TradeCard Releases TradeCard 95

New York City-based TradeCard Inc. — a developer of a supply chain collaboration platform that
currently is used by more than 7,800 manufacturers, buyers, sellers and service providers in more
than 60 countries — has introduced a new version of its TradeCard Platform with multiple
enhancements. The latest version of the cloud-based software was implemented to all of TradeCard’s
customers on June 6.

The new features include: an improved navigation screen to simplify ease of use; Advanced PO
Collaboration upgrades to simplify confirmation of key purchase order terms with suppliers;
improved Advanced Visibility (Work in Process) offering enhanced visibility of the production
process; and enhancements to the Factory Xpress scan & pack and supplier enablement solution
including PC scan station support for item scanning and other usability and visibility
improvements.

“Recent events in Japan and the Middle East have demonstrated the fragility of today’s supply
chains,” said Kurt Cavano, CEO, TradeCard. “TradeCard delivers a collaborative network of trading
partners, supply chain services and trade finance providers that enable individual parties to
collaborate as a strategic supply chain to reduce costs and risks. The latest version of the
TradeCard Platform presents rich new capabilities in pre-PO planning, work in process tracking and
factory floor automation that allow brands, retailers and their supply chains to operate with more
agility, speed and transparency to counter the uncertainties we face today.”

June 14, 2011

SustainU Launches 100 Percent Recycled Clothing Line For Boy Scouts

MORGANTOWN,W. VA — June 7, 2011 — SustainU, a leading producer of apparel using fabrics made from
100 percent recycled materials that are manufactured in the USA, today announced it will be
manufacturing “Americana,” “Varsity Performance” and “Hiker” jerseys using REPREVE®, a 100%
recycled fiber made by Unifi, for the Boy Scouts of America (BSA). The jerseys represent SustainU’s
commitment to working with companies who are leaders in delivering environmentally conscious
products and solutions.

“Most people don’t realize that approximately 68 pounds of clothing per person in the United
States is thrown away every year, which amounts to about 10 percent of all the waste in landfills
today,” states Chris Yura, founder and CEO of SustainU. “By using REPREVE in the BSA apparel, we’re
delivering a comfortable, high performance shirt that is helping to minimize the environmental
impact of apparel production.”

REPREVE is made from 100 percent recycled content including used PET water bottles and pre-
and post-consumer waste from manufacturing processes. By using such waste streams, less energy and
fewer resources are needed to manufacture REPREVE fiber from scratch; offsetting the need to use
new crude oil to produce virgin polyester and nylon.

“REPREVE is a natural fit for the Boy Scouts of America apparel program,” said Roger
Berrier, president and COO for Unifi.  “REPREVE helps conserve and reduce our dependency on
our precious natural resources for our future generations to enjoy.” 

The Americana jersey is currently available, and the Varsity Performance top will debut
later this fall.

“By using high quality fabrics that are made in the USA using REPREVE recycled fibers , we
believe we can have a positive impact on the environment and contribute to the economic development
of the textile manufacturing industry,” continues Yura. “By changing the way we think about
clothes, we can change our impact on the world.”

Posted June 14, 2011

Source: SustainU

Sciessent® Joins Forces With BigSky Technologies® To Offer A High Performance Environmentally Responsible Textile Finish For Commercial Furnishings

CHICAGO — June 13, 2011 — From the halls of NeoCon, North America’s largest design exposition and
conference, Sciessent and GreenShield announce their partnership to provide a textile finish for
furnishings that combats the challenges found in high traffic areas. The new finish, Greenshield
with Agion, delivers stain and water resistance along with built in antimicrobial protection that
prevents mold, mildew, odor and destructive microbes from residing on the fabric’s surface. In
addition to its high performance, the new finish offers the utmost in environmentally sustainable
design, as GreenShield offers 6 to 10 times less harmful fluorocarbons than alternatives.

