Solvay And Avantium To Jointly Develop Green Engineering Plastics

BRUSSELS and AMSTERDAM — July 7, 2011 — Solvay and Avantium announced today that they have entered
into a partnership to jointly develop a next generation of green high-performance polyamides for
engineering plastics. The partnership combines Solvay’s leading position in specialty polymers and
Avantium’s YXY technology for producing building blocks for green materials.

The companies will work together to explore the commercial potential of engineering plastics
on the basis of YXY building blocks. Through the partnership, new high-performance polyamides will
be developed that are produced using renewable, bio-based feedstock. Solvay and Avantium target a
next generation of polyamides with new properties that can serve a range of applications. Price and
performance of the polyamides will be key drivers for the success of the project.

The companies will make a range of compositions containing Avantium’s YXY building blocks.
Subsequently, Solvay Specialty Polymers will test these polyamides for engineering applications in
areas such as automotive and electronic materials. Solvay and Avantium have entered into a
multi-year, exclusive collaboration towards commercialization of the new polyamides. 

“We are very happy to be able to look at the potential of YXY building blocks in specialty
polyamides together with Avantium”, said Antoine Amory, in charge of renewable based chemistry
developments within the newly created Innovation Center of Solvay. “Avantium’s success in making
such building blocks available through a unique manufacturing route is an essential key step that
opens up new opportunities in the field of specialty polymers which we are impatient to explore.”

“We are excited about our collaboration with Solvay. The polyamides we will develop together
will become another novel and exciting outlet for our YXY building blocks,” said Tom van Aken, CEO
of Avantium. “Solvay’s expertise in the field of polyamides is very important to understand the
polyamides we will focus on and bring them closer to commercial applications. This agreement is
another important step to explore high-value added applications for our YXY building blocks, in
addition to work we are already doing in a complementary polyamide area.”

Solvay is a Group active in Chemistry since 1863, firmly committed to sustainable
development, and offering a broad range of products and solutions that contribute to improving
quality of life. It is a global leader in specialty polymers, vinyls, essential and specialty
chemicals. Avantium is a research and technology company that is unlocking a new generation of
biobased chemical building blocks, under the brand name YXY (~icksy).

Posted on July 12, 2011

Souce: Avantium

Zepol Corporation Enhances Trade Intelligence Product

MINNEAPOLIS — July 6, 2011 — Zepol Corporation, the leading trade intelligence company, today
announced another major enhancement to their product suite. Zepol’s improved Home Tab contains a
new look, more informational resources, and a Quick Search function. The Quick Search allows users
to access essential trade information even faster than before. The enhancement allows users to
search for a product or company from the Home Tab and directly download the results to PDF or
Excel.

“Zepol continuously strives to create and enhance the most efficient and innovative products
on the market, basing our improvements off customer requests,” stated Paul Rasmussen, CEO &
President of Zepol Corporation. “The Quick Search is yet another enhancement that significantly
improves efficiency for our users.” 

Zepol’s redesigned Home Tab helps customers stay up-to-date on the latest trade data uses and
allows subscribers to download results faster. The new functionality allows users to bypass the
TradeIQ interface to quickly search and download the last completed month of data.

Posted on July 12, 2011

Source: Zepol Corp.

Biomedical Structures Records Highest Growth Quarter Ever In Q2 2011

WARWICK, R.I. — June 12, 2011 — Biomedical Structures, LLC (BMS), a provider of biomedical textiles
for medical devices and other advanced clinical applications, today announced that it recently
completed the highest quarter of growth in company history.

Following its March 2011 acquisition of medical textile manufacturer Concordia Medical, BMS
has experienced a steady increase in demand for its textile development expertise for the next
generation of medical devices. Additionally, BMS has capitalized on its record-breaking capital
growth by further building out its textile processing capabilities for improved capacity to serve
its core and growing list of customers. These efforts, which include the doubling of knitting
capabilities, tripling of non-woven capacity, and quadrupling of weaving capacity for the
production of biomedical textiles, have enabled BMS to notch its highest investment quarter ever,
and are a continuation of the company’s planned path of growth initiated by a 2010 funding from
Ampersand Ventures.

