Australia- and Greer, S.C.-based specialty chemicals and solutions developer Alexium International Group Ltd. — holder of proprietary patent applications for Reactive Surface Treatment (RST) technology — has introduced two flame-retardant (FR) treatments for use on cotton and synthetic-cotton blends in the upholstery and furnishings market: BACTRON™, a fabric back-coating that is applied to one side of the fabric; and OMNITRON™, a topical treatment package that is impregnated into the fabric.
Alexium reports both treatments are easily applied using traditional textile processing equipment and are compatible with many other finishing agents such as antimicrobials and stain repellents. In addition, Bactron and Omnitron are free of halogen, formaldehyde and heavy metals; will not melt or drip and are self-extinguishing; are durable and launderable; do not significantly alter a fabric’s appearance and/or hand; and meet international FR standards.
June 3, 2014
Alexium Introduces BACTRON™ And OMNITRON™ For Upholstery And Furnishings
SDL Atlas Introduces ThermaRate™ Thermal Barrier Test Apparatus
SDL Atlas — a Rock Hill, S.C.-based provider of textile testing instruments — has introduced the ThermaRate™ Thermal Barrier Test Apparatus for measuring the burn injury protection provided by fabrics in protective clothing for first responders, military and industrial applications. The instrument can replicate the effects of fabrics that are close to fires or extreme heat sources but not necessarily engulfed in a fire, as simulated by the Thermal Protective Test (TPP) described in National Fire Protection Association NFPA: 1971 Standard on Protective Ensembles for Structural Fire Fighting and Proximity Fire Fighting.
The ThermaRate features an automated computer-controlled system with a closed-loop controlled infrared radiant heat source, shutter, fabric sample holder, heat flux gauge and skin simulant sensor, as well as a PC-based data acquisition system with burn injury algorithms. The system allows the user to select the radiant heat flux level at the fabric sample, the irradiation time, and the air gap between the fabric sample and sensors; and choose to use a skin simulant tester or heat flux gauge output in the burn injury algorithm. After the user has selected the input values, placed a fabric sample in the holder, and initiated the sequence, the automated digital data acquisition system records the temporal data and provides graphical outputs during and after the test along with automated archival storage and a green/red indicator on the computer screen indicates whether the fabric has passed or failed the test based on whether the burn injury is below or above second-degree burn injury level in virtually real time.
The instrument may be used for research and development as well as for repetitive use in quality assurance applications.
June 3, 2014
INDA Acquires INSIGHT Conference From Marketing Technology Service, Inc.
CARY, N.C. — May 29, 2014 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has purchased the INSIGHT International Conference from Marketing Technology Service, Inc. (MTS) and will combine the long-standing event with its VISION Consumer Products Conference. Both events have focused on the absorbent product and disposable hygiene market segments.
The combined INSIGHT + VISION conference will be the largest of its kind in the industry and deliver greater value to attendees and exhibitors. The event is expected to draw attendees from around the world with an interest in buying, supplying or manufacturing absorbent products, high-performance fabrics and nonwovens in consumer products. It will continue to feature high-level business and technical presentations, networking opportunities, social events, tabletop exhibitions and award recognitions.
The acquisition, approved by the INDA Executive Committee and its Board of Directors, closed on May 29. Terms were not disclosed. Based in Kalamazoo, Michigan, MTS will continue to operate its other lines of business, including other nonwovens conference events, airlaid production facilities, consulting, testing equipment, product and material testing, market research and publishing, which are not part of the sale.
Jim Hanson, Director of MTS, commented, “I started INSIGHT in 1979 and it has been held every fall since then at many locations in North America. It’s had a consistent following of senior-level international delegates that we consider to also be our friends. So, as we organize and look forward to INSIGHT 2014, we won’t be saying goodbye to the industry — just shifting our focus. MTS will continue to sponsor Executive Short Courses and Absorbent Product Design Symposiums in Michigan, as well as continuing its Nonwovens Technology and other absorbent product conferences located outside of the Americas.”
“We will operate our final MTS INSIGHT this Oct. 19 to 23 in Indianapolis. As INDA merges its VISION conference with INSIGHT, starting October, 2015, I encourage our loyal following to support this new consolidated industry event. I look forward to INSIGHT + VISION advancing the interests of those in the absorbent products and disposable hygiene space.”
INDA President Dave Rousse added, “INSIGHT is a well-established, long-running event primarily serving the absorbent hygiene market, as is our own VISION conference. We are delighted to be able to combine these two respected industry events to create a single, larger and more impactful conference that streamlines the event calendar, consolidates attendee travel dollars, and better serves our members and the industry.”
