Shima Seiki To Hold Private Show In Italy

TREVISO, Italy — September 9, 2014 — Shima Seiki Italia S.p.A., Italian subsidiary of leading Japanese computerized knitting machine manufacturer Shima Seiki Mfg., Ltd., will hold a private exhibition at its Treviso office later this month. This follows its successful showings at its headquarters and showroom in Segrate, Milano this March as well as its office in Carpi in June.

The exhibition will be a showcase for the company’s newest selection of computerized flat knitting machines. From the flagship MACH2X series with SlideNeedles mounted on four needlebeds to the new SWG-N2 series compact

WHOLEGARMENT® knitting machine with capability for industrial textiles, and the SRY series machines with loop pressers that produce unique knitwear with woven textures, the lineup is sure to impress with its highly advanced technology.

Demonstrations will also be performed on Shima Seiki’s SDS-ONE APEX3 3D design system that is at the core of the company’s “Total Knitting System” concept. With comprehensive support of all aspects throughout the knit supply chain, APEX3 integrates knit production into one smooth and efficient workflow from yarn development, product planning and design to machine programming, production and even sales promotion. Especially effective is APEX3’s capability to improve on the planning process with Virtual Sampling. Photo-realistic simulation capability minimizes the need for sam-ple-making, effectively reducing time, material and cost from the sampling process.

Exhibition Details
Date: Wednesday, 24th – Friday, 26th September 2014
Hours: 10:00AM – 5:00PM
Location: Shima Seiki Italia S.p.A. Treviso Office
Via Postioma 115, 31020 Villorba (TV), ITALY
Tel: +39-02-216621

Exhibited Technology
MACH2X153 18L WHOLEGARMENT® Knitting Machine
MACH2X173 8L WHOLEGARMENT® Knitting Machine
SWG091N2 15G WHOLEGARMENT® Knitting Machine
SRY123LP-SV12G Computerized Flat Knitting Machine
SRY183LP-SV14G Computerized Flat Knitting Machine
SDS-ONE APEX3 3D Apparel Design System

Posted September 9, 2014

Source: Shima Seiki
 

aden + anais Partners With The Woolmark Company To Release A Pure Merino Muslin Collection

SYDNEY, Australia — September 7, 2014 — Using materials certified by The Woolmark Company, US-based babywear brand aden + anais is taking luxury to the next level with their new Pure Merino Muslin collection.

A leader in the market and a company which prides itself on innovation, aden + anais has combined their award-winning muslin weave with pure Australian Merino wool to create a luxurious Merino muslin fabric, offering the ultimate in softness, breathability and temperature regulation.

Merino wool is naturally breathable, making it an efficient temperature regulator. It is soft and smooth on the skin, keeping children well-protected and comfortable all year round. It works by absorbing moisture vapour next to the skin to help children feel dry and less clammy. When the vapour moves away from the body and evaporates, it maintains a constant, comfortable temperature. Parents will also appreciate that Merino wool is naturally fire resistant. Every Merino fibre has a natural protective outer layer that resists dirt and helps prevent stains being absorbed; and, in true aden + anais easy-care fashion, each product is machine washable – making the Pure Merino Muslin collection a sensible choice.

As the leading custodian of wool quality standards, and by building the scientific credentials of wool, The Woolmark Company is working to ensure that only products of the highest standards and quality are provided for your loved ones.

Research studies have also revealed that sleeping on or under wool leads to a better night’s sleep, and that suitably selected fine Merino wool products are healthy for the skin, especially for those with the most sensitive skin.

“Over the years, we’ve grown to be recognised as the true innovators of muslin in the marketplace and I wanted to explore other fibres that would work with our signature muslin weave,” explains aden + anais co-founder and CEO Raegan Moya-Jones

“Merino wool just seemed like the perfect fit — it’s natural, breathable, and one of the loveliest fabrics I’ve ever felt.”

The aden + anais Pure Merino Muslin collection features a swaddle, sleeping bag, dream blanket™ and a security blanket. Each product comes in a sophisticated keepsake box with a picture frame built into the lid to house your favourite baby photos – the perfect way to preserve the luxury products and cherished memories from baby’s first years. These products also carry Woolmark Nurture certification, offering parents additional reassurance through strict testing which follows global industry standards. The diameter of the Merino wool fibre in certified Woolmark Nurture products has an upper limit for each product category to ensure the products are comfortable for babies. For instance, an aden + anais Merino muslin product is guaranteed to be made from Merino wool with a micron of 18.5 or finer, so will feel luxuriously soft against baby’s skin.

