Austria-based cellulosic fiber manufacturer Lenzing AG has repositioned its Lenzing Modal® brand to
emphasize the fiber’s carbon-neutral production technology. The fiber’s new tagline, “CO2 Neutral
Softness by Edelweiss Technology,” replaces the previous slogan “Makes the World a Softer Place.”

The company notes that its Modal production site in Austria is fully integrated to include
both pulp and fiber production. Pulp production is energy self-sufficient and generates energy for
the complete production of Modal, which is derived from domestically produced beechwood. Up to 95
percent of all chemicals used in the production process are recovered, and almost half of Lenzing
Modal production uses an oxygen-bleaching process. The company’s carbon neutrality claims for the
fiber have been substantiated in a life cycle analysis.

November 27, 2012

Polyester fibers developed by Tokyo-based Teijin Ltd. have been selected for use in automotive
interior textiles in vehicle models offered by Japan-based automakers Nissan Motor Co. Ltd. and
Mitsubishi Motors Corp.

The company’s Eco Circle Plantfiber, whose content comprises more than 30-percent biobased
polymer derived from sugar cane, will be used in seat, door trim, headrest and center armrest
fabrics in the 100-percent electric Nissan Leaf — the first mass-produced vehicle in which Eco
Circle Plantfiber has been used for interior applications. Teijin partnered with Japan-based
automotive seat maker Suminoe Teijin Techno Co. Ltd. and Nissan to develop the fabrics.

Teijin’s V-Lap polyester — a lightweight, bulky, sound-absorbing, easily molded nonwoven
material that has vertically oriented fibers — is being used as backing in floor carpet for the
newly introduced Mitsubishi Outlander midsize crossover vehicle. The carpet was developed by
Japan-based automotive interior parts maker Hayashi Telempu Corp.

Teijin reports it also is developing V-Lap heat-insulating materials for housing
applications, and notes that the materials can be bonded to other films to create composite
materials that provide added functionality to nonwoven products.

November 27, 2012

Greensboro, N.C.-based Precision Fabrics Group Inc. (PFG) has added new fabrics to its Integrity®
line of woven fabrics for cleanroom garments and other protective apparel.

Integrity 1900 — a 5-millimeter (mm) electrostatic discharge (ESD) grid construction — and
Integrity 1950 — a 5-mm ESD stripe — offer improved breathability, heat transmission and moisture
vapor transport for increased comfort while retaining the necessary air filtration properties, the
company reports.

According to Steve Glosson, PFG’s Integrity market manager, most fabrics traditionally used
in cleanroom garments in the United States are constructed with a very tight weave to restrict pore
size in the fabric, which makes the material an effective barrier but also restricts the garment’s
breathability. “Integrity 1900 and 1950 are woven with finer yarns than those used previously,”
Glosson said. “That enables us to weave these fabrics with more pores per square inch to improve
breathability. And since the pore size is even smaller than that of conventional cleanroom fabrics,
we don’t give up any filtration efficiency.”

The new Integrity fabrics are treated with MicrobeShield® antimicrobial finish, and an
optional fluid-repellent finish is available. All of PFG’s Integrity fabrics are certified to the
Oeko-Tex® Standard 100.

November 27, 2012

The Norcross, Ga.-based Technical Association of the Pulp, Paper, Packaging and Converting
Industries (TAPPI) has issued a call for papers to be presented at the 2013 NETInc Innovative
Nonwovens Conference, to be held April 29-May 1 at the Hyatt Regency in Atlanta.

Organized by TAPPI’s Nonwovens Engineers and Technologists (NET) division, the NETInc
conference covers the latest technical developments and innovations in the global nonwovens
industry and offers peer-reviewed papers, expert speakers and networking opportunities for
manufacturers, suppliers and academics. The 2013 edition will colocate with PaperCon 2013, TAPPI’s
annual trade fair for the pulp and paper industries.

NETInc conference topics will include fiber and polymer innovations, nanotechnology,
emerging technologies, fiber and nonwovens functionalities, fiber processing, converting
technologies, nonwovens processing, smart nonwovens, nonwoven composites, building sciences,
environmental updates, and market trends.

TAPPI is now accepting online submissions and has provided a format through a link at
speakermanagement.tappi.org. Deadline for submissions is January 11, 2013. For more information,
contact Craig McKinney +770-209-7294; cmckinney@tappi.org.

November 27, 2012

Austria-based cellulosic fiber manufacturer Lenzing AG reports that Cone Denim — a denim fabric
manufacturer and a division of International Textile Group Inc. (ITG), Greensboro, N.C. — has added
Tencel® Denim fabrics to its Sustainblue™ collection of eco-friendly denim fabrics made using
recycled cotton, polyester and sustainable yarns. The new fabrics offer Tencel’s soft hand, gentle
drape and a unique sheen; and include, among other styles, S Gene Indigo Stretch fabric, featuring
Cone Denim’s S Gene corespun stretch technology incorporating more than one core. The stretch
fabric is used for jeans and jeggings.