With the addition of the former Concordia’s manufacturing and cleanroom facilities, BMS’
production has expanded in volume and scope, and will continue to widen to meet device OEM demands,
particularly in the development and application of felt scaffolds and other absorbable nonwoven
technologies designed for tissue engineering and regrowth applications in a variety of therapeutic
sectors. 

Biomedical Structures specializes in the advanced design and manufacturing of biomedical
textiles with expertise in knitting, braiding, weaving, and non-woven technology. The company
utilizes a growing variety of implantable-grade absorbable and non-absorbable biomaterials in
orthopedic, general surgery, tissue engineering, cardiovascular, bariatric, cosmetic surgery, and
veterinary applications, including implantable devices and drug delivery technologies.  

“2011 has been an exciting year for BMS,” said Biomedical Structures CEO and President John
Gray. “Our acquisition of Concordia Medical has enabled us to deliver at improved speed, volume,
and scope for our medical device customers, and this second quarter is a direct reflection of that
added ability. We are looking forward to continuing to build our scientific expertise by expanding
our engineering resources and bringing the unique and innovative properties of textiles to our
customers as they develop the next generation of medical devices.”

Posted on July 12, 2011

Source: Biomedical Structures LLC

TenCate And Pentair X-Flow Launch Drinking Water Management With Synthetic Turf Systems

ALMELO, The Netherlands — July 7, 2011 — On the occasion of the opening of the Open Innovation
Center for Advanced Materials (OICAM) in Nijverdal, the Netherlands, TenCate and Pentair X-Flow are
set to launch the first demonstrator project developed in open innovation, which is known as
GreenSource. In this project a synthetic turf system from TenCate has been combined with water
filtration technology from Pentair X-Flow). This combination will make it possible to use drinking
water and other water management worldwide for both sports complexes and landscaping with synthetic
turf, particularly in areas where water shortages prevail or where only polluted water is
available. 

At the opening of this Open Innovation Center for Advanced Materials, Mr L. de Vries,
President and CEO of Royal Ten Cate, pleads for the simultaneous establishment of an Advanced
Materials top-flight institution, which will enable the Province of Overijssel and the Netherlands
to further strengthen their national or international competitive position. 

The opening of OICAM represents an important step towards the creation of the right framework
conditions for practical innovations with advanced materials. A number of striking projects have
been initiated, such as GreenSource, the combination of synthetic turf and water treatment, as well
as Inkjet, nano-coating technology for textile substrates. On the basis of prevailing market demand
and the growing need of companies for cooperation, all these innovation projects should result in
specific new products and employment opportunities. 

GreenSource

There is an increasing demand from the international market for durable products, in
particular those that save water. The GreenSource project ensures this, by combining synthetic turf
systems for sports or landscaping with Pentair X-Flow technology for water treatment. The collected
and treated water can then be used both for spraying synthetic turf pitches for sports activities
and irrigating the terrain. Above all, the treated water can be used as drinking water for the
local population.

Inkjet

 The Open Innovation Center for Advanced Materials will shortly start up projects
for demonstrators in the field of inkjet technology for trial production. It will harness
specifically the knowledge of the University of Twente and in particular the Academy of Life
Science, Engineering & Design of Saxion University in the Netherlands. The latter institution
cooperates closely with OICAM. As a result of the recent procurement by Saxion University of a
compact inkjet machine from Xennia Technology, professors and students in the field of open
innovation are now able to gain essential experience of the groundbreaking technology for the
nano-coating of various fluids on advanced materials, including smart textiles.



Posted on July 12, 2011

Source: Royal Ten Cate

RISE Technical/Marketing Conference To Connect Innovation With Real World Applications

CARY, N.C. — July 6, 2011 — With the ambitious goal of connecting cutting-edge technical innovation
with real world applications, the second annual Research, Innovation & Science for Engineered
Fabrics (RISE) Conference will be held October 3-6 at the Sheraton Raleigh Hotel in Raleigh, N.C.

Organized by INDA, Association of the Nonwoven Fabrics Industry, RISE will once again provide
information and stimulation for innovation in all aspects of the development, production, marketing
and sales of disposable and durable nonwovens and engineered fabrics to help companies compete in
the 21st century. The inaugural RISE Conference was held in Baltimore last September.

Sessions at RISE will cover a range of growth markets, including Automotives,
Construction/Geotextiles, Equipment, Home Furnishings, Hygiene, Medical and Raw Materials.

