Ahlstrom Introduces Ahlstrom VaporCool™, Dynamic SMS Fabric For Single-Use Scrubs

HELSINKI, Finland — September 30, 2014 — Ahlstrom, a global high performance fiber-based materials company, introduces Ahlstrom VaporCool™ a soft SMS (Spunbond-Meltblown-Spunbond) fabric treated with adaptive technology to create a smart fabric designed for conversion into single-use surgical scrub suits.
 
Ahlstrom VaporCool is a soft, textile-like, dynamic fabric that offers outstanding comfort. Worn in direct contact with the skin, the fabric works as an extension of the wearers’ body helping to regulate their body temperature. When hot, the fabric boosts evaporation providing a cooling effect. When cool, the fabric holds in moisture acting as an insulating layer.
 
The first fabric of its kind, VaporCool uses moisture management to offer enhanced comfort to surgical professionals. Working under bright lights and dressed in high-barrier surgical apparel, surgeons operate under intense pressure for hours. These conditions cause their body temperature to rise, increasing the production of sweat. Discomfort caused by feeling hot and sticky can quickly shake concentration and impair cognitive abilities. Ahlstrom VaporCool works with the body to relieve discomfort and improve concentration.

Posted September 30, 2014

Source: Ahlstrom
 

Teijin Named To Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index For Sixth Consecutive Year

TOKYO — September 30, 2014 — Teijin Limited announced today that it has been named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Asia/Pacific Index (DJSI Asia/Pacific), a global benchmark for socially responsible investing, for the sixth consecutive year.
 
DJSI, which was jointly introduced in 1999 by Dow Jones and Swiss-based RobecoSAM, which researches and evaluates socially responsible investment, is a leading index of sustainability. Every year, the index assesses the economic, environmental and social performance of some 3,300 companies to identify those that demonstrate sustainability leadership.
 
Teijin was named one of five Japanese companies among the 10 firms in the DJSI Asia/Pacific’s Chemical Industry. In total, 148 companies out of 600 were selected for this year’s index.
 
Teijin also is included in other international SRI indices, such as the FTSE4Good Index and the ETHIBEL Investment Register. Teijin appreciates the continued recognition of its leadership in sustainability through responsible industrial development befitting customers, society and the environment, as well as shareholders.

Posted September 30, 2014

Source: Teijin
 

IFAI Announces Extreme Sports Display At Specialty Fabrics Expo And Advanced Textiles Expo

ROSEVILLE, Minn. — September 25, 2014 — The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) announces its  international trade event, Specialty Fabrics Expo and Advanced Textiles Expo, will include a first-ever extreme sports display at the Minneapolis Convention Center, Oct. 14-16, 2014. The display will highlight specialty and technical fabrics and how they contribute to the extreme sports industry. “The purpose of the display is to show-off some of the unique products that our industry creates,” said Barbara Connett, Education & Events Manager. 
 
The extreme sports display will include items featuring specialty and advanced textiles that were worn by Olympic skiers and snowboarders, as well as scuba diving and mountain climbing gear, motorcycle fabrics, and inflatable kayaks and paddle boards. A specialized heat-activated cooling vest that gently and safely cools its wearer will also be on display. The vest is able to recharge itself and its cooling effects last for hours.
 
“Perhaps one of the coolest things on display will be the Squirrel wingsuit, which lets its user jump and glide like a flying squirrel,” said Connett. “Items like the wingsuit are exciting and sure to inspire attendees to look beyond their day-to-day work and imagine the possibilities.

Posted September 26, 2014

Source: IFAI
 

Avery Dennison RBIS Elevates Brands With New Design And Innovation Center In Los Angeles

LOS ANGELES — September 26, 2014 — Last evening, Avery Dennison RBIS, a global leader in apparel branding, labeling, packaging, embellishments and RFID solutions, celebrated the opening of its Los Angeles-based Customer Design and Innovation Center (CDIC), a 15,000 square foot state-of-the-art facility in the city’s Arts District at 953 E. 3rd Street.

