Sympatex Presents Innovations And Strategic Partnerships At Performance Days

UNTERFÖHRING, Germany — March 15, 2024 — From March 20-21, 2024, membrane manufacturer Sympatex invites to Performance Days Munich (Apparel booth: P17 / Hall C2 ; Footwear Booth: FW07 / Hall C1). Sympatex will showcase its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and strategic collaboration within the industry in different ways.

Cooperation with e.dye

At the apparel booth P17 / Hall C2 Sympatex is set to unveil three new products, a plain weave, a dobby and a twill, all sourced from e.dye®.

e.dye® is a solution dyed polyester color system with over 5,000 colors and a sophisticated color-matching process for garment textiles. Solution dyeing consumes up to 60% less water, uses up to 90% less chemicals and produces fewer CO2 emissions.

“Working together with e.dye® is a paradigm shift in textile dyeing”, said Kim Scholze, CSO Sympatex.

“Solution dyeing has become a prominent topic in the textile sector, driven by multiple compelling factors. To reduce environmental impacts during production, the advent of the new dyeing process signals a promising shift for the industry at large. In the quest for a more eco-friendly planet, solution dyeing exemplifies how technology can offer innovative solutions to meet the demand for leaving less traces on the planet. Therefore, we are very proud of our cooperation with e.dye®”, added Scholze.

“Because e.dye® actually puts the color inside the yarn, adding the new products to our portfolio gives us three major advantages. Saving water, producing less CO2, using less chemicals. Moreover, since the pigment becomes an inherent component of the yarn (in contrast to traditional processes where the yarn is produced and then colored), solution dyeing yields fibers with exceptional color fastness. These fibers resist bleeding or fading even with prolonged use or exposure to sunlight. Since there is no dyeing process, which has many different influencing factors on colour accuracy, reproducibility is guaranteed with dope dyed goods when reordering”, said Anja Palic, Product Management Sympatex.

Tokyo Fiber2Fiber Spring AS

The new Sympatex laminate is selected for the trend forum fabrics at Performance Days Munich. This years’ focus topis is called „Beyond bottles – the future of Polyester“.

By 2027, the European Commission is expected to introduce minimum quotas for the use of recycled plastic components in new products. These quotas would be mandatory for the plastics processing industry and are likely to be between 15 and 30 percent. The introduction of such quotas will lead to the plastics processing industry having to adapt its production in order to use more recycled fibers. As a result, the demand for high-quality recycled plastic will increase significantly. As a result, fabric manufacturers need to come up with alternatives to polyester derived from plastic bottles up until now.

Sympatexs’ alternative to conventional bottle recycling is called fiber2fiber. The selected item, Tokyo Fiber2Fiber Spring AS is composed of a 100% Fiber2Fiber first layer fabric. This innovative F2F yarn is made from chemically recycled pre- and post-consumer waste using old garments and cutting waste. The development of this laminate amongst others is an initiative aiming to close the textile loop. It is suitable for functional garments in the outdoor and sportswear industry.

Footwear Pecha Kuchas

Sympatex supports the Footwear Pecha Kuchas in the Expert Talk Area on Thursday 21st of March 2024, 9.30-10.15 a.m. CET. Sharp presentations are awaiting all guests to gain valuable insights from industry leaders.

“I am very much looking forward to immersing myself in the fantastic possibilities of sustainability in the shoe segment with everyone interested in. If you take a closer look at shoes, there are a lot of sustainability parameters to discover.”, said Helena Gillerblad, Marketing & Communications Sympatex.

Sustainability Impact Program

The “Sustainability Impact Program” from Sympatex is a training program aimed at young designers from the outdoor industry. In the first module, which starts at the Performance Days in fall 2024, Sympatex offers 20 selected designers a platform for knowledge exchange, workshops and lectures on the topic of “Responsible Design”. During the current Performance Days Sympatex is raffling off one place in the competition. The company invites you to come along and take part in the draw.

“The aim of the program is to appeal to the decision-making power of the designer. Their impact within the value chain is of enormous importance in bringing sustainable and recyclable products into circulation. A designer who understands the steps to the material and the process after sampling is able to design responsibly, develop new effective ideas and make the right decisions. This is an important building block in the value chain and can only work through teamwork and interdisciplinary approaches. As an ingredient brand, Sympatex is strongly networked and wants to use this advantage to push forward the circular economy in the textile sector with the “Sustainability Impact Program”, among other initiatives.” Says Lisa Polk, Circularity Expert Sympatex.

Cooperation with DMIX

DMIx drives product development and enables real-time collaboration between brands and suppliers in one digital platform.

“At Sympatex, we believe in harnessing the power of technology and collaboration to drive sustainable innovation forward. Therefore, we would like to highlight our cooperation with DMIx. DMIx enables us to be a prioneer in digital product development, speeding-up processes while at the same time reducing costs and saving valuable resources. We look forward to sharing our vision with the industry and working together towards a more sustainable future. We invite everyone to explore the fantastic benefits for you as a Sympatex customer at our booth and to meet DMIx at Performance Days TECH HUB”, says Carmen Keim, Color Management Sympatex.

Invitation to Happy Hour

Sympatex cordially invites customers, journalists, and industry insiders to visit its booth at Performance Days in Munich and join the brand for an evening of celebration and networking at the happy hour event.

Sympatex will host an exclusive happy hour event in the evening, together with its partners e.dye and DMIx. This gathering will provide an opportunity for attendees to mingle, network, and engage in meaningful conversations about the latest trends and developments shaping the future of performance textiles.

