Wilmington, N.C.-based Guilford Performance Textiles will team with Red Bank, N.J.-based Concept
III Textiles to generate business opportunities with U.S. outdoor and activewear apparel brands.
The companies note that Asian supply chains still are important to U.S. brands, but in the light of
rising global transportation and manufacturing costs, garment production in the United States is
gaining some traction. Guilford and Concept III want to become an “Americas” solution for quality
knit fabrics offering Guilford’s bread and butter premium smooth surface knits, as well as
newly-developed unique knits featuring finishes for performance and appearance enhancements.

“Outdoor and active apparel has become everyday street wear around the globe,” said Chris
Parkes, partner and director of sales, Concept III Textiles. “Much of the volume is in poly/spandex
or nylon/spandex which Guilford offers in a collection of ‘top-of-the-line’ knits and has done so
here in the U.S. for over 65 years.”

“This partnership makes great sense,” said Devin Warren, director of sales and product
development, Guilford Performance Textiles. “Concept III brings with it decades of strong
relationships and performance fabric expertise, while Guilford is uniquely positioned to help
customers continue their trend of shifting sourcing back to this hemisphere.”

October 1, 2013

Lawrence, Mass.-based Polartec LLC has added a high-performance yarn blend to its flame-resistant
(FR) layering system to incorporate flash fire and arc flash dual-hazard protection. Originally
developed with the U.S. military and workwear markets and introduced in 2009, the second-generation
layering system features FR knits made using the high-performance yarn blend including a 25-percent
lighter Polartec® Power Dry® FR baselayer fabric; Power Stretch® High Efficiency grid fleece;
Polartec Thermal FR® double-velour fleece; and wind-, rain- and soil-resistant Polartec Wind Pro®
FR outerwear sweatshirt fleece. The system meets National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 2112
Flash Fire and NFPA 70E Arc Flash protection standards. Polartec reports all of its FR fabrics are
tested in state-of-the-art laboratories, with results confirmed by independent testing.

The same patent-pending technology also will be incorporated into Polartec Power Shield® FR
woven and soft shell fabrics currently in the late stages of development.

“After three years of research and development, we’re launching this new collection which we
feel offers the best combination of inherent flame resistance, performance, comfort and value on
the market,” said Michael Batson, senior business manager, Polartec, Professional Workwear and
Military.

October 1, 2013

GENEVA — September 30, 2013 — SGS provides a technical update on common water vapor permeability
testing methods and procedures for rainwear and other functional fabrics or textiles.

Many outdoor jackets or rainwear may be labeled with functional claims such as waterproof
breathable. The shell fabrics may be treated with finishes, coating or lamination to achieve the
waterproof breathable function. However, if an improper treatment is applied, it may reduce the
breathability and therefore inhibit the evaporation of sweat from skin, which may cause discomfort.
There are various methods used to assess the water vapor permeability of textiles. The tables below
summarize the common methods and their differences.



Comparison of Testing Methods for Water Vapor Permeability

ASTM E96

– Cup methods

– Upright cup for water permeable fabric

– Inverted cup for water impermeable fabric

JIS L 1099

– Cup methods

– Upright cup for water permeable fabric

– Inverted cup for water impermeable fabric (for single membrane method)

– Inverted cup for water permeable or water impermeable fabric (for double membrane method)

ISO 15496

– Cup method

– Inverted cup for water permeable or water impermeable fabric (double membrane method)

BS 7209

– Cup method

– Only upright orientation

– Cup is moving on a turntable

ISO 11092 / ASTM F1868

– Sweating hot plate method

– Simulate sweating skin

– Commonly applied to water impermeable fabric

Various Water Vapor Permeability Testing Methods and Procedures

Water Vapor Transmission ASTM E96, JIS L 1099,ISO 15496, Water Vapor Permeability (WVP), BS
7209 and differences between BS 7209 and other cup methods as well as differences between cup
methods and sweating hot plate methods are summarized within the latest Safeguards bulletin.



Posted October 1, 2013

Source: SGS

HELSINKI, Finland — September 30, 2013 — Suominen Corp. reshaped its corporate and management
structure and reorganized its operations to further accelerate the implementation of its strategy.
Through the changes, Suominen aims to achieve a more focused, transparent and agile operating
model, which enables the company to further strengthen its ability to generate new business.

“Reshaping the structure and operating model is an essential and at the same time logical
step in the strategic path we have chosen. To implement our strategy, and particularly its “In the
Lead” cornerstone, a significant change in our way of working is required. Among other important
objectives, we seek to speed up our capability to create new business and launch new products with
higher value add to the market. With the more focused and customer derived operating model, we
further enhance our ability to cater for specific customer needs and thereby accelerate both our
own and our customers’ business; and ultimately improve our profitability”, says Nina Kopola,
President & CEO of Suominen Corporation.

Nonwovens business unit will be divided into two business areas.

Suominen’s largest business unit, Nonwovens, will be divided into two new business areas,
Convenience and Care, as of 1 January 2014.

