CARY, N.C. — May 5, 2014 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, has been recognized for its environmental stewardship with a 2014 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Environmental Merit Award for a public awareness campaign that successfully reduced the amount of non-flushable baby wipes found in the wastewater system in Portland, Maine.
 
INDA was lauded for its outstanding efforts in preserving New England’s environment with the award for the campaign, “Save Your Pipes: Don’t Flush Baby Wipes.” The award was presented to INDA during ceremonies on Earth Day, April 22, in Faneuil Hall, Boston, Mass.
 
The campaign, a joint effort with the Maine Wastewater Control Association (MWWCA) and Portland Water District, included television and print ads, social media as well as supermarket signage. Initial post-campaign survey results showed the campaign led to a 50 percent reduction in baby wipes found in the wastewater systems with additional studies on the environmental impact continuing.
 
Dave Rousse, INDA President, said, “Being selected as the recipient of the 2014 EPA Environmental Merit Award is an honor and great recognition of this collaborative campaign and INDA’s efforts over the past decade to reduce the amount of non-flushable material in the wastewater stream.”

In presenting the award, Patricia Aho, Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Commissioner for the State of Maine, said the campaign represented a first of its kind collaboration in North America by three entities to address this environmental consumer, municipal and industry issue.
 
“Treatment operators have told the Maine DEP that with the sales of wipes and new products growing exponentially, consumers can be confused by which ones can be flushed or not, leading to clogs,” said Commissioner Aho. “Our wastewater treatment operators who are truly on the front lines of environmental protection are facing more and more of these challenges every day. INDA is playing an important role in a creative and innovative solution to a national problem.”
 
The wipes category represents a $6 billion dollar industry that is growing 4-5 percent annually. The development of new flushable wipes is contributing almost 10 percent of the industry growth. INDA has been leading the nonwoven industry’s efforts to build awareness for the proper disposal of nonwoven materials designed to be flushed and those that are not. 
 
According to a recent study by INDA and Maine wastewater entities, materials found on pump station inlet screens consisted of non-flushable paper, like hand towels or napkins (46 percent); non-flushable baby wipes (18 percent); non-flushable feminine hygiene products (13 percent); non-flushable household wipes (14 percent) and wipes labeled as flushable (8 percent).
 
INDA, with its industry association partner in Europe, EDANA, jointly introduced the Third Edition Guidance Document for Assessing the Flushability of Nonwoven Disposal Production in June, 2013. The associations not only strongly urge that products pass these guidelines before being labeled as flushable, they also developed a voluntary Code of Practice that urges a “Do Not Flush” logo to use on product packaging of wipes that are not designed to be flushed.

INDA was among 26 recipients honored for contributing to improving New England’s environment with the annual merit awards that have been given out since 1970.

Posted May 6, 2014

Source: INDA

GREENSBORO, N.C. — May 1, 2014 — International Textile Group, Inc. (“ITG”) announced today that Joseph L. Gorga, President and Chief Executive Officer, has announced his plans to retire from the Company effective May 31, 2014, having served as President and Chief Executive Officer since the Company’s formation in 2004. In connection with Mr. Gorga’s announcement, the Board of Directors has appointed Kenneth T. Kunberger as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer effective May 1, 2014. Mr. Kunberger has served as the Company’s Chief Operating Officer since December 2011 and has also been with the Company since its formation.

Mr. Gorga will assist Mr. Kunberger in a transitional capacity through May 31. Mr. Gorga will also retire from the Board of Directors on June 30, 2014.

Gorga’s distinguished career in the industry, spanning over forty years, included service with Milliken and Company in a variety of executive roles and service as Chairman and CEO of CMI Industries prior to joining Burlington Industries in 2002. He was named President and CEO of Burlington upon its acquisition by WL Ross & Co. in 2003. Gorga was named President and CEO and a member of the Board upon ITG’s formation in 2004. Throughout his career, he has been a proponent and strong supporter of the textile industry, having previously served as a director and vice chairman of the American Textile Manufacturing Institute (ATMI) and chairman of the National Textile Association (NTA).

“Joe was instrumental to the Company in its formation, integration activities, international development and transition to its role today as a preeminent supplier of technology and innovation in the industry supply chain,” said Wilbur L. Ross, Chairman of ITG’s Board of Directors. “With his leadership during these past ten years, ITG is now positioned for continued growth in many key areas. I appreciate Joe’s contributions, leadership, and his development of a strong management team poised for the opportunities we have going forward. I know that everyone within the ITG organization and in the Greensboro community will join me in wishing him well.”

Kunberger joined Burlington Industries in 1998, having previous experience with Liz Claiborne in New York, where he held a number of management positions in sales and marketing, merchandising and operations, and with VF Corporation, where he held various executive positions for VF Licensed Jeanswear and Marithé et Francois Girbaud, a fashion jeans company.

