Yale Cordage’s Hy-Dee Brait Rope Receives ASTM, CE Certification

Saco, Maine-based specialty rope manufacturer Yale Cordage reports its Hy-Dee Brait dielectric rope
is the first and only rope on the market to be certified to ASTM F1701-12 Standard Specification
for Unused Rope with Special Electrical Properties, issued by West Conshohocken, Pa.-based ASTM
International; and to EN Standard CE 62192, issued by the European Commission.

The Hy-Dee Brait dielectric rope is an eight-strand bipolymer rope that is nubby for good
grip and treated with Yale Cordage’s Aralube-dielectric — a proprietary chemical mixture that
provides the rope with its wet dielectric performance. Compliance with ASTM F1701-12 signifies the
rope does not exceed the maximum leakage of 250 micro-amperes at any time during wet testing
performed at 50 kilovolts alternating current. According to the company, the rope also can be
easily spliced with a tucking procedure or by the quick splice method.

“The industry we’re serving with our Hy-Dee Brait product is one that has unique, critical
safety concerns,” said William Putnam, vice president, Yale Cordage. “By ensuring our product
adheres to the newly published ASTM standard, we know our dialectic rope delivers the strength,
durability, and safety profile that this market needs and demands.”

March 27, 2012

Record Results For The Lenzing Group

LENZING, Austria — March 22, 2012 — The Lenzing Group continued its dynamic growth path of previous
years by posting record results in 2011. Despite a significant weakening of the global fiber market
in the second half of 2011, Lenzing once again achieved double-digit growth rates in sales and
earnings, and surpassed the threshold of EUR 2 bn in consolidated sales for the first time in the
company’s history. Operating margins also improved again from the already high level achieved in
2010 and set a new, absolute record.

Consolidated sales in the reporting year 2011 rose by 21.2% to EUR 2.14 bn, up from EUR 1.77
bn in the prior year. This dynamic sales growth can be attributed to higher average selling prices
in its core fiber business, higher fiber shipment volumes, the first-time full-year consolidation
of the pulp plant Biocel Paskov acquired in May 2010 as well as higher sales in all other business
areas.

Consolidated EBITDA (earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization) amounted
to EUR 480.3 mn, a rise of 45.3% from the comparable figure of EUR 330.6 mn in the previous year.
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) climbed by 56.9% to EUR 364.0 mn (2010: EUR 231.9 mn). The
EBITDA and EBIT margins reached an all-time high in 2011 at 22.4% (2010: 18.7%) and 17.0% (2010:
13.1%) respectively.

“Our dynamic growth path and specialty strategy led by the fibers Lenzing Modal® and TENCEL®
once again paid off in 2011. Whereas sales with standard viscose fibers increased by close to 20%
year-on-year, we sold some 30% more TENCEL® fibers and close to 40% more Lenzing Modal® fibers than
in the prior year”, explains Lenzing Chief Executive Officer Peter Untersperger. The large-scale
market success of these two specialty fibers enabled Lenzing to partially detach itself from the
volatile market trends of 2011, according to CEO Untersperger.

Lenzing rigorously pressed ahead with its capacity expansion program in 2011. As a result,
the annual nominal production capacity of the Lenzing Group rose by about 8%, from 710,000 tons of
man-made cellulose fibers at the beginning of 2011 to 770,000 tons at the turn of the year 2011/12.
Capital expenditures of the Lenzing Group totaled EUR 196.3 mn in the 2011 financial year, somewhat
below the comparable prior-year figure of EUR 230.0 mn which had also included the acquisition
costs for Biocel Paskov. This development was due to the postponement of investment projects as at
the reporting date.

Despite the current level of investments, the net financial debt of the Lenzing Group was
reduced by almost half, declining to EUR 159.1 mn at the end of 2011 from the previous year’s
figure of EUR 307.2 mn. The cash flow still reached a level of EUR 113.4 mn despite the investments
made. “With an adjusted equity ratio of close to 45% and a net financial debt comprising one-third
of annual EBITDA, we are very well positioned financially. Lenzing is largely autonomous with
respect to its ability to finance growth steps in the upcoming years, says Chief Financial Officer
Thomas G. Winkler.