INDA’s acquisition of INSIGHT has a significant impact on the event calendar for nonwovens and hygiene products overall. Below is a summary of these changes in the 2014-2015 time frame:
- INSIGHT 2014 will take place as scheduled in Indianapolis, IN on Oct. 19-22 and will be organized by Jim Hanson and MTS, as previously planned; there will be no change to that event this year and INDA will provide promotional support.
- INDA’s VISION 2015 Conference, currently scheduled in Miami, FL, Feb. 9-12, will be moved to the Oct. 26-30, 2015 time slot in St. Petersburg, FL and combined with INSIGHT.
- INDA’s growing RISE (Research, Innovation, and Science for Engineered Fabrics) Conference currently scheduled for this Sept. 8-11 in Atlanta, GA will be moved to the VISION calendar slot and held Feb. 9-12, 2015 in Miami, FL.
Rousse added, “These are major changes to the industry event calendar that we believe will simplify and enhance the value of both VISION + INSIGHT and RISE. We encourage support of this year’s INSIGHT event in October, and added support for the movement of RISE out of a crowded fall slot into its own space in 2015. Once settled, we believe this sequencing of events offers a better value to the industry we serve.”
Posted June 3, 2014
Source: INDA
ICAC: World Trade To Decline For Second Season
WASHINGTON — June 2, 2014 — The volume of cotton traded internationally is expected to decline by 8% to 8.1 million tons in 2014/15, driven by reduced shipments to China from a record of 5.3 million tons in 2011/12 to an anticipated 2.1 million tons 2014/15. While the increased volume of trade benefited many exporting countries and farmers, it did not reflect improved demand for cotton. In 2011/12 when imports increased by 26% to 9.8 million tons, world consumption decreased by 7% to 22.8 million tons, the smallest consumption since 2003/04. While consumption is forecast to increase by 3% to 24.2 million tons in 2014/15, it remains below the level seen in the seven years before international cotton prices spiked.
In 2011/12, China implemented its policy of buying domestic and imported cotton for its national reserve and consequently became a large importer of cotton. Since 2011/12, the high price of cotton in China hurt its spinning industry, but helped the spinning industry in other countries, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In 2012/13, the season after China’s implementation of its new cotton policy, India’s consumption grew by 12% to 4.8 million tons and is expected to grow by 7% to 5.4 million tons in 2014/15. Similarly, Pakistan’s consumption grew by 9% to 2.4 million tons in 2012/13 and is forecast to grow by 3% to 2.6 million tons in 2014/15. Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam also experienced similar growth in 2012/13 in consumption and should continue growing in 2014/15, though at a slower rate. In contrast, China’s consumption fell by 4% in 2012/13 to 8.3 million tons and is expected to fall by 1% in 2014/15 to 7.8 million tons.
In 2014/15, exports from Greece and the CFA zone are forecast to rise by 6% and 3%, respectively. However, exports from other large producing countries are expected to decrease in 2014/15. The United States’ exports are expected to decrease by 1% to 2.6 million tons while Australia’s exports are expected to decrease by 23% to about 800,000 tons. Additionally, India, the second largest exporter, could see a decrease of 21% to 1.1 million tons in 2014/15 as more of its cotton is consumed domestically.
World ending stocks are forecast to increase by 12% in 2013/14 to 20 million tons, and then to expand by another 5% in 2014/15 to 20.1 million tons. Additionally, ending stocks outside of China are expected to increase by 7% to 9.1 million tons in 2014/15 as China will be importing less of the surplus production than in the last 2 seasons. The projected accumulation of cotton stocks will weigh on international cotton prices in 2014/15, particularly as more stocks will be held outside of China.
Posted June 3, 2014
Source: ICAC
ICAC: World Trade To Decline For Second Season
WASHINGTON — June 2, 2014 — The volume of cotton traded internationally is expected to decline by 8% to 8.1 million tons in 2014/15, driven by reduced shipments to China from a record of 5.3 million tons in 2011/12 to an anticipated 2.1 million tons 2014/15. While the increased volume of trade benefited many exporting countries and farmers, it did not reflect improved demand for cotton. In 2011/12 when imports increased by 26% to 9.8 million tons, world consumption decreased by 7% to 22.8 million tons, the smallest consumption since 2003/04. While consumption is forecast to increase by 3% to 24.2 million tons in 2014/15, it remains below the level seen in the seven years before international cotton prices spiked.
