ROCHESTER, N.H. — November 15, 2024 — Heimbach Switzerland AG, an affiliate of Albany International Corp., announced today that it will initiate consultations with employee representatives regarding a proposal to discontinue manufacturing operations in Olten, Switzerland, and to transfer production to other Heimbach GmbH manufacturing facilities. The reduction is subject to local law and will be implemented in accordance with such law and in consultation with the employees’ representative body.
This action, if approved, will enable the Albany’s Heimbach GmbH subsidiary to align its paper machine clothing manufacturing capacity with the local market demand and the needs of customers. This initiative to streamline operations is driven by existing and anticipated market conditions, and in no way reflects on the performance of the 83 affected employees, who will be offered separation and outplacement assistance. Until consultations are concluded, the Company is unable to reasonably estimate the costs that it would expect to incur in connection with the proposed action. If closure is concluded, the Company will disclose the amount, type and timing of any such costs promptly after they are determined.
WESTLAKE, Ohio — November 15, 2024 — Q-Lab, the global supplier of weathering and corrosion equipment and outdoor exposure testing, is excited to announce the release of TUV-421 UV fluorescent lamps for QUV accelerated weathering testers.
This breakthrough in lamp technology for weathering applications offers an extended light spectrum compared to conventional UV fluorescent lamps. This extended spectrum includes longer-wavelength UV light and short-wavelength visible light, a first in such UV lamps. This exciting new light source is compatible with all irradiance-controlled QUV accelerated weathering testers in the field, and provides a cost-effective way to expose materials to a broader light spectrum. This innovative new technology is especially well-suited to testing a variety of materials for resistance to color change, including plastics, paints, textiles, and printing inks.
“Our team is always looking for ways to help our customers more cost-effectively achieve their goals in the field of weathering and lightfastness,” comments Brad Reis, Q-Lab President and Chief Operating Officer. “We’re excited to share this new technology with our loyal QUV customers around the world and provide a unique technology that no other UV fluorescent testers can match. Innovations like this are what’s made the QUV ‘the world’s most widely-used weathering tester’, for the past 50 years.”
Visit our website for more information about TUV-421 lamps and QUV accelerated weathering testers.
STOCKHOLM — November 15, 2024 — Circulose is proud to announce the appointment of its new Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer. Circulose now welcomes two strong leaders with in-depth expertise to accelerate Circulose’s journey to become a global champion for renewable textiles.
Jonatan Janmark And Helena Helmersson
Circulose has appointed Helena Helmersson as the new Chairman of the Board, along with Jonatan Janmark as new CEO. They will be assuming their roles on December 1st, 2024.
“A challenger like Circulose, with the power to make the textile industry circular, will need experienced and world-class leaders to drive that change. We are taking action on that now, and we are immensely proud to attract Helena and Jonatan, a true dream team. Their experience and expertise are key for us to secure a stable and successful path for Circulose moving forward. They will be a great addition to Magnus, who has done an excellent job navigating Circulose through an intensive year as interim CEO and will continue to lead operations moving forward” said Clara Zverina, Principal at Altor.
Helena Helmersson joins Circulose with an extensive experience from the fashion industry and driver of sustainability leadership, most recently in her role as CEO at H&M Group.
“I am thrilled to be joining Circulose and support the company in my role as Chair. We have an ambitious agenda ahead of us and a talented team ready to make it happen. I am glad to be working with Altor, our partnership will benefit from their industrial heritage and helping companies scale. Circulose feels very much like a natural fit, for me and for the future, and I look forward to contributing with my many years of experience in the fashion industry.” said Helena Helmersson, Chair of Circulose.
Jonatan Janmark assumes the role of CEO for Circulose, Jonatan Janmark joins the company with in-depth experience from the consumer and textile industry as Partner at McKinsey & Company.
“For the past years, I have had the fortune of dedicating my time to helping companies navigate the sustainability transition in the apparel and textile industry, working with both brands and textile manufacturers. When the opportunity to join Circulose opened up, I was excited to accept the challenge. With a strong team, we will now focus on strengthening Circulose to unlock the necessary shift from a linear to a circular textile industry. We recognize the many challenges ahead and the shift won’t happen overnight, but we are fully committed to seeing it through” said Jonatan Janmark, CEO at Circulose.
ALBSTADT, Germany — November 14, 2024 — The German braiding machine manufacturer Mayer & Cie. has been offering braiding machines with 48 carriers since this autumn. An MR-11 type braiding machine will be the first to be delivered with 48 carriers. It will leave the plant in Albstadt, Southern Germany, before Christmas. The first MR-15 equipped with 48 carriers is to follow in spring 2025. With the braiding machines with 48 carriers, customers benefit from larger inner tube diameters, short set-up times and unaltered coil volumes. This applies to both yarn and wire.