Full capacity utilization in the Segment Fibers


According to preliminary estimates, global fiber production rose by 4.1% to a new record
level of 79.1 mn tons in 2011. The production of man-made cellulose fibers also reached an all-time
high of 4.6 mn tons, up 4.2% from 2010.

The business development of the Segment Fibers in 2011 was characterized by strong demand for
Lenzing fibers, which was fueled even more by record cotton prices in the first half of the year.
The market for standard textile viscose fibers significantly cooled off in the second half of 2011,
which did not impact fiber shipment volumes but affected selling prices. The specialty fibers
Lenzing Modal® and TENCEL® as well as the nonwovens sector were hardly impacted by this
development. Throughout the year Lenzing succeeded in raising average prices for all Lenzing fibers
by close to 17% compared to the previous year, to EUR 2.22 per kilogram.

“All our fiber production facilities were running at full capacity throughout the entire
year. The additional fiber volumes generated in the course of the year by the second expansion
stage of the plant in Nanjing (China), the capacity expansion for Lenzing Modal® fibers produced at
the Lenzing site and TENCEL® fibers manufactured at the Heiligenkreuz (Burgenland) facility were
verysuccessfully placed on the market”, reports Chief Operating Officer Friedrich Weninger, Member
of the Management Board.

The pulp plant Biocel Paskov (Czech Republic) acquired within the context of the Lenzing
Group’s further backward integration was rapidly expanded in the reporting year to enable the
production of both paper pulp and dissolving pulp. Some 60,000 tons of dissolving pulp were already
produced in Paskov in 2011 and largely used for fiber production within the Lenzing Group.

Good development of the Segment Plastics Products and Segment Engineering

The Segment Plastics Products developed satisfactorily in 2011, showing an EBITDA margin of
9.5%. A new record for shipment volumes was posted during the year under review against the
backdrop of very good demand.

The Segment Engineering was also able to optimally take advantage of the fundamentally
positive mood in the capital goods market during the reporting year, achieving an EBITDA-margin of
8.4%. Lenzing Technik profited from both the extensive investment activity of the Lenzing Group as
well as from growing demand on the part of external customers.



Outlook of the Lenzing Group

Once again the Lenzing Group expects a good year in 2012, which should see
quarterly development in a mirror-inverted manner. However, in terms of margins the current
financial year will not be able to fully match the exceptional record year of 2011.

For the time being prices for Lenzing’s standard viscose fibers should stabilize at a low
level. In the course of 2012 Lenzing anticipates a higher price level than in the first quarter as
a result of rising demand for both textile and nonwoven applications.

Good volume demand is expected for Lenzing Modal®, which should continue to ensure a fair
price premium vis-à-vis standard viscose fibers and cotton. However, the considerable increase in
the supply of modal is resulting in temporary price adjustments compared to 2011 price levels. With
respect to TENCEL®, Lenzing foresees ongoing strong demand for textile and nonwoven applications
and a largely stable price premium vis-à-vis standard viscose fibers.

As a consequence of significantly higher fiber shipment volumes but in the light of lower
average prices in comparison to the prior-year level, sales should rise to a level between EUR 2.2
bn and EUR 2.3 bn in 2012. EBITDA should range between EUR 400 mn and EUR 480 mn and EBIT is
expected to range between EUR 285 mn and EUR 365 mn, depending on the development of fiber and raw
material prices as well as the overall global economic environment.

Lenzing will press ahead with its dynamic expansion program as planned, involving investments
totaling approx. EUR 350 mn in 2012. The good earnings situation and continued high liquidity will
enable the company to propose a dividend to the Shareholders’ Meeting amounting to EUR 2.50 per
share, i.e. about 25% of the consolidated net income for the 2011 financial year.

