Kraig Biocraft Laboratories Signs Landmark Agreement In Vietnam’s Silk Production Capital

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — April 8, 2024 — Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc. (“the Company” or “Kraig Labs”), announces today that it has signed a landmark agreement with the Vietnam Sericulture Association (“VSA”). As part of this agreement, the Company disclosed its production plans and schedule for the next twenty-four months to the VSA to obtain cooperation in reaching its production targets. This agreement establishes a collaborative working effort between the Company and the VSA, something the Company has been actively working towards for some time.

Under the terms of the agreement, in addition to support and advice on production logistics, the VSA has agreed to assist the Company in obtaining formal intellectual property registration of its BAM-1 hybrid silkworm strain in Vietnam.

This definitive agreement strengthens the collaboration between the Company and the VSA, building on and expanding the Memorandum of Understanding announced on January 30, 2024. This landmark agreement establishes the framework and much of the logistical support needed for the Company to achieve metric-ton levels of production.

“This agreement is the culmination of many years of work with various governmental and non-governmental agencies to demonstrate our technology and its potential,” said Company founder and CEO, Kim K. Thompson. “This new relationship with the VSA underlines our commitment to South East Asia and, we believe, significantly strengthens our position as we scale up production. With this agreement finalized, we are now working jointly with a capable partner to see that vision fulfilled.”

“We have been following developments at Kraig Labs for many years and are very happy now to be working directly with them,” said Dr. Le Quang Tu, President of the Vietnamese Sericulture Association. “We believe that Kraig’s technology will have a significant positive impact on our industry. They have applied a thoughtful, step-by-step approach. Now, we will take a step together.”

The Company’s CEO remains in Vietnam, overseeing operations directly. Kraig Labs anticipates that Thompson will provide additional announcements and updates regarding the Company’s accelerating progress over the coming weeks.

Posted: April 8, 2024

Source: Kraig Biocraft Laboratories, Inc.

Genuine Parts Co. (GPC) Announces The Appointment Of James F. Howe To The Position of President, Motion

James F. Howe Appointed President, Motion

ATLANTA — March 21, 2024 — Genuine Parts Co., a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today that its board of directors has appointed James F. Howe to the position of president, Motion, the company’s industrial business, effective April 1, 2024. With nearly three decades of dedicated service to the company, Howe brings a wealth of experience and expertise to his new role.

Most recently, Howe served as the executive vice president and chief commercial and technology officer, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the corporate trajectory of Motion. His leadership in overseeing eCommerce, strategic pricing, sales excellence, corporate accounts and human resources has been instrumental in driving the company’s success.

In his new capacity, Howe will continue to report to Randy Breaux, Group president, GPC North America.

“James has an impressive history, having served in numerous executive roles during his long career at Motion,” said Paul Donahue, chairman and CEO. “His extensive experience makes him an excellent choice to lead Motion. We feel confident that under James’s leadership, our talented and experienced Motion team will continue to achieve great results.”

Posted: April 8, 2024

Source: Genuine Parts Company

Universal Fibers® Revolutionizes Interior Design With Its High Bulk | Low Weight Fiber Innovation

BRISTOL, Virginia — April 8, 2024 — Innovation has always been at the heart of Universal Fibers® operations, driving the company to continually push boundaries in the realm of interior design solutions. With more than 50 years of expertise, Universal Fibers® proudly highlights a breakthrough in fiber technology: High Bulk | Low Weight, a game-changing innovation poised to redefine the industry landscape.

Years of meticulous research and development have culminated in High Bulk | Low Weight, a proprietary finishing capability that merges technical prowess with cutting-edge technology. This innovation introduces a highly bulked fiber with voluminous coverage at significantly lower weights than the industry average, setting a new standard for luxurious texture and aesthetic appeal.

“Our commitment to innovation drives us to rethink what’s conventional and develop solutions that not only enhance design possibilities, but that also offer tangible benefits to our customers and to the environment itself,” said Steve Barrett, director of Global Product Development at Universal Fibers.