GreenShield is a multi-functional technology that provides water and oil repellency and
stain resistance in a single finish. Through the principle of micro-roughness, GreenShield reduces
the use of fluorochemicals on fabrics. Undetectable to human touch, the microscopic surface
roughness of GreenShield allows water and oil to roll off the surface of the fabric resulting in
water and oil repellency and stain resistance. When combined with Agion silver ion technology the
treated fabric also minimizes the impact of odor causing bacteria, mold, mildew, and fungi
throughout the textile. GreenShield with Agion is non-leaching and specifically formulated to be
effective for the useful life of the treated fabric. Both technologies are Cradle to Cradle
CertifiedCM at the silver level by MBDC.

“We are proud to partner with Sciessent to offer designers and manufacturers an
environmentally friendly fabric built to endure the constant barrage of odor causing bacteria and
stains found on textile surface in high use environments,” said Cathy Fleischer , managing director
of Big Sky Technologies. “This partnership provides the best of both of our technologies, stain
resistance and antimicrobial product protection, with zero compromise. With sustainability and a
need for greener living at the forefront of interior design, we look forward to bringing this new
finish to the marketplace.”

The GreenShield finish with Agion antimicrobial technology is ideal for furnishings that are
exposed to high contact where potential staining and microbial growth is an issue. Such areas
include healthcare facilities, hospitality, restaurant, office and schools. The GreenShield finish
with Agion can also be used for use in outdoor textile application including furniture cushions,
carpets and upholstery.

Posted June 14, 2011

Source: Sciessent

Third ITMA ASIA + CITME Combined Exhibition Continues To Support Buoyant Chinese Textile Industry

SHANGHAI — June 14, 2011 — The third ITMA ASIA + CITME combined exhibition is expected to draw
positive response from leading textile machinery manufacturers as the Chinese textile industry
continues to expand. It will be held at the Shanghai New International Expo Centre (SNIEC) from 12
to 16 June 2012.

According to its owners, the European Committee of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX),
China Textile Machinery Association (CTMA), the Sub-Council of Textile Industry, CCPIT (CCPIT-Tex)
and China Exhibition Centre Group Corporation (CIEC), the positive textile machinery shipment
statistics released last month by the International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) further
shows that demand for machinery has picked up.

Speaking at the press conference held today at SNIEC, Mr Fritz Mayer, Board Member of
CEMATEX, said, “As the global economy continues to show strong signs of recovery, we expect our
2012 edition to be even bigger than the previous showcase in 2010.”

Explaining further, he said, “Currently, the textile machinery industry report card is
looking much better compared to the previous two years. The ITMF’s International Textile Machinery
Shipment Statistics show that investments, which were reduced during the 2008 crisis, have picked
up significantly. In fact, I’ve been told that a number of machinery manufacturers have full order
books, with delivery times, in some cases, of up to two years”.

ITMF statistics point to buoyant demand for textile machinery in the past decade. Although
imported textile machinery investments fell back in 2008 and 2009 after an excellent performance in
2007, they have started to register an upward trend since last year.

Machinery shipment figures for 2010 released recently reveal that substantial investments
have been made in sectors such as short-staple spindles, open-end rotors, texturing spindles,
shuttle-less looms, circular knitting machines and electronic flat knitting machines.

Also speaking at the press conference, Mr Wang Shutian, President of China Textile Machinery
Association (CTMA) painted a positive picture of the Chinese industry. Reiterating that the textile
industry is a traditional pillar of China’s economy, he gave an overview of the industry, including
plans to strengthen the competitiveness of the industry.

In 2010, China’s textile and apparel exports hit US$206.5 billion, accounted for some 33 per
cent of the global textile and apparel trade. On the textile machinery industry front, Mr Wang
highlighted the critical role played by the Chinese textile machinery industry.

“The textile machinery industry has laid a solid foundation for the rapid development of the
textile manufacturing industry,” he said, adding that the industry had 1,071 large-scale
enterprises, employing 149,800 people, as at end 2010.

During the 11th Five-Year Plan period, business revenue grew at an average annual rate of
17.08 per cent, an increase of 3.4 per cent from the 10th Five-Year Plan. The total value of the
industry almost doubled during the same period. The production of textile machinery accounted for
one-third of global product output.

“China has become a heavyweight in the textile industry, with a corresponding increase in
demand for machinery, equipment and new technology. Hence, the combined exhibition will be
beneficial for both China’s and Asia’s fledging textile industry,” he opined.

