Kaumagraph Acquires BKT

Kaumagraph International Ltd. — an Ontario-based manufacturer of specialty heat transfer technology
for the textile industry — has acquired heat transfers manufacturer British Kaumagraph Transfers
(BKT), United Kingdom. The acquisition is expected to increase Kaumagraph’s capabilities and
reinforce its position in Europe and the Middle East.

“Purchasing BKT has provided us with much of the infrastructure and manpower to sustain our
growth,” said Ken Dunlop, president and CEO, Kaumagraph International. “We can now turn our
attention toward expansion in developing markets.”

Kaumagraph reports significant growth in business over the past 18 months, specifically with
large denim brands. The company expects continued growth over the next 12 to 18 months and plans to
expand its facilities in Asia and Central America.

January/February 2013

Dilo Reports 2012 Successes

Germany-based nonwovens machinery manufacturer DiloGroup reports that the year 2012 was the most
successful in its 110-year history.

Following the engineering of the 10,000th machine by Oskar Dilo Maschinenfabrik KG by the end
of 2011, the group delivered several wide-working-width production lines for geotextiles
applications. It also reported activity in other application areas including floor covering,
automotive and filtration; and delivered fiber preparation and web-forming lines to be used in the
production of hydroentangled nonwovens.

The group produced and shipped Di-Loom PMF lines weighing more than 900 metric tons, noting
that the machines are the largest in the world.

January/February 2013

FORMAX Begins Knowledge Transfer Programme With Prestigious Nottingham University Polymer Composites Group

LEICESTER, United Kingdom — January 23, 2013 — FORMAX, a leading global manufacturer of carbon
fibre and speciality reinforcements, has entered a knowledge transfer programme with the
internationally acclaimed Polymer Composites Group. The Group operates within the Materials,
Mechanics and Structures Research Division of Nottingham University and focuses on the processing
and performance of thermoset and thermoplastic matrices.

This collaboration between FORMAX and the Nottingham University Polymer Composites Group has
been facilitated through the Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTP) scheme, a UK wide initiative
that helps businesses improve their competitiveness and productivity through the better use of
knowledge, technology and skills. The two year project aims to develop a comprehensive material
characterisation capability and advanced simulation methodology for composites. The programme will
have a strong automotive focus.

“We are always searching for new innovations. To be working alongside such a prestigious and
experienced team of researchers is fantastic. Over the coming year, we intend to invest time and
resource into our product development and R&D functions to ensure we deliver the next
generation of reinforcements to our customers”, comments Oliver Wessely, Managing Director of
FORMAX UK Ltd.

Posted on January 29, 2013

Source: Formax

Spinners Anticipate A Solid First Half

Spinners reported a slight dip in orders at the beginning of the year, but, generally, they remain
optimistic that business will stay strong through the first months of 2013.

“We experienced a little bit of a falloff,” said one spinner, “but that’s not unusual for
the time of year. It is not uncommon for customers at the start of a new year to pause to take
stock of where they are and assess what their needs are going to be. I think all of the signs point
to a strong first quarter, particularly for ring-spun (RS) yarns. Overall, we feel pretty good
about where we are.”

Another spinner added: “A lot of us in the States operated on a full schedule through the
holidays. But a number of mills in Central America shut down for two weeks over the holidays. That
has made for a buildup of inventory in the pipeline and, as a result, new orders have been slower
coming in. The last few weeks have not been as robust as the last couple of months, but we expect
it to pick up by the end of January. We see no reason why the first part of 2013 will not be as
solid as the last half of 2012.”


Increased Demand For All Yarn Types


Spinners expect RS yarns to continue to be in high demand for the foreseeable future. “Some
customers have switched programs over from open-end (OE) to RS, and we continue to see some
programs return from Asia,” said one yarn broker. “We have reached the point over the past few
years where RS demand and capacity are relatively aligned. With that being the case, any spike in
demand is going to result in longer lead times and shorter supplies. RS yarns were hard to come by
in the last quarter of 2012, and we expect that to continue to be the case going forward, at least
for the short-term.”