Beyond its striking visual appeal, High Bulk | Low Weight technology presents a multitude of advantages. By requiring approximately 20 percent less fiber per square meter, it delivers substantial cost savings and reduces environmental impact. Furthermore, its lower energy consumption during production translates to decreased CO2 emissions, aligning with sustainability goals. “Reduced fiber content can also translate to easier maintenance and faster cleaning, providing long-term conveniences for end-users,” Barrett said.

As Universal Fibers continues to pioneer innovation in the interior design industry, High Bulk | Low Weight technology stands as a testament to the company’s unwavering commitment to excellence, sustainability, and customer satisfaction.

Posted: April 8, 2024

Source: Universal Fibers, Inc.

The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) Celebrates Inaugural Career Night: Students, Emerging Professionals Connect with Leading NYC-Based Architecture & Design Firms

NEW YORK — April 8, 2024 — The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter (IIDA NY) is proud to share that 75 design students and emerging professionals participated in the chapter’s inaugural Career Night last month. Held at the Teknion Showroom in Manhattan, the event brought together esteemed principals and other professionals from leading New York City-based architecture and design firms to offer mentorship and career guidance to attendees.

The Career Night, conceived by IIDA NY’s Student Development committee, featured individual portfolio reviews, professional mock interviews, a headshot studio, fireside-style career growth-focused forum discussions and networking opportunities. “Our inaugural IIDA NY Career Night was a resounding success!” said Elisabeth Mejia, Co-Vice President of IIDA NY’s Student Development committee. “We’re delighted with the level of engagement and look forward to hosting another Career Night in 2025.”

Robin Reigi, Co-Vice President of IIDA NY’s Student Development committee, added, “This event provided students and emerging professionals with an opportunity to connect with and learn from architecture and design professionals. Networking is crucial, especially in today’s job market, and we’re so grateful for the face-to-face interactions, professional development and career exploration provided by participating firms in New York City.”

Leading architecture and design firms included AECOM, Canoa Supply, Corgan, EwingCole, Gensler, HKS, HLW, HOK Architects, IA Interiors,  MKDA, Perkins&Will, Rockwell Group, Stantec, Taller KEN, Ted Moudis Associates, TPG, Vocon and Ware Malcomb.

IIDA NY’s Student Development Committee would like to thank its sponsors for the Career Night, which included: Robin Reigi Inc., Kimball International, Vitra, Teknion, CertainTeed, and Formica®Laminate. Additionally, the chapter would like to acknowledge annual benefactors such as MillerKnoll, COR, NARBUTAS, Benhar Office Interiors and WB Wood who offered their professional expertise.

At the event, the Student Development Committee orchestrated a poignant tribute to honor Alexandria Davis, President of IIDA NY, for her invaluable support of Career Night. In honor of Alex’s late mother who was an educator, the committee provided free books to the attendees. “I was fortunate to grow up in a family that understood the value of education and the transformative impact in shaping young minds,” said Davis. “The next generation of designers deserves an opportunity to connect and learn from the top minds in the industry. We’re so grateful for this valuable resource.”

For more information about the Student Development Committee, please visit https://iidany.org/education/student-development/.

Posted: April 8, 2024

Source: The International Interior Design Association’s New York Chapter

Precision Textiles Garners Attention At ISPA Expo With Launch Of Products

FARIFIELD, N.J. — April 8,2024 — Precision Textiles successfully exhibited at the International Sleep Products Association (ISPA) Expo in March. The company captivated attendees by introducing four cutting-edge technologies, which garnered attention from attendees for their commitment to advancing Fire Retardant (FR) solutions to the sleep products industry.

With a focus on innovation and quality the company’s newest products stood out for their superior performance and potential to reshape the future of sleep technology.