Convenience business area will focus on serving customers in wiping, travel and catering
businesses. Based on 2012 sales, the annual net sales of Convenience were approximately EUR 322
million. Care business area will focus on customers in medical and hygiene businesses. Based on
2012 sales, the annual net sales of Care were approximately EUR 36 million. Both Convenience and
Care will be reported under Nonwovens segment as of 1 January 2014. Factually, the content of the
Nonwovens segment is equal to that of the current Wiping segment.

Suominen’s other business unit, Flexibles, has been restructured in order to strengthen its
ability to serve its customers better and in a more efficient way. Flexibles will focus on four
businesses: bread packaging, tissue wrapping, retail carrier bags and special products. Flexibles
business area continues to be reported under Flexibles segment. The net sales of Flexibles were EUR
53 million in 2012.

Changes in the management model and in the Corporate Executive Team

The structural changes will have an impact on Suominen’s management model and to the
composition of the Corporate Executive Team of Suominen Corporation (CET), whose primary task is to
support the President & CEO in her responsibilities. As of 1 January 2014, the CET will include
the following members:

• Nina Kopola, President & CEO and Senior Vice President, Care (acting); Chairman of the
  CET;
• Tapio Engström, Senior Vice President, CFO;
• Timo Hiekkaranta, Senior Vice President, Convenience; new member;
• Olli E. Juvonen, Senior Vice President, Flexibles;
• Larry Kinn, Senior Vice President, Operations North America*; new member;
• Mimoun Saim, Senior Vice President, Operations Europe* and Sourcing (acting); new member; and
  
• Hannu Sivula, Senior Vice President, Human Resources.

The new members of the CET all have a long and versatile experience in the nonwovens
business and are promoted from within the current Suominen Nonwovens business unit. Timo
Hiekkaranta acts currently as the Vice President, Sales. Mimoun Saim acts as the Vice President,
Operations Europe and Sourcing and Larry Kinn as Vice President, Operations Americas and HSE.

A new body in the Suominen management model is the Corporate Leadership Team (CLT), which
will act as of 1 January 2014 as an extended management team supporting President and CEO in the
execution of strategic programs and creating functional expertise. In addition to the members of
the CET, the CLT will include the following persons:

• Anu Heinonen, Vice President, Corporate Communications & IR;
• Margareta Huldén, Vice President, R&D*;
• Roberto Pedoja, Vice President, Technology*;
• Timo Rautakorpi, Vice President, CIO; and
  
• Saara Söderberg, Vice President, Marketing & Product Management*.

The members of the CLT will report to Nina Kopola, President & CEO. The members marked
with an asterisk (*) will focus on Convenience and Care business areas.

In accordance with the company’s plans, Mr. Jean-Marie Becker would step aside as Executive
Vice President of Suominen Nonwovens and would, consequently, no longer be a member of the
Corporate Executive Team as of 1 January 2014. Suominen has already presented Jean-Marie Becker new
alternatives for his future career within the company.

Posted September 30, 2013

Source: Suominen Corp.

 

The Netherlands — September 30, 2013 — At METS 2013 (Marine Equipment Trade Show, 19-21 November in
Amsterdam RAI), DSM the producer of ultra high molecular weight polyethylene (UHMWPE), branded as
Dyneema®, will show how the world of yacht racing will be reaching levels of extreme performance
with the introduction of Dyneema® SK99, the strongest fiber ever made by DSM.

Edwin Grootendorst, Global Segment Director at DSM Dyneema said, “Cutting edge performance
in the world of racing yachts demands cutting edge products. Dyneema® SK99 is our latest innovation
for running rigging. Naval architects employ super computers and theoretical fluid dynamic modeling
software to ensure that racing boats can reach their maximum potential speed on all points of the
wind.

As any rigger, skipper or trimmer knows, transferring wind energy from the sails to the hull
is the job of the rigging. Poor performance rigging can make the difference between winning or
losing races and optimum power and acceleration is a matter of millimeters. When it matters,
Dyneema® SK99 will be there pushing boats faster; helping to win races and we are looking forward
to revealing the experience we are building with this exciting product.”

Dyneema® SK99 delivers the highest tenacity available in a light weight, polymer fiber to
date showing a 7% increase over SK90 and 20% over SK75 and SK78. This translates into thinner,
lighter weight lines than traditional ropes, or lines with the same diameter but with significantly
increased strength. The result is better performance from more compact rigging, which is lighter,
takes up less space, lowers resistance and increases speed. The modulus is 10% higher than SK90 and
35% higher than SK75 and SK78. This improvement in modulus translates into lower stretch, better
sail performance and thus faster possible boat response.

Running rigging made with Dyneema® is the product of choice on boats where it matters. Ropes
with Dyneema® are used on boats that range from the fastest, ultimate performance boats and round
the world endurance racers, to recreational yachts. It has proven to deliver results and retain its
properties over an extended lifetime and is not affected by the tough environment that can be found
around the oceans of our world.

