Germany-based chemical company BASF SE and Berlin-based designer Werner Aisslinger have created the
world’s first natural fiber monobloc chair, which will debut at Material Vision 2011, the trade
show showcasing materials for product development, design and architecture. The exhibition is
taking place in Frankfurt this week in conjunction with Techtextil 2011 and Texprocess 2011.

The Hemp Chair is manufactured using compression molding — a method commonly used in the
automobile industry to produce natural fiber composites used in lightweight components such as door
linings, shelves and other interior trim parts. Compression molding enables low-cost mass
production of 3D objects with high mechanical resistances and very low specific weight.

To produce the chair, renewable raw materials hemp and kenaf are compressed with BASF’s
water-based acrylic resin Acrodur® to form an eco-friendly composite that is strong but also
lightweight. Acrodur enables the use of more than 75 percent natural fibers to produce the chair;
and according to BASF, does not release organic substances such as phenol or formaldehde during the
cross-linking process as traditional resins do. Water is the only by-product of the curing
procedure.

“For us it was important to show the versatility of natural fibers in combination with our
binder,” said Dr. Michael Kalbe, technical marketing dispersions for fiber bonding, BASF. “Werner
Aisslinger’s creation combines eco-friendliness, functionality, form and optics.”

May 24, 2011

KILRISH, Ireland — May 24, 2011 — Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics has announced the launch of the
Coretech™ barrier membrane technology platform, which enables the engineering of versatile and
lightweight chemical- and biological-protective composites.

Coretech™ barrier membranes are highly innovative solutions that improve product performance
and cost-effectiveness. The technology has already been demonstrated in a range of applications
such as ONESuit® Pro hazmat suits which offer maximum protection against the permeation of chemical
and biological substances in both liquid and vapour form; Coretech™ ShelterGuard, which is a
lightweight, single-skin barrier fabric to reduce set-up and tear-down times for protective
shelters, military expedition tents and medical treatment units; Coretech™ HydroGuard, which is
used for CamelBak® chemically and biologically stable hydration solutions for potable water
supplies and, Coretech EnviroGuard™, which is used in protective containers and membranes for the
handling and storage of petro-chemicals.

Developed through Saint-Gobain’s expertise in fluoropolymer (PTFE) films and fabrics,
Coretech™ represents a range of new customised composite membranes to meet the toughest barrier
requirements. These barrier membranes are made by combining different polymers, elastomers and
woven and non-woven substrates to achieve unique combinations of properties which will reliably
deliver the required performance levels. Each Coretech™ barrier membrane has been engineered to
deliver key performance benefits such as permeation resistance to more than 100 chemicals including
biological and chemical warfare agents. Other benefits include durability and robustness,
non-combustibility and fire resistance, as well as flexible and lightweight structure for comfort
and portability. Suitable for use with a wide range of fabrication methods such as welding or
stitch and over-tape, Coretech™ membranes facilitate the development of engineered solutions to a
whole range of barrier and containment challenges.

“At Techtextil 2011, Saint-Gobain will showcase a range of materials developed using patented
Coretech™ technology that resist the permeation of a wide range of hazardous chemical, warfare, and
biological substances in both liquid and vapour form,” said Ian Hutcheson, Market Manager,
Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics. “The Coretech™ technology is key to the development of our range
of barrier and containment solutions and meeting our customers’ toughest requirements.”

The technology platform is being showcased at Techtextil 2011, in Frankfurt, Germany, 24-26
May 2011 at the Saint-Gobain booth D11, Hall 4.1.

Posted on May 24, 2011

Source: Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics

ESCHENBACH, Switzerland — May 19, 2011 — Crealet exhibits at the Techtextil, in Frankfurt, from May
24 to 26, 2011. We, a Swiss developer of warp let-off and cloth take-up control systems, are
preparing ourselves to introduce our innovations to the manufacturers of the industry at the
Techtextil Fair.

We are one of the most important suppliers for warp feeding devices in the weaving segment of
the technical textiles sector and are pleased to be present at the Techtextil and to introduce to
you the innovations we  have brought in the sector. Our dynamic and  experienced staff is
known for its innovative studies in the weaving and designing segment of the technical textile
sector. Our company distinguishes with its successful know-how methods among the machinery and
equipment suppliers of the weaving industry. In addition to being an important company in the
weaving of technical textiles, we significantly increase the efficiency of the manufacturers with
our creative warp feeding systems. 