Among the highlights of the company’s exhibition was the introduction of IQFIT Flex, a patented FR material known for its ability to better maintain mattress comfort and enhance sleep performance in mattress designs. This versatile material can be transformed into a variety of FR solution products, including traditional FR socks, open width format for laminating to mattress fabrics, or with the company’s patent pending IQFIT Glass Free NOSO Sock. The NOSO Sock garnered additional attention for its ability to streamline the assembly process, reduce costs and increase throughput by eliminating the need for traditional sewing, stapling or gluing techniques.

IQFIT Comfort also made its inaugural debut. This specially engineered FR inherent textile was designed for use by both mattress manufacturers and cut and sew cover suppliers and is perfectly positioned toward the promotional, residential and hospitality markets.

Building on its partnership with REPREVE® the company also showcased its ENDURE IFR and ADVANTAGE SB non-woven products. Every 100-yard roll of these products includes REPREVE recycled performance fiber that is made from 228 recycled water bottles. As a result, Precision Textiles will eliminate more than 20 million plastic water bottles from waste streams on an annual basis.

Attendees at the Expo were visibly impressed by the company’s pioneering use of REPREVE in its nonwoven products and its environmentally conscious implications.

The enthusiastic response from attendees reaffirmed the company’s position as an industry leader committed to delivering cutting-edge solutions that enhance comfort, safety and sustainability in the sleep products market. Company experts engaged with attendees through interactive demonstrations and informative presentations including showcasing the company’s PRESERVING the PLANET corporate initiative and video.

“Mattress producers attend ISPA EXPO to learn about new products, gather new ideas and connect with people,” said Scott Tesser, CEO of Precision Textiles. “We saw a robust flow of traffic through our booth including a steady stream of high-caliber executives who were eager to hear about our offerings and were impressed with our products and the solutions they offer. Being lauded for our dedication to pushing the boundaries of textile engineering is rewarding for our team. It cements our reputation as a trusted innovator and pioneer in the industry.”

Posted April 8, 2024

Source: Precision Textiles

Margasa Recycling Joins Allertex of America

CORNELIUS, N.C. — April 8, 2024 — Allertex of America Ltd., a supplier of nonwoven and recycling solutions in the United States and Canada, is excited to announce that it has signed an agreement with Margasa to represent its machinery in the United States and Canada.

Margasa has more than 50 years of experience with engineering projects for textile recycling and nonwovens.

Its experience in these fields has allowed Margasa to export to more than 40 countries, reaching a position of international leadership.

From simple edge trim and fiber preparation to multi-cylinder tearing lines as well as baling systems Margasa offers solutions to cover a variety of needs.

Together, Allertex and Margasa look forward to a great future serving the industry providing solutions and ensuring customer satisfaction.

Posted April 8, 2024

Source: Allertex of America

Storm Creek Outdoor Athleisure Wear To Exceed 50 Million Plastic Bottles Upcycled By End of 2024

MINNEAPOLIS — April 4, 2024 — Storm Creek, a Minnesota company committed to giving back and producing an entire lifestyle apparel product line made from upcycled materials, is poised to hit a milestone of upcycling 50 million plastic bottles by the end of 2024. In addition, the company has expanded its Sustainability School, is planning major donations to charitable partners, and is hosting an Eco Festival on April 19.

“Every day is Earth Day and Storm Creek,” said Teresa Fudenberg, CEO and owner of Storm Creek. “We are committed to making high-quality, long-lasting sustainable athleisure wear and educating our industry about the detrimental impact of “fast fashion” and how investing in eco-friendly apparel care should be a priority.”

Storm Creek provides logo-emblazoned apparel to companies nationwide and to national parks and resorts in North America. The company also sells directly to consumers through its website and retail partners. Each item sold at Storm Creek is specially labeled to include the number of plastic bottles upcycled to make it.

“Ninety percent of S&P 500 executives cite sustainability as important and logoed items like apparel have long been a powerful tool for brand promotion and connection,” Fudenberg said. “By making sustainable choices, businesses can align their promotional strategies with values that resonate with environmentally conscious consumers reinforcing a positive brand image while contributing to a more sustainable future.”