In 2011/12, China implemented its policy of buying domestic and imported cotton for its national reserve and consequently became a large importer of cotton. Since 2011/12, the high price of cotton in China hurt its spinning industry, but helped the spinning industry in other countries, such as India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam. In 2012/13, the season after China’s implementation of its new cotton policy, India’s consumption grew by 12% to 4.8 million tons and is expected to grow by 7% to 5.4 million tons in 2014/15. Similarly, Pakistan’s consumption grew by 9% to 2.4 million tons in 2012/13 and is forecast to grow by 3% to 2.6 million tons in 2014/15. Bangladesh, Indonesia, and Vietnam also experienced similar growth in 2012/13 in consumption and should continue growing in 2014/15, though at a slower rate. In contrast, China’s consumption fell by 4% in 2012/13 to 8.3 million tons and is expected to fall by 1% in 2014/15 to 7.8 million tons.
In 2014/15, exports from Greece and the CFA zone are forecast to rise by 6% and 3%, respectively. However, exports from other large producing countries are expected to decrease in 2014/15. The United States’ exports are expected to decrease by 1% to 2.6 million tons while Australia’s exports are expected to decrease by 23% to about 800,000 tons. Additionally, India, the second largest exporter, could see a decrease of 21% to 1.1 million tons in 2014/15 as more of its cotton is consumed domestically.
World ending stocks are forecast to increase by 12% in 2013/14 to 20 million tons, and then to expand by another 5% in 2014/15 to 20.1 million tons. Additionally, ending stocks outside of China are expected to increase by 7% to 9.1 million tons in 2014/15 as China will be importing less of the surplus production than in the last 2 seasons. The projected accumulation of cotton stocks will weigh on international cotton prices in 2014/15, particularly as more stocks will be held outside of China.
Posted June 3, 2014
Source: ICAC
IVL Acquires PET Resin Producer In Turkey
BANGKOK, Thailand — June 3, 2014 — Indorama Ventures Public Company Limited (IVL), the World’s leading vertically integrated Polyester Value Chain producer, has acquired 100% of Artenius TurkPET, based in Adana, Turkey. Artenius produces PET resin and has 130,000 tonnes of capacity.
“Our thrust continues to be to shape the businesses of IVL to grow profitably and to deliver attractive returns to our shareholders across cycles,” says Group CEO Aloke Lohia. “Indorama leadership in the PET value chain will provide significant synergies to TurkPET in order to deliver above average returns. Turkey and its encompassing region is a fast-growing market and our investments in Turkey are part of a well-defined strategy to bolster our global leadership and competitive advantage. We expect to make further follow-on investments in this thriving economy of 76 million consumers to replicate what we have built in Thailand as we see a similar opportunity to fully leverage on all our products portfolios.”
Turkey is an attractive market with a deeply urbanized economy enjoying high PET demand growth. Its Eurasian location provides ease of access to Central Asia, Middle East, North Africa and Southern Europe via excellent land and sea infrastructure.
“We are impressed by the quality of the present management team at Artenius TurkPET and together we will be looking to expand sales into this new geographical area to better serve the domestic and regional markets. Our domestic presence in key large markets helps us to grow with our global brand clients in that region,” Mr. Lohia said.
The acquisition of Artenius Turkpet comes on the heels of an announcement on April 9, 2014 that Indorama Ventures will acquire 51% of Istanbul-listed Polyester Sanayi A.Ş (SASA).
Both SASA and Artenius Turkpet are situated adjacent to each other and this will lend further synergies to the deals.
Posted June 3, 2014
Source: Indorama Ventures
INVISTA’S CORDURA® Brand Expands Performance Denim Line with New Innovations
WICHITA, Kan. — June 2, 2014 — INVISTA’s durable CORDURA® brand fabric, in collaboration with Artistic Milliners, a leader in global denim technologies, launches new denim innovations with technical performance features that include thermoregulation, moisture management, water repellency, and enhanced tear resistance. These new additions add to existing CORDURA® Denim fabrics with stretch and para-aramid properties.
Rugged CORDURA® Denim fabric helps hard-working jeans last longer than traditional 100 percent cotton denim. Based on an intimate blend of cotton and INVISTA’s T420 nylon 6.6 fiber, CORDURA® Denim fabric offers the authentic look and comfort of cotton denim, but with added abrasion resistance and toughness.*
“Today’s lifestyles trends are expanding the boundaries for denims. CORDURA® Denim fabric helps consumers push their performance with inherent technical capabilities such as thermoregulation features as well as exceptional abrasion resistance,” said Cindy McNaull, global CORDURA® brand marketing director. “We look forward to a new, innovative generation of durable performance denims for apparel, including thermoregulation and waterproof denim solutions for hiking, skiing, rock climbing, snowboarding, motorcycling and urban cycling.”
New fabric innovations from Artistic Milliners include durable denims with thermoregulation functionality to enhance warmth or cooling properties when needed. These denim fabrics contain fibers with a specially engineered cross-section that helps to move moisture away in hot climates as well as hollow core fibers to help provide insulation for added comfort on colder days. Other durable performance denims in the CORDURA® Denim fabric collection feature technologies designed to channel moisture and enhance airflow.