Attendees at RISE — ranging from product managers and technical sales and marketing
executives to product engineers, purchasing managers and research and development executives and
staff — at both consumer and industrial products companies — will learn about the latest technical
innovations in nonwovens and will see new technologies that can advance their businesses. 

“A focus of RISE once again will be the use of nonwovens and engineered fabrics in emerging
markets and how to marry technical developments with real-life market needs,” says INDA President
Rory Holmes.

As with all INDA events, networking among suppliers and customers will also be a key
component of RISE, Holmes adds. “RISE will provide significant opportunities for attendees to share
their ideas with their colleagues to help drive our industry as a whole into the future,” Holmes
adds.

An exciting addition to the RISE Conference will be the presentation of the inaugural RISE
Durable Products Award. It will be given to a durable product using nonwoven fabric and technology
that is commercially available and utilized in the consumer or industrial marketplace. Finalists
will present their innovation to the industry at RISE 2011 and the recipient will be selected by
RISE attendees and announced on the final day of the Conference. The list of nominated products
will be posted on August 15 on the RISE website: http://www.inda.org/events/rise11/index.html

Registration for the full RISE Conference and Workshop for INDA members is $1,195 before
August 21 ($1,435 after August 21.) For non-members, registration is $1,675 before August 21
($2,010 after August 21). If you prefer to tailor the conference to your specific interests,
separate registration packages are available for the Durables Track and the non-Durables Track (see
registration form for pricing details).

For a complete agenda and to register for the 2011 Research, Innovation & Science for
Engineered Fabrics (RISE) Conference:
http://www.inda.org/events/rise11/index.html



Posted on July 11, 2011

Source: INDA

The Rupp Report: ITMA Europe Or ITMA Asia – Or Even Both?

In spite of rumors and difficulties, ITMA Europe is still alive and celebrating its 60th birthday.
However, the “most important textile machinery exhibition,” as it has been called for decades, is
still under pressure for various reasons:

First of all, some say there are still too many exhibitions around the world. And more than
ever, companies have to justify every cent spent for foreign events such as exhibitions — not only
for the booth as such, but also for transport and logistics; and the true costs for the attending
personnel can be very high. Many show organizers argue that with low per-square-meter prices, every
little option for the booth is very expensive and raises the costs up to extreme heights. And all
that doesn’t include the hotel prices.

Many will remember OTEMAS, the quadrennial Osaka International Textile Machinery Show in
Japan, in the late 1990s, when transport of the exhibits from Europe to the Japanese port of
Yokohama was cheaper than the transport from the port to the fairground. This is just another in a
long list of reasons, all of which result in the same conclusion: the number of exhibitions must be
reduced, especially in the up-and-coming countries of the Far East, where every show organizer
wants to have a piece of the cake.

ITMA Asia

In the 1990s, ITMA as such was not in question. However, with the booming Asian markets, the
situation was challenging, and the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX),
owner of ITMA, decided to start a second ITMA in Asia. After the first and second ITMA Asias in
Singapore in 2001 and 2005, CEMATEX moved the show to Shanghai in 2008, having in mind the soaring
Chinese market. In the beginning, there was the same rhythm as in Europe — every four years and on
an alternating schedule with ITMA Europe; so there would be one ITMA in Europe; and two years
later, one in Asia; and so forth. There were even discussions to establish a third ITMA in the
Americas, but CEMATEX didn’t find a way to bring these three events under one umbrella without
again having too many exhibitions. And ITMA Europe was really under fire to be cancelled — even
forever, especially after the Birmingham show in 2003. But then the surprise came:

There was another ITMA Asia in 2010, and it was rumored that the show would be held every two
years going forward. One of the stated reasons was that with this move, other Chinese exhibitions
could be abandoned. The outcry and head shaking among the European exhibitors began during ITMA
Asia 2010 because the textile industry would now have ITMAs three years in a row — in 2010, 2011
and 2012.

ITMA Europe (?)

The discussions have never stopped about this issue: should ITMA Europe be cancelled or not?

Textile World
 asked some European machinery manufacturers and members of CEMATEX what they thought. To
get a broader view of the issue, in the focus were suppliers who are visiting the ITMAs as well as
Techtextil. In general, one may say that as long there is European production of textile machinery,
the Europeans will not abandon an ITMA in Europe.