Buyers report, as well, increased activity in OE yarns. “Prices are still all over the
place,” said one industry observer,” but demand for OE is somewhat stronger than it has been. The
past several years have been relatively slow for OE. With increased global demand, we hope to see
continued improvement.”

Some specialty yarn spinners report robust business, as well. “We’ve been selling everything
we can make,” said one specialty spinner. “We expect business to continue to be strong through the
first part of the year.”


Pricing Pressures Remain; Cotton Prices Stable


Pricing remains an issue for many spinners, as customers continue to negotiate for lower
rates. “For a long time, we needed to raise prices to cover our increased costs,” said one spinner.
“Prices went up quickly and more than we expected. But we only increased prices moderately, and
certainly not by the amount that our costs went up. Now that raw material prices seem to have
stabilized, prices have not come down as fast as our customers desire. We still have customers
haggling over a couple of pennies per pound.”

Added another spinner: “Our business has been operating on slim margins for a long time. Now
that the cost of cotton has returned to pre-2009 prices, we are able to make a little more money.
This means that we will be able to make some investments in our business that we have been planning
for a while. Long-term, this will help create some efficiencies that will be good for both our
company and our customers.”

For the week ended January 11, quotations for the base quality of cotton – color 41, leaf 4,
staple 34, mike 3.5-3.6 and 4.3-4.9, strength 27.0-28.9, uniformity 81.0-81.9 – in the seven
designated markets measured by the U.S. Department of Agriculture averaged 70.87 cents per pound.
The weekly average was down from 70.94 cents per pound the previous week, and from 90.03 cents per
pound reported during the corresponding week of 2012.

“The cotton market has been relatively stable now for about six months, with only minor
week-to-week fluctuations,” said one yarn buyer. “Overall, I think this is good news for U.S.
spinners. Over the past several years, it seems business has always been either feast or famine. A
sustained period of stable business is an ideal situation. We can only hope that it continues.”

January/February 2013

From The Editor: $50 Billion – Walmart’s 10-year Commitment

By Jim Borneman, Editor In Chief

Walmart President and CEO Bill Simon’s comments at the recent National Retail Federation Annual Convention and Expo were music to U.S. manufacturers’ ears. Simon announced Walmart’s $50 billion, 10-year commitment to U.S. manufacturing.

“Think about the global landscape today: the economics of manufacturing are changing rapidly. In previous decades, investment mainly went to Asia. Wages were low. The price of oil was low. And new factories sprung up out of the ground,” said Simon.

“But today, some of those investments are nearing the end of their useful lives, and manufacturers are making decisions about where they will invest next. Meanwhile, labor costs in
Asia are rising. Oil and transportation costs are high and increasingly uncertain. The equation is changing. And a few manufacturers have even told Walmart privately that they have defined the ‘tipping points’ at which manufacturing abroad will no longer make sense for them.

“Let’s give them the nudge they need. Through our buying power, we can give manufacturers confidence to invest capital here — and play a role in revitalizing the communities we serve. These factories will have higher tech jobs than those that left, and these jobs will have ripple effects in their communities. Factories need raw materials to supply them, trucks to deliver to them, restaurants and — yes — retail to serve them. And they build up the local tax base.

“If we can help create these jobs here, it will make us proud as Americans. But this is also just good business. For example, it’s crazy that 70 percent of cotton grown in the US is shipped
overseas, spun into products like towels, and then often shipped right back here. We can cut out two shipments across the world and weeks on the water and cut our costs in the process. We can save our customers money by employing more of their neighbors — why wouldn’t we do this?

“Our Chief Merchandising Officer has told our suppliers that Walmart is ready to meet with them on domestic manufacturing. And we’re ready to make a strong commitment to move this forward.

“Today, I’m proud to announce that Walmart will buy an additional $50 billion in U.S. products over the next ten years — a timeframe that reflects the lead times for bringing facilities
online. We’ve appointed a senior team within Walmart to lead this effort. And we’ve decided we will sign longer-term purchase agreements when it makes sense to give suppliers the certainty to invest here.”