At Burlington, Mr. Kunberger served in various executive capacities in its sportswear, denim, and apparel businesses.

Upon the formation of ITG, Mr. Kunberger served in a number of executive positions with increasing levels of responsibility. From his position as President of Burlington WorldWide, he was subsequently named President of ITG’s Apparel and Specialty Fabrics Group, where he assumed responsibility for the Cone Denim business and its operations in the U.S., Mexico, and China. He was subsequently named Chief Operating Officer.

In addition to his duties to ITG, Mr. Kunberger also serves on the Industry Advisory Board of the North Carolina State University School of Textiles.

“Ken has made many contributions to the Company in his previous roles, and we believe he is the right person to lead ITG as it moves to expand its brand, product, and customer bases,” said Joe Gorga. “Ken’s past experiences and skills, along with his passion for the Company’s businesses and products, will be invaluable as ITG continues to build upon its heritage as the preeminent supplier of innovative products in its various marketplaces.”

Said Wilbur L. Ross, “We are very pleased to have Ken as President and CEO and look forward to his leadership as ITG embarks on the many opportunities it has as the product and innovation leader in its marketplaces. We value his past contributions to the Company, to Burlington, and to Cone Denim, the leadership he has provided in the growth of the denim business, and are excited about the possibilities for the future as he leads the Company into the next chapter.”

Posted May 6, 2014

Source: ITG

CARLSBAD, Calif., and KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia — April 28, 2014 — Verdezyne, Inc., a privately held industrial biotechnology company focused on producing renewable chemicals, has negotiated key terms for an investment of $48 million led by Malaysian multinational conglomerate, Sime Darby Berhad. The initiative was launched in a ceremony on Monday, April 28, at the Ritz-Carlton in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, attended by United States President Barack Obama, Malaysian Prime Minister Dato’ Sri Najib Razak, Verdezyne President and CEO E. William Radany, Ph.D., and Sime Darby Berhad President and Group Chief Executive, Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Mohd Bakke Salleh.

“It is an honor and a true privilege that both President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Najib Razak chose to attend our signing ceremony today,” commented Dr. Radany. “It speaks to the significance of this agreement for the renewable chemicals space and to strengthening ties between the U.S. and Malaysia. Moreover, it highlights the important environmental and geo-political benefits of replacing petroleum-derived materials with renewable sources. We hope that this agreement, and the technology development it will enable, can serve as a model for how the U.S. can lead the world in the development of environmentally-friendly products. Over the past year, with the invaluable assistance of the Malaysian Biotechnology Corporation, Verdezyne’s management team researched the oil palm industry extensively.  We believe that Sime Darby, with its commitment to sustainablity, is the perfect partner to help lead the revolution in renewable products in the U.S., Malaysia and beyond.”

The funds will be used to accelerate Verdezyne’s technology development in the U.S., and support various collaborative projects with Sime Darby’s newly-formed business unit, Sime Darby Renewables. Led by Sime Darby, this $48 million financing for Verdezyne was joined by existing investors BP Alternative Energy Ventures, DSM Venturing B.V., OVP Venture Partners, and Monitor Ventures.

“We could not be more pleased to be entering into this relationship with Verdezyne, and are truly honored that U.S. President Barack Obama took time out of his busy schedule to attend our joint signing ceremony today,” commented Tan Sri Mohd Bakke. “We see this investment as symbolic of stronger business ties between the two countries, and the beginning of a long-term partnership with Verdezyne. Sime Darby’s investment will accelerate the development of Verdezyne’s technology and create opportunities to leverage our sustainable palm based materials into higher-value downstream renewable products.”

Posted May 6, 2014

Source: Verdezyne Inc.

WASHINGTON — May 02, 2014 — The Department of Agriculture’s Foreign Agricultural Service is accepting through June 2 claims from eligible individuals or firms for distributions from the Pima Agriculture Cotton Trust Fund authorized by the farm bill enacted earlier this year. Such distributions, which will total up to $16 million per year for each of calendar years 2014 through 2018, aim to reduce the injury to domestic manufacturers resulting from tariffs on cotton fabric that are higher than tariffs on certain apparel articles made of cotton fabric.

Distributions out of the trust fund are payable to one or more nationally recognized associations established for the promotion of pima cotton for use in textile and apparel goods (25% of the total), yarn spinners of pima cotton that produce ring spun cotton yarns in the United States (25%), and manufacturers who cut and sew cotton shirts in the U.S. who certify that they used imported cotton fabric during calendar year 2013 (50%). To claim a distribution, eligible parties must submit a notarized affidavit affirming that they meet the statutory requirements, and shirting manufacturers and yarn spinners must provide definitive statements and supporting documentation verifying their eligibility. All claims, affidavits and supporting documentation for calendar year 2014 distributions are due no later than June 2.

Posted May 6, 2014

Source: Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg Trade Report