Posted: March 15, 2024

Source: Sympatex Technologies GmbH

High Tech Meets High Fashion: Epson Partners With ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase (AFDS) To Produce Sustainable Fashion Collection With Innovative Technology

SINGAPORE — February 19, 2024 — Epson has announced its collaboration with ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase (AFDS) to raise awareness on sustainable fashion through innovative technology.

Epson SureColor SC-F10030

As part of the collaboration, Epson partnered with seven local designers from different ASEAN markets to create a unique fashion collection with a sustainability theme that ties in with the cultural roots of their respective countries. The full “Sustainability in Asia” collection will be unveiled during Epson’s LFP Innovation Day in Bangkok on 21 March 2024. Leading up to the main event, part of the collection will be showcased at Epson Solution Center across the region.

The seven designers from AFDS are:

  1. Singapore – Terry Yeo
  2. Indonesia – Lisa Fitria
  3. Malaysia – Even Ong
  4. Philippines – Dave Ocampo
  5. Thailand – Pitnapat Yotinratanachai
  6. Vietnam – Nicky Vu
  7. Laos – Bandid Lasavong

The designers are leveraging Epson’s line of dye sublimation printers including SureColor SC-F6430, SureColor SC-F9430H and SureColor SC-F10030 to produce bright and sharp colour apparel pieces for these unique collections.

Singaporean designer Terry Yeo working on his collection, A Tiny Garden in the Big City

“My collection “A Tiny Garden in the Big City” draws inspiration from Singapore’s Garden by the Bay, reflecting the balance between nature and urban life. The creative process involves incorporating the landmark into fabric design and garment silhouettes, capturing colours from the rainforest dome and daily light shows. Sustainability is woven into the collection by using fabrics from previous collections and upcycling suitable outfits while newly printed fabrics using Epson printers aim for zero waste,” shares Terry Yeo.

Sublimation transfer is an easy printing method in which the design is first printed on a dye sublimation transfer media. Using only a combination of heat and pressure, the design on this media will then be transferred directly onto the fabric. With this method, the ink will be bonded to the fabric, resulting in permanent, vibrant prints that are fade resistant.

Unlike conventional printing which requires a substantial amount of water for fabric preparation, dyeing and rinsing, digital textile printing that uses dye sublimation is a more environmentally conscious approach for apparel companies as it produces less waste. It also minimises over-production as designers can produce printed fabric as required. This ensures fashion designers will be able to maintain a sustainable textile printing business while significantly reducing the cost as well as environmental impact.

Additionally, going digital enables designers to have full creative freedom to print anything imaginable and on-demand. The technology allows them to create and produce complex designs, giving designers endless variations and options that suit their respective tastes.

Derek Tan, Head of Sales and Marketing, Epson Singapore shared, “We are thrilled to collaborate with AFDS to raise awareness on sustainable digital textile printing through a creative showcase on apparels with these established and aspiring ASEAN designers. Guided by our brand message, “Engineered for Good”, Epson is continuously exploring different ways to co-create sustainability technology solutions that truly enrich our communities and address issues surrounding the environment. It is part of our long term mission to improve the sustainability standards across different industries including the textile industry”.

Hayden Ng, Premier Founder/Singapore Fashion Ambassador, ASEAN Fashion Designers Showcase added, “The team of designers with AFDS are excited to participate in this unique partnership with Epson, aligning with their shared vision for the future of fashion and technology. The collaborative designs crafted for this venture embody a vibrant fusion of fun, youthfulness, fashion-forward sensibilities, and practical wearability. Each of the seven designers has ingeniously translated their unique narratives, rooted in the cultural tapestry of their respective countries, and has artfully woven in their perspectives on sustainability and zero wastage in the production of these styles.”

Posted: March 15, 2024

Source: Epson

UNDER ARMOUR Announces Leadership Transition: Kevin Plank To Become Chief Executive Officer; Mohamed A. El-Erian, Under Armour’s Lead Director, Named Chair Of The Board

BALTIMORE — March 13, 2024 — Under Armour Inc. has announced that Kevin Plank will become president and CEO, effective April 1, 2024. Plank will succeed Stephanie Linnartz, who will be stepping down as president & CEO and member of the board. In connection with Plank’s appointment, Dr. Mohamed A. El-Erian, an independent director since 2018 and lead director since 2020, will become the non-executive chair of the board. Plank, who will transition from executive chair of the Board, will remain a director. Linnartz will remain an advisor to the company through April 30, 2024.

“On behalf of the full team, I want to thank Stephanie for her contributions to Under Armour. We deeply appreciate her hard work and dedication,” Plank said. “During her tenure, she strengthened the leadership team with executive hires in critical areas, including product, design, supply chain, consumer connectivity, and regional management. Her prior experience leading major brands was instrumental in focusing our consumer strategy, including the launch of the U.S. loyalty program, UA Rewards. Her efforts have helped set us on the right path, and we wish her success in her future endeavors.”

“I feel honored to have served as Under Armour’s President & CEO and worked with many incredible teammates who care deeply about the company’s purpose and mission,” said Linnartz. “I am proud of our progress against our strategic plan, including strengthening our team, evolving our products and marketing, and increasing our focus on profitability. We have a strong foundation in place for future growth and the company’s potential is limitless. I will continue to root for Under Armour’s success.”