A Strong Track Record

Recognised as the largest international textile machinery showcase in Asia, the combined ITMA
ASIA + CITME exhibition has held two successful presentations, in 2008 and 2010. It has proven to
be a reputable and effective platform for the promotion and adoption of the latest textile
machinery technology and equipment, as well as strengthening national textile and textile machinery
industry cooperation. At the same time, it has helped reduce business costs for exhibitors and
visitors by cutting down on the number of exhibitions they have to participate in.

The 2010 exhibition had a good showing even though the industry was still recovering from the
global financial crisis. Spanning a total of 103,500 square metres, it attracted 1,171 exhibiting
companies from 28 countries and regions. The exhibition received more than 82,000 professional
visitors from 99 different countries and regions, of which 22 per cent came from overseas.

ITMA ASIA + CITME 2012 is organised by Beijing Textile Machinery International Exhibition Co
Ltd and co-organised by MP International Pte Ltd. The Japan Textile Machinery Association is a
special partner of the event. The deadline for space applications is 15 October 2011.

Posted June 14, 2011

Source: ITMA Asia + CITME

SkyBlue Announces Global License Agreement With Standard Fiber

SAN DIEGO — June 8, 2011 — SkyBlue™, an innovator in protective bedding technology for the retail
and hospitality industries, today announced a new license agreement that gives Standard Fiber the
exclusive global rights to manufacture, market and distribute two of its patent-pending
innovations, the ZipIt on/off top encasement structure and the revolutionary box spring encasement
design, both featuring its BB-Lock™ protective locking technology.

A new bedding category that combines defense and design, SkyBlue’s revolutionary DreamTec™
bedding technology offers advanced protection from bed bugs, stains and liquids in an attractive
streamlined encasement for any mattress, box spring, or pillow. Its patent-pending BB-Lock™
technology provides maximum control of bed bug entry and escape, working together with its advanced
bite-proof protection.

“We are thrilled to partner with Standard Fiber to bring our DreamTec protective bedding to
the global marketplace,” said Petra Michael, Founder and CEO of SkyBlue. “Introducing a new
category to the market-stylized protective bedding-marks a significant milestone for us as we
strive to design solutions that safeguard people as they sleep. We are confident that Standard
Fiber is the right partner to launch the category by giving our invention the broadest distribution
and access to the world’s leading bedding brands.”

Using existing manufacturing facilities throughout China, Standard Fiber will begin
production using SkyBlue protective bedding technology immediately.  Products featuring the
stylized encasements will be available to wholesalers and select retailers in late summer 2011.

“With the hyperawareness of bed bugs today, the hospitality industry is at a tipping point,”
said Sandy Gray, President of Standard Fiber. “Bed bug infestation is no longer exclusively about
guest satisfaction or perceived cleanliness-it’s an economic issue that can have significant impact
to a hotel’s bottom line. Petra understands the economics of the crisis and how to get control of
it from being at the forefront of the issue for over six years.” The costs of eradication, lost
bookings, and a bad reputation can add up to tens of thousands of dollars. “At Standard Fiber, we
have built our business by enhancing world-class products with the latest innovations and
technologies that make the best even better. SkyBlue’s dual-role stylized protective bedding
enables us to add value to those brands and deliver a competitive advantage to our customers in the
retail and hospitality markets.”

The DreamTec line includes a selection of designer quality fabrics that are Nanotex®treated
to strengthen the material and provide world-class stain and fluid resistance. For hotel owners and
operators, DreamTec’s zip top mattress encasement saves housekeeping labor and natural resources
with an easy to handle top cover.  It can be quickly removed by one staff member and uses less
energy to wash compared to a full cover.  Plus, the Nanotex- enhanced fabric is comfortable
and breathable, compared to other popular “noisy” or “hot” encasements.  As a result, guests
have a relaxing sleep experience.

From a hotel design perspective, DreamTec’s fitted cap box spring encasements provide a
stylish alternative, while achieving guestroom brand standards for bedding ensembles at a lower
cost than traditional bed skirts. Hotel owners and operators can achieve both protection and design
requirements-with up to 50% savings — with the DreamTec encasement.