The latest CORDURA® Denim performance fabrics from Artistic Milliners include:
- AMX-706C — durable 11 oz (382 gm2) CORDURA® Denim fabric with thermoregulation capabilities.
- AMS-1110D — durable 9 oz (300 gm2) CORDURA® Denim fabric with thermoregulation capabilities.
- AMS-1110B — durable 10oz (321 gm2) stretch CORDURA® Denim fabric incorporating hollow core fibers for insulation comfort AMS-1110E – durable 10oz (321 gm2) stretch CORDURA® Denim fabric incorporating specially engineered fibers that help move moisture away as well as hollow core fibers to help provide insulation.
- Waterproof CORDURA® Denim fabric incorporating three-ply laminate technology.
- CORDURA® Denim fabrics incorporating para-aramid fibers for enhanced fabric tear strength in applications such as motorcycle apparel.
*Martindale testing based on 13.75 oz denim fabric.
Posted June 3, 2014
Source: Invista
RLM Updates FashionManager™ Software
Lyndhurst, N.J.-based RLM Apparel Software Systems Inc. reports it has added capabilities to its FashionManager™ Web-based enterprise software that will streamline and improve showroom, production and financial processes for apparel, footwear, accessories, and related brands and retailers.
New and updated features include: full integration with the Authorize.Net® credit card payment gateway, allowing for automatic credit card authorization and wholesale order capture; tools for downloading order selection and upcoming sales orders to Microsoft® Excel® spreadsheets; new sales reporting tools including Time Phased Cut and Sold, which helps forecast potential oversold positions, and Monthly Sales Analysis, which reports year-to-date sales by customers compared to the same year-earlier period; and new Cut to Demand capability, which streamlines finished goods orders to production based on sales order bookings.
RLM plans to add other features, including a Financial Report Writer, which will allow for customizable columns and rows within financial statements; and ACH Wire Payments, which will streamline the wire payment process by storing bank instructions and directly communicating payment from the Accounts Payable application.
June 3, 2014
Gildan Set To Begin Construction On Mocksville Spinning Plant
Montreal-based branded basic apparel maker Gildan Activewear Inc. will soon begin construction on its new yarn-spinning plant in Mocksville, N.C., investing $30 million more in the project than was originally announced in late 2013 (See “Gildan To Expand U.S. Manufacturing,” TextileWorld.com, November/December 2013).
Gildan now expects to invest a total of $142 million in its Mocksville site. It has purchased 113 to 114 acres of land and will increase the size of the plant from 650,000 square feet (ft2) to 700,000 ft2. The company also will purchase additional new spinning equipment for the plant. It expects to break ground on the project in the next few weeks. Once fully operational, the plant is expected to employ approximately 290 workers.
Other U.S. expansion plans announced previously by Gildan are unaffected by the expanded plans for the Mocksville site. The company’s first yarn-spinning facility in Salisbury, N.C., began operations in February, and construction on the second Salisbury facility is underway. In addition, refurbishment and modernization of Gildan’s Clarkton, N.C., and Cedartown, Ga., plants will soon be completed.
May 27, 2014
Highland Industries Adds Composites Division
Technical textiles manufacturer Highland Industries Inc., Kernersville, N.C., is investing $8.25 million to establish a 62,000-square-foot composites operation in Statesville, N.C., and create 29 jobs.
The Composites Division, which will be completely separate from the company’s other operations, will manufacture preforms using braiding as well as all standard textile processes. According to David Barger, product manager, composite structures, the preforms will be available to customers to finish in their own facilities, but Highland also will produce completed composite structures. “Most fabrics will be processed using resin transfer molding (RTM) or fusion. We have also developed a process to braid prepreg tow, so we’ll be advancing that technology as well,” he said.
The new division will manufacture parts and assemblies primarily for aerospace, automotive, industrial and sporting goods applications. Materials processed will include carbon fiber, aramid and fiberglass, among other composite materials.
The company has hired David J. Branscomb, Ph.D., to oversee research and development of braids and engineered composites. Branscomb, who received his doctorate from Auburn University, has developed and patented an innovative braided open-structure technology that produces a very strong trellis- or lattice-type structure. Highland now owns the associated patents, and Barger said the technology has generated interest particularly in the aerospace and automotive sectors.
The Statesville facility will house $4 million in new equipment including braiding and filament winding machinery, autoclaves, ovens and Gerber cutting tables, among other machinery. All braiders will be equipped with robotic controls. The facility is expected to be 90-percent operational by August and fully operational by October.
Highland Industries is a subsidiary of Japan-based Takata Corp., a Tier 1 automotive supplier that has more than 50 companies in 20 countries on five continents.
May 27, 2014