Reflecting on his appointment, Plank said: “For nearly 30 years, Under Armour has focused on inspiring athletes with industry-leading, performance solutions they never knew they needed and once they’ve tried them, can’t imagine living without. As the company continues to navigate several post-pandemic consumer, industry, and brand-specific factors, we are working hard to reconstitute our strengths and make thoughtful, balanced business decisions to drive enduring success for athletes, customers, and shareholders. I am energized about the team we have put into place and look forward to seizing the opportunities ahead.”

“On behalf of the Board, I want to thank Stephanie for her many valuable contributions to Under Armour,” said incoming Board Chair Dr. El-Erian. “With Kevin’s vision and drive serving as critical components, Board members and I look forward to working closely with him and the Under Armour leadership team to unleash shareholder value and drive the company forward.”

Plank founded Under Armour in 1996, and since then, he has been the driving force behind its innovative products and brand. From 1996 to 2019, he served as Under Armour’s CEO and chair of the board of directors. In January 2020, Plank was appointed executive chair and brand chief.

Dr. Mohamed A. El-Erian is the president of Queens’ College, University of Cambridge. Since 2014, he has served as chief economic advisor at Allianz, the corporate parent of PIMCO, where he was chief executive and co-chief investment officer (2007-2014). He is chair of Gramercy Fund Management, a columnist for Bloomberg Opinion, and a contributing editor at the Financial Times. He is a professor of practice at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a Senior Global Fellow at the Lauder Institute there. Before PIMCO, Dr. El-Erian was a managing director at Solomon Smith Barney/Citigroup in London, and before that, he spent 15 years at the International Monetary Fund in Washington, D.C., where he served as Deputy Director before moving to the private sector. Dr. El-Erian holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Cambridge University and a master’s and doctorate from Oxford University.

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: Under Armour, Inc. 

Hanes Adds SuperSoft Styles To Originals Collection, Its Softest Innovation In More Than A Century

WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — March 14, 2024 — Hanes, No. 1 brand of basic apparel1with products in 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S., is expanding on the success of its largest cross-category launch ever by introducing Hanes® Originals with SuperSoft fabrics. The line builds upon Hanes Originals, a bold and youthful collection of body basics that delivers modern styles without sacrificing comfort. The new styles go a step further with updated pieces, injecting luxurious colors and, most importantly, the absolute softest fabrics, made from luxe viscose from bamboo.

Hanes, No. 1 brand of basic apparel(1) with products in 9 out of 10 homes in the U.S., is expanding on the success of its largest cross-category launch ever by introducing Hanes® Originals with SuperSoft fabrics. The line builds upon Hanes Originals, a bold and youthful collection of body basics that delivers modern styles without sacrificing comfort. Photo — Business Wire

“We are thrilled to introduce Hanes Originals with SuperSoft fabrics, the latest addition to our comfort-driven lineup,” said Jane Newman, Chief Design Officer, Global Innerwear HanesBrands. “We are leveraging our global design expertise to develop pieces that tick all the boxes for our consumers. Unmatched softness, driven by transformative fabrics that have truly redefined comfort, is what the new styles are all about.”

A part of the iconic Hanes Originals collection, these essentials celebrate strength through softness. With new tonal designs and luxurious fabrics, Hanes’ new SuperSoft styles capture the essence of what has always made Hanes synonymous with feeling comfortable and true to yourself.

The full array of Hanes Originals with SuperSoft styles is a comprehensive selection of luxe basics for men, women and kids and includes underwear, bras, socks and comfywear ranging in prices from $10 – $34. These products deliver supreme softness with elevated fabrics, ensuring consumers have access to high quality pieces at affordable prices.

Hanes Originals SuperSoft styles are now available on Hanes.com, and consumers can experience the revolutionary softness by visiting Hanes retail stores and authorized retailers nationwide, including Amazon, Target, Walmart and Kohl’s.

“The Great Softening”

The launch of Hanes Originals with SuperSoft fabrics will kick off with a creative campaign. “The Great Softening”, developed by The Martin Agency, takes viewers on a journey to the Wild West, where the rugged turn soft. Hanes’ legacy begins in 1901, when the creation of the iconic brand would begin its journey to becoming the No. 1 brand of underwear2 in the U.S. that it is today. “The Great Softening” juxtaposes the tough landscape of the early 1900’s with the unmatched softness of Hanes in 2024.

“This is the sequel to last year’s Hanes Originals anthemic spot, so we decided to continue to push the needle. But this time on a different narrative—one that takes place in the rough and tough Wild West — a time when living was every shade of uncomfortable,” said Rushil Nadkarni, Associate Creative Director, The Martin Agency.

The campaign commercial and supporting creative was directed by Joseph Kahn, a Grammy-award winning commercial, music video and feature film director, whose videos have been commissioned by some of the greatest artists in the industry.

“The clip helps differentiate Hanes from competitors with an easy humor that defines how accessible the brand is,” said Kahn. “Underwear can be a tricky product to sell, and we break through the awkwardness by embracing and celebrating it. Yet the ad takes the product seriously through high production value and aesthetics. The commercial reflects the product: relatable, stylish, and state of the art.”

The ads launch during college basketball playoffs on CBS, Tru, TBS and TNT. The full campaign is supported with social and digital media as well as through organic social and influencer marketing.

The “Great Softening” campaign debuts on March 17th and commercials can be viewed www.youtube.com/hanes.

