Stäubli Robotics Launches MTC-900, A Plug-And-Play Machine Tending Solution For Smarter, Safer Automation

DUNCAN, S.C.— October 16, 2025 — Stäubli Robotics announces the launch of the MTC-900 Machine Tending Cart, a next-generation plug-and-play automation solution engineered to enhance productivity, safety and flexibility across a wide range of industrial applications.

Machine Tending Cart by Stäubli

Designed for high-demand environments such as metalworking, plastic injection molding, and precision assembly, the MTC-900 offers manufacturers a fast-track to collaborative automation. Its seamless integration with Injection Molding Machines (IMMs) via the Euromap 67 standard enables plug-and-play connectivity, reducing setup time and simplifying deployment in molding operations.

“The MTC-900 is a game-changer for facilities looking to automate machine tending without the complexity,” said Chris Clark, North America Division Director for Robotics. “Its compatibility with IMM protocols and compact design make it ideal for injection molding environments where uptime and safety are paramount.”

Key features and benefits include:

  • Plug-and-play deployment for rapid implementation across production lines
  • IMM-ready integration using Euromap 67 for plastic injection molding applications
  • Multi-model compatibility with Stäubli TX2-60 and TX2-60L robots
  • Compact footprint optimized for confined workspaces
  • Advanced interface support including EtherCat, ProfiNet, and Ethernet IP
  • Built-in laser scanning for enhanced safety and compliance
  • Modular design for easy reconfiguration and scalability

The MTC-900 is built to support continuous operation in harsh industrial settings, offering a robust and flexible solution for manufacturers seeking to improve throughput without compromising safety. Its modular architecture allows for quick adaptation to changing production needs, while its advanced communication protocols ensure seamless integration with existing systems.

Easy robot programming

Configure Stäubli robots without prior robotics nor programming knowledge. VAL Blocks is a block-based graphical interface to save time on tedious programming phases.

To explore how the MTC-900 can transform your operations, visit Machine Tending Cart for Collaborative Applications.

Posted: October 21, 2025

Source: Staubli Corporation

German Automotive Interior Provider Eissmann, Plants In Alabama And Michigan Saved

ZUG, Switzerland — October 16, 2025 — The German Eissmann Group from Bad Urach near Stuttgart in Germany, which has plants in Port Huron and Pell City in the US states of Michigan and Alabama, has a new, secure future.

The full-service provider of particularly high-quality interior solutions for premium automobiles has been taken over by Axent Capital Partners AG, Zug/Switzerland. The takeover has eliminated the insolvency of the company’s domestic operating units.

The foreign subsidiaries, in addition to those in the USA, with further plants in Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Mexico, were not affected by the insolvency of the German Eissmann company and its domestic subsidiaries.

Under the leadership of Axent Capital Partners, around 3,200 of the group’s 5,000 jobs will initially be retained, including a good 600 at the two plants in the USA. In future, business volume and employment are expected to grow again, particularly with products for high-quality cars from US manufacturers. The Eissmann Group will continue to be supported by luxury car manufacturers.

Specifically, the takeover consists of the acquisition of the assets of Eissmann Automotive Deutschland GmbH, Bad Urach, which filed for insolvency in March 2024, as well as the acquisition of shares in the foreign subsidiaries. The assets were transferred to the new Eissmann Deutschland GmbH, in which Axent Capital Partners holds all shares. Tobias Hundertmark and Dr Sebastian Knappe manage Axent Capital Partners, with Hundertmark as Chairman of the Board of Directors. In addition to a well-coordinated management team, the Axent partners have extensive experience in operational management and the structuring and implementation of corporate investments.

Eissmann has a leading global market position in interior fittings for premium vehicles. It supplies almost all luxury car brands, from Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Lamborghini, Bugatti and Aston Martin to Porsche and the high-end vehicles from Mercedes, BMW and Audi. The group’s core competence lies in the first-class manufacture of high-quality leather and textile materials for seat upholstery and interior elements such as gear knobs, storage compartments, armrests, etc. According to Axent Capital Partners, the importance of vehicle interior fittings will increase, particularly in view of the prospect of autonomous driving. The Eissmann Group’s annual turnover is expected to rise from €320 million to €400-450 million in three years.