A long quote — but also a rare and an insightful approach that acknowledges the level of commitment necessary to invest in domestic manufacturing. Simon also referenced towels made by U.S. manufacturer 1888 Mills rolling into 600 stores in the spring and 600 more stores in the fall.

With all the talk of outsourcing through the years — lobbying for free trade and debating about the importance or lack of importance of a strong U.S. manufacturing base — are these comments real? It appears so. As Simon stated,”We can just decide to do this.”

January/February 2013

The New Italian Rapier Job

After some problems, not unlike many other textile machinery suppliers, the Italy-based weaving
machinery manufacturer itema S.p.A. has recovered. The owner of the famous brand names Sultex,
Vamatex and Somet has presented a new rapier machine, which already is enjoying some commercial
success around the globe.

Some weeks ago, itema held an open house to present its new R9500 rapier weaving machine. CEO
Carlo Rogora started his presentation by saying: “Today, itema is one brand and one name. In the
past two years, we did our homework. All the labels are now under one umbrella: ‘itema.'”

The company has been restructured, and the personnel count in Italy and Switzerland was
reduced from 1,200 people in 2009 to 825 in 2012. On top of that, Rogora mentioned, itema today is
absolutely free of debt. Frankly speaking, this is quite a remarkable feat for a textile machinery
company these days.

After the response to the ITMA Barcelona debut and the immediate market success of the
air-jet A9500 weaving machine, the concept of the R9500 was obvious: the company is taking
advantage of a Common Base Platform (CBP) and integrating the successful features of its rapier
machines. The R9500 is based on the A9500’s footprint and mechanical concept, and also makes
efficient use of comparable parts and solutions.

Weavingtech

itema recently held an open house at its showroom in Colzate, Italy, to introduce the new R9500
rapier weaving machine.


Versatility


The versatile R9500 should enable weavers to enter new markets. Users have the flexibility to
select various options and features, which enables a broad application range. The machine’s
appearance is solid and robust: It can weave very heavy fabrics, but it is flexible and precise
enough to weave fine, fancy and technical yarns.

The SK Transfer System is designed to provide high speed and versatility, while the new Free
Positive Approach (FPA) weft transfer provides a race board without guiding elements for use with
man-made or delicate yarns.

The New Common Electronic Platform features a simple but comprehensive design and allows all
technical parameters to be easily controlled. More than 75 percent of all key components are said
to be Italian-made. More than 90 percent of all parts – including motors, electric devices and
interface – are used on both the rapier and the air-jet machine A9500, which lowers costs for
customers that have both technologies.


Sturdy Frame


The R9500’s heavy-duty frames provide a low vibration pattern even at high speeds. The solid
drives, positioned in main lateral frames, are said to be engineered for extensive control of
moving masses to consistently process heavy patterns or unbalanced styles with minimal cost and
maintenance. The redesigned sley and back rest modules represent key developments. The new sley
design promotes speed and versatility, while the new back rest module enables reduced warp tension
and a cleaner shed break. Maximum floor space utilization provides low power consumption and a
minimal noise profile.


Easy Style Change


The R9500’s design should reduce downtime for style changes by eliminating time-consuming
maintenance and settings. Quick beam release is standard, and DRC10 connections eliminate the need
for leveling. The number of machine covers has been reduced, allowing quick access for machine
cleaning and maintenance, resulting in reduced heat in the workshop.

Weavingtech2

itema’s new R9500 rapier machine is based on the A9500 air-jet machine’s footprint and
mechanical concept.


Weft Insertion System


The machine’s new shed geometry is the result of the need to reduce the shed to maximize
speed and to use rapiers with diverse capabilities. Further features are the positioning of the
first frame closer to the reed. This allows a shortened stroke, which enables higher speeds and
longer life cycles for heddles and harness frames. Furthermore, the beating stroke has been
increased to ensure the highest beating force and the capacity to weave heavy fabrics.