The heart of a braiding system: The carriers “dance” in the maypole principle, the wires converge at the braiding point.
“We are pleased to be able to present this new development to our customers,” says Patrick Moser, head of the business unit. “This significantly increases the possible applications of our machines.”
More carriers for larger hose diameters
Previously, Mayer & Cie.’s braiding machines were available with 16, 20, 24 and 36 carriers. The option to equip both the MR-11 and the MR-15 with 48 carriers expands the range of hose inner diameters: braiding machines for reinforcement of high-pressure hoses made of wire offer an inner diameter of up to 50 millimeters (2 inches). With 48 carriers, systems for textile braids achieve an inner diameter of up to 150 millimeters (6 inches).
Same coil volume combined with more carriers
Service technicians are putting the finishing touches on the MR-11 with 48 carriers. It can be equipped with both yarn and wire.
As the number of carriers increases to 48, the braiding machine maintains the same coil volume. The Bobbin Standard, suitable for both yarns and wire, holds 1,580 cubic centimeters. For a larger capacity dedicated to yarn, the Bobbin Long offers 3,920 cubic centimeters, while the Bobbin Extra Long provides the maximum volume of 5,170 cubic centimeters, also exclusively for yarn.
“With more carriers and higher coil volumes, users can process greater material quantities before needing a spool change,” explains Patrick Moser. “This translates to shorter setup times for the same machine application, boosting efficiency overall.”
The rotor speed remains the same on all MR-11 and MR-15 models, regardless of the number of carriers the machine is equipped with. However, the speed of the individual carrier decreases the higher the total number of carriers.
Extensive combination options
Mayer & Cie. currently offers two braiding systems in its lineup: the MR-11 and MR-15, both operating on the maypole braiding principle. The MR-11 uses a 2-over-2 braid pattern, while the MR-15 utilizes a 3-over-3 pattern. Both models come in single, double, and triple-deck versions and are now available with 16, 20, 24, 36, and, most recently, 48 carriers.
Since 2019, Mayer & Cie. has centralized its braiding machine production at the company’s headquarters in Albstadt, Germany, enhancing its research and development capabilities. “The move has certainly paid off,” says Patrick Moser. “Alongside component improvements, our innovations like the SpeedBooster and the expanded carrier options offer users significantly increased productivity.”
NASHIK, India — November 14, 2024 — revalyu Resources, a chemical PET recycling company with a global presence, has commissioned its second technology-leading PET recycling plant at its site in Nashik, India to further bolster its production capacity and meet growing customer demands.
The recent commissioning of the second plant means the revalyu site now recycles over 20 million used PET bottles a day into 350,000 pounds per day of high quality PET chips and PET polymer. This is being used by customers to meet their sustainability targets in applications from diverse sectors such as PET bottle, packaging materials, textiles, automobile accessories and a wide variety of other PET copolymer based products.
The third plant is fully financed as part of the US$100 million investment, and under construction which will add a further 260,000 pounds per day of capacity in Q3 2025. This will increase the site’s recycling capacity to approximately 35 million post-consumer plastic bottles a day and total production capacity to 620,000 pounds per day.
The site utilizes highly advanced patented glycolysis-based recycling technologies and automated processes, which make the manufacturing operations highly optimized, scalable, profitable and easily replicable. The recycled PET is produced using 75% less water and 91% less energy than conventional PET made from oil.
Commenting on the recent successes, Dr. Vivek Tandon, Founder, revalyu Group said, “This is a revolutionary moment for the PET plastic recycling industry. Finally the world has a commercially proven, scalable, profitable and environmentally sustainable recycling technology that can truly reverse engineer used PET plastic into virgin grade quality PET polymer. I cannot thank our team, customers, shareholders and suppliers enough for their hard work, trust and support. We continue to seek global partners to join us in our global expansion as we continue to drive innovation to deliver the highest quality sustainable (r)polymer to customers and take care of our planet for our future generations”.
The revalyu Group’s Managing Director Jan van Kisfeld stated: “This marks a significant milestone for revalyu and the advancement of global plastic circularity. Imagine PET being recycled continuously, creating a sustainable cycle. Our 100% post-consumer recycled polymer can seamlessly replace conventional PET in any polyester or PET application. Our new plant demonstrates two critical achievements: first, that this chemical recycling process is commercially viable on a global scale, and second, that it operates with an impressively low environmental footprint. Our new facility serves customers with high-quality 100% recycled PET similar to conventional PET and supports them in reaching their sustainability goals.”