The LA center will offer a collaborative experience for apparel brands with access to deep consumer insights and the latest trend information from Avery Dennison RBIS. In addition, the CDIC will equip the apparel industry with custom embellishment and analysis tools for intelligent, creative, and sustainable designs that help communicate the power of their brand. “Our goal is to inspire our customers and help them create innovative and unique packaging, labeling, and embellishments that elevate their products and brands,” said Shawn Neville, president, Avery Dennison RBIS. “The CDIC is a place where our customers can integrate art, science, and sustainability through our proprietary trends and creative services, while leveraging our leading edge capabilities including brand protection, RFID, and high-definition digital graphics. We do this through the lens of our Greenprint sustainability tool, which helps customers reduce their environmental impact.”

The LA CDIC is the third of its kind. The first, in Miamisburg, Ohio, which opened in 2010, focuses on information solutions presented by the thriving technology of radio-frequency identification, known as RFID. The second, which opened in Germany just outside Dusseldorf in 2011, offers the full range of RBIS capabilities and is the model for the L.A. facility.

The new CDIC is tailored specifically to the interests of Los Angeles’ internationally regarded design community, focusing on brands in the premium denim and surf and skate markets and partnering with established and emerging designers to create memorable and inspiring designs.

“Our new center in the heart of Los Angeles gives Avery Dennison RBIS a strong platform to partner with the unique California design community and help elevate all aspects of apparel and footwear branding,” said Deon Stander, vice president and general manager, global commercial and innovation, Avery Dennison RBIS.

Customer Insights
In conjunction with the CDIC opening, Avery Dennison RBIS is releasing the findings of its “Power of Branding Solutions” research, a global study to determine the relative value consumers place on the individual label, tag, and packaging when purchasing a garment.

Through this study, Avery Dennison RBIS learned that the ideal mix of on-garment branding through labels, tags, and packaging can help increase consumer purchase intent by an average of 17 percent.

“At the CDIC, customers can learn how to inspire this purchase intent through an optimal combination of branding elements that takes into account the preferences of consumers around the world,” said Stander. “Insights from this study also enable our customers to understand how to establish meaningful consumer connections by communicating the sustainability of a garment.”

Art and Science
Expanding what’s possible on the exterior of the garment, Avery Dennison RBIS’ high-definition graphics transfer process featured at the CDIC produce engaging graphics with exceptional depth, special effects and texture. An example of these solutions is RBIS’ Agility™ Stretchable Blocking Black (AGSBB), a cutting edge, proprietary heat transfer technology specifically formulated to block the transmission of excess dyes from dye sublimated fabrics, preventing discoloration. As a result of this innovative process, there is a reduced risk of heat marks on temperature-sensitive fabrics, while delivering good stretch and recovery of the heat transfer itself. The result is high-definition, four-color, and of photographic quality.

In addition to Agility, RBIS will be featuring its Denim Durable solution at the CDIC. Denim Durable is designed for application to the pocket materials of denim jeans prior to washing and adds an additional placement option for a permanent logo that remains intact throughout the life cycle of the garment, when standard brand tags and labels are typically removed. This product provides a unique opportunity to add creative messaging, graphics and brand identity to denim pockets by allowing the ink to melt directly into the fabric, thereby eliminating the use of adhesive. Through this breakthrough technology, heat transfers can withstand the rigorous finishing processes commonly used to give new denim garments a worn look.

“The latest technological innovations in the field of embellishments enable garments to ‘pop’ and really attract attention. Products like Agility and Denim Durable are just gaining traction in the market and will be real game changers over the next few years,” said Stander.

Sustainable Solutions and Communities
Avery Dennison RBIS provides sustainable solutions that elevate packaging for apparel, footwear and accessories. These sustainable solutions will be showcased at the CDIC, along with Avery Dennison’s Greenprint tool, a way for customers to aid their understanding of the environmental consequences of their branding and packaging materials decision-making.