The Brand of the Advantages, Crealet

We provide technological systems for decreasing the production costs of the companies and
help them to make quality production. We also develop systems that cause minimum standstills in the
production processes. High warp running times, constant warp tension and efficiency are just a few
of the advantages we brought into the production processes. The innovative systems reduce the
weaving and labour costs. By applying our latest technology equipments on new or old weaving
systems, the manufacturers are provided with more efficient, high quality and flexible weaving
systems. Particularly when new style weaving looms cannot succeed due to the high costs, the
equipments produced by us help the textile manufacturers to maintain their competitiveness. 



CREALET at Techtextil 

We are represented in more than 40 countries all over the world. We offer various solutions
for warp feeding and cloth take-up systems for the entire sector of weaving technical textiles. Our
product range includes controlled warp-let off and cloth take-up, warp beam support in high
position for full-width and twin beams, warp beam frames behind the weaving machine, warp feeding
systems for weaving from bobbin creels, control-led selvedge let-off devices and tire cord weaving
units. 

We are pleased to welcome you at our booth in Hall 3, Stand H-21.

Posted on May 20, 2011

Source: Crealet AG

HEERLEN, The Netherlands — May 12, 2011 — The Techtextil international trade fair for technical
textiles and nonwovens will be held in Frankfurt, Germany, from May 24-26 2011. Visitors to the DSM
Dyneema booth (Hall 4.1 stand C71) will learn how exploiting the special properties of Dyneema®
fiber, the Ultra High Molecular Weight Polyethylene (UHMWPE) fiber from DSM, is resulting in
innovation for a wide range of high performance materials.

Key applications in the textile industry include:

Draggin Jeans uses Dyneema® fibers in its mix to make an innovative material blend for jeans
that are as tough as leather, and able to withstand rider/ground abrasion during a motorbike fall.
Carrying the independently awarded “red dot” seal of quality, this is the only jeans design of its
type to receive the CE mark (Conformité Européenne or European Conformity).

Amann Goup offers a range of performance threads for automotive and technical textiles. The
company’s Xtreme-tech sewing thread made with Dyneema® fiber combines maximum strength with minimum
weight. Xtreme-tech is ideal for all applications with extremely high safety requirements — such as
sailing, haulage ropes, paragliders, fishing nets, aerospace, load restraint/lifting systems and
protective clothing. It is also suitable for sports gear such as climbing equipment, ropes, and
harnesses.

Sustainability

Dyneema® fibers also make a difference in other industry sectors, both in terms of
performance and in terms of sustainability. A clear example is the ultra-strong air container panel
that is helping individual airlines to cut carbon emissions. Made from composites of Dyneema® and
DSM’s Aeronite resin, these RP10 container panels reduce the carbon footprint by an estimated
28,000 tons annually — the equivalent of taking more than 8,500 cars off the road. Manufactured by
DoKasch GmbH, they are designed to provide maximum strength at minimum weight. In fact, they are
three times more impact resistant and nearly 50% lighter than standard aluminium alternatives.

UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema is now widely employed in heavy duty lifting and towing ropes
wherever they are required, due to its ideal combination of high strength, light weight and
excellent durability. In this context it is now a vital component in SkySails towing kite
technology. As the world’s most powerful and effective wind propulsion system for cargo ships, a
320 m2 SkySails system can produce a tractive force in the towing rope of more than 320 kilonewton
(kN) — a force greater than the thrust of both engines on an Airbus A321.

In a seaborne application, a study recently completed among the commercial fishing community
has yielded clear proof that nets made with Dyneema® yield major cost savings for fishermen. It
enables fishermen the use of thinner twines and ropes that are less bulky than more traditional
materials, without sacrificing performance. The lower weight and smaller diameter of the equipment
result in lower drag in the water, enabling fishermen to make significant fuel savings.

“Sustainability is a key driver for our innovation efforts” says Yvonne Engelen, VP
Innovation at DSM Dyneema. “We are continually asking ourselves how we can ‘brighten’ the life of
our clients and their customers, while reducing our environmental impact and contributing to
sustainable business and manufacturing processes.”

In fact, for DSM Dyneema innovation is one of the strategic drivers, and ‘open innovation’ is
an integral part of that. For DSM innovation involves continually questioning and probing accepted
methods and assumptions and has been part of the fabric of the company from the beginning,
resulting in many breakthrough developments.

“With more than 1,000 customers developing new uses for UHMWPE fiber from DSM Dyneema every
day, there’s a good chance we can connect you with a local supplier for many common applications,”
says Yvonne Engelen. “Please visit us at Techtextil to discuss how our Open Innovation and
commitment to sustainability can help your products and processes.”