Makarand Kulkarni, CEO, revalyu India said, “Our Nashik site underscores our strategic vision of reinforcing our leadership position in the PET recycling landscape globally. This environmentally sustainable chemical recycling process is scalable and replicable and that gives our customers an edge in their respective markets, the technology is a game changer. We will continue to explore collaborations globally to build scale and create market opportunities.”
revalyu Resources will set up a 520,000 pounds per day PET recycling facility in the US by 2027 and has plans to expand globally with partnerships to increase its production to over 2,200,000 pounds per day by 2030.
INWOOD, NY — November 15, 2024 — Apex Mills, the premier manufacturer of specialty USA-made industrial textiles, announces Martha Miller Hopkins’ appointment to its business development team.
In her new role, Miller Hopkins will drive the continued growth of warp, circular knits, stretch, 3D spacer fabrics, and enhanced finishes and treatments within the activewear, shapewear, industrial, military, and other textile markets.
Martha Miller Hopkins
Her professional career includes executive and director positions at Guilford Mills, Triangle Automotive Components, and APJeT, Inc., with responsibilities focused on sales, marketing, and business development with manufacturers, brands, and retailers.
“It is an exciting time for Martha to join our team, said Jonathan Kurz, CEO, and president of Apex Mills. “Martha will be a strong asset to our customers seeking innovative textile solutions in the activewear and shapewear markets. Her textile knowledge and sales skills will advance our collaborative role within our management teams.”
“I am excited to be joining such an innovative company and looking forward to contributing to Apex Mills’ continued success,” Miller Hopkins said.
Miller Hopkins holds a Bachelor of Science in Textile Engineering from North Carolina State University.
MOUNT HOLLY, NC — November 13, 2024 — American & Efird (A&E) opened A&E/Gütermann India’s new technical sewing center this past month at an inauguration ceremony in Bawal. President Chris Alt was on hand for the ribbon-cutting and introduced the technical education sewing center to the world. The dedicated creative hub provides a workspace for brands and cut and sew customers to evaluate new developments. Staffed by a team with years of technical expertise, the new center is equipped with a traditional training center setup and features an extensive range of sewing machines.
A&E President Chris Alt and the Bawal Team at the New Technical Sewing Center In Bawal, India.
“We are always thinking of ways to better serve the industry, whether it be through the quality sewing thread products we produce or the technical service we provide our customers,” said Alt. “We want people to know they have a partner and resource with A&E/Gütermann. The new technical center is an example of our dedication to innovation and education for our clients.”
PORTLAND, OR — November 14, 2024 — Noble Biomaterials, a global supplier of antimicrobial and conductive solutions for soft surface applications, announces the premier of its new CoolPro fabric technology, in partnership with Coolcore, at Functional Fabric Fair Fall Portland November 19-21, 2024. CoolPro is the latest Ionic+ fabric development working in collaboration with industry partners to bring innovation to brands and end users.
CoolPro is a combined fabric technology that cools and inhibits odorous bacteria growth. It utilizes Coolcore’s patented cooling fabrics with Ionic+ Pro antimicrobial yarns for a chemical-free permanent solution, so the technology is embedded within the fabric and does not wash out over time. The fabric is versatile and customizable – it can be blended with various natural and man-made fibers and is fully dyeable, offering a wide range of color options.
“We’re excited to introduce CoolPro at the Functional Fabric Fair in Portland,” said Allon Cohne, Senior Vice President, Ionic+® and Chief Marketing Officer at Noble Biomaterials. “This is another great example of industry partners working together to offer new fabric technology to a combined customer base. Ionic+ Pro is being used as a performance enhancement to existing fabric platforms and offers brands unique positioning and added value to their product lines.”
Coolcore harnesses the power of biomimicry to help brands create advanced cooling products. Their Biomimetic Fiber Geometry™ produces a wide range fabrics with exceptional softness, wicking, moisture transport, and evaporative cooling performance.
“We are proud to partner with Noble Biomaterials to launch CoolPro, a technology that truly represents the future of performance fabrics,” said Eric Schenker, CEO of Coolcore. “At Coolcore, we strive to develop innovative, sustainable cooling solutions. CoolPro takes this mission further by combining our chemical free advanced cooling technology with chemical free and long-lasting antimicrobial benefits, offering brands a versatile, high-performance fabric that lasts.”
Noble’s Ionic+ portfolio and new CoolPro technology will be on display at Booth #524 at Functional Fabric Fair Fall in Portland, OR from November 19 – 21. Coolcore will be displaying at Booth #306.