Posted: October 21, 2025

Source: Axent Capital Partners AG

STOLL To Close Production Site In Reutlingen, Germany On October 31, 2025 — Production In China Will End In December 2025

OBERTSHAUSEN, Germany — October 21, 2025 — At the beginning of this year, KARL MAYER announced that it would be shifting its focus back to its core areas of warp knitting, warp preparation and technical textiles. As part of this strategic realignment, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand will be discontinued. The Reutlingen plant will close down on October 31, 2025. Production in China will end in December 2025. This was an extremely difficult decision for KARL MAYER.

Oliver Mathews, President of the STOLL Business Unit

“STOLL stands for a long tradition. That is precisely why we deeply regret that we were unable to lead the business into the future successfully. It was not possible to find an investor to continue production at the main site in Reutlingen with its 280 employees,” said Oliver Mathews, President of the STOLL Business Unit.

KARL MAYER remains committed to its long-standing customers and will continue to service the installed machine base even under the given circumstances. A service concept for spare parts and support is currently being implemented at various locations. Contacts at www.stoll.com.

Spare parts will be stored in two warehouses in future. KARL MAYER’s central warehouse in Obertshausen will take over the stocks from Reutlingen in November and handle all logistics services up to dispatch. In addition, KARL MAYER China will be the sole central warehouse location serving the global demand for parts for BMS machines.

Final updates are available for the pattern software. Software license keys remain available for purchase, and existing installations can still be used.

Posted: October 21, 2025

Source: KARL MAYER GROUP

All Systems Go For Sweden’s imogo In Singapore

LIMHAMN, Sweden — October 20, 2025 — With a new strategic partner, its showroom now open in Sweden, and the successful commissioning of a Dye-Max spray dyeing system for a key H&M supplier in Bangladesh, imogo is looking to make a splash at next week’s ITMA Asia+CITME in Singapore (October 28-31).

The Dye-Max system at imogo’s new showroom in Sweden.

Compared to conventional jet dyeing, impressive savings can be achieved with imogo’s Dye-Max, which is based on a series of spray cassettes with precision nozzles for accurate and consistent coverage combined with a patented pro-speed valve that controls the volume to be applied.

“The savings in treatment water the Dye-Max achieves are due to the extremely low liquor ratio of 0.5 litres per kilo of fabric,” explains imogo executive partner and board member Christian Moore. “At the same time, the low liquor ratio and the spray process require considerably less auxiliary chemistry to start with, and all of it is used in the process, which also greatly reduces the production of waste water, with only 20 litres being required for wash at changeovers. The low liquid content in the fabric meanwhile minimises the energy needed for fixation, while meeting industry quality standards and maintaining superior fabric performance.”

The Dye-Max machine operates without the need for any changes to existing dyeing installations and employs traditional dyes suitable for application at room temperature.

Blåkläder backing

In addition to ACG Kinna with whom it will share exhibition space in Singapore (stand D106 in Hall 6), imogo now has the support of Swedish workwear specialist Blåkläder.

With fully owned factories in Sri Lanka, Myanmar and Bangladesh, more than 8,000 employees and an annual turnover of SEK 2.7 billion, Blåkläder is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of quality workwear.

Blåkläder already uses dope dyeing, which reduces resource use in the dyeing of synthetic materials such as polyester, while imogo’s technology can also be used for natural fibres such as cotton, linen and viscose.

“Since most of the environmental impact from clothing occurs during manufacturing, it’s vital to develop methods that reduce resource consumption,” says Anders Carlsson, MD of Blåkläder. “Imogo’s groundbreaking technology addresses several of the industry’s toughest sustainability challenges and we naturally want to support that.

“Ninety percent of all the fabric we use comes from only ten carefully selected textile producers and by building long-term, trust-based relationships with them, we are well placed to influence sustainability efforts throughout the value chain.”