Rapier Drive System


The Turbo Prop propeller drive system has been completely redesigned for the R9500. The drive
is still compact and has minimal moving parts, providing reliability and reducing maintenance. The
drive design also features a secured mechanism in the side frame to ensure stability and precision,
as well as new carriage and swinging sliders made using aeronautical-grade alloys. In addition, the
new Turbo Prop settings do not shift over time, eliminating the need for maintenance personnel to
continually reset and adjust them.



Additional Equipment


There is a wide range of options for selvage formation. Standard cutters, a melting device,
and mechanical and air tuckers can be installed. Electronic weft tensioning can be specified. The
tensioner can be programmed through the user interface, and it features a self-cleaning system to
prevent dust accumulation. The R9500 weft control system enables each weft to be processed
digitally by the NCP Processor. Sensitivity adjustments are determined according to each individual
position.

The R9500 is equipped with a new electronic platform in which the full-color touch screen is
the user interface. The software is intuitive and encourages dialogue with the weaver. By accessing
the touch screen, the weaver may select a functionality test for any device or application on the
machine, including circuit boards. The optional Intelligent Production Optimizing System (IPOS) is
designed to optimize machine productivity by monitoring machine speed and stop level.


The Vision


Rogora mentioned that itema is still the only supplier to provide all weft insertion systems
– air-jet, rapier and projectile technology. After some industrial trials in pilot mills, the R9500
is already having some success. The Quality, Reliability and Performance (QRP) certification with a
two-year guarantee reflects itema’s commitment to quality through the consistent application of
enhanced processes to design, develop and manufacture.

January/February 2013

People

Hyosung Corp., South Korea, has appointed
Hal Martens textile and apparel sales manager, creora® spandex business, Americas.

Invista, Wichita, Kan., has named
Catherine Anderson Jones marketing communications manager, Cordura® brand,
Performance and Protective Fabrics division, Europe.

PeopleJones

Jones



Bentley Prince Street, Los Angeles, has named
Ralph Grogan president and CEO.

PeopleGrogan

Grogan

Interface Inc., Atlanta, has elected
Andrew Cogan, Knoll Inc., to its Board of Directors.



Formax Multiaxial Reinforcements, United Kingdom, has appointed
Dan Norton manager, Automotive Business.

The Research Triangle Park, N.C.-based
American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) has elected
Smrithi Kumar, Q-Lab Corp., chairman, AATCC Lightfastness & Weathering RA 50
Committee; and has recognized
Charles E. Gavin III for his two consectutive terms of service as AATCC Treasurer.

TÜV Rheinland Group, Germany, has appointed
Beatrice Baudach vice president, softlines.

Gainesville, Fla.-based
Quick-Med Technologies Inc. has named
Paul H. Jenssen CFO.

Ferndale, Wash.-based
Samson Rope Technologies Inc. has named
Joe Mazzacano vice president, sales and marketing.

The Norcross, Ga.-based
Technical Association of the Pulp, Paper, Packaging and Converting Industries
(TAPPI) has named
Tess Ventress TAPPISAFE program director.

Lectra, Paris, has named
Rikako Shinonaga managing director, Japan; and
Maurizio Sapio sales director, Italy.



Nilit Ltd., Israel, has appointed
Zion Ginat general manager.

PeopleGinat

Ginat

Bunting Magnetics Co., Newton, Kan., has named
Robert Bunting Jr. business strategist, metal detection. The company also has
appointed the following sales representatives:
Jason Cohen, Texas and Oklahoma;
Darrick Litten, Ohio, West Virginia and Western New York; and
Dan Murphy, Illinois and Wisconsin; and has appointed the following manufacturer’s
representatives:
Pat Perkins, Southern California, and
John Weber, Arizona and New Mexico.

Arc’teryx, Canada, has named
Neil Bradley regional commercial director, Europe, Middle East and Africa; and
Eric Schierl commercial manager, Zone South.