Posted on June 10, 2011

Souce: SkyBlue LLC

Hilord And 3P Announce A Partnership

BAVARIA, Germany — June 10, 2011 — Hilord and 3P announce a partnership where 3P will have
distribution rights to Hilord’s textile inks for numerous selected printers. The inks include
disperse dye and sublimation for direct and transfer printing in many different mediums, water
based, solvent based and oil based as well as Hilord’s new break through BIO-SUB inks made with
solvents from renewable resources. Hilord is very well known in the textile industry as an ink
manufacturer.  

“This is a great collaboration of our companies”, says Donald H. Balbinder, President and CEO
of Hilord Chemical Corp. “We are very pleased to be working with 3P InkJet Textiles AG. The 3P
textiles are of very high quality and standards and complement our inks beautifully.” 

Thomas Pötz, Chairman of 3P InkJet Textiles AG adds: “We are delighted to extend our close
cooperation by launching Hilord ink sale activities. Especially their great new ink solution offers
our solvent printing customers a world of new applications. Just by replacing solvent ink with
Hilord’s BIO-SUB ink the traditional solvent printer turns into a dye sublimation textile printer.
The investment for the more environmentally friendly solution is low. The results are fantastic:
vibrant, brilliant colors and excellent color gamut. Modify your printer and react quickly and
flexibly to market demands.”

Posted on June 10, 2011

Source: 3P InkJet Textiles AG

Outlast® Polyester Fiber Wins Innovation Prize At 2011 Techtextil

BOULDER, Colo. — June 7, 2011 — Outlast Technologies, leader in heat management and moisture
reduction technology, announces it has impressed the international jury of Techtextil
(International Trade Fair for Technical Textiles and Nonwovens) and won the 2011 Techtextil
Innovation Prize in the category “New Materials” for the development of the world’s first heat
managing polyester fiber.    

The Innovation Prize brings the latest developments into view, encourages unconventional
thinking and intensifies the dialogue between research, manufacturers and users, according to Messe
Frankfurt. Awards went to outstanding achievements in research, materials and product development
and new technology. This year, seven innovation prizes were granted, among 84
entries.     

“We are proud that our newly developed polyester fiber was chosen by the international jury,”
says Mark Hartmann, technical director of Outlast Technologies North America. “It was challenging
to incorporate the climate controlled Outlast® technology into a polyester fiber and required years
of development work, but we are very satisfied with the end result,” says Volker Schuster,
technical director of Outlast Europe GmbH, Heidenheim, Germany.    

The newest member of the Outlast fiber family is a bi-component fiber for which already
various patents are issued. Staple fibers are launched in market first, followed by filament
fibers. The new fiber, with temperature management, aligns particularly well with underwear and
other products worn next to skin such as socks, t-shirts, shirts and
trousers.     

The new Outlast® polyester fiber offers the added value of balancing temperature with the
characteristics of a conventional polyester fiber (e.g., low moisture absorption; ability to
transport moisture; improved wrinkle resistance; superior light, water and wind resistance and an
above average durability). The result is increased comfort; chilling and sweating are reduced due
to optimum climate regulation.   

Outlast® Technology 

Outlast® technology was originally developed for NASA to protect astronauts from temperature
fluctuations in space. Outlast® phase-change materials (PCMs) absorb, store and release excess body
heat. The benefits of Outlast® products include: 

  • Absorbs excess body heat
  • Manages moisture
  • Reduces overheating
  • Reduces chilling
  • Reduces perspiration
  • Continuously adapts to thermal
    changes              

Everybody’s sensitivity to temperature changes is different, which means everyone sweats or
becomes chilled at different rates-quickly or slowly. The temperature corridor in which we feel
comfortable is relatively narrow: when the body core temperature of 37°C fluctuates only 2°C
upwards or downwards we are subject to fever or hypothermia. Here is where Outlast® products help.
They reduce temperature swings and influence the comfort zone efficiently. The microclimate is well
balanced, reducing sweating and chilling. You feel not too hot, not too cold, but just
right®.  

Posted on June 10, 2011

Source: Outlast Technologies Inc.