 

Key Group indicators (IFRS) in EUR mn

2011

2010

1
Consolidated sales
2,140.0
1,766.3
EBITDA
480.3
330.6
Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT)
364.0
231.9
Earnings before tax and minority interest (EBT)
351.9
216.9
Profit for the year attributable to Lenzing AG
shareholders
258.7
159.1
EBITDA margin in %
22.4
18.7
EBIT margin in %
17.0
13.1
Gross cash flow
389.0
292.9
CAPEX
196.3
230.0
 

31.12.2011

31.12.2010

Adjusted equity ratio
2 in %

44.8
38.6
Number of employees
3
6,593
6,530
 

 

1) Values adjusted according to IFRS 5

2) Equity incl. government grants less prop. deferred taxes

3) Incl. trainees, excl. leased labor, headcount

Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: The Lenzing Group

Techtextil North America 2012 Exhibitor Preview: Italian Textile Machinery

MILAN — March 2012 — At 2012 edition of Techtextil North America (from 24 to 26 April in Atlanta)
ACIMIT, the Association of Italian Textile Machinery Manufacturers, has organized a Meeting Point
where some Italian machinery manufacturers involved in the production of machines for technical
textiles will show their innovative solutions. These companies are: Cormatex, Dell’Orco &
Villani, Loptex, Ratti Luino, Saspe.

For the Italian textile machinery industry Techtextil North America will be a further
occasion to show the most updated technology for technical and innovative textiles sector to
potential customers.

US market for specialty fabrics and technical textiles registered a recovery in 2011 and the
projections for 2012 are quite positive.

Also Italian exports to US market testify the will of American textile customers to invest in
updated equipment.

In 2011 Italian sales of textile machinery reached a value of about 68 million euro (i.e.
94.7 million US dollar) with and increase of 84% on 2010.In 2011 the most relevant share of the
Italian machines exported to US market was for accessories (33%), followed by spinning machinery
(20%) and finishing one (20%).

Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: ACIMIT

PPSS Launch 2012 High Performance Cut Resistant Clothing Range

KNARESBOROUGH, United Kingdom — March 21, 2012 — A new range of cut resistant sweatshirts, jackets,
aprons and sleeves, offering extraordinary cut protection have now been launched by UK based PPSS
Group.

All cut resistant garments are made out of 100% Cut-Tex® PRO and have been tested against
European, American and International standards.

Robert Kaiser, CEO of PPSS Group proudly states: “Using Cut-Tex® PRO has helped us to design,
develop and manufacture some of the most durable cut resistant clothing out there”.

“Our cut resistant clothing is also machine washable and has achieved excellent results in
Dimensional Stability Test and Appearance Assessment,” Robert Kaiser continued.

All cut resistant clothing made by PPSS offer exceptional protection, whilst maintaining a
very high degree of dexterity to the wearer.

“We can also design and manufacture bespoke cut resistant garments based on our customer’s
needs, operational risks and clear design suggestions” says Robert Kaiser.

PPSS Group have already supplied some of the world’s leading flat glass and sheet metal
companies with their high performance PPE.

The entire range of PPSS cut resistant clothing is being manufactured at an ISO 9001:2008
quality standard controlled textile manufacturing facility in the European Union, to ensure the
best possible quality.

Recent changes within health and safety regulation and the potential legal consequences of
not complying with these strict guidelines have recently led to an increasing demand for such type
of PPE. 

Should you have any questions in reference to PPSS cut resistant clothing please feel free to
contact PPSS Group on +44 (0) 845 5193 953 email info@ppss-group.com or visit
www.ppss-group.com 



Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: PPSS

Texprocess Americas 2012 Exhibitor Preview: Eton Systems

ALPHARETTA, Ga. — March 27, 2012 — ETON SYSTEMS cordially invites you to join them at this year’s
Texprocess Americas show that will be held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta on April
24-26, 2012. 

ETON will display a fully operating ETON 5000 “Unit Production” system in the Henderson
Sewing Machine Company stand #3027. 

During the past year ETON has successfully installed systems for various market sectors
including:

 

  • Military uniforms
  • Sleeping bags
  • Spa covers
  • Boat covers
  • Shirts and jeans
  • Sheets and comforters
  • Flags 

The ETON staff will be pleased to discuss the impact and savings ETON has had on those
users. 

With growing costs and a greater demand for fast response, users are finding that ETON
products are a major tool in helping them control costs and produce a high level of quality at a
much faster pace than ever before. 

These savings are only a small part of what ETON has to offer. 

ETON looks forward to seeing you at stand #3027 on April 24-26, 2012. 

Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: Eton Systems

Americhem Introduces Custom-Formulated, All-Inclusive Packages For Synthetic Turf

CUYAHOGA FALLS, Ohio — March 27, 2012 — Americhem Inc., a global provider of custom color and
additive solutions for synthetic fibers, is introducing nFinity™ masterbatches for synthetic turf,
a comprehensive line of custom-formulated products created to ensure long-term turf durability.

nFinity masterbatches are comprised of color masterbatches and additives, including UV
stabilizers, antioxidants, delusterants and antimicrobials. Specifically designed for the unique
demands of synthetic turf products, nFinity offers a combination of technologies for truer,
longer-lasting color, lot-to-lot consistency and high thermal stability. nFinity masterbatches have
undergone indoor and outdoor weathering testing for exceptional performance and also possess
excellent spinning performance for optimal processing.

“Because of the synthetic turf industry’s interest in reducing human impact on the
environment, Americhem created an all-inclusive package with a variety of turf solutions,” said
Larry Campbell, director of global turf and nonwoven technology for Americhem. “The elements
included provide customers with a low-maintenance product that withstands the elements for
long-term performance.”

Americhem provides a full range of custom and standard colors that offer superior
colorfastness with the assurance of lot-to-lot consistency. As a result of extensive color testing,
a wide range of greens and common logo colors are available in the nFinity product range.

To eliminate color fading, Americhem includes its leading UV stabilizing masterbatches in
every turf product. The UV stabilizers provide outstanding resistance to sunlight and product
consistency. Combined with color, antioxidant additives further benefit the resulting turf products
by preventing degradation during production as a result of oxidation.

For producers of synthetic turf, nFinity masterbatches improve production efficiencies due to
the ability to merge products from different lots in the same run. The technology results in
quicker turnaround time with optimal product quality. This enables producers to fully utilize
nFinity masterbatches, improving material handling and increasing throughputs.

For more information on the nFinity turf package and other industry-leading products and
services from Americhem, visit www.Americhem.com.



Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: Americhem Inc.

INDA Releases New Global Spunlaced Report

CARY, N.C. — March 26, 2012 — Global production of spunlaced nonwovens grew an average of 9.5% for
the past five years to a total of 819,000 tons in 2011, according to a recently released report —
“Global Spunlaced Technology Markets and Trends – 2011-2016” — from INDA, Association of the
Nonwoven Fabrics Industry. The report projects that the spunlaced market, whose largest markets are
NAFTA (Canada, Mexico and the United States), Europe and China, will continue to grow at an average
rate of 8.2% a year through 2016.

The Global Spunlaced Technology Markets and Trends report provides an in-depth look at the
history and future of spunlaced technology, key end-uses and an overview of the global spunlaced
market, including a breakout of capacity by world regions. Also included are charts and figures
detailing global production capacities and end-uses in major world markets.

Among the other findings of the INDA report:

* The three major producing regions for spunlaced technology — NAFTA, Europe and China — are
forecasted to grow at a rate of 7.7% per year over the five-year period.

* The largest end-uses for spunlaced nonwoven substrate materials are wipes. Other end-uses
include surgical gowns and surgical patient drapes, and substrates for coating and laminating,
industrial apparel and filtration media.

* There are approximately 150 spunlaced producers operating more than 260 production lines
worldwide.

* INDA projects that the number of spunlaced lines will continue to increase globally. The
key markets of NAFTA, Europe and China will expand, but significant growth is also forecasted in
the developing markets of the Middle East and South America.

The cost for the “Global Spunlaced Technology Markets and Trends – 2011-2016” is $1,995 for
INDA members and $2,795 for non-members.  For more information or to purchase the report,
contact Helena Lee, hlee@inda.org, Phone: (919) 233-1210 ext. 120.

INDA is the leading global association of the nonwoven fabrics industry. Since 1968, INDA has
provided a variety of industry focused networking events to help members increase sales and market
share. INDA is the nonwoven industry’s premier source for market leading education, global
forecasts, testing standards and trend reports which provide members the information and knowledge
to better plan and execute their business. Through its on-the-ground efforts in Washington DC, INDA
provides members a strong voice within government on topics that affect the nonwovens industry. For
more information visit www.inda.org.  

Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: INDA

Naturally Advanced Technologies Expands Production Capacity With Additional Third-Party Manufacturing Agreement

VICTORIA, B.C. and PORTLAND, Ore. — March 26, 2012 — Naturally Advanced Technologies Inc. (“NAT” or
the “Company”) (TSXV: NAT) (OTCBB: NADVF), which produces and markets CRAiLAR(r), a natural fiber
made from flax and other bast fibers, announced it has partnered with Barnhardt Manufacturing
Company to further expand its manufacturing capacity. The agreement calls for Barnhardt to execute
the CRAiLAR enzymatic process exclusively for NAT, and expands upon manufacturing plans announced
earlier this month.

Founded in 1929, Charlotte, N.C.-based Barnhardt is a global supplier of cotton for medical,
health and beauty aids, and nonwoven fabrics. It currently supplies processed fiber to companies
that demand similar standards to those of NAT’s global brand partners, and this third-party
manufacturing agreement gives NAT the ability to scale to demand from existing and future partners.
Barnhardt will commence production for NAT in Q2 2012.

“The advances we have made in the CRAiLAR enzymatic process over the past year, which opened
the option of third-party manufacturing, means we can significantly expand our production capacity
going forward without the infrastructure costs of building fully executed company-owned
facilities,” said Ken Barker, CEO of NAT. “With more than 80 years in the business Barnhardt
emerged as an ideal partner to continue our capacity expansion as we expect demand to rapidly
increase through the balance of 2012.”

Announced in March, NAT embarked on a yearlong evaluation and optimization of its CRAiLAR
technology, which led to a 40 percent reduction in its enzymatic process time. The immediate
benefit was increased production capacity at its own facility. The advancements also allowed NAT to
evaluate third-party manufacturing partners for that process, further increasing overall production
volume and accelerating the growth of its flagship product, CRAiLAR Flax fiber. Its initial
third-party manufacturing agreement was announced earlier this month with Tintoria Piana, which has
U.S. operations in Cartersville, Georgia.

NAT will establish its first full-scale facility in Pamplico, S.C., where flax is grown
nearby as a winter crop. The company today supplies its CRAiLAR Flax to HanesBrands,
Georgia-Pacific, and Brilliant Global Knitwear for commercial use, and to Levi Strauss & Co.,
Cintas, Carhartt, Ashland, Westex, and Target for evaluation and development.

Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: NAT

CTR And SMART Form Partnership To Promote Clothing Recycling In The U.S. With SustainU

BEL AIR, Md. — March 21, 2012 — The Council for Textile Recycling (CTR) and The Secondary Materials
and Recycled Textiles Association (SMART) today announce a new partnership with SustainU, a
Morgantown, W. Va.-based company that makes high quality apparel in the U.S. using only fabrics
made from 100% recycled materials. CTR and SMART are proud to be an official sponsor for SustainU’s
oneShirt Challenge that promotes clothing recycling on college campuses during Earth Week, April 16
– 22, 2012.

The oneShirt Challenge is the nation’s largest collegiate clothing drive. Together, SMART and
SustainU encourage students on college and university campuses to participate in the oneShirt
Challenge by organizing a community clothing drive to benefit local charities and to raise
awareness about the benefits of textile recycling.

“This is a very exciting partnership for SMART,” says Association Executive Director, Jackie
King. “Our goal is to get people to think of clothing recycling as they already do paper, plastic,
and aluminum recycling. Taking our message to college campuses is a win-win-win for SMART,
SustainU, and the environment.”

At the end of the Challenge, each school will weigh the clothing it has collected and the
school with the highest total will be declared the “Big Shirt on Campus.” The students won’t just
be competing to see which campus collects the most clothing; they are also competing for tickets to
the 2012 Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival. Bonnaroo has committed to providing the group from the
winning campus with 24 4-day passes to the 2012 Festival to be held in Manchester, TN June 7-10.
Bonnaroo is another sponsor of the oneShirt Challenge along with MobileU, an Earth Day network
initiative.

Students on college campuses in all 50 states are expected to participate in this year’s
oneShirt Challenge. Now in its second year, the oneShirt Challenge included students from nearly
100 schools in 2011. This year’s goal is to have more than 200 colleges and universities
participating.Many people do not realize that donated textiles not only reduce the waste stream to
our landfills, but also support job training programs,” said Rich Goodstone, Bonnaroo Partner.
“Because apparel is such an integral and meaningful part of the festival experience, we want to do
all we can to encourage sustainable practices.”