Noble will also be hosting an Expert Talk on Day 2 (November 21) of Functional Fabric Fair, titled “Supply Chain Collaboration: Solving for Innovation and Certification”, at 2:45pm PST. This panel will explore how strategic collaboration across the supply chain can foster both innovation and certification. The panel features Noble’s SVP and CMO, Allon Cohne, Coolcore’s CEO, Eric Schenker, and industry leaders from S-Group, Hohenstein, and HILOS. Together, these experts will provide insights on best practices, challenges, and examples of how to leverage collaboration and drive rapid innovation.
Noble will also be attending ISPO Munich on December 3 – 5. Visit www.noblebiomaterials.com to learn more about Noble’s Ionic+ portfolio or contact sales@noblebiomaterials.com to schedule a meeting at upcoming tradeshows.
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — November 14, 2024 — Motion Industries, Inc., a leading distributor of maintenance, repair and operation replacement parts, and a premier provider of industrial technology solutions, has promoted Eric Gonzalez to Senior Vice President of Mexico, Canada, Industry Segments and Business Development, effective immediately.
Eric Gonzalez
Throughout his 26-year career at Motion, Mr. Gonzalez has excelled in numerous roles. He began as a Corporate Trainee and has held positions as an Outside Sales Representative, Branch Manager, Fluid Power Specialist, Automation Specialist, various Corporate Accounts roles and Field Leadership. Most recently, he served as Group Vice President for the Southwest Group and Mexico.
In his new role, Mr. Gonzalez will lead Motion’s businesses in Mexico and Canada while establishing new North American teams focused on Industry Segments and Business Development.
“Eric’s energy and sales leadership are exceptional,” said James Howe, President of Motion. “I am confident he will elevate Motion’s sales growth, and it will be exciting to see the new team synergies he orchestrates and influences.”
Mr. Gonzalez has a bachelor’s degree in biology from California Polytechnic University in San Luis Obispo.
Posted: November 14, 2024
Source: Motion — a wholly owned subsidiary of Genuine Parts Company
MILAN, Italy — November 12, 2024 — Thermore, an Italian manufacturing firm that has been innovating in the apparel insulation sector for over 50 years, announces the launch of its first consumer campaign. Imagined by global creative team, Innocean Italy “Power Comes from Within,” is a brand manifesto highlighting the quality and versatility of its synthetic insulation and its commitment to wellness, comfort, and sustainability. The campaign features apparel companies, Aspesi, Emporio Armani, and Karbon.
Set in three different landscapes, the video chronicles the protagonist’s journey through life’s daily challenges. In each scene, the adaptability and performance of Thermore® insulation enables her to face each situation with confidence and comfort. This not only highlights the resilience of the protagonist, but also the exceptional ability of Thermore® products to adapt to any environment and weather condition, turning each challenge into an opportunity for personal expression.
The full 60-second commercial spot is available here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKAYqgmESHU
“We want to inspire every individual to reach their potential by showing that the quality and innovation of our thermal insulation can transform any experience,” said Patrizio Siniscalchi, CEO of Thermore.
“Our commitment to consumer well-being is what drives every choice we make. That’s why we continue to innovate our technology, delivering the safety and comfort needed to dominate any environment.”
To create this campaign, Thermore collaborated with three prominent brands from the world of fashion and technical apparel known for their style, quality, and innovation. The garments worn by the protagonist are by Aspesi for the city setting, EA7 Emporio Armani for the country scene, and Karbon, a Canadian brand specializing in skiwear, for the final mountain scene.
“We are proud to partner with these prestigious brands that share our values of quality and performance. The array of brands truly embodies the essence of Thermore – to provide a product line that is high quality and versatile for a variety of settings” concluded Siniscalchi.
In keeping with Thermore’s philosophy to promote innovation in every aspect of its activities, the commercial was created using virtual production technologies, an advanced technique that combines real and digital worlds to create visual content in real time. Specifically, for this campaign Thermore employed Stagecraft and an LED Wall, technologies that allow actors to interact with huge LED screens on which virtual environments are projected, thus offering immersive and dynamic storytelling.
Moreover, virtual production offers significant advantages in terms of time and video quality: unlike traditional backdrops, it allows free camera movements on the set, maintaining accurate proportions and focus, with a realism that projects the audience directly into the narrative. This is a methodology that is rapidly transforming the way visual storytelling is done and has allowed Thermore to align its production with the same technological excellence that characterizes its products.
ROCHESTER, N.H. — November 15, 2024 — Heimbach Switzerland AG, an affiliate of Albany International Corp., announced today that it will initiate consultations with employee representatives regarding a proposal to discontinue manufacturing operations in Olten, Switzerland, and to transfer production to other Heimbach GmbH manufacturing facilities. The reduction is subject to local law and will be implemented in accordance with such law and in consultation with the employees’ representative body.