New showroom

Imogo’s new showroom and test centre is meanwhile now open and available for demonstrations and trials at the dyehouse of 7H Färgeri in Kinnahult, Sweden

“With this showroom, we are creating a platform for dialogue and collaboration with textile producers, brands and research partners,” says imogo CEO Joacim Wellander. “It enables visitors to see the technology in operation, understand the business impact and explore how innovation can drive transformation in their value chain.”

The facility will also serve as a knowledge hub, supporting technical training, application testing and joint development projects with partners.

Chorka Textile

In Bangladesh, imogo has successfully installed a Dye-Max system at the plant of Chorka Textile, as part of retail giant H&M’s Green Fashion Initiative to support its key suppliers.

“The installation was handled by our own team and quality results were quickly achieved,” says Christian Moore. “This installation clearly proves that our technology is ready for the global market after years of development and fine-tuning, and working in Bangladesh taught us a lot. We look forward to discussing the opportunities that our technology can provide to mills around the world in Singapore.”

Posted: October 20, 2025

Source: imogo AB

Julian Sponseller Joins Direct Sales Team At Herculite Products, Inc.

EMIGSVILLE, PA — October 20, 2025 — Herculite Products is pleased to announce that Julian Sponseller has been hired as the Western Regional Manager for the Direct Sales Team. Herculite is excited to expand its sales team to support and continue the strong growth in that market.

Julian Sponseller

Julian will oversee our Midwest region of the Direct Sales team, engaging with clients in the automotive, custom-engineered solutions, healthcare, agriculture, and tent and structure industries. At Herculite, our goal is to deliver the highest level of service and support in the industry, and we believe that Julian will make a valuable contribution to this mission.

Julian graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a major in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Sales, bringing four years of experience in the fabric industry to Herculite. He lives in Cincinnati and enjoys golfing and spending time with friends and family.

Posted: October 20, 2025

Source: Herculite Products Inc.

Hyosung TNC and Lenzing Launch New Sustainable Yoga Collection at Performance Days

SEOUL, South Korea — October 20, 2025 — United by a shared vision for sustainable innovation, Hyosung TNC, the world’s largest manufacturer of elastane by market share, and Lenzing Group, a leading global producer of regenerated cellulosic fibers for the textile and nonwovens industries, have partnered to launch a yoga fabric collection that blends certified low-impact fibers [1] [2], performance designed for modern movement, and inspiration from nature [3].

The new collection will make its debut at Performance Days Munich, this October 29-30, where both Hyosung TNC and Lenzing will showcase yoga inspired concept garment range designed by Hyosung TNCs Fashion Design Center, made with various blends of Lenzing’s TENCEL™ and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ made with REFIBRA™ technology and Hyosung TNC’s certified regen® BIO Elastane partly made with renewable resources, 100% recycled regen Elastane, and CREORA® Color+ Elastane.

“I truly believe that the future of performance textiles lies in collaborative innovation. Our partnership with Hyosung TNC beautifully illustrates this idea, exemplifying how material innovation and cross-industry collaboration can accelerate the transition to bio-based, traceable, and scalable alternatives—delivering on both technical excellence and environmental responsibility,” said Nicole Schram, Lenzing’s Head of Global Technical Development. “They bring years of expertise in elastane, while we contribute our innovative cellulosic fibers. What really excites me is how we’re both reimagining material science with a focus on sustainability [1] [2] [3]. “With this yoga collection, we’re not just blending fibers, we’re showing how working together can accelerate the entire industry toward resource-efficient practices [1] [2].”

“We’ve had many brand partners approach us looking for a sustainably made elastane that would help them tell a fully biobased material story,” said Simon Whitmarsh-Knight. “We believe our regen® BIO Elastane uniquely pairs with Lenzing’s luxurious wood-based fibers [4] to create this perfect sustainable solution. Collaborative partnerships are essential as the textile industry strives for innovative and high-performance solutions across the value chain to meet brand and consumer sustainability objectives.”

