seminar schedule and topics
will be posted on FloorTek’s website prior to the show.

“We believe FloorTek can be a business-solutions as well as a technology-solutions forum
that will attract more industry management and professionals,” said Mike Gallman, vice president,
product management and product development, Calhoun, Ga.-based Mohawk Group, at a recent meeting of
industry executives at the AFA office in Dalton.


Keynote Speaker


Atlanta-based award-winning interior designer Vern Yip will deliver a keynote address during
an invitation-only breakfast to be held prior to the opening of FloorTek on September 10. Yip has
been a featured designer on numerous home-makeover television shows such as TLC’s “Trading Spaces”;
NBC’s “Home Intervention”; and several HGTV series including “Deserving Design with Vern Yip,”
“HGTV Urban Oasis,” “HGTV Star” and “Bang for Your Buck.” He also has been a contributor to The New
York Times, USA Today, The Washington Post and HGTV Magazine. Among other volunteer activities, he
is a U.S. Ambassador for UNICEF.

FloortekYip

Vern Yip will deliver the keynote address at this year’s FloorTek Expo.


Best Of FloorTek


The expo again will feature the Best of FloorTek awards recognizing individuals and
companies that have demonstrated an outstanding commitment to the environment, customer service and
technology innovation. An awards dinner will be held during the event to recognize Best of FloorTek
winners. Those interested in entering the competition may download an award application from the
event’s website.

Between now and the show’s opening date, AFA is dedicated to building brand awareness and
excitement for the show.

“FloorTek Expo is the only show to focus exclusively on the floor making machinery and
technology that makes our industry great,” Ellis said. “After a hiatus of a few years, the Expo is
making a comeback … just like our industry. It’s going to be a great show for exhibitors and
attendees alike!”

For more information about FloorTek Expo, contact AFA +800-288-4101; afa@americanfloor.org;
floor-tek.com.

July/August 2013

Sun Protection Beyond Awnings

John S. Saunders is a co-founder and senior partner at USA SHADE & Fabric Structures Inc.,
Dallas, and currently serves as the company’s president and CEO. Saunders has more than 20 years’
experience in the fabric structure industry. He is a native South African and received his Bachelor
of Commerce degree from the University of Cape Town, South Africa. He is married and has two
children, and currently resides in the Dallas area.


Textile World: When was your company formed?

Saunders: USA SHADE & Fabric Structures Inc. began in 2004. It was actually a
coming together of four independent companies: Sun Ports; Shade Structures; FabriTec Structures;
and Vehicle Protection Structures (VPS). Each is now a brand of USA SHADE & Fabric Structures
Inc.


TW: What’s the scope of your activities?

Saunders: We provide shade and architectural fabric structures for a wide variety
of markets and applications. Our modular products are used primarily to provide shade and weather
protection for schools, parks and recreation facilities. Our tensile membranes also provide shade,
but clients for these types of custom structures are often looking for an iconic structure that can
give a facility a unique look; these are used for stadiums, amphitheaters and transportation
facilities, to name a few. Through our four brands, we have now produced more than 250,000
structures, primarily in the United States.

ExecForumSauders

John S. Saunders, CEO, USA SHADE & Fabric Structures Inc.


TW: As I understand, you market the Sun Ports and Shade Structures brands to
markets that include schools and day care centers, amphitheaters, water parks, zoos, aquatic
facilities, parking areas and sports facilities. Can you tell us more about these markets for shade
products? What are the market drivers?

Saunders: Yes, Sun Ports and Shade Structures offer essentially the same product,
but to different areas. Shade Structures sells exclusively in the state of California, while Sun
Ports covers the rest of the country. Both brands manufacture modular fabric structures that focus
on protecting children through the shade provided at locations such as school, day care, parks and
recreation, and community facilities. These structures utilize fabrics that can block out up to 96
percent of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet rays and help prevent sunburn, heatstroke and skin cancer.
They can also preserve and extend the life of recreational and sports equipment. Shade Structures
largely focuses on supplying shade products for the school systems in California. In fact,
California, Nevada and Arizona all now have requirements to provide shade in public locations; and
that list of states should expand in the near future. Shade Structures was actually the first to
have a fabric product approved by the California Division of the State Architect (DSA) and now
offers more DSA-approved structures than any other shade provider in the state. There are many
other applications for fabric structures beyond parks and recreation. Military applications, for
example, include training facilities, ordnance storage areas, tank shade and shooting ranges on
bases.