In addition to Greenprint, plant-derived bioplastic will be represented at the CDIC, an alternative to conventional polyethylene (PE), which is typically derived from fossil raw materials such as oil or natural gas, and is found in everyday product packaging. Plant-derived bioplastic is a sustainable alternative to polyethylene and is made from ethanol from Brazilian sugarcane, a renewable raw material. Because it exhibits the same characteristics as conventional PE in application and performance, it permits brands to reduce their environmental footprint. This is just one of Avery Dennison RBIS’ portfolio of sustainable solutions, including labels made from 100% recycled polyester yarn; Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper for graphic tickets, tags and labels; and recycled plastic fasteners for attaching brand and price tickets.

In establishing the CDIC in LA, Avery Dennison RBIS is recognizing the importance of the local design community to the overall apparel industry, starting with young and emerging designers. As such, the company will be working with the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) with annual programs, starting in January 2015. These programs will be based at the CDIC and will work directly with RBIS’ apparel branding experts.

Posted September 26, 2014

Source: Avery Dennison
 

Bayer Materialscience And Bluesign Technologies Enter Into Strategic Alliance

LEVERKUSEN, Germany/ST. GALLEN, Switzerland — September 24, 2014 — Bayer MaterialScience and bluesign technologies are joining forces for a sustainable textile industry and want to advance their initiative globally. The two companies have agreed to enter into a strategic alliance for this purpose. The objective is to ensure safe production processes and working conditions along the entire value chain.
 
Bluesign technologies is a global leader in evaluating the use of chemicals in the textile industry. The bluesign® system defines criteria for chemicals use, including the responsible use of resources, effective hazardous materials management and the elimination of all dangerous substances.
 
Bayer MaterialScience recently set a milestone in innovative and sustainable textile coating with the introduction of INSQIN™, an integrated and complete package for the textile industry based on waterborne polyurethane technology. The package encompasses all aspects of materials development, right through to production by certified manufacturers. This approach redefines the idea of collaboration within the value chain.
 
Years of commitment to sustainability
“Bayer MaterialScience has been supporting its customers for a long time now in achieving goals of both innovation and sustainability,” explains Nicholas Smith, global head of Textile Coating at Bayer MaterialScience. “With our waterborne, totally solvent-free polyurethane raw materials, users currently can greatly improve industrial hygiene, cut energy consumption by 50 percent, and water use by as much as 95 percent.”
 
The new partnership with bluesign technologies fits in perfectly with Bayer MaterialScience’s comprehensive sustainability concept, which aims to improve people’s lives while at the same time conserving resources and minimizing the impact on mankind and the environment.
 
bluesign Database Provides Information On Bayer Products
The company has had the waterborne polyurethane dispersions in its Impranil® line tested and certified under the bluesign system. Textile manufacturers in search of chemicals with bluesign certification can now find information on these products in the bluefinder database, that currently has data on some 5,000 chemicals used in the industry.
 
“We are very pleased to welcome a worldwide leading raw materials supplier like Bayer MaterialScience as a bluesign systems partner,” says its initiator and CEO Peter Waeber. “The company increases the range of certified substances that customers in the textile industry can use to achieve production operations that are compatible with both people and the environment. Bayer also supports our goal of further establishing the bluesign system as a global standard for a sustainable textile industry with the best possible consumer protection.”
 
The bluesign system gives consideration to substance lists with restricted use and advises manufacturers on how to minimize hazards to people and the environment. By jointly using the system, participants can cut costs along the processing chain and meet new market demands more quickly. The “bluesign approved” label is accepted by both brand owners and major wholesalers.