AATCC Announces Student Winners For Innovative Product Development

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — June 9, 2011 — AATCC announces the winners of its sixth annual
Materials Research Poster Competition for students. The competition (developed by AATCC’s Materials
Interest Group) aims to promote innovative product development from a material structures design
perspective. Submissions were invited from both graduate and undergraduate students. All entries
were evaluated on concept originality, research quality, clarity, and results.

Winning entries in each category received cash awards of US$1,000 for First Place and US$500
for Second Place. Winners also receive complimentary student registrations for the 2012 AATCC
International Conference. 

Industrial/Technical/Sports Materials

1st Place:
An Investigative Study: Heat Dissipation in Firefighter Suits by Julisha Joyner, Doniece
Bolds & Michael Charguluaf of North Carolina State University

2nd Place:
Zar Golf…When Technology Meets Fashion by Jessica Salazar of Texas State University

Medical/Biomedical/Protective Materials and Devices 

1st Place:
Citric Acid Crosslinked Electrospun Zein Fibers for Biomedical Applications by Qiuran
Jiang & Wei Li of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln

2nd Place:
Fabrication of Hollow Nanoparticles from Corn Storage Protein Zein for Potential Biomedical
Applications
by Helan Xu & Yue Zhang of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln 

Functional/Smart/Nano Materials 

1st Place: 
Zinc Oxide/Nylon 6 Plasma-Assisted Electrospun Fibers for Warfare Protective Applications
by Narendiran Vitchuli, Joshua Nowak, Rupesh Nawalakhe & Michael Sieber of North Carolina State
University

2nd Place:
Fluorescent Surface Coatings for Aerospace Composite Damage Detection by Ryan Toivola of
the University of Washington

Entries were judged by: Radhakrishnaiah Parachuru, Georgia Tech, Robina Hogan, Omni Tech
International/Hogan Consulting, and Perry Grady, North Carolina State University/AATCC.

Posted on June 10, 2011

Source: AATCC

RegionaLink To Help Apparel Companies Connect With CAFTA-DR Supply Chain

RegionaLink LLC, based in Salt Lake City with an operational office in Guatemala, has opened it
doors to offer sourcing services to U.S. and European apparel brands and retailers searching for
production capabilities in the Central America-Dominican Republic Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR)
region as an alternative to capabilities in Asia, where rising prices and other concerns are making
sourcing in that region a less attractive solution. The new company, led by Managing Director
Alejandro Arias, has received initial investment backing from three executives with extensive
experience in apparel sourcing and supply chain technology, including: Carlos Arias, president of
Denimatrix LP, the Guatemala-based denim apparel manufacturing subsidiary of Plains Cotton
Cooperative Association; Kurt Cavano, chairman and CEO of TradeCard Inc., a New York City-based
supply chain collaboration platform for brands, retailers and their partners; and Walter T.
Wilhelm, founder of Walter Wilhelm Associates, a Salt Lake City-based consultancy serving the
apparel, footwear and retail sectors.

“Many companies are looking to bring production back to the Americas but need help,” said
Alejandro Arias. “RegionaLink’s mission is to provide best-in-class services to brands and
retailers in the United States and Europe seeking to source production in the Central America-DR
region by connecting them to a network of qualified reliable vendors and by continuing to support
the operation from sampling through successful on-time delivery of a quality production. We see
ourselves as a ‘Boutique Sourcing Services Organization’ with a premier network of buyers and
vendors able to attract clients and able to provide a wide variety of services tailored to a
client’s individual needs.”

RegionaLink will charge retailers and brands a fee for services, with a two-pronged fee
structure that will vary on a client-to-client basis. First, the company will charge a fixed fee to
represent the client in the region and provide access to RegionaLink’s network of factories;
up-to-date business and socioeconomic information for each country involved in the supply chain;
and assistance in the product development, costing and sampling stages of the supply chain process.
Second, it will charge a percentage fee upon order placement to cover services related to order
management, factory compliance, quality control and shipping.

The company also will charge fees to the factories under a yet-to-be-determined structure
based on business prospectiveness, and marketing and promotion with U.S. and European brands and
retailers.