TW: What types of fabrics do you use in your shade products?

Saunders: We use a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) knitted mesh supplied by
Multiknit (Pty) Ltd. in South Africa for shade applications. When you think of shade, you may think
of traditional applications like residential and commercial awnings. But we’ve taken the
applications further. Our lightweight materials and easy installation allow large areas to be
covered at much less cost. Traditional canvas awnings use heavier materials that trap heat and do
not allow airflow like a knitted mesh does; hence, the traditional awning material requires
additional support framing for stability and strength, and this means higher costs. The breathable
mesh fabrics we utilize can provide a reduction in temperature by as much as 30 percent underneath
the structures. Wood, canvas or steel structures simply cannot do that.


TW: Are you focused mostly in the southern U.S.?

Saunders: That was our original geographic scope. We were filling a unique need in
the region, which frequently experiences harsh sun and hail. But we have gradually expanded into
the middle U.S. and also have a number of projects in areas more to the north such as the Cedar
Point Amusement Park in Sandusky, Ohio, and County Farm Park in Ann Arbor, Mich., which
significantly spiced up its facility with our custom butterfly and flower structures.


TW: Can you tell us a little about the Vehicle Protection Structures brand?

Saunders: Our focus with this brand is more equal protection from both hail and
sun, primarily for the auto industry. Hailstorms can result in devastating damage. Many people don’t
realize, for example, that a good-sized hailstone traveling 100 to 120 miles per hour can have the
same effect on vehicle windows and bodies as a sledgehammer swung at full force. VPS customers are
car dealerships, rooftop and large-area commercial parking facilities, and automotive manufacturers
that have a high concentration of stored cars. We also provide structures to protect boats,
recreational vehicles, construction equipment and other products in situations where there is a lot
of product in a confined, open storage area.


TW: What are the market drivers in the VPS segment?

Saunders: The primary market driver, naturally, is the state of manufacturing. If
people are buying cars, the need grows to cover the inventory. Aesthetics also enter into the
equation when you consider the value added to the facility. Shade comfort is another benefit when
making buying decisions. An asphalt car lot is a hot place to be when you are looking at purchasing
a vehicle. Provide a shady place, and people will look at the car longer.

USAshade2

ASU SkySong, a mixed-use project including office, research and retail space, has as its
centerpiece a custom tensile fabric structure supplied by FabriTec Structures in conjunction with
FTL Design Engineering Studio, New York City, and Higgins Development Partners, Chicago. The frame
consists of eight steel structures that support integrated conical-shaped pieces covered with
Teflon®-coated fiberglass fabric that can withstand 650 pounds of force per square inch.


TW: Tell us a little about FabriTec and how its products relate to shade.

Saunders: FabriTec is the brand within USA SHADE that manufactures larger tensile
membrane structures. These applications frequently use heavier-weight fabrics like polyvinyl
chloride and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) and, like most large structures, they are designed
primarily to protect the user against harsh, inclement weather and cold. However, the tension
structure at ASU SkySong at Arizona State University (ASU) in Scottsdale, Ariz., was designed with
the goal to provide both shade and water collection. It uses 45,000 square meters of PTFE membrane
and features unique inverted cones at the base of the structure that collect rainwater. FabriTec
has really done some amazing projects over the years, such as the cloud-like structures at the
entrance of the Lone Butte Casino in Chandler, Ariz., the seven majestic canopies at the Rosa Parks
Transit Center in Detroit, Mich., and, recently, the massive San Diego International Airport
project in California. These structures really showcase what can be achieved utilizing fabric in
architecture, and our team of designers has really raised the bar in terms of imagination and
innovation.