From September, the aden + anais Pure Merino Muslin collection will be available at international aden + anais stockists, as well as online at www.adenandanais.com

“The Woolmark Company is delighted to be working with an international leader in innovation, function and design,” says The Woolmark Company Chief Strategy and Marketing Officer Rob Langtry.

“Our global Mothers and Babies program works in three main areas — funding scientific research into Merino wool’s health benefits, innovative product development and creating awareness of the fibre’s benefits. The partnership and product development with aden + anais further illustrates that demand for Australian Merino wool is growing in the babywear market.”

Posted September 9, 2014

Source: The Woolmark Co.
 

The Rupp Report: The 90 Years Of Gerold Fleissner

Hardly ever, and as a rule, the Rupp Report does not discuss specific people. However, if a person is exceptional, there is no doubt that the author should write about it. The man to talk about is Gerold Fleissner who is celebrating his 90th birthday, and is most possibly one of the most eminent and influential personalities of the last century in the global textile machinery industry. And let’s also include his lovely and charming wife Elisabeth, who was, and still is, his life companion.
 
The Start
The celebration of this event is the right time to look back at an enterprise that influenced many people and products in the global textile industry. The Fleissner company was founded 1848 by Johann Christian Fleissner in Bohemia, Germany. In the next generation, Karl Fleissner began to produce steel constructions, lifts, centrifuges, household washing machines, dyeing equipment and other textile machinery.
 
From 1929 on with Gerold’s father Hans Fleissner, machinery for textile drying became the preferred sector and Hans developed the first perforated drum dryer and applied for a patent. This is where the through-air principle originated. More patents were granted to the company, and the name Fleissner became a global trademark. After the turmoil of World War II, the world wasn’t the same anymore. However, Hans Fleissner again founded the company anew from 1948 to 1951 in Egelsbach, Western Germany. An important step occurred in 1968, when Hans Fleissner handed over the company to his sons Heinz and Gerold. Heinz was responsible for the commercial management of the business, Gerold for the technical aspects.
 
Booming Years
In the mid-1960s, man-made fibers such as polyester, nylon, polypropylene and acrylic were developed. Fleissner already was successful in the rayon industry for many years, and this experience allowed Fleissner to breakthrough as the biggest global supplier for staple-fiber lines. In 1965, the North-American branch office of Fleissner Inc., in Charlotte, N.C., was founded.
 
After the death of his brother Heinz in 1984, Gerold took over the management of the entire company. The increasing importance of the Asian market forced Fleissner to open an office in Beijing, China, in 1993. By that time, Fleissner was represented with its own offices and other commercial agencies in more than 80 countries worldwide.
 
Nonwovens
In addition to the already expanded portfolio for man-made fibers, wool, woven and knitted goods and carpets machinery, Gerold Fleissner, with the support of his Vice President Alfred Watzl, continued develop nonwoven offerings. Fleissner became one of the leading manufacturers of processing lines for the nonwovens industry.
 
The development of the AquaJet hydroentanglement system allowed a completely new generation of nonwovens to be produced. A 100-centimeter (cm)-wide complete pilot line was installed in the technical center in Egelsbach to run customer trials at speeds of up to 500 meters per minute (m/min). To complement the portfolio, Fleissner acquired the Mohr company in Ansbach in 1995, becoming a leading producer of installations for the production of fiberfill wadding webs.
 
Through-Air Drum-Drying
The perforated drum-drying equipment, of which more than 40,000 drums already were operating, was further developed and optimized. Gerold Fleissner achieved the development in a  revolutionary manner with the high-tech through air drum to meet the high requirements of modern production lines. This opened a new production field for Fleissner; the drying of air-permeable filter papers and soft-tissue for toilet paper and kitchen rolls, with speeds of up to 3,000 m/min.
 