Posted on May 19, 2011

Source: DSM Dyneema

LUDWIGSHAFEN, Germany — May 18, 2011 — From May 24 to May 26, BASF will present new products and
customer-orientated applications at Techtextil 2011 in Frankfurt, the leading international trade
fair for technical textiles and nonwovens. At the booth B79 in hall 3.0 visitors will find
information on BASF’s comprehensive service and product range in the field of textile chemicals,
binding agents and plastic additives.



Textile Chemicals — Putting *FUTURE into Textiles

BASF offers innovative and sustainable solutions and products in all process stages across
the entire textile value chain. At Techtextil 2011, BASF will be showcasing a range of textile
solutions for wovens and knit goods under the theme “Putting *FUTURE into Textiles”. These
solutions are part of BASF’s commitment to shaping the future of the textile industry together with
customers, contributing to better textiles and development of the industry through improved
consumer protection, efficient use of resources and reduced carbon emissions.

For resource saving and climate protection, there is Cyclanon® XC-W NEW, an after-soaping
agent for reactive-dyed cellulose fibers which considerably shortens the processing time in
comparison with the conventional process, saving both water and energy. The intelligent coloration
system “BASF Color Fast Finish”, a one-step process combining pigment dyeing and finishing, visibly
reduces the total processing time compared to the conventional process, cutting down energy and
water use and thereby carbon dioxide emissions. BASF also offers under the brands Lurapret® and
Texapret®, high-quality coating products that are water-based and therefore environmentally
friendly for technical textile applications.

Other solutions which will be featured include the formaldehyde-free textile processing
system which ensures higher standards of consumer safety. Garments produced using BASF’s products
and solutions are safe and reliable, and fulfill standards including Oeko-Tex® Standard 100, The
European Union Eco-Label, as well as those of leading retailers and brands.

Dispersions for fiber bonding — innovations for nonwovens

Binding agents for fibrous materials in the form of dispersions and reactive resins have
become part of our daily life. When used in nonwovens, they make roofing membranes tear-proof and
ensure that PVC floors keep their shape. Thanks to such dispersions, waterproof cellulose
substrates can be turned into highly efficient decorative paper,filters or nonwoven wallpaper.
Natural fibers are used to produce lightweight construction materials or floor coverings.

At this year’s Techtextil, one focus in the field of dispersions for fiber bonding will be on
the ecologically compatible reactive resins of the Acrodur® brand. The water-based crosslinking
system offers an environmentally friendly alternative to solvent-based or formaldehyde containing
resins and consequently guarantees safe and simple handling. Acrodur® is, for example, used as a
binding agent for nonwovens made of polyester and glass fibers in construction applications such as
PVC floors and insulating mats. Additionally, it is particularly suited to process natural fibers.
Natural fibers are both light and stable at the same time, enabling automobile manufacturers to use
them in molded parts made for door linings, shelves or car ceilings. Other industries, such as
transportation and furniture for example, are also showing increasing interest in natural fibers
and their various fields of applications.

Additives and pigment competence for technical textiles

As a key supplier of pigments and additives BASF also offers the fiber-producing industry a
range of products: organic and inorganic pigments, light and thermal stabilizers, antioxidants as
well as selected polymer soluble dyestuffs.

For demanding fiber applications such as Buildtech, Geotech and Hometech, BASF provides a
broad range of high performance pigments and preparations as well as a comprehensive portfolio of
heat and lights tabilizers such as Uvinul®, Chimassorb® and Tinuvin®. The halogen-free flame
retardant Flamestab® NOR™ 116 combines flame retardancy and light stability in one molecule.

At this year’s Techtextil in Frankfurt, BASF presents the innovative technology Irgatec® CR
76 for nonwoven production. This technology enables converters to adapt material properties to the
specific requirements, for example to make use of more cost efficient raw materials or to convert
in-house nonwoven scrap to high-quality nonwoven.

Posted on May 19, 2011

Source: BASF

Barcelona! What a sound. Even the late Freddie Mercury and Spanish opera star Montserrat Caballé
sang a song together about the Catalan capital city. And Barcelona is not only in the focus because
it is the home of the best soccer club in the world — arguing with Real Madrid fans will be refused
— but also because important textile activities soon will take place in the city.

ITMF

The International Textile Manufacturers Federation (ITMF) is one of the oldest
non-governmental organizations. It was founded in 1904 in Zurich, Switzerland, at a meeting
convened on the initiative of the British cotton spinning industry. That’s why it still has not
only a very close relationship with the entire cotton industry, but also strong ties with the whole
textile industry. ITMF is considered by many to be the most important and highest-ranking textile
association worldwide. Members are associations and other constituted organizations of textile
manufacturers. There can be only one member association from each country.