1Source: Circana, Consumer Tracking Service, U.S., unit sales, 12 Months Ending December 2023

2Source: Circana, Consumer Tracking Service, U.S., brand sales, 12 Months Ending December 2023

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: HanesBrands

Walmart And unspun Collaborate On 3D Fabric Weaving Technology, Aiming To Reduce Apparel Manufacturing Waste And Drive US-Based Manufacturing

BENTONVILLE, Ark. & SAN FRANCISCO— March 14, 2024 — Walmart, an omnichannel retailer, today announced a pilot project with unspun, a pioneering fashion tech company using the world’s first 3D weaving technology, a collaboration that, if successful, could help reduce the environmental impact of garment production, offer a more sustainable process for meeting apparel demand and support the companies’ shared commitment to shift more textile manufacturing back to the U.S. Out of its micro factory in Oakland, California, unspun’s first-of-its-kind technology promises to more quickly and efficiently transform yarn into garments.

Walmart and unspun work together to reduce the environmental impact of garment production. Photo — Business Wire

The pilot project directly addresses concerns about waste in the apparel industry — a significant global challenge — driven primarily by fabric loss from traditional flat weaving, cutting and garment assembly, and from discarded extra inventory built to meet growing consumer demand and fashion trends. These issues, combined with the emissions generated from transporting garments and fabrics supplied offshore, have created demand for more sustainable apparel manufacturing supply chain solutions.

“At Walmart, we are laser-focused on bringing innovation to our supply chain to better serve our customers and solve industry challenges, and unspun has the potential to do just that,” said Andrea Albright, executive vice president, Sourcing, Walmart. “The technology we are piloting with unspun has the potential to unlock more skilled job creation in the U.S., meet consumer demand for locally made garments and deliver on our commitment for greater transparency and sustainability in our apparel supply chain.”

Pilot Will Examine 3D Weaving for Pants

In the pilot project, the two companies will explore how unspun’s 3D weaving machines can be used to make workwear style pants under a Walmart house brand. With 3D weaving, yarn is spun directly into completed garments. This is an innovative and new approach to garment manufacturing. Traditionally, yarn is woven into one-dimensional fabrics, which are then cut and assembled into garments – creating waste and taking significant time and multiple manufacturing steps. The 3D weaving process is different from commonly known 3D printing, which creates a physical object from a digital design by laying down thin layers of liquid or powdered plastic, metal or cement.

The two companies aspire to deepen the collaboration into later phases should the pilot prove successful. unspun, in collaboration with a manufacturing partner, hopes to ultimately deploy additional microsites around the U.S. for on- and near-shored manufacturing, with locations to be determined. unspun has an ambition to have 350 machines in the U.S. by 2030.

“The pressing need to address ongoing climate change, reduce carbonization and drive to more transparent and localized apparel manufacturing practices is at the heart of our mission,” said Beth Esponnette, co-founder of unspun. “We have been running low-volume production of commercial products at our first micro factory with proven third-party life cycle assessments to back the impact of this new type of production. Now, together with Walmart, we see an enormous opportunity to take our innovations to scale, with the potential to disrupt the garment manufacturing industry, bring jobs to the USA and drastically reduce waste in apparel.”

“unspun’s technology aims to be the fastest, highest quality and most economical way to make woven garments period. Innovative industry leaders like Walmart are beginning to see the future potential impact, and we expect there to be continued interest as the unspun team builds the future of manufacturing,” said Shuo Yang, Lowercarbon Capital.

Shaping the Future of Retail

Today’s announcement closely follows a series of innovative tech initiatives unveiled by Walmart in recent months. On Jan. 9, 2024, at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Walmart showcased tech-powered enhancements, including expanded drone delivery in the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) metroplex; computer vision exit technology at Sam’s Clubs; AI, GenAI and AR enhancements for customers, members and associates; along with ambitious commitments to clean energy. In July 2023, Walmart announced a pilot for innovative carbon capture and conversion technology also for the apparel manufacturing supply chain.

A long-time leader on sustainability, Walmart has worked with suppliers, NGOs and climate action leaders to inspire positive change across global value chains since 2005. In its own operations, Walmart has set a goal to be powered 50% by renewable energy by 2025 and 100% by 2035. More than 5,900 suppliers globally are engaged in Project Gigaton™, and as of February 21, suppliers have now reported projects that are expected to exceed the 1 billion metric ton mark, helping Walmart reach their goal six years early.

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: Walmart Inc.

Functional Fabric Fair Unveils Expert Talks Lineup And Introduces ‘Day 0 (Zero) – Behind The Seams: Sustainability Workshop’ And AATCC Testing And Standards Exhibition 

NORWALK, Conn. — March 14, 2024 — Functional Fabric Fair, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS®, is thrilled to announce its Expert Talks programming which runs from April 17-18, 2024, at the Oregon Convention Center in Portland. Additionally, the fair will introduce the all-new Day 0 (Zero) – Behind the Seams: Sustainability Workshop taking place on April 16, the day before the fair opens. The American Association of Textile Chemists and Colorists (AATCC) Testing and Standards Exhibition will also open on April 16 and run throughout the fair.

Known for its curated programming, the two-day fair will feature over 240 textile suppliers offering high performance functional fabrics for the apparel industry’s Spring 2026/2027 seasons. The event will also feature a notable conference program covering various topics such as trends and the latest textile developments, presented by industry experts. The Expert Talks taking place on the show floor is complimentary for all registered attendees and exhibitors. See the conference schedule and list of speakers.