The full range of Dyneema® products, including SK99, will be available for the complete
spectrum of yachts and their rigging needs through our licensed partners and can be seen at METS
2013 with the following selected yacht supply partners:

• Gottifredi Maffioli S.p.A
• Liros GmbH
• Marlow Ropes Ltd
• English Braids Ltd
• Geo Gleistein & Sohn GmbH
• New England Ropes Corp.
• Teufelberger
• Hampidjan hf
• Corderie Henri Lancelin

Posted September 30, 2013

Source: DSM Dyneema

Wichita, Kan.-based polymers, fibers and chemical intermediates producer Invista has acquired the
Netherlands-based polyester producer Advansa BV’s assets related to specialty polyester products
for apparel end-uses. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

As part of the acquisition, Advansa’s license from Invista to produce Coolmax® and
Thermolite® branded products for the European, Middle Eastern and African markets has reverted to
Invista; and Invista also has acquired Advansa’s ThermoCool™ brand plus related Duoregulation™
technologies and key staff. Going forward, Invista will market and promote these brands and
technologies globally, and expects to be able to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of its
business development activities for its apparel textile clients.

Advansa retains its branded home textiles fiberfill business, specialty fibers businesses for
nonwovens and paper markets, and its manufacturing facility in Germany.

September 24, 2013

DALTON, Ga. and SOUTH PITTSBURG, Tenn. — September 23, 2013 — Berkshire Hathaway’s Shaw Industries
Group, Inc. will invest at least $40 million and hire more than 25 new associates in South
Pittsburg, Tenn., to meet the growing demand for its Epic® engineered flooring product.

“Marion County could not be more pleased to see the commitment of additional capital
investment and new jobs being created by Shaw in our county. We greatly appreciate the confidence
the company has shown in our citizens and community by announcing this expansion in South
Pittsburg,” said Marion County Mayor John Graham.

South Pittsburg Mayor Jane Dawkins noted, “We are excited about the growth of Shaw in our
city and look forward to continued involvement with them as a good corporate partner. This
expansion project is a confirmation of the company’s long term commitment to South Pittsburg,
Marion County and the State of Tennessee.”

The expansion will add more than 60 percent capacity to the existing hardwood manufacturing
facility. Construction is set to begin in late 2013 and is the latest in Shaw’s efforts to expand
and enhance its hardwood manufacturing. Plant HW, which currently employees 200 associates, has
already grown by 65 associates this year as a result of Shaw increasing the number of shifts it is
operating at the facility.

“Tennessee has the best balance sheet in the country and the kind of business friendly
environment where incumbent companies like Shaw Industries Group, Inc. can feel confident to
reinvest and further their growth,” Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
Commissioner Bill Hagerty said. “I want to thank Shaw Industries Group, Inc. for being a valued
corporate citizen and appreciate these new jobs they will create for Tennesseans.”

The announcement represents the company’s continuous efforts to adapt to market demands and
preferences. Shaw transformed this former yarn plant into one of the most sophisticated and
technologically advanced hardwood flooring manufacturing facilities across Shaw’s entire portfolio
– and the largest engineered flooring facility of its kind in the world. Additionally, in recent
months, the company implemented $26 million in technology and automation to improve efficiency,
cost, safety, material yield and waste reduction improvements at its hardwood facilities in
Tennessee, North Carolina and South Carolina.

“The expansion of the South Pittsburg hardwood operation is an important component in our
overall hardwood strategy. By investing in this plant and our other hardwood facilities, we are
enhancing our ability to offer the widest product mix, the most innovative design, and the greatest
quality and service to our customers,” said Shaw Chairman and CEO Vance Bell.

Since entering the hardwood flooring business in 2006, Shaw has become the second largest and
fastest growing hardwood manufacturer in the market. Producing hardwood flooring under the Shaw,
AndersonTM and Zickgraf brands, the company operates nine hardwood facilities, including Plant HW,
where it manufactures its Shaw Epic engineered hardwood.

This is the latest in a series of expansion announcements from Shaw, which recently unveiled
plans for a new carpet tile plant in Adairsville, Ga., opened a carpet tile plant in China to serve
the Asian market, and announced the expansion of its distribution and extrusion operations in
northwest Georgia.

Posted September 24, 2013

Source: Shaw Industries

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. —September 20, 2013 — AATCC has developed a new digitally-printed
Stain Release Replica for use with AATCC Test Method (TM) 130, Soil Release: Oily Stain Release
Method. The new Stain Release Replica was developed by the Association’s RA56 Stain Release
Committee Task Force, which conducted testing of the replica across six different labs.

 

The study demonstrates that the new replica provides results comparable to those obtained
using the previous AATCC Stain Release Replica scale.  The overall standard deviation for the
new replica was lower than that for the previous replica, suggesting less variability and more
discrete determinations. Similarly, the range of individual values for the new replica (minimum to
maximum) was narrower than the range from the previous replica, suggesting better precision or less
scatter.

 

Labs using this test method should remember that it is important to replace the stain
release replica every 12 months and to store the replica in the dark to prevent fading, as
recommended in TM 130.

 

AATCC sends a grateful thank you to the following laboratories that participated in the
development of the new Stain Release Replica:  SGS Consumer Testing Services, Manufacturing
Solutions Center, Hanesbrands Inc., Cintas Corporation, Cotton Incorporated, and 3M.



Posted September 24, 2013

Source: AATCC