The answer to the question, “How do you like the fact that there are three ITMAs in a row?”
was crystal clear: None of those interviewed like the idea. The major comment was that everybody
must take the return on investment into consideration, and the visiting customers have to do the
same.

“However,” said Sales and Marketing Director Jean-Philippe Dumon of NSC nonwoven, France, “no
first-class supplier can afford to stay away from ITMA Europe. Today, ITMA has changed: Nobody is
expecting true new developments. That’s why I am pretty sure we will not see too many novelties in
Barcelona.”

Klaus Heinrichs, vice president, marketing, A. Monforts Textilmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG,
Germany, expressed the same opinion, and added: “Every exhibitor is also expecting new impulses
from the markets. An ITMA is not only an exhibition, but also a place for discussions. And, by all
means, ITMA Europe will survive, at least in the mid-term.”

Hermann Selker, head of marketing, Trützschler GmbH & Co. KG, Germany, also doesn’t like
the idea of three ITMAs in a row. “This is too much. In spite of the faster development of new
equipment these days, ITMA is still the showcase to exhibit new highlights,” he said. “But with
such a short period of time [between shows], nobody is able to present true novelties at every
show.” With the reshaping of Trützschler, including the acquisition of Fleissner and Erko, the
Trützschler Group will now have one single booth of approximately 1,000 square meters in Barcelona.
“We are expecting a stabilization of the business,” Selker continued, “and we should not forget
that the textile industry is still the largest industry worldwide. As a European manufacturer, we
strongly support ITMA Europe, which will remain the top event for high-performance textile
machinery.”

Although there have been some logistical problems and misunderstandings, which are not
atypical between trade show exhibitors and organizers, the conclusion is obvious: ITMA Europe in
Barcelona will be a great show in a great town. Let’s hope that the euro will be in better shape by
September, and that Italy will organize a great ITMA 2015 in Milan.

July 5, 2011

Indorama Ventures, Sinterama Complete Trevira Acquisition

Thailand-based polyester precursor and fiber manufacturer Indorama Ventures PCL (IVL) and
Italy-based dyed polyester yarn manufacturer Sinterama S.p.A. have completed the acquisition of
polyester fiber and filament manufacturer Trevira GmbH, Germany.

The acquisition, which closed on July 1, follows Trevira’s emergence from bankruptcy and
reorganization into a new company in January 2010. IVL and Sinterama announced their acquisition
plans in February 2011, contingent upon approvals by relevant regulatory agencies
(See ”
Sinterama,
Indorama Ventures To Acquire Trevira,” www.
TextileWorld.com, February 22, 2011).

“Trevira is a traditional enterprise with a qualified workforce and great potential for he
future,” said Werner Schneider, who as Trevira Group’s insolvency administrator had shepherded the
company through its reorganization and subsequently served as auditor for the acquisition. He
stated that the acquisition by IVL and Sinterama — two companies directly involved in textile
activities — created the best opportunity for Trevira’s future ongoing development.

Trevira Holdings GmbH, formed by IVL and Sinterama to acquire Trevira, will be headed CEO
Paolo Piana, who also is president of Sinterama and will become chairman of Trevira’s Supervisory
Board. Speaking about Trevira’s future under the new ownership, Piana said: “The main issues will
be to recover a global vision and ambition, competitiveness and capability to lead the market,
innovation and quality leadership. Our customers’ satisfaction, their success with our products,
their pride to be our partners have to be our first and only target.”

Reobert Gregan will become Trevira GmbH’s CEO, joining Managing Director Klaus Holz in
running the company.

Trevira reported satisfactory operations running as planned in the first half of 2011, and
that despite downstream challenges owing to the situation in the raw materials markets, the company
was making full use of its production capacity. Sectors showing the most positive indications
included home textiles and hygiene. Trevira also provides product for apparel, automotive and
technical applications.

July 5, 2011

Mohawk To Shutter Laurel Hill Plant

Calhoun, Ga.-based floor covering manufacturer Mohawk Industries Inc. has announced plans to
shutter its spun yarn facility in Laurel Hill, N.C., citing decreasing demand in the carpet
industry for spun yarn and increasing demand for products manufactured with filament yarn. Mohawk
reports the closing is necessary to realign production with evolving demand. The company has begun
phasing out operations and will close the plant on Aug. 22, 2011, eliminating 197 jobs.