In addition to providing sourcing services to brands and retailers, Arias said RegionaLink
also will be beneficial to U.S. yarn and fabric producers that are positioned to take advantage of
CAFTA-DR. “U.S. yarns have a big impact in the Central American market, particularly in knits,” he
said. “We’ll contribute by bringing CAFTA-DR product into the United States.”

June 7, 2011

The Rupp Report: Italy, The No. 1 Player At ITMA 2011

After France and Switzerland, the Rupp Report is now watching Italy, the biggest country delegation
at ITMA 2011 which will be held September 22 to 29 in Barcelona, Spain. According to the
Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers (ACIMIT), some 300 Italian exhibitors will
participate. ACIMIT represents an industrial sector comprising some 300 companies, employing close
to 13,000 people, and producing machinery having an overall value of 2.43 billion euros, with
exports accounting for 80 percent of total sales.

Large Presence

As in previous ITMAs, Italy has always been present with a considerable number of
exhibitors. And, according to Sandro Salmoiraghi, president of ACIMIT, Italy is the biggest country
in terms of not only exhibitors, but also floor space. The ACIMIT members represent approximately
one-fourth of all exhibitors and floor space. Salmoiraghi is convinced that ITMA 2011 “will confirm
the primary role of Italian manufacturers in the sector, above all for their innovative
contribution in technology.” The Italian machinery manufacturers also can read the handwriting on
the wall — that it is of utmost importance to focus on issues which have a great impact, not only
for the whole textile industry but also for the environment.

Sustainability And Eco-efficiency

These two issues make up the slogan for the Italian textile machinery exhibitors. ACIMIT is
convinced that sustainability and eco-efficiency are “of vital importance for the future of the
textile machinery industry.” For this, the association recently launched the Sustainable
Technologies project “to promote awareness among its associated members on the sustainability of
technology solutions proposed to their customers, through a distinctive green label in which
manufacturers declare their adherence to a production system that recognizes and operates according
to eco/energy sustainable principles, subjecting their machinery products to a series of
self-certification tests.” ACIMIT launched its promotional campaign in partnership with the Italian
Trade Commission and the Ministry for Economic Development.

Emphasis on innovation is moreover apparent in the association’s relationship with
universities and research institutes. At ITMA Barcelona, ACIMIT will sponsor a Research &
Education Pavilion presenting Italian institutes and universities.

On top of that, the so-called “Observatory ACIMIT” will hold its ninth event — titled
“Positive contamination: From nanotechnology to composites, innovative technologies and new
applications for the textile industry” — on June 20, 2011. Various speakers will reflect on these
subjects in different presentations.

Strong Recovery In 2010

The Italian textile machinery industry also is satisfied that this ITMA will be held in a
year that looks forward to a continuation of the recovery for the complete global textile machinery
industry. The figures already showed a recovery in 2010, following a two-year period of decline.
Last year, according to statistics compiled by ACIMIT, production rose 26 percent to 2.43 billion
euros; exports increased by 27 percent to 1.91 billion euros. There also was a recovery in Italy’s
domestic market, where textile machinery demand reached nearly 1 billion euros – a 27-percent
increase over 2009 demand.

Salmoiraghi mentioned that these gains in sales and orders are a consequence of the low
levels of the previous two-year period. “However”, he said, “it does underscore a general reprise
for textile machinery across many geographical areas.” Italian machinery demand was driven mostly
by the major markets worldwide, with double-digit sales growth in China, India and Turkey. Overall,
Italian exports obtained positive performances on all primary textile manufacturing markets, with
global demand driven by Asia and South America.

And Promising First Quarter 2011As reported last week, Italy’s textile machinery sector
continued on its positive trend during the first quarter of this year
(See ”
ACIMIT:
Textile Machinery — First Quarter 2011 Orders Confirm Sector’s Recovery
,” www.
TextileWorld.com, May 31, 2011)
. Received orders for the quarter grew by 12
percent over the previous quarter, to 164.6 points on ACIMIT’s index of orders, and by 42 percent
over first quarter 2010. Domestic and foreign orders are increasing, reaching 143.9 points and
176.3 points, respectively. Furthermore ACIMIT reported an order backlog of five months as of March
30, 2011. The spinning machinery sector is even in a better position, with an order backlog of 10
months from that date.

June 7, 2011

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