Lenzing also reports that zipper manufacturer YKK Group, Japan, has introduced the Vislon®
zipper with Lenzing FR® tape for use on apparel and equipment that must comply with current
protective clothing standards. The zipper combines flame-retardant polyamide zipper elements with
Lenzing FR tape — an aramid/Modal-based cellulose tape that offers easy and smooth operation as
well as structural strength and protection against heat and flame.

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — November 14, 2012 — Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company
reports that U.S. import volume in October, measured in TEUs (twenty-foot-containers), is down 6.8%
from September and another 4.8% from October of last year. This is total of 1,433,446 containers
imported. Interestingly, low October numbers were not always the case. Looking at prerecession
levels, October had some of the highest TEU counts, but in 2011 and 2012, the holiday import-surge
has shifted back to July and August. For the remainder of 2012, U.S. imports will most likely
decline as the peak season ends for importers and consumption begins to wane.

A Closer Look at U.S. Imports for October:

1.
Exporting Countries – The United States saw a significant drop in imports from
Asian countries this month by over 5%. China, which accounts for over 60% of Asian exports to the
United States, fell 8.2% from September and 2.4% from October of 2011. Japan, on the other hand,
increased in TEUs to the United States by 14.2% from September and increased from last October by
1.7%. Europe was a similar story to Asia, with most countries seeing a drop in imports from
September. Germany saw a 16.4% drop from September and Italy and Belgium decreased 7.3% and 19%,
respectively.

2.
U.S. Ports – The Port of Los Angeles, which accounted for 24% of U.S. imports in
October, fell 6.4% from September and another 5.7% from last year. The Port of Newark/New York also
fell significantly from September by 24.8%. Unlike most Ports, the Port of Tacoma actually saw an
increase in TEUs of 2.3% and an even larger increase from last October by 36.3%.

3.
Carriers – Most carriers also saw a drop in October TEU imports from September.
The top VOCC (vessel-operating common carrier), Maersk Line, fell 13.5% this month, as well as
Mediterranean Shipping Company by 9.6%. On the other hand, APL Co had a significant rise in imports
by 12% and even rose from October of 2011 by 13.6%. Overall, even though vessel imports are down in
October, total U.S. imports for the year are up 2.6%, compared with January through October of
2011.

Methodology:

Zepols data is derived from Bills of Lading entered into U.S. Customs and Border Protections
Automated Commercial Environment (ACE). This information represents the number of House manifests
entered by importers of waterborne vessel goods. This is the earliest indicator for trade data
available for the previous month’s import activity. The data excludes shipments from empty
containers, excludes shipments labeled as freight remaining on board, and may contain other data
anomalies.



Posted on November 27, 2012

Source: Zepol Corp.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — November 20, 2012 — AATCC, the Association of Textile, Apparel,
& Materials Professionals, announces the 2013 Materials Poster Competition, and invites
students from around the globe studying materials science to participate. 

The competition, developed by AATCC’s Materials Interest Group, aims to promote innovative
product development from a material structures design perspective. Submissions are invited from
both graduate and undergraduate students. Entries will be evaluated on concept originality,
research quality, clarity, and results.

Students who wish to participate are required to file a notice of intent to participate by
February 11, 2013. Completed entries are due by March 29, 2013. Winners will be announced on June
7, 2013.

Below is a description of the focus areas for the contest: 

Industrial/Technical/Sports Materials

The research poster should pertain to materials for technical and engineering applications.

Examples include:

• Composites
• Aircraft or automotive components
• Industrial and technical fabrics
• Architectural or geo-synthetic materials
• Industrial filters and advanced sporting equipment
• Sports performance fabrics

Medical/Biomedical/Protective Materials and Devices

The research poster should pertain to materials for use in either hazardous or medical
environments. Posters submitted under this theme may involve active and/or reactive materials, such
as self-detoxifying materials or reactive barrier membranes, which protect the wearer against
chemical agents, biological agents, and projectiles/ improvised explosive devices.

Examples include:

• Chemical/biological protection garments and protection forfirst responders or soldiers
• Artificial internal body implants such as soft prostheticdevices (e.g., artificial
  arteries)
• Hard materials for bone replacements
• Externally protective medical gowns and masks

Functional/Smart/Nano-materials/Nanofibers

This poster should focus on the creation of structures that incorporate smart functionality
to polymers and fibers. These materials could be used for computing, sensing, monitoring, imaging
and/or broadcasting within the material to attain particular end uses.

Examples include:

• Novel energy storage
• Energy harvesting
• Camouflage/electromagnetic management
• Optical materials
• Anti-counterfeit materials
• Conducting polymers
• Wearable electronic garments
• Functional nano-materials and nanofibers
• Integrated materials for multifunctional assemblies

Winning entries in each category receive cash awards of US$1,000 for First Place and US$500
for Second Place. Winners will also receive complimentary student registrations for the 2013 AATCC
International Conference.

Additional information is available at the AATCC website, at
www.aatcc.org/students/materials/guidelines.htm
<http://www.aatcc.org/students/materials/guidelines.htm> . 



Posted on November 27, 2012

Source: AATCC