Posted September 26, 2014

Source: Bayer MaterialScience
 

DL1961 Premium Denim, Dow Microbial Control Partner To Satisfy The Consumer Demand For Jeans That Stay Fresher Longer

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. — September 24, 2014 — DL1961 Premium Denim, widely recognized for providing consumers with the “perfect-fitting jean,” has announced that its entire fall men’s collection will be treated with Dow SILVADUR™ Antimicrobial, which provides long-lasting odor control and freshness to apparel. The DL1961 fall men’s collection, consisting of Relax, Straight and Straight Slim fits, is now available at Bloomingdales, Nordstrom, Saks and more than 500 specialty apparel stores throughout the United States. 

“We are extremely excited about this partnership with SILVADUR because, as an innovative company, we truly appreciate new technologies that add value to our jeans,” says Sarah Ahmed, creative director at DL1961 Premium Denim. “Treating our denim with SILVADUR’s odor-resistant technology has enabled us to create next-generation products that out-perform all other denims. As a result, our customers can focus on the extraordinary things they do while wearing DL1961 jeans knowing that those jeans will stay fresh all day long.”

SILVADUR Antimicrobial was introduced in the fall of 2012 by Dow Microbial Control. It meets the marketplace need for an efficient and effective antimicrobial for apparel and textiles. SILVADUR’s “intelligent” microbial control system is activated in the presence of unwanted bacteria and protects fabrics against odors, enabling them to stay fresher longer. In September 2013, R&D Magazine recognized SILVADUR as one of the 100 most technologically significant products introduced over a 12-month period.

Over the past several months, technical experts from DL1961 and Dow worked together to evaluate SILVADUR’s performance on denim, according to Karel Williams, global strategic marketing manager for Dow Microbial Control. “The results of this extensive testing,” he said, “validated SILVADUR’s high degree of efficacy in consistently providing durable odor control in denim products, enabling consumers to wear their jeans longer and wash them less.”

Posted September 24, 2014

Source: Dow Microbial Control
 

Teijin Aramid’s Carbon Nanotube Fibers Awarded With Paul Schlack Prize

ARNHEM, The Netherlands — September 25, 2014 — Researchers of Teijin Aramid, based in the Netherlands, and Rice University were awarded with the honorary ‘Paul Schlack Man-Made Fibers Prize’ for corporate-academic partnerships in fiber research. Their new super fibers are now driving innovation in aerospace, healthcare, automotive, and (smart) clothing.
 
The honorary Paul Schlack prize was granted by the European Man-made Fibers Association to Dr. Marcin Otto, Business Development Manager at Teijin Aramid and Prof. Dr. Matteo Pasquali from Rice University Texas, for the development of a new generation super fibers using carbon nanotubes (CNT). The new super fibers combine high thermal and electrical conductivity, as seen in metals, with the flexibility, robust handling and strength of textile fibers.
 
“The introduction of carbon nanotube fibers marked the beginning of a series of innovations in various industries”, says Marcin Otto, Business Development Manager at Teijin Aramid. “For example, CNT fibers can be lifesaving for heart patients: one string of CNT fiber in the cardiac muscle suffices to transmit vital electrical pulses to the heart. Or by replacing copper in data cables and light power cables by CNT fibers it’s possible to make satellites, aircraft and high end cars lighter and more robust at the same time.”
 
Since 1971, the Paul Schlack foundation annually grants one monetary prize to an individual young researcher for outstanding research in the field of fiber research, and an honorary prize to the leader(s) of excellent academic and corporate research partnerships to promote research at universities and research institutes.

For several years, leading researchers at Rice University and Teijin Aramid worked together on the development of CNT production. Teijin Aramid and Rice University published their research findings on carbon nanotubes fibers in the leading scientific journal, Science, beginning of 2013.
 
Posted September 26, 2014

Source: Teijin Aramid
 

New Rolling Bearing Grease From Klüber Lubrication Provides Enhanced Protection Against Friction And Wear

LONDONDERRY, N.H. — September 23, 2014 — Klϋber Lubrication, a worldwide manufacturer of specialty lubricants, has introduced Klübertherm HB 88-182 for the long-term lubrication of rolling bearings. This pioneering lubricating grease offers excellent high-temperature properties and can be used for both low loads combined with high speeds and high loads combined with low speeds. It is fully synthetic and based on a thermally stable base oil, polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) thickener and special additives.