PeopleBradley

Bradley

PeopleSchierl

Schierl

January/February 2013

Bulletin Board

The residential portion of Dalton, Ga.-based
Shaw Industries Group Inc.‘s Shaw Living division now will be sold under the
Tuftex – Carpets of California division.

The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC), Research
Triangle Park, N.C., has introduced customized icons for smartphones, which enable AATCC members to
link directly to AATCC Membership Services.

Innegra Technologies LLC has relocated to 270 Feaster Rd., Greenville, S.C.,
29615.

Tatham Ltd., United Kingdom, has published a catalogue outlining its medical
textile machinery range.

BBTatham

One of Tatham’s medical textile machinery lines

The Hosiery Association, Charlotte, has created a new member verification badge
for official distribution to participating legwear companies.

RadiciGroup, Italy, has published its 2011 Sustainability Report.

Johnston Textiles Inc., Phenix City, Ala., has added the top 25 colors of its
Interweave collection to its two-day to two-week delivery program.

Woolrich, Pa.-based
Woolrich Inc. has released “WoolrichUSA.com,” a digital storybook and catalog
detailing the company’s 182-year-old manufacturing history and 2012 collection of Made in the USA
wool blankets.



TenCate Geosynthetics North America, Pendergrass, Ga., has released a new TenCate
Geotube® 101 video: Session 3 Dewatering Technology.

Bridgedale, United Kingdom, has named
Terramar Sports Inc. as its distributor in the United States and Canada.

The Hohenstein Institute, Germany, now offers testing and certification of gloves
according to the following standards: Protective gloves – general requirements and test methods
(DIN EN 420); Protective gloves for firefighters (DIN EN 659); Protective gloves against chemicals
(DIN EN 374); Protective gloves against mechanical risks (DIN EN 388); Protective gloves against
heat and fire (DIN EN 407) Protective clothing for users of hand-held chainsaws (DIN EN 381-7); and
Protective gloves for welders (DIN EN 12477).



The International Oeko-Tex Association, Switzerland, has introduced a Self Service
Portal for its online Oeko-Tex® Buyer’s Guide, in which companies may enter their product
portfolios free of charge. In addition, the company has announced that Ontario-based
MW Canada Ltd.‘s custom window coverings and specialty fabrics and
Switzerland-based
Triumph International Spiesshofer & Braun KG‘s product lines have received
Oeko-Tex Standard 100 certification; and Sweden-based
Textilintrycket i Borås AB‘s production facility has received Oeko-Tex Standard
1000 certification.

Aurora Specialty Textiles Group Inc., Aurora, Ill., has added Silver with
adhesive, Diamond with adhesive and Acquasun to the DECOPRINT® fabric line from DHJ International.

Madeira USA Ltd., Laconia, N.H., now offers nine colors of its Fire Fighter
fire-resistant 100-percent aramid embroidery thread in 2,734-yard put-ups.

Northbrook, Ill.-based
UL has relocated its Enfield, Conn., consumer products testing laboratory to 1559
King St., Enfield, CT, 06082. All other contact information remains the same.



Strathmore Carpet One Floor & Home, Atlanta, now offers “Beautiful Design,” a
digital magazine for iPad available free of charge to its customers from the Apple App Store.

BBStrathmore

Strathmore Carpet One Floor & Home’s new digital magazine

Research and Markets Ltd., Ireland, in association with The Textile Institute,
United Kingdom, has published the “Handbook of Sustainable Textile Production.”

Phenix City, Ala.-based
Trendway Designs LLC has launched an online store, located at trendwaydesigns.com.

Ontario-based
iFabric Corp.‘s Intelligent Fabric Technologies subsidiary has received U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency registration for its Cliniweave antiviral technology.

Darn Tough Vermont, Northfield, Vt., has been ranked second in Inc.’s Hire Power
Awards to private business job creators in Vermont.



ColorTex Inc., New York City, has launched a website, located at colortexinc.com.