Cooperations
With entrepreneurial spirit and a vision, Gerold Fleissner strengthened the company`s position on the world market through several cooperation agreements. Contracts were concluded with United States-based Beloit for the delivery of complete tissue lines and with Denmark-based Danweb for the production of complete airlaid nonwoven lines.
 
An agreement struck with Georgia Pacific to use their patent for the production of hydroentangled sandwich products featuring fiber layers and airlaid pulp layers, made this such sandwich technology available to Fleissner customers for the exclusive production of low-cost standard and flushable wipes.
 
With the cooperation of world famous machinery suppliers, Fleissner was able to supply complete turnkey lines. Gerold Fleissner also attached special importance to today`s demands for machinery with advanced process control systems and non-polluting technology.
 
No Successor
Gerold and Elisabeth Fleissner did not have a successor. That’s why they decided in 2003, to sell the company to Zimmer AG in Frankfurt. Zimmer operated for more than 50 years in the area of plant engineering for the polymer- and fiber industries. In 2006, Zimmer sold Fleissner to Trützschler GmbH in Monchengladbach, Germany. The rest is Trützschler history and was many times reported by The Rupp Report.
 
However, Gerold Fleissner continued to run Fleissner Nonwovens Ansbach, the part of the Fleissner business that was not sold to Zimmer. He concentrated on complete conveyor belt oven lines for drying and thermo bonding of waddings. Because of his age, Fleissner finally decided to liquidate Fleissner Nonwovens Ansbach in 2009.
 
Happy Birthday!
On October 9, 2014, Gerold Fleissner will celebrate his 90th birthday. There are probably not many people that left such an impressive mark on the path of the textile machinery industry in the 20th century. Gerold Fleissner was a restless inventor, business man, leader of his company, but also is a human being and a personality of the highest class. He was always present up to the last minute at a machinery show, when other so-called important directors had already left the fairground to catch the next plane back home. And there was no show without his wife Elisabeth. She kept Gerold’s options open so he could fully concentrate on the company’s welfare. However, Elisabeth was also a great support to the company itself. The author remembers very well entering a Fleissner booth and being greeted by Mrs. Fleissner. She came along to shake hands, smiling and said: “Welcome Mr. Rupp. Sit down, please. Now you need a nice soup, you look hungry and exhausted.” She personally brought the soup to the table, sat down, and waited until the soup, cooked by her, was eaten. Never did she leave the table. And the pleasant chat continued with a cup of tea or coffee and “something sweet” as she used to say. Elisabeth Fleissner also will celebrate her 90th birthday in November.
 
Happy Birthday, Mr. and Mrs. Fleissner. The world of textile machinery was a little bit brighter when you were present. May you enjoy another wonderful decade together looking back on a rich and fulfilled life.
 
Jürg Rupp and the whole team of Textile Industries Media Group.

September 9, 2014
 

Biggest Exhibitor And Visitor Attendance At FESPA Mexico 2014

MEXICO CITY, Mexico —September 9, 2014 — FESPA Mexico 2014, held August 21-23, 2014, has been hailed the largest FESPA Mexico event to date, with 10,173 unique visitors attending the event across the three days.

FESPA Mexico 2014 is the most successful Mexico event yet in terms of both visitor and exhibitor numbers. The 10,173 visitor number is an increase of 27% on the 2013 event and 20% on the previous best attended Mexico event – FESPA Mexico 2012.

A total of 144 exhibitors, up 13% on 2013, lined the halls of Centro Banamex in Mexico City. International brands made up 30% of the show floor, a 10% increase on 2013.

The theme for this year’s event, ‘Connect with Print Innovation’, was illustrated during the show by the most comprehensive collection of technology and exhibitors ever seen at Mexico events. This year, there was a host of feature content for visitors to enjoy and absorb, as well as many opportunities to share knowledge and best practice.

The World Wrap Masters returned to FESPA Mexico 2014 for an action packed three days with 16 teams competing against each other to be crowned ‘Wrap Masters’. This year the teams had the added difficulty of wrapping not just cars, but mannequins, toilet seats and speakers. The feature was a popular show attraction and on the final day, Jim Miller of the USA and Phil Aqen of Canada were declared the winners.

The Connect Conference proved there is a strong appetite for sharing information and best practice in Mexico. The conference, which provided a global line-up of speakers, constantly drew in the crowds. Seminar highlights included 3D printing, POP innovation and outdoor advertising.