On October 30th (Day 2) at 14:00 in the Performance Days Circularity Zone, Lenzing will be moderating a panel discussion titled Power of Collaboration – Driving Sustainable Innovation through Strategic Partnerships joined by Simon Whitmarsh-Knight and Lenzing colleagues from Südwolle and OceanSafe.

regen™ BIO Elastane – From Nature To Performance Fiber

Also at Performance Days, Hyosung TNC will highlight its expanded regen™ BIO Elastane range made of renewable content and inform attendees on the transition of the fiber’s feedstock from corn to sugarcane, which enables lower carbon emissions without sacrificing performance.

Hyosung announced its partnership with sustainable materials leader, Geno, to produce Bio-BDO derived from sugarcane, powered by Geno’s proprietary BDO technology, at its Vietnam plant. This initiative is under development, with the potential of producing up to 50,000 tons of bio-BDO by the end of 2026.

“For the first time, the industry will have an integrated supply of bio-based elastane in one region, from raw material to fiber,” said Simon Whitmarsh-Knight, Hyosung Global Sustainability Director -Textiles. “This means faster market delivery, shorter development times, and a stronger supply chain for partners.”

The company has joined the VIVE Sustainable Supply Program, to ensure full traceability and transparency from sugarcane farms to fiber production. Robin Cooper, VIVE Senior Manager of Regenerative Agriculture and Simon Whitmarsh-Knight in workshop on October 29th (Day 1) at 16:00 titled Hyosung TNC’s regen™ BIO Elastane: Advancing Circularity and Traceability with the VIVE Platform. This seminar explores Hyosung’s regen™ BIO elastane initiative, focusing on the shift in feedstock from corn to sugarcane. It will outline the environmental benefits and verification of raw material traceability through the VIVE Program.

CREORA® Functional Textiles – Designed For Trends Shaping Tomorrow

Continuously innovating, Hyosung TNC anticipates what consumers expect from their performance apparel, which includes multi-functional characteristics to keep wearers cool, fresh and comfortable with style.

In addition to its regen™ BIO Elastane range, Hyosung TNC will present materials with new performance fibers to include CREORA® Conadu Polyester, offering the soft, natural feel of cotton combined with comfortable stretch, and CREORA® EasyFlex Elastane, that offers a luxurious soft feel, and allows for size inclusivity where one size can fit various body types with lower power and better retention rate for extra comfort.

Hyosung TNC Performance Days stand will be in Hall A2, booth L17.

[1] TENCEL™ Lyocell and LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers are made with at least 50 percent less carbon emissions and water consumption, compared to generic (unbranded) lyocell and viscose. The results were calculated according to LCA standards (ISO 14040/44) and are made available via the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (MSI) v3.10 (April 2025).

[2] LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers produced with REFIBRA™ technology use cotton textile waste as a raw material, in addition to wood. The fibers contain a minimum of 20% recycled material, which is sourced from pre- and post-consumer waste. These cotton scraps could have otherwise entered landfills or been incinerated. LENZING™ ECOVERO™ fibers produced with REFIBRA™ technology also meet the Recycled Claim Standard.

[3] To foster a sustainable global textile and nonwovens industry, Lenzing follows three strategic principles within the context of its “Naturally Positive” sustainability strategy, which focuses on greening the value chain, driving systemic change and advancing the circular economy through partnerships with key industry stakeholders, such as Textile Exchange, Cascale, Canopy, Together for Sustainability, Renewable Carbon Initiative, and UN Global Compact.

[4] Adhering to the company’s commitment to environmental protection and resource preservation, Lenzing procures wood and pulp only from certified or controlled sustainable sources. In its Wood and Pulp Policy, Lenzing is committed to procuring wood and pulp exclusively from non-controversial sources. FSC® (FSC-C041246) or PEFC (PEFC/06-33-92) certification.

Posted: October 20, 2025

Source: Hyosung TNC

INDA Announces Three Finalists For The 2025 Hygienix Innovation Award™

CARY, N.C. — October 20, 2025 — INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, proudly announces the three finalists for the prestigious 2025 Hygienix Innovation Award™.

These groundbreaking absorbent hygiene products will be presented at Hygienix™, the premier event for absorbent hygiene professionals, taking place November 17–20 at the Omni Orlando ChampionsGate, ChampionsGate, Florida.