January/February 2013

Techtextil Is California Bound

Techtextil North America 2013 — the tenth edition of the North American trade show for the
technical textiles and nonwovens industries, and its third West Coast edition — will take place
Tuesday, March 19, through Thursday, March 21, at the Hilton Anaheim in Anaheim, Calif. This is the
first time the show will be held in California, as its previous two West Coast editions were held
in Las Vegas. Show organizer Messe Frankfurt North America, Atlanta, expects the relocation to
Anaheim — a city that is served by four major domestic and international airports and counts
approximately 20 million people living within a 90-mile radius — will enhance both accessibility as
well as the show’s audience size.

Techtextil North America 2012, which incorporated ATME-I® and colocated with
Texprocess Americas in Atlanta, had 314 companies from 22 countries exhibiting their products and
services to 6,800 visitors, and featured country pavilions from Belgium, Canada, China, Germany,
Italy and Portugal. More than 100 exhibitors are expected to show their products and services to
more than 1,500 attendees at the 2013 show, which will feature a German pavilion with 15
participating companies.

Techtextil1

“We are pleased to announce the first German pavilion at Techtextil North America at the
West Coast,” said Michael Jaenecke, brand director, Technical Textiles/Techtextil, Messe Frankfurt
Exhibition GmbH, Frankfurt. “Many people consider Germany as one — perhaps even the — leading
country in technical textiles. The 15 companies represent the wide range of textile technology,
yarns, and textile materials as well as the German technical textile association. So, a visit to
Techtextil North America in Anaheim could be the basis for new and prospering business leads.”

Techtextil North America is touted as the only trade show in the Americas that covers the
full vertical spectrum of the technical textiles/nonwovens sector, including research and
development, raw materials, production processes, conversion, further treatment and recycling.

This year, the show’s industry partners include Sewn Products Equipment & Suppliers of
the Americas, Raleigh, N.C.; the Synthetic Yarn and Fiber Association, Clover, S.C.; North Carolina
State University’s The Nonwovens Institute, Raleigh; the Textile Technology Center at Gaston
College, Belmont, N.C.; and various textile-related publications, including

Textile World
 ,

Textile World Asia
 and

Textiles Panamericanos
 .

Techtextil2


Organization


To aid attendees in finding providers of the products, services and technologies relevant to
their needs and interests, Techtextil North America exhibitors will be classified according to 12
application areas:

  • Agrotech — including agriculture and forestry, horticulture and landscape gardening, animal
    husbandry, fences and more;
  • Buildtech — including membranes; lightweight and solid construction; engineering and industrial
    building; temporary construction; interior construction; earth, water and traffic route
    construction; agricultural construction; and more;
  • Clothtech — including specialized high-tech materials for apparel, footwear, bags and
    more;
  • Geotech — including underground, civil engineering, earth and road construction, dam
    engineering, dump construction, ground isolation, drainage systems, erosion control and
    containment, and more;
  • Hometech — including specialized high-tech materials for furniture, upholstery and interior
    furnishings, rugs, floor coverings, and more;
  • Indutech — including filtration, cleaning, mechanical engineering, chemical industry,
    electrical industry, seals, sound absorption products and more;
  • Medtech — including hygiene, medicine, rescue organization equipment and more;
  • Mobiltech — including automotive, ship building, aircraft, aerospace, rail vehicles, motorcycle
    and bicycle construction, and more;
  • Oekotech — including environmental protection, recycling and waste disposal applications, and
    more;
  • Packtech — including packaging, protective cover systems, sacks, big bags, storage systems and
    more;
  • Protech — including personal and object protection, and more; and
  • Sporttech — including sports, leisure, activewear, outdoor, equipment and outfits, sports shoe
    applications, and more.

Product groups and services offered include: research, development, planning and
consultation; technology, machinery and accessories; fibers and yarns; woven fabrics, laid webs,
braiding and knitted fabrics; nonwovens; coated textiles and canvas products; composites;
adhesives/bonding; and publications and associations.