Garment Central, hosted by garment guru and FESPA favourite Charlie Taublieb, provided visitors interested in textile printing and garment decoration with workshops on screen and textile printing, including hands-on sessions and demonstrations.

The top designs from FESPA Mexico’s t-shirt competition, which ran prior to the event, were displayed onsite. The winning design went to Oscar Cruz Becerril, whose zombie t-shirt design received the most public votes.

Exhibitor feedback reinforced the positive vibe throughout the event, with exhibitors pleased with the optimism and buying potential of visitors.

Brian Phipps, V.P. & General Manager, Mutoh America Inc., provides his thoughts on the event: “Traffic was great, very busy. We received hundreds of leads from all over Latin America and we took deposits on several of our new Mutoh printers during the show. That is always a good sign when qualified attendees are willing to spend money on the show floor.”

Mark Vasilantone, President, Vastex Intl., comments: “Fantastic visitors on all three counts – quantity, quality, and geographic spread. We generated nearly 600 good qualified leads, and are in the process of qualifying several new dealers – these were our objectives for the show, and we have achieved both.”

Hugo A. Álvarez González, Gerente General, Sumiprint, summarised his time at FESPA Mexico 2014: “The traffic to our stand was wonderful. We generated good leads and got many new contacts. We will be participating at FESPA Mexico 2015.”

Ivan Carrozzo, Americas Sales Manager, MS Printing Solutions, comments: “FESPA Mexico 2014 was great. The level of visitors was high and with keen interest in new technology.”

Xavier Niebla O’Gorman, Operations and Technical Director, Delta E Cero, S.A. de C.V., adds: “FESPA Mexico 2014 was the best marketing platform to launch a new product to the market, customers had a first-hand look of the machine and were ready to buy.”

Chantal Purcelle, Marketing Projects and Events, Gildan, notes her experience of FESPA Mexico 2014: “I can’t say enough good things about the FESPA Mexico 2014 event. We had a great show this year with plenty of traffic and we are confident that this will turn into increased sales for the Gildan brand.”

Group Exhibition Manager at FESPA, Michael Ryan comments: “FESPA Mexico 2014 continues to grow each year. Visitors’ energy and excitement didn’t falter throughout the three days. It’s great to see the optimism flow through the halls in Mexico City, the relationships we’ve built and developed with our existing and new exhibitors over the seven years has helped the show grow and develop.

“We’ve already had incredible demand for space for FESPA Mexico 2015 from our 2014 exhibitors, as well as global brands who missed out securing a space at this year’s event. We are now focusing on the year ahead and providing the Mexican and Central American print communities with many more opportunities to develop and grow their businesses.”

Posted September 9, 2014

Source: FESPA Mexico
 

Buhler Quality Yarns Corp. Taps PJ McCord As New Sales Executive

JEFFERSON, Ga. — September 3, 2014 — Buhler Quality Yarns Corp. has brought on PJ McCord as the newest addition to its renowned sales team. McCord brings his experience to Buhler after several successful years as the Global Sales Manager for Coats Plc, where he was directly responsible for sales to U.S. Brands who source, manufacture and contract business worldwide.

McCord is responsible for significant success in growing textile business between the U.S. and Latin American countries, developing key contacts and building strong partnerships with garment producers across international borders. His work with sourcing and product development managers has delivered bills of materials which assure his clients’ products have been manufactured with the highest quality standards.

“We are very excited to have someone with PJ’s background and experience join the Buhler team,” said David Sasso, vice president of sales, Buhler. “His contacts within the garment manufacturing business are a strong addition and compliment to the total supply chain knowledge Buhler Quality Yarns has established. We look forward to introducing PJ to our loyal partners throughout the industry.”

Posted September 9, 2014

Source: Buhler Quality Yarns
 

Looking Ahead: Preparing For A Global Economy

The economy of the last several decades can be described in a single word: global. With the development of the European Union and enhanced trade agreements around the world, the market can be easily described as moving in the direction of international coordination. Rooted in the history of Royal Ten Cate NV as an international company, TenCate Protective Fabrics of North America has recognized this trend and strategically focused a portion of its efforts on growing its global business development.