The three finalists will present their innovations to hundreds of absorbent hygiene professionals. The 2025 Hygienix Innovation Award™ will be announced on Thursday, November 20th at 10:40 am.

Meet the Award Finalists

Confitex Technology – Washable Nonwoven Sanitary Pads

Making single-use reusable: As regulators, retailers and consumers move toward a greener future, a new category of washable AHPs is creating opportunities for the nonwoven industry. Confitex Technology has created and patented world’s first washable nonwoven sanitary pads designed for sustainability and scalability without the need for SAPs. Confitex Technology is leading Innovator and Private Label supplier. Their purpose is to transform the lives of millions and reduce the Earth’s landfill by creating the ultimate reusable AHPs.

Dukane – Curved Leg Elastic (CLE)

Dukane’s Curved Leg Elastic (CLE) technology redefines how elastic strands are attached in hygiene product manufacturing. By enabling ultrasonic bonding of curved elastics without any hotmelt adhesive, CLE eliminates material waste, simplifies construction, and enhances product performance. For the first time, manufacturers can seamlessly integrate curved and straight elastic strands within the same lamination using ultrasonic technology alone—a breakthrough previously thought possible only with adhesives or complex multilayer designs. CLE represents a new standard in sustainable, high-precision elastic attachment.

ZymoChem – BAYSE™

ZymoChem is a biotechnology leader revolutionizing sustainable chemical production. The company’s breakthrough product, BAYSE™, is the world’s first scalable, bio-based, microplastic-free, and biodegradable Super Absorbent Polymer.

Designed as a drop-in replacement for fossil-based SAPs, BAYSE offers a significantly lower carbon footprint while matching the performance of conventional materials and enabling seamless integration into existing manufacturing processes.  As featured earlier this year on CNBC’s “Clean Start,” this decarbonized solution is dramatically advancing the sustainability outlook for the hygiene industry.

Last year, HIRO Technologies, Inc. received the 2024 Award with its World’s First MycoDigestable Diapers—a breakthrough featuring plastic-eating mushrooms that combined excellent absorbency with sustainable, natural materials.

“Hygienix Innovation Award finalists represent the future of absorbent hygiene,” said Matt O’Sickey, PhD, INDA’s Director of Education & Technical Affairs. “These companies are pushing boundaries with solutions that address consumer needs, sustainability goals, and performance demands. Their work highlights the innovative spirit that drives our industry forward.”

Event Highlights at Hygienix™ 2025

Beyond the Innovation Award, Hygienix 2025 will deliver a powerful program of learning, networking, and collaboration, including:

  • Two Evenings of Exhibits & Receptions– Engage with leading suppliers and solution providers shaping the future of absorbent hygiene.
  • Workshops: Three workshops Monday afternoon covering absorbent hygiene systems, advances in menstrual care, and a deep dive into baby, infant, and toddler care.
  • Women in Nonwovens (WiN) Luncheon– Fostering mentorship, leadership, and collaboration across the industry.
  • Lightning Talks– Fast-paced 5-minute presentations spotlighting exhibitor innovations.
  • Lunch Around with Olivia Ahn, MD, Co-Founder of Planera– Hear her inspiring start-up journey firsthand.
  • Welcome Reception– Kick off the event with the ever-popular Welcome Reception in a relaxed, informal atmosphere Monday evening.

Featured Conference Sessions

Attendees will gain insights and strategies from sessions tackling the industry’s biggest opportunities and challenges:

  • The Illusion vs. Reality of Absorbent Hygiene Products Entrepreneurship – Overcoming Start-Up Hurdles (and Panel Discussion)
  • Economic Realities: Profit, Pressure, and Possibility
  • Panel Discussion: Servicing the Shift – Private Label as a Growth Engine
  • Finding Growth: Paws & Planet
  • Disruption Ahead: Misinformation, Regulation, and Testing in Absorbent Hygiene
  • Designed with the Consumer in Mind
  • Absorbent Hygiene Construction with Non-Traditional Inputs
  • Flushable by Design
  • Sustainable by Design