Techtextil3


Symposium


The Techtextil North America 2013 Symposium — a three-day educational forum held
concurrently with the exhibition — will present recent developments in the technical
textiles/nonwovens sector. The symposium lineup includes five sessions on the subjects of new fiber
technologies, protective textiles, high-performance composites, medical textiles, and
nonwovens/filtration; and 25 presentations by leading industry experts covering market
developments, technological information, new technical processes and products and international
industry trends.

Techtextilsymposium

For 2013, Techtextil North America has shifted from having a keynote speaker instead to
featuring key presenters who will open each of the symposium sessions. The symposium also will
feature a structured program to allow attendees adequate question-and-answer time with presenters
during and after each session.

Visitors wishing to attend the symposium may purchase either a one-day symposium pass or a
three-day symposium pass, both of which include an expo hall pass. The show floor will be open from
10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on March 19 and 20, and from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on March 21.

“We are looking forward to our first Techtextil North America show in Anaheim, California,”
said John Gallagher, president and CEO, Messe Frankfurt North America. “On the show floor,
attendees can expect to do business with top exhibitors from North America, Asia, and Europe. This
year’s symposium — running concurrently with the exhibition — will once again present high-quality
educational sessions with topics covering important sectors of the industry.”

Techtextil5

For more information about Techtextil North America, contact Claudia Maurer +770-984-8016 Ext.
433; claudia.maurer@usa.messefrankfurt.com. A detailed symposium schedule may be found at
techtextilna.com.

January/February 2013

Executive Forum: Composites: A Growing Industry

Frédérique Mutel is president and CEO of JEC Group, the Paris-based organization representing the
composites industry. She joined JEC in 1997 and has largely been responsible for its expansion into
a global entity with the leading industry trade shows and conferences in Europe, Asia and North
America as well as the industry’s most widely read industry publication, “JEC Composites.”

Mutel is the recipient of several prestigious awards and honors including the Legion of Honor
in 1999 for her contribution to providing opportunities and forums for international exchanges. Her
career has included development projects at the U.S. Department of State’s Agency for International
Development. She has also held positions in the information technology and publishing sectors.





Textile World: Tell us briefly about JEC Group. How is it structured? Who does it
represent? What is the scope of the organization? What is its mission?

Mutel: JEC represents, promotes and expands composites markets by providing global
or local networking and information services. JEC Group belongs to a nonprofit association created
in 1956 that holds the capital. JEC’s Board of Directors includes heads of companies from different
industry segments. Our philosophy is to serve the composites sector. All of JEC’s income is used
for the benefit of the industry. JEC aims to be close to the sector and proactive in its proposals.


TW: Can you tell us more about the global composites industry?

Mutel: The global composites market represents 81.6 billion euros (US$108.9
billion) in value and 9.2 million metric tons in volume for 2012. This market is growing at an
average of 6 percent per year. In value, the Americas represent 36 percent; Europe, 33 percent; and
Asia Pacific, 31 percent. The composites industry is growing in volume in correlation with the
increase of gross domestic product by country. In mature economies, composites’ positions against
other materials are stable or still growing, especially in markets where lightness is strongly
required, as in transportation — aero, auto, marine and land. In emerging countries, the composites
market is mainly driven by economic growth following the development curve. There, the potential is
huge in all sectors.


TW: Tell us about the upcoming JEC Europe Composites Show & Conferences. Will
it be of interest to those in the mainstream of the technical textiles industry?

Mutel: With 50,000 square meters, or 530,000 square feet, of floor space — the
equivalent of eight soccer fields — the 2013 JEC Europe Composites Show & Conferences will
represent the global composites industry and its most recent advances in heavily
composite-consuming sectors such as aerospace, aeronautics, shipbuilding, railway, automotive, mass
transportation, construction, equipment, and sports and leisure. Twelve key themes will be
highlighted during the three-day trade show: Design, Non-Destructive Testing, Robotics,
Aeronautics, Automotive, E-car, Wind Power, Carbon, Biocomposites, Thermoplastics, Multifunctional
Materials and Environment. Our participants largely represent the upstream of the value chain — for
example, fibers and equipment, with many solutions in new fibers, new formulations and new
polymers. Producers of fabrics and pregregs alsoare among JEC’s main customers.