Supported by still rapidly growing success in the domestic market, TenCate Protective Fabrics confidently introduces its proven products along with specialized products to the global market through representatives and sales offices in the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and the Asia Pacific region.


TenCate Protective Fabrics serves a global market with manufacturing facilities, sales offices and representatives in the Americas, Europe and Asia.

TenCate’s Team
While promoting the advantages of TenCate products, the international business development team also places priority on learning about the various international environments and the specific needs for protective materials in each territory. With a deep understanding of the motivations and true needs of the end-users in a particular region, TenCate Protective Fabrics works to provide specific innovative solutions that address the environmental conditions and cultural preferences for the region. A solution may sometimes be a current offering of the company or, in other cases, an adaptive solution suited to the particular requirement.

Tailoring Comfort And Protection And Performance
Australian Fire Service brigades presented an interesting challenge with regards to desired attributes in an outer shell to address high temperatures of the environment and a need for optimal flexibility. After discussions with end-users and turnout manufacturers in the region, TenCate developed Gemini® XTL to satisfy this demanding requirement. The fabric is a lighter-weight alternative turnout fabric for markets that face hot and/or humid conditions that make comfort a more serious issue Firefighting brigades in Australia and New Zealand now have an outer shell specifically engineered to ensure their protection and comfort while they safeguard their communities.

In developing regions, there have been a number of requests for an antistatic fabric to combat local risks in daily activities. End-users in those areas displayed a great deal of interest in TenCate Tecasafe® Plus; however, they expressed the need for an antistatic component. Internal conversations then led the way to the introduction of TenCate Tecasafe Plus StaticSHIELD, which was geared toward the new end-users and furthered the mission of creating a global brand.

Living Up to the Standard
International expansion brings new opportunities every day to exercise inventive problem-solving as TenCate Protective Fabrics advances into unfamiliar markets and grows with emerging markets. For example, as a country or region develops a unique set of standards, TenCate responds by dedicating resources to certify its own product line to the specifications in support of the individualized safety standard. These activities result in an internationally certified product line equipped to protect end-users around the world. Additionally, as a well-known market leader, TenCate Protective Fabrics is looked upon by companies in new safety markets as a source of the most up-to-date information and resources in personal safety.

The support of in-house research on test methods, investigation of new technologies and innovation of creative solutions make international growth possible at TenCate Protective Fabrics. “Teamwork is a crucial component to international growth,” said Chris Corner, senior director of international business development. “Without the strong network of finance, technical, operations, human resources, customer service and marketing departments, efforts aimed at international development would fall short.”

Leading The Way
As the world is constantly developing and the flame-resistant fabric community is becoming stronger through global initiatives and enhanced communication, TenCate Protective Fabrics is demonstrating leadership and commitment to innovation through facilitating adaptive growth and promoting its specialized products on an international forum.

September/October 2014

Focusing On Innovation

In any technological industry where innovation carries real weight, companies have to be careful not to get bogged down in clichés and buzzwords at the expense of real achievements. TenCate Protective Fabrics of North America puts achievement first. It would be all too easy to talk about thinking outside the box or exploring a new paradigm shift, but real innovation isn’t borne out of a need to enhance or embellish a corporate image, it’s borne out of the needs of the market. The technical textiles market brooks little embellishment and looks down on unkept promises about performance and protection.

“When someone’s safety is at stake, there’s no room for smoke and mirrors or snake oil. Results speak louder than promises and sales pitches,” said Mike Allen, senior director of marketing. “Protecting people is what TenCate Protective Fabrics does, and the company has the experience to do it right.”


Seventy percent of all firefighters in the United States wear turnout gear made with TenCate’s inherently flame-resistant outer-shell fabrics.

Southern Mills Heritage
Originally founded in 1925 as Southern Mills, based in Union City, Ga., the company was privately owned. Southern Mills had worked closely with Ten Cate Protect, the industrial fabric business of Royal Ten Cate NV, on several joint projects through the years, until it was decided that Royal Ten Cate would acquire Southern Mills. The sale was completed in 2004, and Southern Mills became TenCate Protective Fabrics of North America.