Chris Yura, CEO and Founder of SustainU and organizer of the oneShirt Challenge says, “We are
very happy to partner with CTR and SMART, the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival as well as
MobilizeU and Earth Day Network. Each of these organizations has demonstrated their commitment to
make the world a better place. With our new connection to MobilizeU, each of our participating
schools can now simultaneously be part of A Billion Acts of Green® during the week of Earth Day.”

According to CTR and SMART, more than 21 billion pounds of clothing and textiles that could
be recycled are put into the nation’s landfills and incinerators every year. “When clothing is
recycled, more than 95% of the materials can processed by our member companies,” says King. “As
long as the clothing is clean and dry, even if it is ripped or stained, it can be recycled.”

Campus groups, clubs or departments interested in joining the oneShirt can visit:
www.SustainUclothing.com/oneShirt or contact Tiffany Newcomb at 304-413-416. Registration ends on
Friday, March 23, 2012.

SustainU produces high quality apparel using fabrics made from 100% recycled materials that
are manufactured in the USA to provide extraordinary comfort and wear, while reducing environmental
waste, carbon emissions and water use. Our mission is to change the way clothes are made to improve
the environment, reinvigorate America’s manufacturing sector, and educate the world about how
clothing can positively impact people’s lives. For more information about SustainU, visit their
website at: SustainUclothing.com

The oneShirt National Collegiate Clothing Challenge is a SustainU initiative aimed at raising
awareness about the social, environmental and economic benefits of textile recycling. Student
groups from more than 200 colleges and universities in all 50 states organize clothing drives to
benefit local charities and textile recycling programs. In 2011, more than 16 tons of clothing was
collected and donated.

SustainU is a clothing company that produces high quality apparel using fabrics made in the
USA from 100% recycled materials to provide extraordinary comfort and wear, while reducing
environmental waste, carbon emissions and water use. For more information about the oneShirt
National Collegiate Clothing Challenge visit: www.SustainUclothing.com/oneShirt.

MobilizeU is an international competition between colleges and universities that encourages
students to engage their campus communities in four weeks of environmental activism surrounding
Earth Day 2012 (March 29 – April 29). Over the month-long competition, students will mobilize their
campuses to generate as many “acts of green” as possible, through activities such as registering
new voters, collecting personal act-of-green pledges, leading community clean-ups, and organizing
major Earth Day events, as well as amplifying environmental initiatives that their schools are
already working on. For more information visit the MobileU website at: www.EarthDay.org/MobilizeU.

Set on 700 acres in Manchester, TN, Bonnaroo is a four-day festival that draws 80,000 fans
every summer. Featuring over 120 musical performances, along with comedy, cinema, sustainability
workshops and more, the grounds are converted into a virtual city of music and art. The legendary
event began in 2002 as a remarkable idea to serve a passionate fanbase, and ended up becoming the
premier multi-day concert destination of the summer which dynamic and eclectic programming paved
the way for the age of the great American music festival. Bonnaroo has now evolved into becoming
much more than just a concert destination; it has become a cultural touchstone and, for two
generations of music fans, a rite of passage. Bonnaroo has served as a launching pad for such
popular artists as Kings of Leon, The Black Keys, Norah Jones, Jack Johnson, Robert Randolph, My
Morning Jacket, Ray Lamontagne, Matisyahu, and many others. A creative and cultural mega-success,
Bonnaroo has featured a staggeringly diverse range of world-class acts such as Bob Dylan,
Metallica, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Stevie Wonder, Neil Young, Radiohead, Jay-Z,
Phish, Eminem, Willie Nelson, The Police, Pearl Jam, David Byrne, Tom Petty, The Black Keys, Tool,
Wilco, The Dave Matthews Band, James Brown, The White Stripes, Al Green, Arcade Fire, Nine Inch
Nails, The Dead, Mumford & Sons, Widespread Panic, Death Cab For Cutie, Elvis Costello, Ornette
Coleman, Amadou and Mariam, Beck, TV on the Radio, Against Me!, Merle Haggard, Florence & The
Machine, Phoenix, Alison Krauss, Robert Plant, Bright Eyes, Bonnie Raitt, Lil’ Wayne, Steve Earle,
Jurassic 5, Modest Mouse, The Mars Volta, Deerhunter, Common, Burning Spear, the Flaming Lips,
among many others. The website for Bonnarroo is: www.Bonnarroo.com.