TW: What’s the outlook for USA SHADE & Fabric Structures?

Saunders: The outlook is good. I’m very bullish on the future. We had a few lean
years with budget cuts in the schools, government and private industry; and also the slump in
automotive sales. However, as the economy has improved, we have seen these markets rebound. There
is a demand for protection from the effects of weather and the sun. Health concerns for children
are certainly a major driver. We’ve barely scratched the surface of the market penetration.

Editor’s note: Stephen M. Warner, Arden Hills, Minn., is publisher of BeaverLake6 Report,
beaverlake6.com, a Web-based newsletter reporting on trends, data and issues that he feels
influence the technical textiles industry. He also is former president and CEO of Industrial
Fabrics Association International.

July/August 2013

Techtextil 2013: Sector Summit

On June 13, 2013, Techtextil, the International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens,
closed its doors in Frankfurt. Show organizer Messe Frankfurt reports a record 1,322 exhibitors
from 48 countries welcomed 27,500 visitors from 97 countries, compared with 1,199 exhibitors and
24,915 visitors in 2011. The parallel Texprocess International Trade Fair for Processing Textiles
and Flexible Materials had 326 exhibiting companies from 37 countries.

A further positive trend in 2013 was the increased internationality of exhibitors — 65
percent compared with 63 percent in 2011. The main exhibitor nations after Germany were Italy,
China, United States, Taiwan, Poland, Turkey, United Kingdom, South Korea and Switzerland. The
numbers are no surprise — it is common sense that technical textiles and nonwovens are gaining
importance throughout the global textile industry.

Techtextil1

Frankfurt’s Messeturm towers over the Messe Frankfurt fairgrounds, venue for
Techtextil

The main technical textiles/nonwovens markets differ from traditional markets, and a large
part of the manufactured products are made in Europe — mainly Germany and France as well as Eastern
Europe, and also in the U.S. In some, mostly Western, countries, technical fibers and fabrics are
the only growth drivers for the domestic textile industry. For years, this sector has reported
double-digit growth.

Those who have witnessed the rise of technical textiles and nonwovens in the last 10 years
know that Techtextil is a must for all interested parties in the sector. Now held in parallel with
Texprocess, the undisputed number-one event continues to gain importance.

In addition, Techtextil has experienced a dramatic and very positive development toward
becoming a complete trade fair — with virtually all machines, processes and peripheral equipment to
produce industrial yarns, fabrics, belts, tents, geotextiles and other products found under one
roof.


Highly Satisfied


How did exhibitors respond to Techtextil? Textile World wanted to know their feelings. All
respondents were very satisfied with the show’s outcome as well as with the high visitor quality.
Expectations were met, and, in some cases, exceeded.

Jutta Stehr, marketing manager at Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH, Germany,
said: “We are amazed at the large number of Chinese who visited our booth.”

Sabine Duttenhofer, head of corporate communications at Germany-based Freudenberg Nonwovens,
added: “Our company welcomed visitors from more than 15 nations.”

Johann Philipp Dilo, CEO of DiloGroup, Germany, said: “Our expectations were more than
fulfilled. Next to a lot of Europeans, we welcomed visitors from India and Brazil.” He also
mentioned visitors from Japan, and North and South America.


Market Situation


“We were truly surprised by the high number of very reputable visitors,” Stehr said. “If one
thinks of the euro crisis and declining growth rates in the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India
and China, it’s amazing how high the global investment plans still are.”

Florian Boch, head of marketing and communications, Lindauer Dornier GmbH, Germany, also
rated the current market situation as positive. “Technical textiles and nonwovens are clearly
growing markets,” he said.

This assessment was confirmed by Edi Strebel, marketing manager of Jakob Müller AG,
Switzerland: “We see a growing market for new applications, mainly in Europe. This is to a large
extent provoked by the textile producers who want to compensate for the decline in traditional
products.”