Storm Creek, a brand founded in 2006, started a sustainable sourcing initiative in 2016 and quickly committed to converting its entire line to eco-made. In addition, the company is dedicated to giving back to nonprofits and has contributed $2 million to charitable causes. It plans to donate $5 million by 2030.

In 2021, Storm Creek launched a Sustainability School that has educated hundreds about the excessive waste in the apparel industry to date. This month, they will teach hundreds of promotional product distributors across North America in person and through online webinars. The company is also hosting a Storm Creek Sustainable Style Sweepstakes. The winner will get a $1,000 shopping spree to build an eco-made capsule wardrobe.

“The logoed merchandise business is a $26 billion industry,” Fudenberg said. Our Sustainability School educates on the importance of sustainable sourcing and eco-minded disposal of end-of-life products. The good news is that the industry as a whole currently has sustainability top of mind, and they want to ensure they are aligned with corporate end buyers’ goals for sustainability.”

On Friday, April 19, Storm Creek will host an eco festival at its Eagan headquarters. The event will feature food trucks, discounts, special bargain bin deals, mystery boxes, clothing donations, and plastic bag recycling stations. The company will also give away national park passes and Grandma’s Marathon race entry passes.

Posted: April 5, 2024

Source: Storm Creek.

Epson Increases Production Efficiency And Productivity For Textile Print Shops With Two New Industrial Dye-Sublimation Printers

LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. — April 2, 2024 — The digital textile market has seen rapid growth in recent years and is projected to grow to nearly $3.4 billion in 2024, with a portion of that growth due to the implementation of digital workflows. To help support this increasing demand, Epson today announced two new industrial SureColor® F-Series dye-sublimation printers engineered to achieve both industrial reliability and round-the-clock productivity at a low total cost of ownership. The new models, the SureColor F11070 and SureColor F11070H, are highly productive printers that offer an optional large roll media unwinder, and the SureColor F11070H features an expanded ink set to support high-volume print shops.

Engineered to achieve both industrial reliability and round-the-clock productivity at a low total cost of ownership, the SureColor F11070 and SureColor F11070H dye-sublimation printers consistently produce astounding-quality textiles, apparel and more to support the increasing demand within the digital textile market.

“The textile industry is dynamic and Epson is at the forefront, empowering providers with reliable, cutting edge technology. This commitment ensures that our clients can adapt to changing textile trends, meet market demands, optimize their operations, and deliver exceptional results,” said Lily Hunter, product manager, Professional Imaging, Epson America. “The Epson SureColor F-Series sets the benchmark for textile printers, offering unmatched reliability and exceptional image quality. These new high-speed industrial models are built for productivity, enabling round-the-clock production for print shops. With its user-friendly interface and low maintenance requirements, it empowers users to concentrate on their printing tasks, driving efficiency and productivity for industrial customers and high-volume web-to-print businesses.”

As part of Epson’s most advanced dye-sublimation printer series to date, the SureColor F11070 features four 4.7″ PrecisionCore® TFP®printheads, and the SureColor F11070H includes six printheads, to deliver roll-to-roll performance at speeds up to 2,700 sqft/hr and 2,635 sqft/hr,2 respectively. Designed with versatility in mind, both models consistently produce astounding-quality textiles, apparel and more using vibrant UltraChrome® DS ink technology.

For an expanded color gamut, the SureColor F11070H leverages six color inks with multiple ink configurations available.3In addition to Fluorescent Pink/Fluorescent Yellow and Light Cyan/Light Magenta configurations, a new Orange and Violet ink set extends the range of printable colors possible with dye-sublimation.

To maximize efficiency and minimize downtime, both new industrial printers include user-replaceable printheads, a hot swappable ink delivery system, high-capacity Replaceable Ink Pack System that holds up to 20L of ink per color, and an optional large roll media unwinder to help ensure long print runs with less user intervention.