For more information on the CTR and SMART or to find clothing recyclers in your area, visit
www.WearDonateRecycle.org and  www.SMARTasn.org. To view informational videos about items that
can be recycled and how clothing is processed by some textile recyclers, visit the SMART video
website at: http://www.smartasn.org/about/videos.cfm.

Posted on March 27, 2012

Source: SMART

Paying Chinese Businesses In Dollars Instead Of Chinese Yuan Costs American Businesses $2.4 Billion In 2011

ENGLEWOOD, Colo. — February 27, 2012 — Western Union Business Solutions, a business unit of the
Western Union Company, a leader in global payment services, today announced results of a survey of
Chinese companies which found that by settling transactions with Chinese exporters in U.S. dollars
(USD) instead of Chinese yuan (CNY) American businesses paid approximately $2.4 billion in fees to
account for foreign exchange risk.
[1] <#_ftn1>   

“The U.S. is the number one export destination for companies based in China,” said Alfred
Nader, Vice President of Corporate Strategy & Development at Western Union Business Solutions.
“To date, the vast majority of transactions between companies based in the U.S. and China have been
settled in U.S. dollars.  It is time to take a step back and evaluate to what extent it makes
sense for American companies to continue to pay Chinese exporters in something other than their
preferred local currency.”

Western Union Business Solutions’ survey of more than 1,000 Chinese companies who are able to
settle merchandise exports in CNY (known as mainland designated enterprises, or MDEs) reveals a
desire in China to receive payments in their home currency.  The results show that more than
one third (36%) would prefer to be paid in CNY, with over 20% naming exporter convenience and
reduced foreign exchange risk as the main drivers for that preference. 

Despite this appetite, however, 42% of those who would prefer to receive payments in CNY
never ask their overseas trading partners to pay in yuan due to perceived buyer reluctance. 
Companies in China largely attributed this reluctance to inconvenience (33%) and the seemingly
difficult process experienced by partners in obtaining CNY for payment purposes (20%).

To account for the foreign exchange risk associated with settling in currencies other than
CNY, one in five companies surveyed said they add fees of, on average, 3% of the total transaction
cost.

“Chinese exporters would prefer that their trading partners pay in yuan, but most are afraid
to ask because they think they will be rebuffed,” said Mr. Nader.  “There are easy and
inexpensive ways for companies in the U.S. to settle transactions without using USD, which could
generate increased goodwill and loyalty among their Chinese trading partners, not to mention cut
the cost of doing business.”

Another key finding of the survey is that companies in the U.S. are seen as far more
unwilling to settle in CNY than those based in Europe.  In fact, the U.S. was named as the
most reluctant market (42%) with Europe (23%) and South East Asia (13%) placing second and third.
Japan (8%) and Australia (2%) were seen as the least reluctant. 

“Importers that are flexible and savvy in their approach to cross-border payments will find
themselves well-placed to compete in today’s global marketplace,” added Mr. Nader.  “Adapting
to the ongoing liberalization of the CNY is especially significant when one considers the growth
opportunities that exist for companies that do business with China. The goodwill and supplier
loyalty that would be created by American companies who offer to pay in yuan present a real
opportunity for them to gain a competitive advantage when trading with the world’s second largest
economy.”



[1] <#_ftnref1>  Western Union Business Solutions’ research found that one in five
Chinese exporters added an average of three per cent in fees or surcharges to account for FX risk
associated with receiving $USD payments. Based on the U.S. Census Bureau figures for 2011, there
was $399 billion worth of merchandise imports from China into the United States. On this basis the
value of FX related fees charged by Chinese exporters is approximately $2.4 billion, or three per
cent of the value of one-fifth of the United States’ total imports from China.

Posted on March 21, 2012

Source: Western Union Business Solutions

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