For the first time, Functional Fabric Fair will host Day 0 (Zero) – Behind the Seams: Sustainability Workshop in a seminar and workshop format the day before the exhibit hall opens on April 16. This paid conference will showcase sustainability practitioners offering practical insights into foundational sustainability-driven topics such as supply chain dynamics, transparency, traceability, restrictions, banned substances, human rights in global supply chain and more. Attendees and Exhibitors will engage in roundtable conversations and participate in interactive and individual activities. The conference will be facilitated by Jill Dumain, Founding Partner of Fractal CSOs; Kevin Myette, Director of Global Brand Services Bluesign Technologies; Todd Copeland, Founder and Owner Copeland Consultancy; Marco Weichert, CEO at Performance Days and Weichert Agencies; and Steve McCullough, Event Director of Functional Fabric Fair.

“Our goal for Day 0 (Zero) is to bring leading brands, manufacturers and industry experts together in one room for an interactive workshop that establishes a foundational level of understanding on what truly matters when approaching the sustainability of your products and materials,” says Steve McCullough, the Event Director of Functional Fabric Fair. “Our intention is for the industry to leave with new knowledge and resources to start implementing for the first day of the fair and beyond.”

Also new to the fair is the AATCC Testing & Standards Exhibition which will feature apparatus and educational displays in five key topic areas, including Visual Color Evaluation, Fiber Fragment Testing, Appearance & Laundering, Water Resistance, and Control Fabrics. This display is open to everyone, with no additional registration needed, but attendees must present show badges to enter. Room Details To Be Announced.

Functional Fabric Fair opens its Exhibit Hall doors on Wednesday, April 17 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm, and Thursday, April 18 from 9:00 am – 5:00 pm. The fair is open, free of charge, to verified designers, product, purchasing, material, sustainability managers and others in the industry looking to source fabrics and accessories for outdoor, sportive performance and lifestyle apparel. The Day 0 (Zero) – Behind the Seams: Sustainability Workshop will take place on Tuesday, April 16 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm. Space is limited, and a paid ticket is required, with complimentary breakfast and lunch provided.

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: Functional Fabric Fair, powered by PERFORMANCE DAYS®

Techtextil Frankfurt 2024: Freudenberg Performance Materials Showcasing Solutions For The Automotive, Building, Apparel, Filtration And Packaging Industries

WEINHEIM, Germany — March 14, 2024 — Freudenberg Performance Materials (Freudenberg) is showcasing pioneering and sustainable solutions for the automotive, building, apparel, filtration and packaging industries at Stand C29, Hall 12.2 of this year’s Techtextil in Frankfurt am Main April 23-26. The materials developed by Freudenberg’s experienced specialists score in terms of recycling and circularity.

Sustainable nonwoven for car seats

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of technical textiles, innovative solutions from Freudenberg help the automotive industry become more sustainable. One innovation highlight at Techtextil is a novel Polyester nonwoven material for car seat padding. Also available as a nonwoven composite with PU foam, it is not only easier for car seat manufacturers to handle during the mounting process, but also ensures better dimensional stability as well as providing soft and flexible padding. The material is single origin and has low volatile organic compounds (VOC), ensuring a lower environmental impact. It also has a minimum 25 percent recycled content, for example, by reusing nonwoven clippings and waste, and is fully recyclable. Full supply chain transparency enables customers to easily trace and verify the content of the nonwoven and thus ensures a responsible production process. The Freudenberg experts will also be presenting several other nonwoven solutions made of up to 80 percent recycled materials that can be used in car seat manufacturing.

Biocarrier for green roofs

Freudenberg´s sustainable carrier material for green roofs on urban buildings is made from renewable resources.
Source: ©Freudenberg Performance Materials

As part of its commitment to sustainable building concepts, Freudenberg is showcasing a sustainable carrier material for green roofs on urban buildings at the trade fair. The carrier is made from polylactide, i.e. from renewable resources. When filled with soil, it provides a strong foothold to root systems, enabling the growth of lightweight sedum blankets that can be rolled out to provide instant green roofs. These roofs not only help counter urban heat, they also improve stormwater management and regulate indoor temperatures.

From textile waste to padding

Freudenberg continues to promote the circular economy in the textile industry with several new solutions. For example, the company extended its circular thermal wadding product range with the release of comfortemp® HO 80xR circular, a wadding made from 70 percent recycled polyamide from discarded fishing nets, carpet flooring and industrial plastic. Because polyamide 6, also known as nylon, retains its performance characteristics after multiple recycling processes, the fibers can be used again and again to manufacture performance sporting apparel, leisurewear and luxury garments. Just recently, Freudenberg contributed another innovative thermal insulation to the first parka made from 100 percent recycled used clothing. This was made possible by loopamid®, a new nylon fiber developed by BASF that simplifies textile-to-textile recycling for nylon garments.

Packaging solutions with various sustainability benefits

Durable packaging solutions from Evolon® are suitable for the transportation of sensitive industrial items, for example for automotive parts.
Source: ©Freudenberg Performance Materials

Freudenberg is also showcasing pioneering products for sustainable packaging and filtration solutions. The long-lasting Evolon® technical packaging series is a substitute for disposable packaging used in the transport of sensitive industrial items such as automotive parts. The material is made from up to 85 percent recycled PET. A further highlight at Techtextil are Freudenberg’s fully bio-based solutions for manufacturing dessicant bags. The binder-free material based on bio-fibers is also industrially compostable.

In addition, the experts will be giving trade fair visitors an insight into Freudenberg’s Filtura® portfolio. The innovative Air Pollution Control (APC) filtration bags made from hydroentangled microfilament material for industrial filtration are not only lightweight, but also offer customers a high filtration performance and trouble-free filter cleaning.