“Klübertherm HB 88-182 closes the performance gap between greases based on perfluorinated polyether (PFPE) oils, which are suitable for high temperature and, for example, conventional high-temperature greases which soon reach their limit when exposed to high thermal loads,” said Steve Mazzola, director, engineering and technical services, Klüber Lubrication North America L.P.  “With Klübertherm HB 88-182, we developed an economically efficient lubricant showing excellent high-temperature properties.”

Klübertherm HB 88-182 protects more effectively against friction and wear than other high-temperature greases, proven both in the field and on FE8 and FE9 rolling bearing testers. At high temperatures, the new grease does not form residues like high-temperature greases containing a polyurea thickener. Klübertherm HB 88-182 is resistant to hydrolysis and protects components effectively against corrosion at high temperatures and in humid environments. It shows excellent compatibility with elastomer and thermoplastic components and seals. Klübertherm HB 88-182 stays soft and retains lubricity even after 500 hours at 180°C in the FE8 test rig. Moreover, its density is only half that of a PFPE grease. This offers the advantage of extended grease life and reduced consumption costs. Lastly, the fully synthetic high-temperature grease shows better degradability and sustainability than PFPE-based products.

Posted September 26, 2014

Source: Kluber Lubrication
 

James H. Heal & Co. Ltd. Acquired By Battery Ventures

HALIFAX — September 24, 2014 — James Heal, a 142-year old company that designs and manufactures test instrumentation and test materials for the global textile and garment industry, has been acquired by Battery Ventures. Boston-based Battery Ventures is an investment firm focused on technology and innovation worldwide with $4.7 billion in assets under management. In partnership with Battery, James Heal will continue its long-standing tradition of pursuing growth. Battery’s additional resources will support increased investment in technology and complementary acquisitions. 

Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. 

“We are very proud to be associated with the James Heal brand and the team; they are universally recognized as the technology, quality and thought leaders in the textile testing market.  Together, I believe we will achieve a new level of international success,” said Battery Ventures General Partner Jesse Feldman.

James Heal offers a comprehensive product line of test instruments, test materials, services and calibration to the textile market. The company tests a wide range of textile properties including strength, abrasion, colour-fastness, flammability, pilling, snagging and shrinking. The company will be continuing its proud tradition of high-quality manufacturing in the north of England that began in 1872. 

“Battery is an experienced and knowledgeable investor in the test and measurement market,” said David Repper, who has been James Heal’s Managing Director since 1982. “We look forward to working together to continue the James Heal methodology of unparalleled textile-technology expertise, design and innovation.” The company has won two Queen’s Awards, in 2012 and 1995, the highest and most prestigious corporate business award in the United Kingdom.

Following the acquisition, Amanda McLaren, the company’s current Manufacturing Director, will take over the responsibilities of Managing Director from David Repper. The rest of the board of directors, including Elliot Rich, Sales Director; Neil Pryke, Innovation Director; and Michael Minich, Financial Director; will continue to lead the company under the new ownership.

David Repper will continue to be involved as a consultant to James Heal on a part-time basis to assist with product development, customer relations and operations, and also to help to ensure a smooth transition period.

As part of the deal, Battery executive-in-residence Don Templeman will join James Heal as Chairman and Director. Templeman has over 20 years of global, general-management experience and was previously the president and CEO of Princeton Instruments Inc., a division of industrial-technology company Roper Industries Inc.

“The opportunity to put my industrial-technology background to work with such an established, yet cutting-edge company is tremendously appealing, and I look forward to working with existing management to take James Heal’s business to the next level,” Templeman said.