More about the SureColor F11070 and SureColor F11070H 

The new industrial printers offer breakthrough productivity for high-volume apparel and décor printing. Additional features include:

  • Seamless workflow – Powerful Epson Edge® Print workflow software featuring Adobe® PDF Print Engine
  • Engineered for predictable, reliable performance – Advanced auto paper-tension control and a fabric printhead wiper enable simple, uninterrupted production
  • Epson Cloud Solution PORT®4 – Provides live production monitoring of registered printer fleet status, including production rates and printer utilization
  • Performance-optimized for Epson DS Transfer Papers – Choose from a variety of Epson transfer papers available for purchase
  • World-class support – Fully supported by Epson, with service plan options that are tailored to your business needs

Availability

The SureColor F11070 and SureColor F11070H are now available for purchase. For additional information, visit www.epson.com/industrial-dye-sublimation-printers.

Posted: April 5, 2024

Source: Epson America, Inc.

NILIT Goes Circular With SENSIL® Flow: Enabling Nylon Recycling Through Products And Partnership

MIGDAL HAEMEK, Israel — April 2, 2024 — NILIT, the global market leader, and a producer of high quality Nylon 6.6 for apparel and owner of the SENSIL® brand, introduces SENSIL® Flow, a new approach to Nylon 6.6 circularity that enables yarn, fabric, and, ultimately, apparel recycling to eliminate waste and further reduce apparel’s environmental impact. SENSIL® Flow is more than just a sustainable performance product. It is an innovative approach that engages the entire supply chain to truly attain circularity through product design and partnership.

“Our mission to create a more sustainable textile industry requires a shift in mindset throughout the value chain,” says Ilan Melamed, NILIT General Manager. “SENSIL® Flow represents an out-of-the-box approach that directly enables yarn and fabric recycling and lays the groundwork for apparel recycling and is part of a broader circularity mission for NILIT. Such a significant industry transformation can only be attained through deep partnerships that create innovative products and processes, visionary designs, and a collaborative reconfiguration of the value chain itself.”

“According to industry experts, more than 90 million tons of apparel end up in landfills each year,” says Michelle Lea, NILIT’s Chief Marketing and Sustainability Officer. “Only about a fifth of discarded clothing is reused or recycled. The SENSIL® Flow approach eliminates waste throughout the production chain and enables brands to design apparel that lasts longer and, at the end of an extensive life, can be more easily recycled.”

Today, apparel recycling is constrained by the complexity of sorting and separating materials before they can be recycled back to their original components, Garments made with blended fibers and fabrics are especially difficult to recycle.

NILIT’s new SENSIL Flow approach engages the entire textile supply chain to reduce waste throughout, increase the use of recycled content, and ultimately enable apparel recycling with long-lasting garments thoughtfully designed using new mono-component premium SENSIL Flow Nylon 6.6. Graphic – Business Wire

The SENSIL® Flow approach addresses these obstacles on multiple fronts. First, SENSIL® Flow is a yarn that delivers a mono-component fabric with comfort stretch that can be considered as an alternative to elastane in certain end uses. Engineered to provide inherent elasticity and recovery properties, SENSIL® Flow creates comfortable, stretchable performance fabrics for the casual and lifestyle segments. These beautiful fabrics have excellent color absorption and exquisite 3D effects while at the same time making post-consumer recycling possible. Pure premium Nylon 6.6 yarns, fabrics, and garments are easily recycled using a process that requires no additional chemicals and generates minimal CO2 emissions.

Additionally, NILIT partners with recycling experts to facilitate the efficient recovery and recycling of fabric waste and post-consumer fabrics and clothing that would otherwise end up in a landfill or incinerator. These partners are expected to create high quality recycled Nylon chips that can be reintroduced into NILIT’s Nylon fiber spinning process, resulting in high quality outputs, as well as other engineering plastics. Certificates will validate circularity and provide transparency and accountability for partners committed to building a circular textile economy.