CO2-neutral trade fair stand

As at the last Techtextil, Freudenberg’s presence at this year’s trade fair will be CO2-neutral. The CO2 emissions of materials and activities at the trade fair will be calculated and then offset by planting trees.

Posted: March 14, 2024 – amended March 18, 2024

Source: Freudenberg Performance Materials

TextileGenesis Launches A Version 2.0 Of Its Traceability Platform For The Fashion Industry

PARIS — March 14, 2024 — TextileGenesis, a Lectra Group company, announced the availability of version 2.0 of its SaaS platform providing the fashion ecosystem with totally reliable, secure and digitized traceability of all materials and garments. This new version offers innovative new features from risk management, traceability engine based on more than 300 real-world supply transformation steps, to unified platform with real time integration with more than 90 percent of major material certification standards.

To support the industry comply with increasingly stringent global transparency regulations and enhance the overall user experience for fashion brands and textile suppliers, TextileGenesis has introduced the following new features:

  • A risk and compliance management module that automatically tracks and flags the global supply chain risks from publicly available databases (such as the UFLPA entity watch list). The system captures and flags the risks across the entire value chain from tiers 1 to 4.
  • The traceability engine ensures that every transaction in the system reflects the real-world complexity with close to 300 supply chain transformation steps.
  • Consolidation of all major material certification schemes on a single unified platform that allows third- party verification through certification bodies. The third-party sustainability certification schemes and independent verification are a key requirement for the newly enacted European law banning greenwashing to ensure that product sustainability claims are authentic and verifiable.
  • Material-origin verification (for tier 4 and tier 5 suppliers) for all material value chains from recycled polyester, organic cotton, man-made cellulosic to responsible animal fibers.
  • The new version offers standardized and automated data exchange with fashion brands and textile suppliers through API and SFTP protocol.

Overall, the platform users have a significantly enhanced user dashboard, intuitive interface, and additional data integrity checks to ensure a highly robust, reliable and scalable traceability platform. Currently, more than 8,000 supply chain roles from more than 70 countries are using the platform to enable their supply chains to become more traceable, for more than 800 million units.

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: TextileGenesis, a Lectra company

First Ever Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel — VIATT — Attracts 17,262 Visits, Lays Foundation To ‘Harness Growth Of Vietnam’s Textile Market’

HO CHI MINH CITY — March 14, 2024 — As the inaugural Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) drew curtains on March 1, 2024, Messe Frankfurt’s first integrated textile fair in Asia has positioned itself as an essential platform for the entire textile value chain. Covering three major industry sectors, the three-day fair attracted 17,262 visits from 55 countries and regions, connecting with 409 exhibitors from 17 countries and regions. In addition to attracting top-quality suppliers, participants also noted the high caliber of buyers and the clear potential for growth at future editions.

Hosted by Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade (MOIT), VIATT 2024 was the first trade fair organised by Messe Frankfurt and VIETRADE. The fair’s opening ceremony was officiated by Phan Thi Thang, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade, and Detlef Braun, Member of the Executive Board, Messe Frankfurt GmbH. Addressing the fair’s positioning, Phan said: “The Ministry of Industry and Trade coordinated with Messe Frankfurt to organize VIATT 2024. Held for the first time in Vietnam, the fair is dedicated to creating favorable conditions for international businesses in the textile sector, and to integrate Vietnam’s industry with the global textile and garment production chains. With abundant international resources in technology and experience, VIATT will foster the growth of Vietnam’s supply chain in a sustainable direction.”

During his speech, Braun underscored the show’s potential: “Vietnam, as a rising hotspot for the textile industry, is a major market for us. Together with our trusted partners Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and VIETRADE, we will work closely to expand this show, and increase the competitive edge of the Vietnamese textile industry in the global market. Today is just the beginning for VIATT, and we believe it will achieve enduring success.”

The ceremony was followed by the VIATT Fashion Show that featured Kilomet 109, a well-known Vietnamese fashion brand. Under the theme of “Sustainable Fashion, Around the World”, the event mirrored Vietnam’s increasing attention paid to its fashion industry, as well as the global demand for sustainable products. Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TiHTA), and XYX Material also joined hands to showcase their sustainable collections.

Across 15,000 square meters of exhibition space in two halls, the fair reflected the latest trends and innovations in the product sectors of apparel fabrics, yarns and fibers, and garments; home textiles; as well as technical textiles and nonwovens, textile processing, and printing technology. Many of the industry’s most well-known players, including Groz Beckert, Hohmann GmbH & Co KG, Kitsutaka Co, Kurabo Industries Ltd, Lenzing, Multi Glory USA Corp., Nice Dyeing Factory, Stäubli International AG, and VEIT GmbH were in attendance, sharing similar views that Vietnam represents a crucial link in the global textile value chain.

“VIATT stands on the shoulders of one of the world’s fastest growing economies,” said Wilmet Shea, general manager of Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd. “The fair was launched to help the industry supplement and harness the growth of Vietnam’s textile market. We are delighted that our expectations were met, as a strong contingent of domestic and international buyers connected with our exhibitors. The response from key suppliers was also very encouraging, layinga solid foundation for VIATT to build upon in the coming years.”