Don Templeman will work closely with Amanda McLaren, Elliot Rich, Michael Minich, Neil Pryke and the rest of the team to further develop James Heal’s current product portfolio of leading testing instruments and test materials and continue to expand the company’s market share.

Battery is continuing to expand its investment activity in the industrial-technology markets and has completed more than 25 industrial-related transactions across the U.S. and Europe since 2003.

Posted September 26, 2014

Source: James H. Heal
 

Dupont India Consumer Study: India’s Confidence In Green & Biobased Products Is Highest In Global Index

HYDERABAD, India — September 25, 2014 — The DuPont Green Living Survey: India, conducted by TNS Global, found that a majority of Indian consumers are familiar with green products, have confidence that green products are better for the environment, and feel that biobased ingredients enhance the desirability of a product.

DuPont, a leader in market-driven science and innovation, commissioned this nationwide survey with an objective to better understand awareness and attitudes of Indian consumers toward green and biobased products. The survey was the third such study by the company with the first in North America (U.S. and Canada) and the second in China. The research took place in 12 major Indian cities with 1,270 respondents giving face-to-face interviews.

“Green and biobased solutions are not only essential to address the challenges of India’s growing population, but also an expectation of a younger generation and rising middle class. We are particularly encouraged that there is broad awareness of green products across the country with India’s younger generation leading the way,” commented Vikram Prabhu, regional business director, Asia Pacific, DuPont Industrial Biosciences.

“The potential for green and biobased products in India is apparent from this survey,” said Dr. Renu Swarup, MD, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC) and senior advisor, Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science & Technology.  “We must work together to bridge consumer demands and the ability of new technology innovations to meet their demands, if we were to realise India’s seventh millennium development goal of ensuring environmental sustainability.”

Attitudes and Awareness
In the survey, more than 63 percent of consumers are familiar with green products and of those, 85 percent have confidence that they are better for the environment.  These consumers believe biobased ingredients not only make a product green, but also provide better performance, critical to long-term adoption.

It is interesting to note that India’s confidence in green products being better for the environment (85 percent) is higher than other countries surveyed by DuPont in previous years.  Previous studies showed China with 70 percent confidence, Canada with 65 percent and the United States with 60 percent.

However, Canada (78 percent) and the United States (76 percent) lead in overall familiarity with green products over India (63 percent) and China (43 percent).

Regional Comparisons
Regionally, familiarity of green products was found to be highest in South (83 percent) and East  (68 percent), followed by West (42 percent) and North (53 percent). Consumers from South India also are most confident (95 percent) that green products are better for the environment.

Purchasing Trends
Awareness of green products is high across the country, with younger consumers below age 30 showing the highest level of familiarity (69 percent) followed by ages 51+ (60 percent) and ages 31-50 (58 percent).   Since nearly 50 percent of India’s current population is below the age of 25, there is strong potential for green product adoption and demand growth. Currently, more than two-thirds (67 percent) of consumers are likely to purchase apparel, personal care, hygiene and household products made from biobased ingredients that offer environmental benefits.

Conclusions
“Science is at the heart of everything we do at DuPont. We are working collaboratively to find sustainable, innovative, market-driven solutions for the Indian market. The Green Living Survey confirms that India’s population is increasingly becoming environmentally conscious and demonstrates their growing preference for more sustainable products.  We see great opportunity for biobased solutions in India, and our new biosciences laboratories at the DuPont Knowledge Centre in Hyderabad are specifically focused on meeting the green aspirations of Indian consumers,” said Balvinder Singh Kalsi, president, South Asia and ASEAN, DuPont.

Across the market, roughly half of consumers recognize the term “biobased” in conjunction with green products and say that biobased ingredients enhance the desirability of a product, enough so that they would consider paying a premium price for these products.

About the Green Living Survey: India
The research is based on face-to-face interviews with Indian consumers in New Delhi, Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Chandigarh, Patna and Kochi.   The survey was conducted by TNS Global, India.

Posted September 26, 2014

Source: DuPont
 

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