“We respect and appreciate the people at Laurel Hill, many of whom have been here for
decades,” said Jerry Hendrix, senior human resources director, Mohawk. “We hope to welcome them
into new roles as openings become available at other Mohawk facilities. During the weeks ahead, we
will review job openings with the employees, and, of course, we’ll work with North Carolina’s
Department of Labor to identify other available opportunities in the area.”

July 5, 2011

Industrial Nanotech Supplies Nansulate® To Textile Manufacturers

Naples, Fla.-based Industrial Nanotech Inc. — a supplier of nanotechnology-based specialty
industrial coatings — reports that a number of textile manufacturers are applying its Nansulate®
protective coating to equipment such as dyeing machines, steam pipes and heat exchangers. The
company reports that the energy-saving, water-based coating offers thermal insulation and lead
encapsulation; prevents corrosion; and resists mold, fire and chemicals.

According to Industrial Nanotech, Turkish textile manufacturer Henateks Textile reduced its
liquid natural gas consumption by 20 percent after applying Nansulate High Heat insulation coating
to its steam process system, saving a total of $852,437 in 2007 and 2008, with a payback time of 7
months. Turkish textile manufacturer Erenko Textile performed comparative trials on same-capacity
machines running a 60-minute cycle at 60ºC. In the machine coated with Nansulate, steam supply
cycles were reduced from 24 injections to two injections; energy consumption was reduced by 20
percent; and unit material production costs were reduced by 10 percent.

Currently, Industrial Nanotech is conducting a pilot project with Winston-Salem, N.C.-based
apparel manufacturer Hanesbrands Inc. If Hanesbrands is pleased with the results, it will begin
applying Nansulate to heat-process equipment at its plants, reports Stuart Burchill, CEO and chief
technology officer, Industrial Nanotech.

“Considering that Coats Plc, the world market leader in industrial yarns and threads and
consumer crafts, stated publicly that the use of Nansulate on heat process equipment in 37 of their
factories in 27 countries will reduce their steam consumption by 10 percent and their global carbon
footprint by 2 percent, we are optimistic that we will be able to provide the same benefits to
Hanesbrands, Inc. and that this will result in a significant value added proposition for both their
company and Industrial Nanotech, Inc.,” Burchill said.

July 5, 2011

Japan Wool Textile Introduces Products Featuring SABIC’s Ultem* PEI Fiber

Japan-based Japan Wool Textile Co. Ltd. — a manufacturer of yarn and fabrics for uniforms and
related products, and men’s and women’s fashion textiles; and a division of Japan-based Nikke Group
— has introduced a new line of yarn, fabrics and apparel featuring Ultem* polyetherimide (PEI)
fiber from Pittsfield, Mass.-based SABIC Innovative Plastics — a global supplier of engineering
thermoplastics to a variety of markets including automotive, healthcare, transportation, and
building and construction.

Japan Wool Textile is blending Ultem with wool and other materials in the new products,
combining comfort and protection with Ultem’s inherent and permanent non-halogenated flame
retardance (FR) and ultraviolet resistance. Sabic reports that Ultem can be dyed to a large number
of shades using traditional polyester dyeing methods and creates a fabric that is soft and flexible
for improved comfort and wearability. In addition, Ultem meets several standards for heat
resistance including the U.S. National Fire and Protection Association 2112 and the European Union
EN 531/ISO 11612 standards; as well as performing with low smoke and low toxicity.

Shirts, pants, jackets and coveralls, as well as yarn and woven fabrics currently are
available.

“Following a rigorous development process, we launched a completely new flame-retardant
material by using Ultem fiber,” said Takanobu Matsumoto, general manager, Japan Wool Textile.
“Particularly in the areas of improved comfort and colorability, our new work wear products will
provide major benefits for customers and address unmet market needs.”

“This flexible, soft and colorable fiber provides superior comfort and aesthetics, plus
sustainable FR technology and the highest level of protection and durability for workers in
safety-focused industries such as oil and gas and chemicals,” said Kim Choate, global product
marketing manager, Sabic Innovative Plastics. “We foresee many other uses for this versatile fiber,
which has already broken new ground in composite aerospace boards for aviation interiors,
filtration media and other demanding applications.”

July 5, 2011

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