Exhibitors’ feedback

Apparel fabrics, yarns & fibers, and garments

“The first edition of VIATT has given us a good idea how the local market mechanism works. I can see a lot of serious buyers from not only Vietnam, but also from China, Malaysia, Japan and neighbouring countries. I am especially impressed by the machinery manufacturers and their innovative ideas. We will surely join the next edition and will bring a wider product range across different sectors of the industry.” — M Usman Arshad, chief marketing officer, Kintex Group/Abdullah Textile, Pakistan

“Our company’s enthusiasm for the Southeast Asian market led us to establish an office in Vietnam last year. After realising the potential for larger industry exhibitions, we chose VIATT this year, combining targeted exposure for our products with our trust in Messe Frankfurt’s expertise. In addition to engaging domestic buyers, we’ve connected with customers from Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.” — Joe Zhou, general manager, Idole Trading Co Ltd, China

“We’ve seen a lot of the production volume migrating to Vietnam, several companies are now establishing or growing their presence here in Vietnam, and we’re very excited to support that growth. We are investing significantly to expand our facility and ensure that we have the right capacity to fulfil the future demand. At VIATT, we’ve seen tremendous traffic at our booth. There is a mix between local and foreign visitors, and international companies and domestic entities.” — Paul Nguyen, sales director, Mainland Southeast Asia, Apparel Solutions, Avery Dennison, Hong Kong

“Vietnam has a large textile industry, not only for garments but also for home textiles and accessories. This show is a very good idea, as all the buyers want to visit Vietnam, and here they can visit the whole industry together. The visitor flow has been good, not only from domestic factories, but also some buyers from Europe and the US. Every buyer is looking for a sustainability strategy, but they want a partner to support them in planning and achieving their goals.” — Raymond Kong, Market Development Manager – Asia Pacific, Testex Swiss Textile-Testing Ltd, Switzerland

“The quality of yarns and fabrics in Vietnam is improving every day. With the ASEAN market opening up various business opportunities, we are here to find new, high-end buyers. VIATT has a very strong lineup of overseas exhibitors, and so far we have met buyers from major companies such as Columbia, Hansae, GAP, YGM Trading, and S&G. We will join the next edition and hopefully establish further connections with buyers from Europe, Australia, the US and Canada.” — Trinh Phi Yen, Marketing Team – R & BD Dept., Eland Group – (TC) Thanh Cong Textile & Garment Investment Trading Join Stock Co, Vietnam

Home textiles

“We are looking for new contacts in Vietnam, as we have made contacts in more or less the whole Asian market, but Vietnam is a new market for us. I have to say the first day was a very good start. We met some good contacts from countries outside Vietnam, from the Far East, and even from Europe. We have also arranged some meetings with Vietnamese customers. Through this fair we have a good start in this market.” — Andreas Schwarzbach, Sales Director, Hohmann GmbH & Co KG, Germany

“At VIATT, we’ve had the opportunity to meet with real estate companies, design offices, and interior stores. We believe that our products are a perfect way to create a Japanese space anywhere, and we’re confident they will sell well in Vietnam. Our ultimate goal is to sell our products all over the world, and our plan is to first establish a strong presence in Vietnam and then consider local production to offer a more affordable price.” — Ryosuke Nishida, Business Promotion Department, Kitsutaka Co Ltd, Japan

“We export our products to many countries, such as the US, Mexico, the UK, France, Australia, China, and more. But this fair is our first step to survey the Vietnamese and Southeast Asia markets. We have also met customers from Ecuador, China, and Japan. At the other booths, we found so many potential downstream business partners and some companies from our region. We can join together, discuss our market, and maintain good relationships with each other.” — Seung Jin Choi, Assistant Manager, Research & Development Dept, Hangyang Eco Tex, Korea

Technical textiles and nonwovens, textile processing, and printing technology

“Our TSA Tactile Sensation Analyzer is the only machine that simulates the feeling of a human hand, measuring fabrics’ texture, softness, and flexibility or stiffness. For this show, we are targeting mainly Southeast Asia, such as Vietnam, Thailand, Bangladesh, Cambodia, even Taiwan, and we have had some good contacts and discussions already. Our long-term contact with Messe Frankfurt, paired with the cooperation from our new Vietnam sales partner, led to us deciding that this fair could be a good starting point.” — Daniel Ohndorf, Sales Area Manager, emtec Electronic GmbH, Germany

“We are the only global manufacturer of polyacrylate in fibre form. We sell a lot of superabsorbent fibre to sectors such as food packaging; converters that supply yarn for wrapping around underwater cables beneath the sheath; filtration, primarily for polishing of fuels; and medical. The Vietnam market is growing at a phenomenal rate, many businesses are setting up here with a need for superabsorbent technology.” — Paul Rushton, Commercial Director, Technical Absorbents, UK

Meanwhile, a host of buyers were pleased with the range of sourcing options on their doorstep, relishing the opportunity to connect with exhibitors from Southeast Asia, China, Europe, and beyond.