To register, secure exhibit space, or reserve sponsorship opportunities, visit hygienix.org

Posted: October 20, 2025

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

RISE® 2025 Showcases Breakthrough Technologies And Sustainability Insights Driving The Future Of Nonwovens

CARY, N.C. — October 16, 2025 — Industry innovators, technology scouts, and business leaders gathered in Raleigh, North Carolina, for the RISE® (Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered Fabrics) Conference, co-hosted by INDA and The Nonwovens Institute (NWI) at North Carolina State University. The event, held October 14–15 at the McKimmon Center, featured cutting-edge advancements, graduate research, and forward-looking discussions shaping the sustainable future of nonwoven materials.

2025 RISE® Innovation Award

The RISE® Innovation Award honors technical breakthroughs that advance nonwoven science and engineering toward commercialization.

The 2025 RISE® Innovation Award winner is Keel Labs for their Kelsun® fiber.

Kelsun® fiber by Keel Labs

KelsunⓇ fiber, developed by Keel Labs, is the world’s first high-performance seaweed-based fiber. Plastic-free and tree-free; the combined properties of KelsunⓇ allow it to outperform all other fibers without shedding harmful microplastics. This breakthrough material brings extreme softness, high absorptivity, inherent flame resistant and antimicrobial properties, in addition to unmatched biodegradability. Engineered to integrate into existing nonwoven manufacturing, KelsunⓇ fiber delivers a revolutionary material that combines performance with sustainability for next-generation consumer and industrial products.

The RISE Innovation Award finalists exemplified innovation, sustainability, and impact and included:

  • EsterCycle by EsterCycle, LLC
    A low-cost, low-emissions chemical recycling technology capable of safely processing biohazard-contaminated PPE and mixed polyester nonwovens, returning valuable material back into the supply chain.
  • Fentanyl Detection Wipe by Rockline Industries
    A groundbreaking wipe that rapidly changes color upon contact with trace amounts of fentanyl, giving first responders and law enforcement a safe, fast, and reliable tool to identify dangerous opioids in the field.

Hempitecture, Inc. earned the 2024 RISE Innovation Award for its PlantPanel™, a 100% biobased rigid insulation material combining thermal efficiency, acoustic performance, and sustainability in a single, easy-to-install product.

RISE® 2025 Event Highlights

RISE delivered a forward-looking program centered on sustainability and innovation, featuring sessions on bio-based materials, circular economy strategies, renewable carbon, green chemistry, advanced recycling, and microplastics mitigation—along with trade, tariff, and policy updates shaping the industry’s future.

Keynote Presentations

Renewable carbon and green chemistry were featured in two keynote presentations from Lars Börger, PhD, CEO, nova-Institute GmbH and John Warner, PhD, CEO & CTO, The Technology Greenhouse. Dr. Börger demonstrated how molecular-level design decisions can accelerate circularity and renewable innovation in materials manufacturing. Dr. Warner highlighted how a renewable carbon economy can drive innovation, efficiency, and climate goals across the nonwovens and textiles industries.

“RISE continues to spotlight the technologies that are redefining what’s possible in nonwovens,” said Matt O’Sickey, PhD, INDA’s Director of Education & Technical Affairs. “From renewable carbon and green chemistry to next-generation fibers and recycling innovations, this year’s conference showcased the kind of collaboration and creativity that will shape a more sustainable future for our industry.”

Graduate Research Posters

More than 20 graduate students from leading universities showcased their scalable, research-backed technologies, sharing insights and potential applications with industry experts and investors.

Networking & Engagement

RISE® 2025 fostered exceptional networking and collaboration through:

  • A charity golf tournament supporting graduate student travel to INDA events
  • Tabletop exhibits highlighting cutting-edge materials and technologies
  • A tour of The Nonwovens Institute’s $65+ million pilot lines and analytical labs
  • A lively reception at the McKimmon Center
  • Over 30 graduate research posters presented by the next generation of nonwoven scientists

Looking Ahead: RISE® 2026

Mark your calendars for RISE® 2026, returning to the McKimmon Center in Raleigh, NC, August 25–26, 2026, for another year of transformative insights, collaborative networking, and technologies driving the nonwoven industry forward.