As a division of Royal Ten Cate, which is headquartered in Almelo, the Netherlands, TenCate Protective Fabrics can tap a well of textile technological knowledge that remains virtually unmatched in a worldwide market. TenCate Protective Fabrics holds more than two dozen patents and has a long history of cutting-edge achievement. The company maintains four manufacturing facilities, all within an hour of the corporate office in Union City.

TenCate Protective Fabrics has a history that reaches back 90 years in textile manufacturing. From its founding in 1925, the company began to make new advances and establish a foothold in the textile market. Starting with fabric for automotive seat covers, TenCate then provided fabrics for the dry-cleaning industry for use in ironing pad covers and presses. By using heat-resistant fabrics for these applications, the company began moving toward the more technically advanced flame-resistant (FR) fabrics that were yet to come.

“For 45 years, TenCate Protective Fabrics has been in the business of engineering, testing and manufacturing FR fabrics for firefighters, industrial workers, military personnel and other first responders,” said Daniel Hauert, president, TenCate Protective Fabrics. “Over those years, the company has gained the knowledge and honed the skills required to become the world’s leading supplier of inherently FR fabrics.”


TenCate Defender® M fabrics have provided the U.S. military with a viable FR solution to protect combat troops from serious burn injuries in the field.

Markets Served
TenCate Protective Fabrics serves the emergency-response, industrial, and military markets. The Commercial division handles the emergency-response and industrial markets, while TenCate Defense and Tactical handles military sales.

Fire service FR fabrics are the backbone of commercial sales for TenCate. In the industrial market, new fabrics like TenCate Tecasafe® Plus have made huge headway in challenging the stagnation and complacency of an industry that still relies on old textile technology for protection. For the military market, TenCate Defender® M has provided a unique solution combining FR protection with comfort.

A First In Turnout Gear
Today, 70 percent of all firefighters in the United States wear turnout gear made with TenCate outer-shell fabrics. The company works hard to make sure that firefighters are well-protected in the harsh conditions they must face.

It was in 1969 that TenCate became the first company to make protective aramid fabrics for the fire service, and the focus on FR began in earnest. The next year, the company became the first manufacturer to supply outer-shell FR fabric, to a fire department in Cleveland. After great success with outer shells for the fire service, TenCate began to quilt and sell spunlaced aramid thermal barriers for use in firefighter turnout gear. In 1982, it began supplying flame-resistant, protective fabric for U.S. Forest Service garments to be used by wildland firefighters.

TenCate continued to develop new and exciting fabrics for turnout gear, including such well-known and trusted fabrics as Kombat™, comprising a blend of DuPont™ Kevlar® and PBI®; and Advance™, a blend of Kevlar and DuPont Nomex®. More traditional fiber blends gave way to newer and more inventive combinations that set the bar a bit higher with each new product. Names like TenCate Ultra™ blend with Kevlar, Gemini™ XT with PBI and Kevlar, and Millenia™ XT Kevlar and polybenzobisoxazole (PBO) became synonymous with protection.

TenCate has always had a firm hold in the fire service market, but other avenues of exploration have been open as well. Taking advantage of a state-of-the-art laboratory and testing facility, the company has made a habit of innovation. By continually seeking out new and better fiber blends that would satisfy the needs of the market, fabrics have been developed that could be very highly specialized for specific end-uses.

Flash Protection
The industrial market demanded FR fabrics that were lighter and cooler but would still provide protection. TenCate responded with the development of Tecasafe Plus, a truly smart and innovative textile that provided FR protection from flash fire and arc flash hazards. By using natural fibers from a completely sustainable source and creating a unique blend, Tecasafe Plus became a one-of-a-kind FR solution that gave linemen, oil and gas workers, and electrical technicians the protection they needed and the comfort they demanded.

“Tecasafe Plus was a giant leap forward in the design and manufacture of inherently FR textiles, said Charles Dunn, Ph.D., senior director of product innovation. “By opening the door to new ideas and fresh approaches, TenCate showed the market that there is more than one way to skin a cat.”