ExecForumJEC

Frédérique Mutel, president and CEO, JEC Group


TW: A couple of years ago, you launched the JEC Asia C
omposites S
how & Conferences, and this past November, you held your inaugural JEC Americas Composites
Show & Conferences. Why are y
ou organizing these shows?

Mutel: Our policy is to reinvest all revenues into developing new products and
services for the composites sector. JEC is pursuing its mission to inform and provide technical
training for composites professionals by regularly launching new publications and setting up an
e-store to sell them online. JEC allocates major human and financial resources to research and
studies of application markets. The group also devotes significant funding to creating programs to
boost innovation and foster connections among science, technology and business — such as business
meetings, seminars and conferences, and exhibitions. More and more customers are global and require
having global suppliers. The JEC network now accompanies them in North America, Europe and Asia.
Our brand guarantees the same level of high quality everywhere, and customers enjoy finding the
same service adapted to the local market, of course.


TW: Did the recent North America show meet your expectations?

Mutel: There were 306 exhibiting companies — 65 percent from North America and 35
percent from Europe and Asia — and 6,698 attendees, with 4,159 professional visitors from 53
countries and 36 states attending, clearly confirming the interest of the international composites
industry in the Americas market. These good results are all the more positive, as the show suffered
from many last-minute attendance cancellations due to a major winter storm that hit New England on
the second day.


TW: In the future, do you plan to go it alone with JEC Americas or find a
colocation partner like you did in 2012 with the Industrial Fabrics Association International? You
have already announced dates for 2013 and 2014, both again to be held in Boston. Why do you plan to
stay in Boston?

Mutel: JEC has a long tradition of cooperation and networking. Colocation with
events that bring additional value to our mutual audience is a good way to enlarge the vision and
perception of composites materials. Our first session in Boston was successful and encourages us to
reinforce our position in this area close to the academic community, research and development
centers and very dynamic states. A good number of our customers are located in the Northeast United
States. Canada is also very active in the field of composites.


TW: What new technologies, materials or composite applications do you see
coming?

Mutel: Our sector is innovative all along the value chains for both materials and
processes. Concerning fibers, innovation has come from an increase in mechanical properties such as
fiber stiffness and resistance. Price has also been a path for innovation, as the challenge for raw
material suppliers is the development of superior products with the concern of keeping price within
a reasonable range. Semi-products and technical fabrics have been a major driver of growth in
composite use. Resin manufacturers have explored two major solutions to cope with the issue of
styrene. The first is to develop new resins with minimum styrene content. The second is to focus on
styrene suppressant additives that limit the emission itself. Concerning fire and smoke toxicity,
the challenge has been to develop composite materials that are altogether less flammable; have
lower smoke emissions with little toxicity; and can keep reasonable mechanical properties after
fire damage. Environmental concern takes a growing importance in the industry. Resins and additives
are petrochemical materials that use nonrenewable resources and energy for their production. Over
the last decade, major resin and additive manufacturers have developed an eco-friendly range of
bioproducts derived from vegetal sources.

For applications that do not require high-resistance materials, natural fibers can be very
efficient. They tend to be more and more important in the automobile manufacturing industry — for
instance, for nonstructural parts like car interiors.

Finally, a huge amount of innovation is taking place in the field of process and equipment.
Soaring development of composites demand has driven the need for higher productivity and industrial
pace. As a consequence, there has been a strong need to evolve the composite process, and recent
innovations in the field of robotics and automation have come as an appropriate answer to tackle
this issue. One-third of our portfolio is now composed of industrialists proposing new equipment,
machines or software.

Stephen M. Warner is publisher of BeaverLake6 Report,
beaverlake6.com, a Web-based newsletter reporting on
trends, data and issues that he feels influence the technical textiles industry. He also is former
president and CEO of Industrial Fabrics Association International.

January/February 2013

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