New Ways

On the one hand, textile industry professionals are invited to attend ITMA 2011, the world’s
largest textile and garment technology showcase and business platform. The exhibition will take
place September 22-29 at Fira de Barcelona Gran Vía in Barcelona. But the textile community also
will have the opportunity to attend some other events that never have taken place before in the
planned context.

For the first time in its history, the ITMF 2011 Annual Conference will be held prior to ITMA
2011. Bashir H. Ali Mohammad, ITMF president, and Dr. Christian Schindler, director general, will
host this important event September 19-21.

New Paradigms

“Coincidence or not,” Schindler said, “the first ITMF conference in Barcelona took place
exactly 100 years ago. And over the last 100 years, we have come back to Barcelona four times up to
now.” The motto of the conference this year is “New Paradigms in the Global Textile Industry.” A
paradigm could be described as a standard model of something, for example, like the textile
industry. And this industry is still in a big transition in terms of raw material, production and
value chains. Speakers from around the world will report on the current situation and developments
in the fiber, retail and technical textiles sectors.

To mention just a few issues, there are soaring raw material prices, volatile markets,
currency disputes and political instability as well as the continuation of the Doha Round of trade
liberalization negotiations. Schindler says that “these are but a few of the many challenges that
affect the recovery of the global economy in general and the global textile industry in
particular.”

New Events

All delegates and participants of the ITMF conference will have free access to the World
Textile Summit, a one-day event organized jointly by ITMF and ITMA owner the European Association
of Textile Machinery Manufacturers (CEMATEX), and taking place September 21, the day before the
opening of ITMA 2011. This cooperative summit is another new direction in the history of ITMF. The
event will feature international speakers who will give their views and visions of such key topics
as sustainability, enterprise, trade and economics.

The World Textile Summit will bring together textile industry leaders and will offer
attendees the possibility of discussing pertinent issues with the speakers. One of the keynote
speakers will be former United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan.

And there is another day to celebrate, not only the 100th anniversary of ITMF’s first
conference in Barcelona, but also the 60th anniversary of  ITMA, which started its activities
1951. But that’s another story.More information on the ITMF event is available at
www.itmf.org.

May 17, 2011

Spartanburg-based specialty chemicals, floor covering and performance materials manufacturer
Milliken & Company has rededicated its Blacksburg, S.C.-based Cypress Plant in honor of Dr. G.
Ashley Allen, who retired from his position as president and CEO of the company in 2008. The
facility, Allen Plant, is the company’s primary chemical manufacturing plant.

A new sign to be placed at the plant’s entrance was unveiled during a special ceremony at
newly named Allen Plant.

“This rededication of the plant honors Ashley Allen’s remarkable forty-one year career with
the company and his successful championing of innovation,” said Milliken President & CEO Dr.
Joe Salley. “During his ten years of leadership of the Chemical Division, the company achieved a
global leadership position in its additives and colorant businesses.”

Acknowledging the renaming of the plant as “an extraordinary honor for me,” Allen said: “No
action by the Board could have meant more to me than their naming the Allen Plant in my honor. I am
very pleased and humbled by their decision.”

Allen, who earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry at Washington & Lee University and a
doctorate in organic chemistry at Cornell University, joined Milliken in 1969, serving first as a
research chemist and eventually becoming president of the Chemical and Packaging Division. His
responsibilities later grew to include the Industrial Specialties Division and Milliken Research.
He was named president and COO in 2002 and president and CEO in January 2006, and served for six
years on Milliken’s Board of Directors. Allen was the first person outside of the Milliken family
to serve as the company’s CEO.

Janesville Acoustics — a Southfield, Mich.-based producer of acoustical and thermal fiber
insulation, decorative trim and molded fiber products for automotive applications — will invest
$1.5 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Old Fort, N.C., adding 40 jobs to its current
workforce of 111. The company plans to add 7,200 square feet of manufacturing space, and has
received a $120,000 grant from the One North Carolina Fund to help finance the expansion.

“With the new expansion and additional equipment we will be able to create greater
operational efficiencies and reduce our costs, enabling us to better serve our customers as we grow
our business and create new opportunity for employees,” said Roy Heeralall, plant manager,
Janesville Acoustics.

The company recently expanded its manufacturing capabilities to include complete molded
carpet/floor and trunk systems. In addition to its U.S. operations — including manufacturing
facilities in Michigan, Ohio and Mississippi as well as the Old Fort facility — it has
office/manufacturing facilities in Mexico and Germany; and a sales office in Paris. 

May 17, 2011