Posted: October 16, 2025

Source: INDA, the Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry

Microban International Appoints Shermon Mcmillan As New President

HUNTERSVILLE, N.C. — October 16, 2025 — Microban International, the global leader in antimicrobial and odor control solutions, today announced the appointment of Shermon McMillan as its new president. A seasoned global executive with a proven record of driving growth at Fortune 500 companies, McMillan will guide Microban strategy, operations and innovation pipeline toward sustainable growth.

Shermon McMillan will oversee Microban’s operations, strategy and innovation pipeline to drive sustainable growth.

“Shermon McMillan is a strategic and experienced leader who understands Microban’s goals and how to bring them to fruition,” said Scott Beal, CEO at Barr Brands International, parent company of Microban. “We are confident he will help us elevate the Microban brand and maintain a leadership position in the global marketplace.”

As president, McMillan will focus on building the Microban brand and growing the company’s reputation as the most trusted name in product protection. His leadership will put customers at the center, prioritize the execution of relevant innovation, and build brand equity. By combining customer centrality, innovation and brand building, McMillan will ensure Microban continues to deliver value for both industry partners and end-users.

“Microban has experienced remarkable growth over its four-decade history, and I look forward to helping drive our next phase of global growth and innovation,” said Shermon. “With the help of our talented team, Microban will be the most-recognized leader in product protection.”

McMillan brings a wealth of experience across consumer healthcare and household categories. Most recently, he served as vice president and general manager at The Clorox Company, where he successfully turned around the vitamins, minerals and supplements business, delivering first-time profitability and managing its successful divestiture. Prior to that, McMillan held senior leadership roles at Sanofi Consumer Healthcare, including global vice president, overseeing a multibillion-dollar global allergy, cold and cough portfolio across over 100 countries.

Posted: October 16, 2025

Source: Microban International – Part of Barr Brands International

Sustainable Innovation: Freudenberg Launches Unique Binder-Free PLA/Wood Pulp Wetlaid Nonwovens

WEINHEIM, Germany — October 16, 2025 — With its new 100% bio-based PLA/wood pulp materials that use no chemical binder, Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) has achieved a technological breakthrough with sustainability benefits. These innovative materials combine the advantages of both components, addressing the needs of specific segments within plant propagation systems, packaging, filtration, apparel and healthcare.

PLA-based wetlaid material made by Freudenberg
Source: ©Freudenberg Performance Materials

Freudenberg’s innovation lies in combining the water absorption and biodegradability characteristics of wood pulp with the high strength and hot sealability of PLA. The entire product is 100% bio-based and binder-free.

This unique combination is achieved using the wetlaid process. It represents a technological breakthrough compared to conventional PLA nonwovens, which are made using spunlaid technology. While spunlaid nonwovens can only be produced from polymeric raw materials, wetlaid nonwovens can be manufactured with a mix of polymeric and non-polymeric materials.

Possible applications

These innovative PLA-based wetlaid nonwovens have a variety of applications in markets such as horticulture, packaging, filtration and healthcare.

In horticulture, PLA/wood pulp wetlaid materials achieve the ideal balance between good water absorption, good rooting and degradation properties due to wood pulp on the one hand, and the high strength provided by PLA on the other. These properties are required by short-, medium- and long-term plant propagation systems, e.g. for vegetable growing, flower cultivation and forestry. The new PLA-based product line complements the current range of plant propagation wetlaid materials offered by Freudenberg, based on different component mixes including wood pulp, polypropylene, polyester and viscose.

For packaging, PLA/wood pulp wetlaids open up new sustainable opportunities by replacing plastic-based packaging, e.g. bio-based desiccant bags to replace traditional synthetic desiccant bags.

Other applications of PLA-based wetlaids include embroidery backings and interlinings for apparel, and wound dressings for the healthcare market.

The two-component mix is flexible, therefore allowing for a wide range of products to fulfill the requirements of the various applications.

Posted: October 16, 2025

Source: Freudenberg Performance Materials Holding GmbH

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