Similar explanations were given by Sibylle Hänni Hofmann, communications manager for
Switzerland-based Sanitized AG: “Sectors such as sunscreen, medicine, outdoor items and protective
textiles are showing large growth rates. Therefore, we notice a strong demand for innovative
products for antimicrobial protection of PVC [polyvinyl chloride] and heat resistance, as well as
weatherproof and UV [ultraviolet] stability.”


New Products And Processes


Some companies introduced new products or processes at Techtextil. Strebel said: “We didn’t
show a new machine, but a new application — monofilament tubular weaves for oil filters. And the
feedback for this product was rather good. The advantages are that with this technology, one can
weave or knit the product to its final shape, requiring minimal process steps after the weaving
process.”

A particular novelty was presented by Dornier. “We presented our new multiaxial fabrics
applications,” Boch said. “The weaver can produce a lot of new and innovative products.”

Duttenhofer also mentioned something new: “Freudenberg is very much involved in the shoe
industry. We presented the new Airliner 2.0 Vildona insoles, and the feedback was just great. It
offers benefits like breathability and water resistance. Also in the focus of our customers is
Evolon® microfiber material in all its different appearances.”

Trützschler was very much in the focus of attention. Stehr, supported by some technicians,
explained: “We presented our cooperation with Voith Paper to produce wet wipes on an integrated
wetlaid and spunlace line. We brought a sample roll, which attracted both producers of flushable
wet wipes and converters of nonwoven roll goods. Some of our customers and other interested parties
didn’t know about this new development. Flushable wipes are a hot topic right now. Currently, we
are busy planning for follow-up visits.

Techtextil2

Trützschler Nonwovens & Man-Made Fibers GmbH presented its cooperation with Voith Paper
to produce flushable wet wipes on an integrated wetlaid and spunlace line.

Hofmann mentioned Sanitized® protection for soft PVC: “It is applicable for the antimicrobial
protection of soft PVC used in indoor and outdoor applications: Heat resistance during processing,
and excellent weather and UV stability are attractive features. Soft PVC coatings and foams are
frequently subject to microbial infestation and destruction. The breaks and cracks in the surface
and the discoloration of the material caused by this shorten the useful life of the product
considerably. We showed two new innovations to solve this problem.”

DiloGroup, a provider of complete solutions, mostly informed about nonwoven staple fiber
lines for the production of fabric filters and geotextiles; but other nonwoven applications also
were discussed. “Filter fabrics reduce pollution, and geotextiles provide a better infrastructure,”
Dilo said. “Both products are in high demand at the moment.” He expects annual growth of around 8
percent.


Changing Requirements


How have market requirements changed in the last decade? “Technical textiles markets will
grow and with them, the segment for nonwovens,” Duttenhofer said. “Megatrends like traffic
gridlock, megacities, sustainability or work-life balance will increase global sales for technical
textiles; and it means also that we have to think about new production methods and solutions.”

Strebel made clear that today, there are many new applications for technical textiles: “Many
customers are actively looking for new application areas. And customers are looking for machines
that are easier to use, meaning more processes are integrated in one machine.”

Boch said that “previously, customers had a total solution in their mind and came to us to
talk about the production details. Today, they want from us the total solution.”

Stehr added: “The world has changed a lot since the beginning of the new millennium. A major
factor was the rise of China as both a major consumer and a producer of fibers, nonwovens,
technical textiles and the respective machinery. Other trends inspiring the machinery sector are
demands for convenience products and sustainability.”


More Floor Space Required


Many exhibitors want to enlarge their floor space considerably at Techtextil 2015. It may
well be inevitable for the organizers to open an additional hall. However, as Boch pointed out: “We
don’t think there would be a lot more visitors. Nevertheless, we believe the flow of visitors would
be distributed more evenly, and we could take care of our visitors in a better way. Nevertheless,
Techtextil should remain as it is, and not mutate into a textile machinery show and compete with
ITMA.”

July/August 2013

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