DefendingTroops With Defender® M
For the military market, expansion is survival. Fabric developments that result from input straight from the end-users ensure that the products TenCate makes will answer definite needs in the marketplace. When U.S. forces in Iraq and Afghanistan began encountering improvised explosive devices, the Department of Defense realized there was a problem. The U.S. armed forces had no experience in dealing with serious burn injuries in the field and needed a viable FR solution. TenCate Defender M, a blend comprising predominantly Lenzing FR® cellulosic fiber reinforced with para-aramid and nylon, has been shown to reduce second- and third-degree burns by 30 to 45 percent when compared with FR fabrics containing modacrylic or cotton/nylon blends.

“Most importantly, the Defender M FR ACU is saving soldiers’ lives,” said Lt. Col. John Lemondes, U.S. Army Product Manager, Clothing and Individual Equipment. “I am proud to consider TenCate a partner in our efforts to provide soldiers with the best clothing and individual equipment possible.”

Gains In Comfort
Tecasafe Plus, Defender M and other TenCate FR fabrics now offer Coolderm™ Technology. “Fabrics with TenCate Coolderm™ Technology contain the right balance of hydrophilic and hydrophobic fibers, making moisture management easier on the wearer and keeping them cooler and drier,” said TenCate Performance Fabrics Group Director Don Olsen. “It has become a cross-market innovation that is used in all three segments: fire service; industrial; and military.

“TenCate will continue to focus on producing technical textiles that make protection and comfort inseparable,” Olsen added. “The goal is to create a concept in the market that TenCate is synonymous with all these key attributes in FR fabrics.”

September/October 2014

TTU Researchers Develop Super-absorbent Cotton Mat

Researchers at Texas Tech University (TTU), Lubbock, Texas, have engineered an absorbent mat using low-grade cotton that can collect up to 50 times its weight in oil. Seshadri Ramkumar, Ph.D., Department of Environmental Toxicology, TTU, led the research project, assisted by doctoral student Vinitkumar Singh. Scientists from Cotton Incorporated, Cary, N.C., as well as researchers from TTU’s departments of Mechanical Engineering and Environmental Toxicology also participated. The team tried to develop a fundamental understanding behind the effect of fiber structure and basic cotton characteristics on oil sorption capacity of unprocessed raw cotton, as well as examine the basic mechanisms behind oil sorption by nonwoven cotton webs.

The project was initiated following the 4.9 million-barrel crude oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010. “This incident triggered our interest in developing environmentally sustainable materials for environmental remediation,” Ramkumar said. “In this study, we have used low-grade cotton as well as mature cotton, and it was observed that low-grade cotton performs better than regular mature cotton in the oil sorption capacity.”

The research team hopes to bring the cotton batts to market within 12 months.

September/October 2014

TENCEL® Jumbo Plant Comes On-Line

Lenzing Group, Austria, has begun production at its TENCEL® jumbo manufacturing facility in Lenzing, Austria. The 150 million-euro facility, the largest worldwide, is now ramping up production, which is expected to be fully implemented within the originally planned 24-month timeframe.

“We are optimistic that we will be able to achieve the planned production target of 30,000 tons by the end of 2014,” said Lenzing COO Friedrich Weninger. “This new TENCEL® facility is decisive to ensure the long-term viability of fiber production at the Lenzing site and the basis for future investments in all markets.”

The production line at the new facility, which employs 140 workers, has an annual nominal production capacity of 67,000 tons and enables Lenzing to raise total annual Tencel production capacity from 155,000 tons to some 220,000 tons. The company reports that the startup of the facility provides expansion opportunities for its customers in the textile and nonwovens segments alike, in addition to enabling development of new applications including technical applications.

September/October 2014

Bayer MaterialScience Debuts INSQIN™ Coating Solution

Bayer MaterialScience, Germany, now offers INSQIN™ technology for solvent-free production of polyurethane (PU) leather and other PU coated fabrics, which are used to make shoes, bags and apparel. Brand owners may work with Bayer technicians on the company’s pilot lines in China and Germany and use the INSQIN technology in the design and development of products with improved environmental performance.

Bayer expects INSQIN particularly will benefit Chinese PU fabric makers, which produce 90 percent of the 4 billion-plus square meters of PU leather produced annually. The solvent-free technology reduces coating process water usage by up to 95 percent and energy usage by up to 50 percent.

Bayer’s INSQIN Partner Manufacturer Program includes a list of manufacturers that comply with its  technology application standards.

September/October 2014

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