Buyers’ experiences

“We are a 100%-for-export sourcing company and garment manufacturer, especially outerwear and jackets. Our company is headquartered in Belgium, and our market is mostly in Europe, towards the high end. We have just arrived, but we have visited a few booths and are seeing what we like. We are looking for all kinds of fabrics and textiles, including wool, polyester, nylon, and of course sustainable materials.” — Marco Corrado, Director of Sales, Textyle Asia Pte Ltd, Vietnam

“Our company is located in Northern Vietnam, and it has been producing fabrics for swimwear and sportswear applications for 15 years. We came to the first edition of VIATT to explore the wide range of suppliers across the textile value chain, as well as the opportunity of being an exhibitor in the future. I believe that in the next two – three years the market will become more positive.” — Sara Pelizzoli, Marketing Manager, Hung Yen Knitting & Dyeing, Vietnam

“I’m from France but based in Vietnam. I’m looking for inspiration, and some information about printing. We sell shopping bags, and everything related to bags and containers. We mainly use polypropylene woven bags, and also cotton. Today is my first day visiting – I have finished with the fabrics section, and I will check the machinery. There are many options, and the best so far have been finished products.” — Astrid Bonnet, General Manager, ASEAN Region, LBX Asie, Vietnam

“As a trading company, we specialise in silk and yarn for furniture, bedding, fabric, and curtain frames. Most of our products are exported from Vietnam to international markets such as America and Europe. At this fair, I’ve found a lot of interesting products, such as Hometech-style blankets and their production machines. We’ve also discovered some potential silk suppliers.” — Tony Tan, Business Development Manager, VNPOLIFIBER, Vietnam

In addition to business matching, helping shape the industry’s future was also on the agenda. Key players from across Asia shared their insights on topics spanning Design & Trends, Market Strategies, Textile & Nonwoven Technologies, and Sustainability, while providing an edge to attendees looking to stay ahead in a competitive market.

Speakers’ insights

“My presentation is about sustainability circularity. Textile sustainability is a big topic and a collaborative effort betweenall stakeholders, from supply chains to consumers. However, the textile value chain, including fibre spinning, fabric, and garment industries, is very fragmented. So VIATT’s idea of bringing everyone under one roof is great because buyers can come to one place and get all the complete information.” — Winston A. Mulyadi, Commercial Head, Southeast Asia & Oceania, Lenzing, Austria

“VIATT is an excellent platform for delivering key information to the industry. My presentation aimed to educate people on industrial hemp and fibre hemp. These materials are relatively new to the market, so seminars such as this are a must-have, as they allow us to share innovative ideas and help industry players gain a greater understanding of the latest market trends.” — Sharon Deidre Leyson, Vice President: International Affairs, Thai Industrial Hemp Trade Association (TIHTA), Thailand

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT) is organised by Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd and the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE), covering the entire textile industry value chain. For more details on this fair, please visit www.viatt.com.vn or contact textile@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com.

The next edition will be held from February 26-28, 2025.

Other upcoming shows:

Intertextile Shenzhen Apparel Fabrics / Yarn Expo Shenzhen

  • 5 – 7 June 2024, Shenzhen (Futian)

Intertextile Shanghai Home Textiles – Autumn Edition

  • 14 – 16 August 2024, Shanghai

Intertextile Shanghai Apparel Fabrics – Autumn Edition / Yarn Expo Autumn

  • 27 – 29 August 2024, Shanghai

Cinte Techtextil China

  • 19 – 21 September 2024, Shanghai

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd

Mimaki Launches Environmentally Conscious, Two-Step Textile Transfer Printing Solution TRAPIS

AMSTERDAM — March 14, 2024 — Mimaki Europe, a provider of industrial inkjet printers, cutting plotters, and 3D printers, announces the commercial release of its textile pigment transfer printing system, named “TRAPIS”. Following the preview of the technology at ITMA 2023, this commercialized version, available later this year, offers an environmentally friendly and easy to operate solution for textile applications — saving almost 90 percent of wastewater compared to conventional methods.

Mimaki’s TRAPIS solution provides a simple, environmentally friendly two-step process, consisting of an inkjet printer and a calender

TRAPIS provides a simple two-step process, consisting of an inkjet printer and a calender. The design of choice is printed by the inkjet printer with a dedicated ink onto transfer paper, which is then transferred to the application via a calender. Unlike both analogue and digital conventional dye-printing methods, TRAPIS generates almost no wastewater, only that which is produced during the printer’s automatic maintenance. Due to no pre-treatment or washing of the fabric being needed, this saves around 14.5 litres per square meter of water when compared to digital dye printing.

Additionally, this eliminates the need for wastewater treatment facilities, which can be both expensive and constrictive when it comes to where the solution is installed. Due to the smaller size, it is possible for the TRAPIS system to be installed in a limited space, or even at the front of a printshop.

Broadening the textile application possibilities for print service providers, the system can print on a wide range of materials, including natural fibres

TRAPIS also offers print service providers an easy-to-use option for textile printing. As the process only involves printing and transferring, it does not require specialized skills to operate when compared to the more complex seven- or eight-step system for digital and analogue conventional printing. The lack of a fabric conveyor belt in the system further minimizes the need for time intensive maintenance.

Further simplifying the process, TRAPIS is able to print on a wide range of materials, including natural fibres like cotton and silk in addition to blended fabrics, with just one type of ink. Due to this, the process can be flexible and adapt to customer demand, even with multi-material short runs. The accompanying ink has also achieved the ZDHC MRSL Lv.3 certification and is bluesign® APPROVED, to ensure that it is both worker and consumer safe, as well as an environmentally friendly product. Like with Mimaki’s existing textile solution portfolio, the prints produced with TRAPIS maintain stretchability and colorfastness, without impacting aspects like breathability and water absorbability, important for sectors like home textiles, activewear and fashion.

Arjen Evertse, General Manager sales, Mimaki Europe, commented: “After the positive reception we received when we initially showcased the technology last year, we’re pleased to now announce the release of this solution commercially at FESPA. Conscious of the evolving sustainability standards and customer demands, we created TRAPIS as an innovative and seamless system for print service providers looking to produce high-quality and vibrant textile applications, while keeping cost, time and environmental impact to a minimum.”

Posted: March 14, 2024

Source: Mimaki Europe

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