Celebrating 50 years of excellence, NILIT offers a comprehensive collection of premium Nylons designed to empower the apparel industry’s shift to a more sustainable position. NILIT launched industry-first SENSIL® ByNature made using bio-gas from reclaimed landfill waste. SENSIL® BioCare is enhanced with a special technology proven to help lessen the persistence of textile waste in sea water and in landfills. SENSIL® EcoCare, crafted with recycled Nylon, improves circularity and LCA. SENSIL® WaterCare with embedded color saves up to 100% of the water used in the traditional wet dyeing process. Plus, the complete SENSIL® portfolio of products is manufactured according to NILIT’s Total Product Sustainability criteria. These responsible yarns give designers the beautiful, environmentally considerate performance fabrics they need to create apparel collections that respond to consumer demands.

Posted: April 5, 2024

Source: NILIT

Panda Biotech Announces Commercial Operations Have Begun At Its Flagship Panda Hemp Gin

DALLAS — April 3, 2024 — Panda Biotech™ announced today that commercial operations have officially begun at the Panda Hemp Gin, their landmark industrial hemp processing facility in Wichita Falls, Texas. The 500,000-square-foot building situated on 97 acres is the first of its kind and the largest in the Western Hemisphere, with the capacity to process 10 metric tons of industrial hemp into textile-grade fiber, hurd, short-fiber/hurd mix, and nutrient-rich micronized hurd per hour. It is a zero-waste process, utilizing every part of the industrial hemp stalk, and operates solely on 100 percent renewable energy, making it a paragon of sustainability in the industry.

Panda Hemp Gin is a 500,000-square-foot building situated on 97 acres with the capacity to process 10 metric tons of industrial hemp into textile-grade fiber, hurd, short-fiber/hurd mix, and nutrient-rich micronized hurd per hour. Photo – Business Wire

The Panda Hemp Gin is fully operational, and production will continue to ramp up in the coming months. In February, the complex commissioning process of Panda’s 600-yard-long processing line and three miles of overhead pneumatic duct lines, including each piece of equipment for decortication, refining, blending, mechanical cottonization, hurd bagging and storage, and baling, was successfully completed.

“Panda Biotech’s state-of-the-art industrial hemp processing facility is a monumental achievement and a game-changer for both agriculture and industry,” said Dixie Carter, president of Panda Biotech. “As research and development in this area continue to advance, industrial hemp fiber and cellulose will help transform numerous industries with sustainable goals and challenges. Panda’s industrial hemp will play a pivotal role in satisfying significant global market demand for renewable processes and products.”

Industrial hemp is considered one of the most versatile raw materials available with an unmatched variety of potential uses. The Panda Hemp Gin will focus on providing five main product lines from hemp, including mechanically cottonized fiber, decorticated fiber, hurd (cellulose), short-fiber/hurd mix, and nutrient-rich micronized hemp dust. The innumerous applications for each product vary broadly from consumer and industrial textiles, non-wovens, paper products, bioplastics, biofuel, animal bedding, fiberglass substitute, construction materials such as hempcrete, mulch, insulation, and more.

With a commitment to traceability and processing only U.S.-grown hemp straw, as well as providing an astounding pay-to-grow program, Panda’s partnership with the American farming community is at the heart of the operation. Industrial hemp provides a multitude of benefits for producers, as it is scientifically proven to minimize CO2 emissions, absorbing more per acre than any forest or commercial crop. Additionally, hemp requires significantly less water than most major crops, provides outstanding soil remediation, and requires minimal fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides. Panda is actively contracting with producers for its pay-to-grow program for this harvest and with farmers who may have straw or fiber from previous harvests or the 2024 growing season. Interested producers can reach out to Panda through the website at pandabiotech.com.

“The massive scale of the campus, allowing more than 22,000 pounds of baled hemp straw for processing per hour, is what makes this industrial hemp processing facility unique,” said Scott Evans, chief operating officer of Panda Biotech. “Our straw is sourced directly from our farming partners in Texas and surrounding states, and, through our decortication process, it is transformed into packaged products, ready for retail or downstream manufacturing applications, within minutes. Panda’s processing equipment and infrastructure is truly best-in-class.”

Posted: April 5, 2024

Source: Panda Biotech, LLC

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